Easy Gua Bao Recipe from Beyond Sushi in NYC
It’s hard to ignore the truth; all too often, a cruelty-free lifestyle is considered one of sacrifice. Vegan diners are often asked to give up some of life’s most interesting cuisines as they stay true to their moral principles. Thankfully, Beyond Sushi stands ready to offer a solution! Whether it’s through hot, delicious meals or easy recipes, our chefs are prepared to introduce the world of vegan, Asian-inspired cuisine as far as possible. Where better to start than through this easy gua bao recipe from Beyond Sushi in NYC?
Since its founding, Beyond Sushi has worked tirelessly to bring fresh, innovative meals to diners all over the NYC area and beyond. First and foremost, they strive to help patrons see the creativity and flavor that can truly lie within the realm of a cruelty-free, Earth-conscious diet.
Whether you’re dining in, carrying out, or creating your own delicious vegan recipes from scratch, allow Beyond Sushi to pave your way to an unforgettable meal! For more inspiration, check out our full menu or place an order for pickup/delivery today.
What is a Gua Boa?
With roots in both Chinese and Taiwanese culture, it’s hard to provide a definitive description of this unique dish. Frequently known as a “pork belly bun” or just “boa,” this sandwich starts with a light, steamed bread known as a Lotus bun. From here, the bun is cut in half, folded open, and stuffed with an assortment of stewed meats, condiments, and crisp veggies.
As the name might suggest, this dish is traditionally served with a hearty serving of pork, but as usual, Beyond Sushi breaks the rules, presenting this dish as you’ve never seen before!
We offer our bao in two distinct flavors, ensuring enough choice that no one leaves the table hungry.
For those looking for a complex flavor profile and crisp, crunchy backdrop, we suggest ordering a serving of our smoked oyster mushroom bao. With its assortment of pickled cucumbers, peanuts, red onions, and miso glaze, it has everything to fix that veggie craving.
Looking for a more filling, savory meat replacement? Indulge in our fried chick’n bao! Stuffed with buttermilk fried chick’n and pickled red onions, this bao offers an interesting blend of salty and sweet flavors. Sesame oil and dark soy combine to create a smokey background, while Thai chili and ginger add an unforgettable burst of heat!
Whether you’re a newbie to the lifestyle or a seasoned veteran, Beyond Sushi stands ready to prove how much inclusive excitement the cruelty-free lifestyle can hold!
Easy Gua Bao Recipe for Home
To learn more about how to bring this intense, delicious style of flavor to your own kitchen, read on!
Ingredients
- Six vegan lotus buns
- 1 block of extra firm tofu
- 1/s teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons of grated ginger
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 4 scallions
- 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 2 cups of water
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
- 1 handful of chopped cilantro
- Drizzle of canola oil
- Crushed peanuts (to taste)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- For this easy recipe, we use pre-prepared lotus buns, but for instructions on how to make your own, see our article on preparing mushroom bao!
- Start by preparing your tofu. Using a tofu press, remove as much of the liquid from the tofu block as possible. After pressing, slice the block into roughly six slices, evenly sized.
- Bring a large, nonstick pan to medium heat and drizzle a small amount of canola oil on the surface. Pan fry each tofu slice until browned, remove them from the pan, and place them to the side.
- Crush and mince the garlic. In the same pan in which you previously prepared your tofu, drizzle a bit more canola oil, and then sautee the pureed ginger and crushed garlic. After the garlic has been browned, add the scallion and red pepper flakes. Continue cooking until fragrant.
- Add the water, sesame oil, soy sauce, liquid smoke, and sugar to the pan, along with any salt and pepper. Continue cooking until the mixture has reduced slightly, to form a sticky mixture.
- Add the tofu back to the pan, and raise the heat to bring the contents to a quick boil. Lower the temperature back to medium heat, and allow the contents to simmer until it is reduced by about two-thirds.
- In a separate glass, combine the cornstarch with a splash of water, whisking to form a slurry. Pour this into the sauce, and stir to thicken. Remove both the sauce and the tofu from the heat.
- All that is left is to assemble your dish! Place a tofu slice in the center of each lotus bun, folding it over to form a sandwich. In each sandwich, sprinkle chopped cilantro, crushed peanuts, and a final drizzle of this delicious sauce.
Mouthwatering Meals at Beyond Sushi
Need inspiration in learning more about the fresh styling of vegan Asian cuisine? Look no further than the world-inspired menu at Beyond Sushi!
Step into any of our renowned locations across the city to enjoy Asian cuisine prepared as you’ve never seen before. Don’t feel up to a night on the town? No problem! Order your meal for pickup or delivery, and allow us to pack your meal to-go.
