Sweet & Spicy Chilli Tofu Rice Bowl

by Hemlata Chouhan on Dec 24, 2025 0 comments

Did you know that the term "rice bowl of Asia" refers to countries in East and Southeast Asia, where rice is a staple food? From China and Indonesia to Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, rice holds a special place on dining tables across the region. I do believe that India should be an honorary member of this esteemed rice bowl club too. After all, we do consume about a 100 million tonnes of rice every year! While we wait for our membership cards, I have an exciting rice bowl recipe that pays homage to the vibrant food culture of East and Southeast Asia. This Sweet Chilli Tofu Rice Bowl marries sweet chilli sauce and tofu in an effortless (it will take you less than 30 minutes to make) bowl of steaming rice!

Sweet Chilli Sauce: Thai or Chinese?

Sweet Chilli Sauce, often referred to as Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce or “nam chim kai”, is a popular condiment embraced by cooks worldwide. However, despite the commonly used prefix, it isn't actually a Thai sauce! Its origins trace back to Zhongshan City, China, where its sweet and spicy flavours were first brought together.

Despite its initial Chinese roots, the sauce perused the Asian continent until it found its true home in Thailand. There, amidst the vibrant food scene renowned for its bold flavours and love for chilli peppers, the sauce flourished and gained global recognition. Hence, the name- Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce. As it journeyed from China to Thailand, it undoubtedly underwent a transformation, influenced by local ingredients and cooking techniques. This process of adaptation speaks to the dynamic nature of food culture, where flavours meld and evolve, creating dishes that resonate with diverse palates.

Love the sweet-spicy Thai vibes of the Tofu Rice Bowl? Try this Dan Dan Noodles recipe for a spicy, savoury note of Sichuan food!

Read on to learn more about this condiment and how to use it in our Sweet Chilli Tofu Rice bowl recipe.

What is a well-made Sweet Chilli Sauce?

Chilzo has made an authentic Sweet Chilli Sauce with a recipe straight from the birthplace of this condiment: China! True to its roots our Sweet Chilli Sauce is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavours. We use peppercorns for a zesty kick, a hint of garlic for that pungency, and just the right amount of sweetness to balance it all out. While traditionally, sweet chilli sauce was used for dunking dumplings, chicken wings, and spring rolls, with Chilzo, the possibilities are endless. Use it as a marinade for grilled chicken, pork, or seafood, and watch as the sugars caramelise, making the sauce's sweetness and heat even deeper and more complex.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins

Onto the Recipe!

Ingredients you will need to make this Sweet Chilli Tofu Rice Bowl:

For the Sweet Chilli Tofu:

400g firm tofu, drained and cubed
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup Chilzo’s Sweet chilli sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp grated ginger

For the Rice Bowl:

2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
2 cups mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots)
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Follow these simple steps to make the Tofu Rice Bowl:

First and most importantly let's give our tofu a little squishy-squishy. Wrap it up in paper towels or a clean kitchen towel, then put something heavy on top, like a skillet or a pile of cookbooks. Keep it like that for about 15 minutes to squeeze out any extra moisture.
In the meantime, get your veggies and chop them into little pieces. Be sure to cook up the rice too.
Next you’ll take the tofu and cut it into cute little cubes. Give them a nice cornstarch hug until they're all coated evenly.
Heat up the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Drop in those tofu cubes and let them sizzle until they're nice and crispy like little golden nuggets (ones that your mom will let you bring in her kitchen). Once they're done, scoop 'em out and set 'em aside for a sec.
To add some flavour to the party, toss in the minced garlic and grated ginger into the same skillet and let them cook. Trust me, you will instinctively know when they’re done.
Time to reunite our tofu with the flavour crew! Throw them back into the skillet along with some sweet chilli sauce and soy sauce. Give it all a good stir and let it bubble away for a couple of minutes until it gets nice and saucy.
Meanwhile, in another pan, let's get those veggies all stir-fried up until they're tender-crisp and colourful.
Now, let's bring it all together! Grab your favourite serving bowls and fill 'em up with cooked rice. Pile on that delicious sweet chilli tofu, the stir-fried veggies, and a sprinkle of sliced green onions.
Don't forget the finishing touches! Sprinkle on some sesame seeds and fresh cilantro to make it look extra fancy.