3 Ways to Make Flavorful Vegetarian Mixed Rice Vermicelli at Home

Vegetarian mixed rice vermicelli is a light yet flavorful Vietnamese dish made with rice vermicelli, tofu, mushrooms, fresh vegetables, and a sweet-and-sour sauce. The ingredients are easy to find and the preparation is simple, making this dish suitable for vegetarians and anyone looking for a refreshing change of taste. You can use fresh vermicelli, dried vermicelli, or brown rice vermicelli, then combine it with different vegetables and sauces. This guide shares an easy tofu and mushroom recipe together with three homemade sauces for a delicious bowl of vegetarian mixed rice vermicelli.

What Is Vegetarian Mixed Rice Vermicelli?

Vegetarian mixed rice vermicelli is made by combining rice vermicelli, vegetables, plant-based protein, toppings, and sauce. Each ingredient adds a different flavor and texture, creating a dish that is light but not plain.

• Fresh vermicelli, dried vermicelli, or brown rice vermicelli.
• Fried tofu, pan-seared tofu, or tofu skin.
• Oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, straw mushrooms, or king oyster mushrooms.
• Lettuce, cucumber, carrot, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs.
• Roasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, or fried lemongrass.
• Soy sauce, vegetarian fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and chili.

The sauce determines much of the dish’s flavor. A well-balanced sauce should combine salty, sweet, sour, and spicy notes. Avoid making the sauce too thin because it can quickly soften the vermicelli and vegetables.

Should You Use Fresh or Dried Vermicelli?

Fresh vermicelli is soft and requires very little preparation. Simply blanch it briefly in hot water, then drain well before mixing. It is a convenient choice for a quick meal.

Dried vermicelli has a firmer texture and is easier to store. However, you need to cook it for the correct amount of time so it does not remain hard or become mushy. After boiling, rinse it with cool water and drain thoroughly.

Brown rice vermicelli has a distinctive brown color and slightly nutty flavor. If you use this type of vermicelli, follow the cooking instructions on the package. Whichever type you choose, select a product with clear ingredients and no unusual smell.

Ingredients for Vegetarian Mixed Rice Vermicelli

This recipe serves approximately three people. You can adjust the quantities according to your family’s portion size.

Main Ingredients

• 500 g fresh vermicelli or 250 g dried vermicelli.
• 3 pieces of firm tofu.
• 200 g oyster mushrooms.
• 1 carrot.
• 1 cucumber.
• 100 g bean sprouts.
• 150 g lettuce.
• Thai basil, Vietnamese balm, or coriander.
• 30 g roasted peanuts.
• 1 stalk of lemongrass or a small amount of minced shallot.
• Cooking oil and vegetarian seasonings.

Ingredients for the Basic Sauce

• 4 tablespoons soy sauce.
• 3 tablespoons water.
• 2 tablespoons sugar.
• 2 tablespoons lime juice.
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
• 1 teaspoon chili sauce.
• Minced fresh chili to taste.

If you want to prepare a fully vegetarian dish, check the ingredient labels of vegetarian fish sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, chili sauce, and ready-made seasonings. Some products may contain animal-derived ingredients.

How to Make Vegetarian Mixed Rice Vermicelli with Tofu and Mushrooms

This tofu and mushroom version combines soft tofu, naturally sweet mushrooms, and crisp vegetables. Prepare each component separately and mix everything just before serving.

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables and Mushrooms

Remove any damaged leaves from the lettuce and herbs, then wash and drain them thoroughly. Excess water can dilute the sauce and make the dish lose its flavor.

Peel and wash the carrot, then grate it into thin strips. Slice the cucumber into medium-sized strips. If the cucumber contains a lot of seeds, remove some of the center to reduce excess moisture.

Trim the base of the oyster mushrooms, separate them into smaller pieces, and rinse them quickly. Avoid soaking the mushrooms for too long because they may absorb water and lose their firm texture.

Pat the tofu dry and cut it into rectangular or square pieces. Removing excess moisture helps reduce oil splashing and allows the tofu to brown more easily.

Step 2: Cook the Tofu and Mushrooms

Heat a pan and add a small amount of oil. Pan-sear the tofu over medium heat, turning the pieces until all sides are lightly golden. Remove and drain.

Add the oyster mushrooms to the same pan. Stir-fry them quickly with a little soy sauce and vegetarian mushroom seasoning. Turn off the heat once the mushrooms are just cooked so they retain their natural sweetness and slightly chewy texture.

