Tofu Stir-fryTofuChineseVegan MainsVegetarian MainsAll the mouth-tingling, umami-packed adventure of the original—but meatless.ByJ. Kenji López-Alt J. Kenji López-Alt Culinary ConsultantKenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial ProcessUpdated January 18, 2023(8)WRITE A REVIEWTrending Videos Why It WorksFirst frying the Sichuan peppercorns and chiles together helps build up the dish's initial signature flavor base.Battered and fried tofu, peanuts, and chunks of celery create layer upon layer of satisfying crunch.The numbing effect of the Sichuan peppercorns helps subdue the heat (but not flavor) imparted by both dried and fresh chiles.Things I love:TofuSpicy foodPeanutsStir-fryingCelery!*My wife**Crispy thingsCHILESA strongly-flavored but subtly balanced sauce that combines funky fer...