Eggetarians

Chinese Steamed Egg Custard (Zheng Dan Geng)

Silky, wobbly steamed eggs with a 1:1.5 egg-to-water ratio — the gentlest eggetarian dish there is. Comforting, light and ready in 15 minutes.

Chinese Steamed Egg Custard (Zheng Dan Geng)
Total time
17 min
Servings
2
Difficulty
Easy
Protein
10g

Ingredients

For 2 servings

  • 3 large Eggs
  • 1.5 times the egg volume Warm water (about 45°C)
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Sesame oil
  • 1 tsp Light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Scallion, finely sliced

Instructions

  1. Beat the eggs gently with salt — avoid creating foam, which causes holes.

  2. Stir in the warm water slowly. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a shallow dish to remove bubbles.

  3. Cover tightly with foil or a plate to block condensation drips.

  4. Steam over medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes until just set with a slight wobble in the center.

  5. Drizzle with sesame oil and soy sauce, scatter scallions, and serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my steamed egg custard full of holes?

Holes come from high heat or unstrained foam. Steam on the lowest setting, cover the dish, and always strain the raw mixture before steaming.

What is the correct egg to water ratio for steamed eggs?

1 part beaten egg to 1.5 parts warm water by volume. This produces the classic silky, just-set texture.