Traditional Chinese tomato and egg drop soup flavors but in Chinese steamed egg form! This easy microwave Chinese steamed egg with tomato doesn't require a stovetop or steamer. This version delivers all the silky, custard-like texture you crave from traditional Chinese steamed egg, but with the bright, tangy flavors of fresh tomatoes. In just 10 minutes, you'll have a comforting dish that's perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
What is Chinese Steamed Egg with Tomato?
Chinese steamed egg is a beloved comfort food that combines the silky, custardy texture of steamed eggs with the traditional flavors of a tomato and egg drop soup. The fresh tomato juice adds natural sweetness and acidity that balances out the rich and savory egg custard. The bouillon cube is a must here, since it brings a ton of flavor and umami!
Traditionally, this dish requires careful steaming over boiling water but as someone who lives in a small NYC apartment and doesn't have space for a steamer, I created this easy microwave version that's accessible for cooks of all ages. It's especially ideal for students who only have access to a microwave in their dorms!
Why you'll love this Easy Microwave Chinese Steamed Egg with Tomato
- Ready in 10 minutes - Faster than any stovetop version for busy mornings!
- Minimal equipment - No steamer or pot required! Just a microwave-safe bowl and a microwave-safe baking dish
- High protein - Protein from the eggs and bone broth!
- Single serving - Perfect portion size for one, which means no need to worry about leftovers!
Jump to:
- What is Chinese Steamed Egg with Tomato?
- Why you'll love this Easy Microwave Chinese Steamed Egg with Tomato
- Ingredients
- How to Make Microwave Chinese Steamed Egg with Tomato
- Tips for the Best Chinese Steamed Egg with Tomato
- Substitutions and Variations
- Storage
- FAQ
- Other egg recipes to try:
- Chinese Steamed Egg with Tomato
Ingredients
- Eggs: Use large high-quality eggs for the best taste!
- Bone broth: The liquid base that adds more protein.
- Freshly grated tomato juice: Trust me, grating it fresh makes a huge difference! I would not recommend substituting this for bottle tomato juice, like V8.
- Bouillon cube: Adds all the flavor and umami to our steamed eggs!
- Salt: Just a little bit to bring out the tomato and egg flavors.
- For garnishing: Top this with scallions, chili oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, and chopped tomatoes for more depth and texture.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Microwave Chinese Steamed Egg with Tomato
- Thoroughly whisk together the eggs, salt, bouillon cube, tomato juice and bone broth until well combined. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove any clumps.
- Pour the egg mixture into a heat-safe dish. Cover with plastic wrap and prick holes in it using a toothpick.
- For this next step, we are creating a water bath. I used a water boiler to boil water before adding it to the larger dish. If you don't have a kettle or water boiler, check out the instructions in the full recipe card below. If you're using a water boiler, place the egg bowl inside a large microwave-safe baking dish and pour the water into the baking dish, up until it's past where the eggs are.
- Microwave at 50% power level for 8 minutes. Time may vary with different microwaves. If the eggs are very jiggly in the center, place it back in the water bath, recover, and microwave for another 4 minutes at 50% power.
- Once eggs look set, carefully remove it from the water bath. Top with sesame oil, soy sauce, chili oil, tomatoes and scallions. Enjoy with rice or as is!
Hint: The eggs are going to be hot when you take them out of the water bath! Let them cool a few minutes before enjoying.
Tips for the Best Chinese Steamed Egg with Tomato
- Use a shallow bowl! Cooking time will vary if you are using a deeper bowl. A shallow bowl allows for more surface area, which allows for quicker cooking!
- Strain for smoothness! Don't skip the step to strain the egg mixture through a mesh sieve. This removes clumps and tomato seeds, which will ensure a smooth and even texture and consistency throughout the microwave steamed eggs.
- Monitor the eggs while in the microwave! Since microwaves vary so much, it is important you keep an eye on the eggs while they are in the microwave to avoid over cooking. Once they look set but are still slightly jiggly, they are ready! If they are very jiggly in the center, cover the eggs back up and cook for another 4 minutes at 50% power level.
Substitutions and Variations
Broth substitutions:
- Water - No broth? Use water for a cheaper option!
- Vegetable broth - For a vegetarian version that works great complementing the tomato flavor.
- Dashi broth - A Japanese spin with a deep umami profile.
Add-ins:
- Shrimp - Stir in small bits of cooked shrimp for a seafood protein boost.
- Vegetables - Add chopped and cooked veggies like spinach, mushrooms, and onions for more texture!
Storage
This microwave steamed egg with tomato is best consumed on the same day that it is made! However, you can store it for later if you need to. Simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Cover and reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals at 50% power level before serving.
FAQ
Yes! Cooking it at a lower power level allows the eggs to cook gently and evenly, preventing them from becoming tough. Full power may also cause a less desirable texture.
Microwave times may vary and cooking time will also vary with bowls. Deeper bowls will take longer to cook while shallow bowls will require less time. Follow these troubleshooting checks to ensure your eggs cook through evenly:
1. Boil the water before adding it to the water bath.
2. Pour enough water in the outer dish so it reaches past the level of the eggs in the inner bowl.
3. Cover the eggs with plastic wrap and prick holes in the wrap to allow steam to escape.
The eggs appear set but remain slightly jiggly in the center. If the eggs stay unset, cover them again with plastic wrap and microwave for an additional 2-4 minutes at 50% power level.
Other egg recipes to try:
Chinese Steamed Egg with Tomato
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup bone broth or chicken broth
- ¼ cup freshly grated tomato juice
- ½ bouillon cube
- ½ teaspoon salt
For garnishing:
- Scallions sliced
- Baby tomatoes halved
- Sesame oil as desired
- Soy sauce as desired
- Chili oil as desired
Instructions
- Thoroughly whisk together the eggs, salt, bouillon cube, tomato juice and bone broth until well combined. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove any clumps.
- Pour the egg mixture into a heat-safe dish. Cover with plastic wrap and prick holes in it using a toothpick.
- For this next step, we are creating a water bath. I used a water boiler to boil water before adding it to the larger dish. If you don't have a kettle or water boiler, check out the instructions in the full recipe card below. If you're using a water boiler, place the egg bowl inside a large microwave-safe baking dish and pour the water into the baking dish, up until it's past where the eggs are.
- Microwave at 50% power level for 8 minutes. Time may vary with different microwaves. If the eggs are very jiggly in the center, place it back in the water bath, recover, and microwave for another 4 minutes at 50% power.
- Once eggs look set, carefully remove it from the water bath. Top with sesame oil, soy sauce, chili oil, tomatoes and scallions. Enjoy with rice or as is!
Notes
- Use a shallow bowl! Cooking time will vary if you are using a deeper bowl. A shallow bowl allows for more surface area, which allows for quicker cooking!
- Strain for smoothness! Don't skip the step to strain the egg mixture through a mesh sieve. This removes clumps and tomato seeds, which will ensure a smooth and even texture and consistency throughout the microwave steamed eggs.
- Monitor the eggs while in the microwave! Since microwaves vary so much, it is important you keep an eye on the eggs while they are in the microwave to avoid over cooking. Once they look set but are still slightly jiggly, they are ready! If they are very jiggly in the center, cover the eggs back up and cook for another 4 minutes at 50% power level.
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