Vegan Perilla Leaf Wraps

🛒 Ingredients

• #Filling (Replaces Grilled Meat);
• 250 g firm tofu or tempeh — pressed very dry, cut into thin strips
• 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari.. 1 tbsp maple syrup or coconut sugar
• 1 clove garlic, minced.. 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated.. 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Pinch of chilli flakes (optional)
• 1 tbsp neutral oil — for pan‑frying
• #Fresh Wrapping Ingredients
• 15–20 large fresh perilla leaves (shiso) — rinsed and patted dry
• ½ head crisp lettuce or cabbage — cut into thin strips
• 1 small cucumber — cut into thin matchsticks
• 1 carrot — cut into thin matchsticks
• 4–5 radish slices or red cabbage — for colour and crunch
• #Tangy Dipping Sauce
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• ½ tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• 1 tsp fresh perilla leaf, finely chopped (optional)
• Pinch of chilli flakes

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Marinate the filling: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, pepper, and chilli flakes. Add tofu or tempeh strips, toss to coat evenly, and let marinate 10–15 minutes — the longer, the tastier!

2. 2

   Pan‑fry until golden: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add marinated tofu/tempeh strips and pan‑fry 3–4 minutes per side until golden, firm, and slightly crisp at the edges. Set aside to cool slightly.

3. 3

   Make the dipping sauce: Whisk all sauce ingredients together until smooth. Taste and adjust — it should be savoury, tangy, and slightly sweet. Set aside.

4. 4

   Prep fresh ingredients: Rinse perilla leaves carefully — keep them whole and intact. Pat completely dry. Arrange lettuce, cucumber, carrot, and radish in neat piles for easy rolling.

5. 5

   Assemble the wraps: Lay a perilla leaf flat, veins facing up. Place a small bed of lettuce and crisp vegetables near the stem end. Top with 1–2 strips of golden tofu/tempeh. Fold the sides in, then roll up neatly from bottom to top — just like a spring roll. The leaf holds itself together naturally!

6. 6

   Serve: Arrange on a platter. Sprinkle with extra sesame seeds and fresh perilla strips. Serve with the tangy dipping sauce on the side — enjoy fresh!