This dip is seriously addictive - and that's no exaggeration. I tried it for the first time at a party and couldn't stop until the bowl was already half empty (sorry Marlies and Ivan😉)! What makes it so special is the balanced combination of intense aromas and subtle seasoning. That's exactly why you keep reaching for more.

By the way: one particular ingredient makes all the difference here and gives the dip its characteristic taste. You'll find out which one further down.

Ingredients

  • Prep: 10 min
  • Total: 10 min
½
nori sheet
1
tsp
lemon juice
7
oz
smoked tofu
(see tips)
1
tsp
tahini
3
tbsp
water
1
tsp
Maggi seasoning

Topping

some
dill

There's one crucial ingredient for this dip - and yes: drum roll … it really is the smoked tofu from Penny (a German discount supermarket)😂. When I first heard that, I was honestly skeptical. That this tofu of all things should make the difference? I could hardly imagine it. But that's exactly what it does.

Over the following days I tested different kinds of smoked tofu. And sure: the vegan smoked fish alternative turns out tasty with almost any of them. But the smoked tofu from Penny comes much closer to the typical, slightly salty and smoky fish note of smoked trout or mackerel than the others. So if you get the chance, definitely try the Penny tofu. If not, the dip is still worth making with any other smoked tofu.

By the way: since then, the dip has been a regular on our table. Not just at parties or barbecues, but also as an easy bread snack.

And now I'd love to know: which version worked best for you? Feel free to tell me in the comments✒️.

Ingredients for the salmon spread, seen from above
Step 1
½
nori sheet
7
oz
smoked tofu
  • Blitz the nori sheet into small flakes in a blender.

Tip: If you don't have a blender, you can simply chop the nori sheet finely with a knife.

  • Dice the smoked tofu small enough to fit into the blender or to blend with an immersion blender.
Ingredients prepared for the first step
Step 2
7
oz
smoked tofu
½
nori sheet
1
tsp
tahini
1
tsp
Maggi seasoning
1
tsp
lemon juice
3
tbsp
water
  • Put all the ingredients except the dill into a blender and blend into a dip.
  • You can adjust the consistency with the amount of water.
Ingredients in a blender
Vegan salmon spread in a glass container.
Close-up of two slices of bread with the vegan fish spread

Tips

About the ingredients:

  • Smoked tofu: As described above: if possible, use the smoked tofu from Penny. It simply comes closest in taste. If there's no Penny near you, any other smoked tofu works too - feel free to try out different ones😉.
  • Nori flakes: You can buy them ready-made. I make my own, though: briefly blitz nori sheets in a blender and store them in a mason jar. Important: add a desiccant (often already included with the nori sheets) so they stay crisp.
  • Alternative to Maggi: Taste-wise, Maggi seasoning works really well here, because it brings exactly that savory, umami-like depth to the dip. At the same time, it's a highly processed seasoning. If you'd like to keep things simpler, you can use soy sauce instead. Honestly, though: in this recipe Maggi gets closer to the original flavor of the smoked fish alternative😅.
  • Toppings: Dill fits best - fresh and classic. Parsley or thyme work too.

#plasticfree

  • Lemons: Best bought loose rather than in a net.
  • Nori sheets: I haven't found them plastic-free yet. If you know a solution, feel free to share it in the comments!
  • Smoked tofu: I've only once found it packed in glass - in Austria. It was actually the best smoked tofu I've ever tasted. Until there's an option like that in Germany too, all we can do is be patient and go for the plastic-wrapped version for now.

Nutrition

estimated per serving

  • 148kcal
  • 14.7 gProtein
  • 2.4 gCarbs
  • 9.4 gFat

Calculated from all ingredients, including the sides. Values vary depending on the product, the size of the vegetables and how you prepare them.

Cost Test phase

estimated per serving

about €0.75

What goes into the price

  • smoked tofu€0.70
  • tahini€0.03
  • nori sheet€0.02
  • lemon juice€0.01

Total €0.76 per serving, rounded to about €0.75. Not counted: Maggi seasoning, water.

This section is still in a test phase: a rough estimate based on conventional German discount-supermarket prices (as of September 2026). Only the amounts used are counted, excluding salt, pepper and spices.

How did you like it?

No ratings yet – be the first!

Comments

Your feedback is what keeps me going – every comment means the world to me!

Did you change something or try other ingredients? Tell me and everyone who cooks this recipe next!

Add a comment