Lucas Sin's Most Popular Tomato Egg Drop Recipe | Why it Works (New Series!)

TOMATO EGG DROP (NOT SOUP!):
In Season 1, episode 1 of Why it Works, Lucas Sin explains all of the science and techniques needed for the perfect Chinese tomato egg drop- rice's best friend!
"There are endless variations of tomato and egg. The root of that versatility is in the dish’s simplicity; tomato and eggs seem to be made for each other. The combination of the two produce a dish that is robust in its savoriness, with both tomatoes and eggs heavy in the umami-tasting glutamate amino acid. That depth of flavor is then punctuated by the acidity of the tomatoes and rounded with the creaminess of the eggs, merging the two into a satisfying, balanced dish. In Chinese cooking, this simple combination of these two ingredients gives this dish incredible versatility. Throughout China, cooks adapt the dish for regional preferences of taste, texture, and serving. In warmer climates, the dish is a bright stir-fry to be eaten with rice. In colder regions, the dish can be a warm topping for pulled noodles or with dumplings." ~Lucas
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction
00:37 - Prep the Tomatoes
01:46 - All About the Eggs
03:44 - The Aromatics
04:31 - Cook the Tomato Sauce
07:51 - Starch Slurries
09:22 - The Egg Drop!
GET THE RECIPE:
Best Tomato Egg Drop: f52.co/45HU3wN
PRODUCTS FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO:
Five Two Ultimate Carbon Steel Wok: f52.co/44tvP8u
Luminarc 10-Piece Stackable Glass Bowl Set: f52.co/3szxITR
MORE ABOUT WHY IT WORKS:
In this technique-driven series, Food52 Resident Lucas Sin dives into the reasoning behind the culinary methods he uses in the kitchen. We'll learn why certain Chinese cooking techniques work and how they can be applied beyond their traditional recipes. If you're looking to level up in the kitchen, this skill-centered series is a great place to start!
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[@aviatorix8805]

Not only Lucas Sin, but an entire, new Lucas Sin series!? I am very delighted to see this

[@va11ah16]

Love any video with Lucas in it. His passion for cooking is infectious!

[@markventrillo2582]

So agree! Lucas needs his own dedicated channel

[@segil123]

I agree he is very hot!

[@yonettethomas6270]

Yes!❤

[@BatPotatoes]

We're begging you, we need a thousand more videos with lucas

[@emeliaheck1620]

I really enjoy watching Lucas Sin. His food always looks amazing, but i always appreciate the historical narrative as well as how informative he always is around technique and the reason why he is doing what he is doing.

[@AndrewPong]

Hurray for another Lucas Sin video!

[@savesoil3133]

Yesss Since you are interested in food btw Food and Soil♡#SaveSoil

[@nnorm]

The fact that he's getting a whole new series makes me so happy rn. Gotta try this soon, thank youuu! ❤

[@DriveBySusy]

Same, I luv how he teaches! His passion for teaching and cooking is great!!!

[@benjaminmichaels1759]

This guy's passion for the culinary science is contagious. Please keep the content coming.

[@worldwidewashington]

OH MY GOD A WHOLE SERIES WITH LUCAS SIN?!?! Yesss my king teach me how to cook and school me at the same time, I adore you and your big brain

[@cpp8227]

Lucas's explanations are the best; so helpful in knowing the process in making a dish.

[@user-bb6bm5cj1g]

he's so photogenic, and he explains techniques so clearly. Looks So Delicious Thank You Lucas .

[@LastRODbender]

My garden tomatoes are here. I made this dish tonight! It’s kickass. I feed the elderly neighbors occasionally and they loved it. They think I’m magic. Thx bud.

[@freestinje]

This is something I'd try to make. I'm also excited to see Lucas in any video

[@biendereviere]

Making this as soon as my dad brings his freshly harvested tomatoes 😍

[@WelfareChrist]

he's so photogenic, and he explains techniques so clearly

[@reevo7798]

I used to cry when my mom would put scallion in her tomato egg dish when I was little 😂 but now I love it!

[@TheSaladin777]

I once ate this dish 14 days in a row. Side note! I know Lucas got distracted but I would love a full video on the western propaganda against MSG! It’s actually an anti asian immigration slander people used to dissuade westerners from visiting asian restaurants!

[@jdjtbgs2]

So happy to learn a childhood classic from a pro. Thanks for this!

[@humanoidcat9633]

Lucas is just adorable! Makes sense

[@wexoom]

I assume this is the FIRST episode of WHY IT WORKS and I didn't miss any other episodes! Love it Lucas!

[@jtuck682]

This guy has a culinary and scientific mind! Quite the unique perspective on how to approach cooking 😊

[@engineerncook6138]

Another great video and recipe by Lucas, with inline bloopers no less. I love the detailed history and explanations of the recipes and why they work. No "dump and stir" here. Note: My grandmother peeled tomatoes for canning by scoring and blanching, it's not just a culinary school thing.

[@ListerTunes]

Yesssss, I always learn so much from Lucas. Even if I don't ever make the recipe he's explaining, I learn techniques and fundamentals that can apply anywhere. Definitely gonna make this though!

[@TheMenaKun]

i really like watching anything with Lucas Sin in it. they are always so educational. and watching him eat his own cooking at the end.... chef kiss. More Lucas Sin please!

