Press the tofu lightly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then slice into 1 cm (about 1/4-inch) thick slices.
In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
Place the soy sauce in a separate small bowl for dipping.
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil.
Working quickly, lightly coat each tofu slice first in the spice mixture, then dip briefly into the soy sauce.
Add the coated tofu slices to the hot skillet in a single layer and fry for about 2 minutes without moving them so they brown.
Flip the slices and cook for another 2 minutes until the other side is golden and crisp.
Transfer the tofu to a plate and sprinkle with fresh herbs if desired, then serve immediately.
