Drain and press the tofu to remove excess moisture. Slice into bite-sized pieces.

Set up an assembly line: combine flour with salt and pepper in one bowl, whisk the egg (or flax egg) in another, and place panko breadcrumbs in a third.

Dredge each tofu piece in flour, dip into the egg (or flax egg), then coat with panko breadcrumbs.

Heat oil in the frying pan and carefully place the coated tofu pieces in the hot oil, frying until golden brown, approximately 3-4 minutes on each side.

Prepare the tonkatsu sauce by mixing your preferred ingredients in a bowl, adding ketchup and soy sauce if needed.

Transfer fried tofu to a wire rack or paper towel to absorb excess oil. Drizzle with tonkatsu sauce and serve hot with rice or salad.