Egg Foo Young

Growing up, ordering in Chinese food or actually going to our favorite place, Golden Wok, was a special treat. Perhaps because it was what I grew up with, the Golden Wok is still my gold standard for Chinese food. While I have since learned that Golden Wok serves the typical Americanized Chinese food, I still love it.

Every now and then, Mom would actually make homemade Egg Foo Young. Until now, I had never tried to make it myself. Of course, it is essentially an omelet, so it is quite simple. Egg Foo Young is easy to adjust to whatever ingredients you have handy. You can use any cooked meat, such as pork, beef, or chicken. Mom usually added mini-shrimp. The other classic ingredients include sliced water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, sliced cabbage, mushrooms, and garlic.

Of course, what makes Egg Foo Young special is the brown sauce that is typically served with the dish. I recall that the Egg Foo Young from Golden Wok came drenched in the brown sauce. I served this Egg Foo Young on a bed of brown rice to help soak up the brown sauce. Egg Foo Young can be served with or without rice or noodles, or other accompaniment, but don't serve it without the brown sauce.

Egg Foo Young 

• 6 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 8 oz. can water chestnuts, drained and sliced
• 8 oz. can bamboo shoots, drained and chopped
• 1 Tbsp. chopped garlic
• salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl, mix together the ingredients. Spray a frying pan with cooking spray or coat with oil. Heat the pan on medium. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the egg mixture onto the frying pan. Cook until brown and then flip and cook the second side until brown. Repeat until all the egg mixture is used.

Egg Foo Young Brown Sauce

• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• 2 Tbsp. soy sauce

Melt the butter in a small sauce pan over low heat. Then, blend in the cornstarch and sugar. Gradually stir in the cold water and soy sauce. Cook and stir until thickened.

Serve the Egg Foo Young with the brown sauce. Enjoy!