番茄炒蛋 · Fān qié chǎo dàn
Tomato & Egg Stir-fry
Soft eggs, juicy tomatoes, and a little sauce to spoon over rice. A comforting place to begin your Chinese cooking journey.
Beef and onion cooked separately, then combined in a light sauce. Slicing onion into similar widths helps it soften evenly.

Cut meat across its grain into 3 mm slices or small even cubes as specified. Prepare vegetables. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, starch, measured sauce water, and all additional seasonings.
Heat oil over medium-high heat. Spread meat in one layer, working in batches if needed. Turn and stir for 3–5 minutes, checking doneness. Whole-cut beef or lamb must reach 63°C and rest at least 3 minutes. Transfer to a clean plate.
Stir garlic and ginger briefly, add onion, and cook 4–5 minutes over medium heat until translucent at the edges. Keep a little bite in the centre.
Stir the sauce again so starch lifts from the bottom. Pour into the vegetables and simmer 1–2 minutes until glossy. Return cooked meat and toss for 30–60 seconds, until hot throughout.
Use a wide pan and cook the meat in batches when necessary. Crowding makes the food simmer in its own liquid.
Light soy sauce: Use a labelled gluten-free tamari if needed; check every other sauce label too.
Whole cuts of beef must reach 63°C / 145°F and rest at least 3 minutes.
FoodSafety.gov guidance ↗