In this article, I’d like to introduce you to one of the easiest recipes for Cantonese cooking at home: Stir-Fried Egg with Chives (韭菜炒鸡蛋). This dish is a staple in most Cantonese households and can be prepared in 10 to 15 minutes. The star ingredient is Chinese chives (jiu cai), which have a slightly pungent but uniquely aromatic flavor. If you’ve ever enjoyed Chinese chive dumplings at a restaurant, you’re likely familiar with their distinctive taste.

I’ll also share some tips to ensure the fried eggs are smooth and the stir-fry is perfectly done. Let’s get started!

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Chinese chives and other main ingredients

• The ingredients required for this chives recipe are relatively simple. The egg is the main ingredient, and the other is fresh chives, which are also very popular in dumpling recipes. Here is the recipe for the Chinese dumplings.
• When using Chinese garlic chives, the part close to the root is befibery, so removing it and using only the tender portion is advisable. I recommend cutting the chives into pieces no longer than three-quarters of an inch.
• The seasoning ingredients are also quite simple. Salt, ground white pepper, and sugar are the key components. You might also consider adding Shaoxing wine or a tablespoon of water to enhance the flavor. Some people like to use fish sauce or light soy sauce for a richer taste, but I prefer to omit light soy sauce since it alters the vibrant yellow color of the fluffy eggs.

How to stir-fry egg with chives

1. Crack four large eggs into a large bowl.  Beat the egg lightly until the yolks and whites are well combined. Add salt, a pinch of ground white pepper, and sugar. Mix well.

2. In a medium bowl, combine one teaspoon of cornstarch with two teaspoons of cold water to form a slurry. Add this slurry to the egg mixture and whisk thoroughly. The slurry helps create a fried egg with a silky, smooth texture. Set the beaten egg aside.

3. Wash and cut the chives into 3/4-inch sections. Heat one tablespoon of hot oil in a wok or cast iron pan over medium-high heat.

4. Add the Chinese chives and stir-fry for about 1 minute until they soften slightly and release their aroma. Avoid overcooking to preserve the vibrant green color.

5. Remove the chives from the wok and let them cool slightly. Once cooled, mix them into the egg mixture. Stir gently to combine.

6. Heat the remaining vegetable oil in the wok or non-stick pan over medium heat (not too high to prevent burning). Pour the egg and chive mixture into the wok. Let it sit for a few seconds until the edges start to set. Push the cooked egg toward the center with a spatula or chopsticks to let the uncooked egg flow to the edges. Continue pushing until the eggs are mostly set but still smooth and soft.

7. Add a teaspoon of sesame oil to the eggs for extra flavor. Turn off the heat. The residual heat will finish cooking the eggs without drying them out.

8. Transfer the stir-fried eggs to a serving plate. Serve as one of your favorite side dishes.

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Stir-Fried Egg with Chives

Yield: 2 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

This stir-fried egg and chives recipe is simple, delicious, and ready in 10 minutes! A flavorful, fluffy egg dish is perfect as a quick side dish

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Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 6 oz Chinese chives (韭菜)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• A pinch of ground white pepper
• 1/2 tsp of sesame oil (optional)
• 1/2 tsp of light soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp of sugar
• 1 tsp of cornstarch (mixed with 2 tsp of cold water to form a slurry)

Instructions

1. Crack four large eggs into a bowl and beat them lightly until the yolks and whites are well combined.
2. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, a pinch of ground white pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Mix well.
3. Add cornstarch slurry to the egg mixture and whisk thoroughly. 
4. Wash and cut the chives into 3/4-inch sections. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until they soften slightly and release their aroma. Once cooled, mix them into the egg mixture. Stir gently to combine.
5. Pour the egg and chive mixture into the wok with oil over low to medium heat. Let it sit for a few seconds until the edges start to set. Gently push the cooked eggs toward the edges with a spatula or chopsticks to allow the uncooked egg to flow to the center. Continue this process until the eggs are mostly set but still slightly runny on top.
6. Add half a teaspoon of sesame oil over the eggs for extra flavor. Turn off the heat.
7. Remove the wok from the heat immediately. The residual heat will cook through the eggs without drying them out.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 309Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 372mgSodium: 817mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 15g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix on 3/18/2025

Variations 

There are several methods for preparing stir-fried eggs with Chinese chives. The simplest is to add the chives directly to the egg mixture without frying them separately first. While this method works, it may slightly lack the chives’ aroma.

You might also consider adding Shaoxing wine or a small amount of vinegar to the egg mixture, which can enhance the flavor. Another option is to include some light soy sauce to boost the taste, but I prefer to omit it since light soy sauce can darken the vibrant yellow color of the eggs.

Another variation involves stir-frying the eggs over higher heat for a longer period, which results in a slightly brownish color. While this is not the most common method for this dish, it does provide a richer flavor and aroma. This technique is often used to prepare a simple Thai recipe called Khai Jiao.

When preparing the chives, cut away the tough sections near the root. I only use the tender parts of the chives for this recipe.

Are Chinese-style fried eggs generally more cooked than Western-style scrambled eggs?

Chinese-style scrambled or fried eggs are typically cooked until fully set, with a firmer texture, but remain tender and fluffy. In contrast, Western-style scrambled eggs are creamier and more runny.

You can find fresh chives at an Asian supermarket or local grocery store. Whether served as a main dish or a flavorful side, this easy recipe is a great way to enjoy Chinese cuisine at home!

Other Chinese egg recipes for you to try

Consider these fried egg recipes if you enjoy this stir-fried egg and chives recipe. Give them a try!

• Chinese shrimp and egg stir-fry
• Bitter gourd with eggs stir-fry
• Steamed salted egg, century egg, and regular egg