Egg Foo Young

Featured in Midday Meal Inspiration.

Fluffy omelets stuffed with chicken, veggies, and bean sprouts, dressed in savory gravy. Great for a 20-minute Asian-style meal.
Ranah
Updated on Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:04:39 GMT
Golden omelet topped with a tasty sauce, sprinkled with green onions, on a white plate. Pin it
Golden omelet topped with a tasty sauce, sprinkled with green onions, on a white plate. | chefemmakitchen.com

My all-time cherished Egg Foo Young dish brings pure comfort to my table. Whenever I whip it up, I'm instantly taken back to childhood memories of that golden omelet landing on our table, swimming in shiny sauce. Even now in my kitchen, I get a thrill watching these fluffy clouds of tastiness take shape.

What Makes This Worth My Time

You know those dishes that just cut down on kitchen stress? This one tops my list. In under half an hour, you've created something way tastier than delivery. I'm crazy about how adaptable it is - sometimes I toss in leftover chicken, other times I go for shrimp or pile in extra veggies. And that sauce? I might've eaten it straight before (okay, I definitely have).

What You'll Need

  • Quality Eggs: Grab the best ones you can find as they're the main attraction
  • Bell Peppers: Red ones add wonderful color and natural sweetness
  • Crunchy Veggies: Mushrooms and celery create fantastic texture contrast
  • Two Types of Onions: Green and regular deliver complex flavor layers
  • Bean Sprouts: They give that essential snap in every bite
  • Prepared Chicken: Store-bought rotisserie makes this super quick
  • Sauce Essentials: Brown sugar, soy sauce and sesame oil blend for mouthwatering results

Steps To Follow

Mixing Your Eggs:
Beat those eggs till smooth then gently mix in all your colorful ingredients. It's always so pretty watching everything come together.
Creating The Sauce:
Here's where everything transforms. Let your sauce ingredients simmer then stir in the cornstarch mixture, watching it turn beautifully thick.
Cooking Your Pancakes:
Drop that egg mixture into a heated pan and wait for golden perfection. Don't worry about perfect flips - they'll taste amazing regardless.
Finishing Touches:
Layer your cooked pancakes, pour over that wonderful sauce and scatter fresh green onions on top.

Storage Tips

These goodies stay good for up to three days when refrigerated. Always keep your pancakes and sauce in different containers. When you're ready to eat again, warm everything up gently - they'll taste almost as fantastic as when freshly made.

A plate of golden, fluffy pancakes topped with green onions and a glossy brown sauce. Pin it
A plate of golden, fluffy pancakes topped with green onions and a glossy brown sauce. | chefemmakitchen.com

Customization Options

What I really love about this dish? You can switch things up so easily! Trade chicken for shrimp, swap in whatever veggies you've got, or add some hot sauce for kick. I once created a meatless version with tofu that even my carnivore husband couldn't stop eating.

Great Pairings

I usually serve this with steaming rice that soaks up all that yummy sauce. Throw in some quick-cooked veggies on the side and you've got a complete dinner that feels like you ordered in from your favorite spot.

No Gluten Needed

Got friends who can't eat gluten? No worries! Just use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and check your broth ingredients. The flavor stays amazing and everyone at the table can dig in.

Homemade Beats Delivery

When you cook this yourself, you control exactly what goes in it. I cut way back on oil compared to restaurants and add tons more veggies. It still feels totally indulgent but isn't quite as heavy.

Serving Many

This dish works great when doubled or tripled for get-togethers. I've served it at both morning and evening parties with everyone asking how I made it. You can keep your finished pancakes warm in a low-temp oven while cooking the rest.

A close-up of a golden-brown pancake topped with chopped green onions and drizzled with a sweet sauce. Pin it
A close-up of a golden-brown pancake topped with chopped green onions and drizzled with a sweet sauce. | chefemmakitchen.com

Quick Solutions

Can't find bean sprouts? Don't sweat it! Try some shredded cabbage or even toss in baby spinach. This recipe won't fail you and it's actually fun trying different ingredients you already have.

Time-Saving Tips

When my schedule gets crazy, I mix up the egg mixture and sauce beforehand. Then I just need to cook them when dinner rolls around. Works perfectly for those hectic weeknight meals.

Sauce Adventures

While the sauce tastes incredible as is, sometimes I put out extra options like chili paste or hoisin. This lets everyone at the table create their perfect bite.

Sauce Variations

Don't be afraid to play with the sauce recipe! I sometimes add a bit of oyster sauce or a splash of rice vinegar. These small changes can make it taste completely different each time.

You Should Try This Now

Believe me, this meal will change how you think about homemade Chinese food. It looks fancy, tastes incredible, and isn't nearly as complicated as it seems. Once you make it, you'll see why it's become such a regular in my cooking rotation. It's the kind of food that just puts a smile on your face.

A close-up of a savory pancake topped with chopped green onions and drizzled with a brown sauce, served on a white plate. Pin it
A close-up of a savory pancake topped with chopped green onions and drizzled with a brown sauce, served on a white plate. | chefemmakitchen.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the gluten-free option?

Replace soy sauce with tamari, and check chicken broth and condiments for hidden gluten to ensure everything’s safe.

→ What protein swaps work here?

Shrimp, pork, tofu, or even leftover roasted meats can replace chicken and taste just as good.

→ Can I prep the sauce early?

Yep, the gravy holds well if made ahead of time. Reheat when needed, and add broth to loosen if it’s thicker than you want.

→ Any veggie mix tips?

You’ve got options! Think carrots, cabbage, water chestnuts—just dice everything nice and small to cook evenly.

→ How to keep the omelets hot?

Stick your cooked omelets in a low oven (about 200°F) while you finish making the rest of the batch.

Conclusion

Egg foo young is a simple yet flavorful dish made with omelet-like eggs, your favorite proteins, and vegetables. You can whip it up quickly to bring restaurant vibes to your table.

Egg Foo Young

A Chinese-inspired fluffy omelet loaded with chicken, veggies, and bean sprouts. Topped in a soy gravy for an easy, tasty dinner.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: emma

Category: Lunch

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Chinese

Yield: 6 Servings (6 patties)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 8 beaten large eggs.
02 1/2 cup of bean sprouts, chopped fresh.
03 1/2 a red bell pepper, chopped finely.
04 A stalk of celery, sliced thin.
05 1/2 a small onion, minced.
06 1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped fine.
07 4 green onions, chopped — separate white parts and green tops.
08 1/2 teaspoon salt (kosher preferred).
09 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper.
10 A cup of cooked chicken, finely diced.
11 3 tablespoons of canola oil.
12 1 1/4 cups chicken broth for the sauce.
13 3 tablespoons soy sauce.
14 1 tablespoon vinegar made from rice.
15 2 teaspoons of brown sugar.
16 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
17 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
18 3 tablespoons cold water.

Instructions

Step 01

In a pan, mix the chicken broth, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Heat it up, then add the cornstarch and water mixture, whisking until thick.

Step 02

Stir together the beaten eggs, cooked chicken, chopped veggies, salt, and pepper until everything's mixed well.

Step 03

Add oil to a hot skillet, pour in 1/2 cup of the egg mixture at a time, and cook each side for about 2 to 3 minutes till golden.

Step 04

Pour the gravy over egg patties and sprinkle with the green onion tops to serve.

Notes

  1. Swap soy sauce with tamari for gluten-free.
  2. Use rotisserie chicken for convenience.

Tools You'll Need

  • A nonstick frying pan.
  • One small pot.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains eggs.
  • Soy content present.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 280
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8 g
  • Protein: 22 g