About the Dish
While this dish is commonly found on Japanese tables alongside rice, stir-fried tomatoes and scrambled eggs is actually a classic Chinese dish. Quick to make and loved by everyone, xīhóngshì chǎo jīdàn / fānqié chǎo dàn is a staple of Chinese home cooking. The acidity of ripe tomatoes and the richness of fluffy eggs is a favorite across China.
With the influx of Western culture, tomato dishes spread to cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, and by the early 1900s they were commonly served in restaurants. Writer Lao She joked about the “invasion” of tomato dishes in a 1935 essay, and he later recalled that oversupply drove prices down, making tomatoes easily accessible to ordinary households. After the Long March in 1936, a “red dish” of tomatoes and chiles—evocative of revolutionary colors—was reportedly served at a dinner where Edgar Snow interviewed Mao Zedong.
Though this dish comes together in only 5 minutes, it tastes rich and full of home-cooking comfort. It’s a delicious and nourishing dish that can be served from breakfast through late-night snacks. Tomatoes take on a deep, rich flavor when cooked and this recipe ups the umami with the delicious combination of butter + oyster sauce. Easy to make and comforting to eat, this dish is perfect as a snack, quick side dish, or a simple main dish when paired with rice.
5 minutes
Chiori
PROFILE
INGREDIENTS
SERVES 2
Original recipe (1X) yields 2 servings
When scaling the recipe, the ratios of some ingredients may require slight adjustments. Adjust as necessary and season to taste.
- 1 medium tomato, cut into 8 wedges
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. chicken stock granules/powder
- 2 tsp. salted butter
- 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
- A1 tsp. oyster sauce
- A2 pinches of sugar
- chopped scallions (Optional garnish)
INSTRUCTIONS
Preparation
Cut the tomato into 8 wedges. Beat the eggs in a bowl and whisk in chicken stock.
- 1
Sear tomatoes. Heat butter in a skillet.Add the tomato wedges and cook over medium heat until tender and juicy. Add A ingredients (oyster sauce., and sugar) and gently fold it into the tomatoes with a spatula.
- 2
Scramble & combine. Push the tomatoes to one side. Add sesame oil to the open space, pour in the egg mixture, and stir with chopsticks to make large, soft curds. When half-set, gently fold together with the tomatoes and remove from the heat.
- 3
Serve. Plate and top with scallions if you like.
RecipeID
319
Tips & Notes
Margarine can be substituted for butter.
Let the tomatoes sit and sear—avoid moving them too much to achieve a more concentrated flavor.
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I live in Sapporo, Hokkaido, and I’m a mother of two daughters who both love to eat. As a working mom, my realistic, everyday recipes have resonated with many, and as of May 2024, I’m grateful to have over 380,000 followers on Instagram. Thank you so much for your support! From a homemaker’s perspective, my motto is to create recipes that make families happy and help busy women. I share dishes that can be made even more delicious with just a small twist using seasonings you already have at home. Along with recipes, I also post daily tips on cooking techniques to enhance flavor and handy food storage methods that make life in the kitchen easier.