5best2buy
The Recipe · No.337 · Egg Foo Young

Egg Foo Young, and where to source it

Egg Foo Young — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Egg Foo Young Chinese 5best2buy.com

Good pasture-raised eggs set into tall, custardy patties instead of flat rubber, and the gravy leans on a real broth so it tastes of something. The move that matters is frying in a deep pool of hot oil and basting so the edges lace and puff rather than lying flat.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep15 min
Cook15 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineChinese
Cost$$$
Dairy-free
Contains  eggs · gluten · shellfish · soy
Make it gluten-free: swap in tamari instead of soy sauce (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Eggs
The whole dish; fresh eggs whip up with more lift.
6 large
Ground pork or shrimp
A little protein folded into the batter for body.
1/2 lb
Soy sauce
Seasons the eggs and sharpens the gravy.
2 tbsp
Bone broth
The base of the brown gravy; a real broth beats bouillon.
1.5 cups
Bean sprouts & scallion
Fresh sprouts give the crunch that defines the patty.
2 cups
Local / market

Using ground pork? It behaves the way it does for a reason — what this cut is for and how to cook it →

The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●● Squeaky clean
About as virtuous as dinner gets.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot
The Method
  1. Mix batterBeat eggs with soy, then fold in sprouts, scallion and the cooked pork or raw shrimp.
  2. Fry pattiesLadle into 1/2 inch of 350F oil, basting the tops, and fry until the edges are lacy and gold, about 2 minutes a side.
  3. DrainLift onto a rack so they stay puffed instead of going greasy.
  4. Make gravySimmer broth with soy and a splash of oyster sauce, then thicken with a cornstarch slurry until it naps a spoon.
  5. ServeSpoon gravy over the patties on rice. Sauce them at the table so the edges keep their crisp.
The Toolkit

Wok · Ladle · Wire rack · Whisk

Straight Answers
Can you make Egg Foo Young in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Egg Foo Young? — Not ideal

Not really — the cream, custard, or emulsion turns grainy or splits once thawed. This one is best kept fresh in the fridge.

Can you make Egg Foo Young ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Egg Foo Young gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in tamari instead of soy sauce (check the other labels too).

Is Egg Foo Young vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More Chinese recipes
Scallion PancakesBeef Chow FunSweet and Sour ChickenCashew ChickenSesame ChickenHoney Walnut Shrimp
All Chinese recipes →  ·  Browse all 1433 →
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.337

Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →