Chinese Steamed Egg

Chinese Steamed Egg

A classic and comforting dish, this steamed egg custard has a savory flavor and a flawless, silky texture. It's a simple, delicate side dish perfect for breakfast or any meal.

7 min prep 5 min cook 12 min total 1 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 pinch white pepper
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 stalk green onions

Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare the steamer. Fill a pot with 2-3 inches of water, place a steaming rack inside, and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.

  2. 2

    In a bowl, gently whisk the eggs with salt and a pinch of white pepper, if using. Try not to incorporate too much air.

  3. 3

    Slowly stir in the warm water. A key to a silky texture is using a liquid-to-egg ratio of about 1.5:1 by volume.

  4. 4

    For a perfectly smooth custard, pour the egg mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a shallow, heatproof bowl. Skim off any remaining bubbles from the surface with a spoon.

  5. 5

    Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a plate to prevent condensation from dripping onto the surface.

  6. 6

    Steam on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes. The custard is done when it is set but still has a slight jiggle in the center.

  7. 7

    Remove the bowl from the steamer and let it rest for a minute. Drizzle with light soy sauce and sesame oil, and garnish with chopped green onions to serve.

© 2026 Distill Recipes FAQ