Step 3: Prepare the Vermicelli

For fresh vermicelli, blanch it in hot water for approximately 20–30 seconds, then drain well. For dried vermicelli, cook it according to the package instructions, rinse it with cool water, and drain thoroughly.

If you are not using the vermicelli immediately, toss it with a very small amount of sesame oil to prevent the strands from sticking together.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

Add the sugar and water to a small bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the soy sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, chili sauce, and minced chili.

Mix well and taste. The sauce should be moderately salty, mildly sweet, clearly sour, and as spicy as you prefer. If it is too salty, add water and a little sugar. If it is too sour, add sugar gradually.

Step 5: Mix and Serve

Place the vermicelli in a bowl. Add the lettuce, carrot, cucumber, bean sprouts, herbs, tofu, and mushrooms.

Sprinkle roasted peanuts and fried lemongrass or shallots over the top. Pour in the sauce gradually and toss gently. Mix the dish immediately before eating so the vermicelli does not become soft and the vegetables remain crisp.

Three Sauces for Vegetarian Mixed Rice Vermicelli

Sweet-and-Sour Soy Sauce

This is the easiest sauce to prepare and works well with most toppings.

• 4 tablespoons soy sauce.
• 3 tablespoons water.
• 2 tablespoons sugar.
• 2 tablespoons lime juice.
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
• Chili sauce or minced chili.

Dissolve the sugar in the water first, then add the remaining ingredients. If your soy sauce is very salty, add more water to balance the flavor.

Vegetarian Satay Sauce

Vegetarian satay sauce is suitable for people who enjoy a spicy flavor and the aroma of lemongrass and chili.

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce.
• 3 tablespoons water.
• 1–2 tablespoons vegetarian satay sauce.
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar.
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice.
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil.

Stir all ingredients until the sugar dissolves. If you do not eat spicy food, use only half a tablespoon of satay sauce and add more water if needed.

Sweet-and-Sour Tamarind Sauce

Tamarind sauce has a gentle sourness that pairs well with oyster mushrooms and crispy toppings.

• 2 tablespoons tamarind juice.
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce.
• 3 tablespoons water.
• 2 tablespoons sugar.
• 1 teaspoon chili sauce.
• A small amount of minced chili.

Simmer the tamarind juice, water, and sugar over low heat. Once the sugar dissolves, add the soy sauce and chili sauce. Stir well and let the sauce cool completely before mixing it with the vermicelli and vegetables.

Two More Vegetarian Mixed Rice Vermicelli Variations

Spicy Dried Vermicelli

Use dried rice vermicelli, fried tofu, oyster mushrooms, carrot, cucumber, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs. After boiling the vermicelli, rinse it with cool water and drain well.

Stir-fry the mushrooms and pan-sear the tofu, then mix everything with vegetarian satay sauce. Roasted peanuts and fried lemongrass add extra aroma and richness.

This version is spicier than the sweet-and-sour soy sauce variation. Reduce the satay sauce if you are preparing the dish for children or anyone who is not used to spicy food.

Low-Oil Brown Rice Vermicelli

Replace regular vermicelli with brown rice vermicelli and combine it with extra vegetables, mushrooms, and pan-seared tofu. Instead of deep-frying the tofu, grill or pan-sear it with only a thin layer of oil.

For the sauce, reduce the sesame oil and adjust the amount of sugar according to your preference. Keep a source of plant-based protein in the dish so the meal is more balanced.

Tips for Making Better Vegetarian Mixed Rice Vermicelli

Drain Every Ingredient Well

Wet vegetables, vermicelli, and mushrooms can make the sauce watery and bland. Prepare the ingredients in advance and let them drain while you cook the tofu and make the sauce.

Season the Tofu and Mushrooms Separately

If you mix everything at once, the sauce may not coat the tofu and mushrooms evenly. Season the mushrooms while stir-frying and lightly season the tofu so each topping has its own flavor.

Add the Sauce Gradually

Do not pour all the sauce into the bowl at once. Adding it in two or three portions allows you to control the flavor and prevents the vermicelli from becoming too salty.

Combine Different Vegetables

A good bowl of mixed vermicelli should include soft noodles, slightly chewy mushrooms, crisp vegetables, and fragrant peanuts. You can add fried tofu skin or vegetarian wontons, but adjust the amount of fried toppings to keep the dish from becoming too oily.

Mix Only Before Serving

Vermicelli and vegetables absorb sauce when mixed too early. The vegetables can also become soft and release water. Keep the components separate and mix them immediately before eating.

How Many Calories Are in Vegetarian Mixed Rice Vermicelli?

The calorie content of vegetarian mixed rice vermicelli is not fixed. It depends on the amount of vermicelli, tofu, cooking oil, peanuts, and sauce used.

A serving may contain approximately 400–550 calories when it includes vermicelli, fried tofu, mushrooms, vegetables, peanuts, and sauce. This is only an estimate because the actual amount varies according to the ingredients and cooking method.

Vermicelli usually provides most of the carbohydrates. Tofu and mushrooms add plant-based protein, while vegetables provide fiber. Fried oil, sesame oil, peanuts, and sugar can significantly increase the total energy content.

To control the calorie content, you can:

• Reduce the amount of vermicelli.
• Increase the amount of vegetables and mushrooms.
• Pan-sear or grill tofu instead of deep-frying it.
• Use less fried shallot, peanuts, and sesame oil.
• Reduce the sugar in the sauce.
• Use only as much sauce as needed.

Vegetarian mixed rice vermicelli can be part of a balanced eating routine when the portion is adjusted appropriately. However, the dish does not automatically cause weight loss. Overall energy intake, physical activity, and the rest of the daily diet also matter.

How to Store Vegetarian Mixed Rice Vermicelli

Store the vermicelli, vegetables, tofu, mushrooms, and sauce separately in airtight containers. This helps each component maintain a better flavor and texture.

After washing, drain the vegetables thoroughly before placing them in a container. The sauce can be prepared in advance and refrigerated. Stir it again before serving so the seasonings are evenly mixed.

Let cooked tofu and mushrooms cool completely before storing them. When reheating, warm these ingredients separately.

Do not store vermicelli after it has already been mixed with sauce for too long. The noodles will absorb the liquid, the vegetables will soften, and the dish will lose its flavor. Discard the food if it develops an unusual smell, slimy surface, or abnormal color.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegetarian Mixed Rice Vermicelli

What vegetables go well with vegetarian mixed rice vermicelli?

You can use lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts, carrot, Thai basil, Vietnamese balm, and coriander. Choose fresh seasonal vegetables and drain them well before mixing.

How can I prevent the vermicelli from sticking?

Rinse dried vermicelli with cool water immediately after boiling and drain it thoroughly. If you are not using it right away, toss it with a small amount of sesame oil or cooking oil.

Can I make vegetarian mixed rice vermicelli without tofu?

Yes. You can replace tofu with mushrooms, tofu skin, chickpeas, or another suitable plant-based protein. Adding a source of protein helps make the meal more balanced.

Can soy sauce replace vegetarian fish sauce?

Soy sauce can replace vegetarian fish sauce in most mixed vermicelli recipes. However, you may need to adjust the amount of sugar, water, and lime juice because different soy sauces have different levels of saltiness.

Can the sauce be prepared in advance?

Yes. Prepare the sauce in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stir it well and check the flavor before serving.

Is vegetarian mixed rice vermicelli always fully vegetarian?

The dish is fully vegetarian only when all ingredients and seasonings contain no animal-derived ingredients. Check the labels of vegetarian fish sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce, satay sauce, and ready-made toppings carefully.

Enjoy Vegetarian Cuisine at Vô Úy

Vegetarian mixed rice vermicelli is easy to prepare at home, but if you do not have time to cook, you can enjoy carefully prepared vegetarian dishes at Vô Úy Vegetarian Restaurant.

Vô Úy offers a calm and welcoming space suitable for meals with family, friends, or colleagues. The restaurant is located at 47 Street No. 3, CityLand Park Hills, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Explore the Vô Úy vegetarian menu to discover more plant-based dishes.

Conclusion

Vegetarian mixed rice vermicelli is a light, flavorful, and flexible dish that can be prepared with different types of noodles, toppings, and sauces. By draining the ingredients well, seasoning the tofu and mushrooms separately, and mixing the sauce immediately before serving, you can create a fresh and satisfying meal.

Choose sweet-and-sour soy sauce, spicy satay sauce, or tangy tamarind sauce according to your taste. If you would like to enjoy vegetarian cuisine in a peaceful setting, make a reservation at Vô Úy for a meal with family and friends.

• Address: 47 Street No. 3, CityLand Park Hills, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Hotline: 0902 353 527
• Website: nhahangvouy.com
• Fanpage: Vô Úy Vegetarian Restaurant
• Google Maps: Get directions