[@joshwalters134]

So glad to see Lucas is getting a series! Excited to see more of him!

[@felicitydolby3323]

I watched this at lunchtime and made it for dinner! Delicious recipe that feels light but nourishing and turning simple ingredients into a more elevated dish. Look forward to more in the series!

[@ChriPhenix]

A whole Lucas Sin series??? I am here for it!!

[@vivianlaw13]

One of my childhood favourites!! Love this, sometimes my dad would add some spam.. SO good! This is both comforting and nostalgic for me... Thanks for sharing!

[@aliciaf1055]

I thought this looked delicious anyway, but adding some spam is such a great idea!

[@hinas_for_life]

Every dish you make you make it with such passion, you explain the making because you truly want us to try and make it. You are the best, thanks from Tokyo!!

[@michellereynolds5273]

I had some momotaro tomatoes I grew that was about to go and stumbled on this video this morning. We’ve eaten a lot of tomato egg dishes but my husband said this is the best recipe ever! The consistency is perfect over rice and the tomato flavor really shines through. Thank you Lucas!

[@SatchmoBronson]

I've wanted a Lucas Sin series since the first video I saw him in! So knowledgeable about food, especially the ways it evolves over time and throughout cultures. A+ stuff.

[@chris_fly]

Tomato + egg. So many (chinese) recipes and I absolutely love all of them. Kudos for sharing this to everyone.

[@cacoreeby]

Classic 番茄煮蛋! Always nice to see him excited to eat his own food.... "I can eat this, right?" 😂

[@maryjemisonMaryjay1936]

Looks So Delicious 😋 Thank You 🙏 Lucas 🍅🥚🍚

[@andrewwang568]

The hot ripple oil prep tip was really helpful!

[@sonialeung2205]

Peeled tomatoes is key! I've only seen my grandma peel tomatoes like this. This is very similar to her recipe. We love it with GINGER as the main aromatic.

[@DianeH2038]

love Lucas, always! when I want tomatoes (sans skins) to melt in whatever I'm cooking, I just grate them. the skin stays in your hand & doesn't grate; it's super-fast. but the classic way is great, too, and the texture of this looks amazing. I've been craving Chinese tomato & egg over rice and have some smoked shoyu I'm going to try in this. 米饭杀手!!!

[@captaincaption]

Thank you so so much! I've made this recipe three times and every time the tomatoes do not break down. 😢 I'll definitely try doing this next time!

[@vivianwong5503]

I love how he explains each step of the process!

[@shuermarvin577]

Love this dish. Thank you for showing us your techniques.

[@PageNeedsaLife]

Video started, immediately cooked this and now I get to eat it while I watch 🤩

[@sneepers]

THANK YOU FOR THIS SERIES

[@myrhypae]

Yay! I’m so excited for this series!

[@pinkmonkeybird2644]

Lucas is right; even if you are eating alone, you should make delicious and nutritious food and take the time to enjoy it. I learned this from my 85-year-old neighbor. She had been a widow for decades and lived alone in a beautiful little home. Every night she got out her food tableware, crystal stemware, and linen napkins and served herself meals she’d be happy to serve company and guests. I told her when I ate alone it was a toss up between eating a sandwich over the sink so I would not dirty a plate and eating directly out of the pan I prepared the food in. She was appalled and told me to value myself more. I’m not as dedicated as she was, but I do put more of an effort into solo dining when it happens now.

[@captaincaption]

Thank you for this lesson!

[@stephaniesmith5634]

Very interesting! I’ll be trying it with tomatoes from the garden.

[@coljar100]

love Lucas' presentations very entertaining

[@angelalian6641]

Made this today and it was so so good! Love Lucas.

[@foodbrimful]

Absolutely delicious and unique recipe 😋❤❤

[@anavela4507]

Just made it!! It’s amazing. I’m making a lot more times after today. Thank you.

[@archiekleung]

Thanks. Good delivery. Yes, cooking tips too. Wonderful.

[@DungVu-xg2kn]

i love how he inhales the food. best part of every vid

[@DianeH2038]

I just made this tonight (finally!) and it's PERFECT. so delicious and comforting!!!

[@thelauraby]

Ooooohhhh! I am gonna love this! 🧡🧡🧡

[@robertkinkhorst5697]

We love Lucas ❤if he had his own KZbin channel he would easily have millions of followers as he truly, in my humble opinion is one of the greatest chef’s on KZbin! I have to make this, this coming weekend, also want to make his Hong Kong style scrambled eggs on bread toasted on one side that video I discovered only a few days ago, we’ll be buying quite a few eggs on Saturday 😉

[@WARnTEA]

Yea I don't know why he isn't. He really should have linked up with a videographer and an editor to make his own youtube channel like Brad Leone. I feel like these big corporate youtube channels are really hard to build your fanbase, and if you are good enough to be a fan favorite like Brad Leone on Bon Appetit, there is almost no way that they are paying you what you are worth. I think his 1 pot and 1 pan video is a great example and core philosophy to start a youtube channel. He has a way of simplifying and making the tools needed to cook cheaper/more accessible, and yet still retaining a lot of the knowledge and technique of cooking which makes cooking fun. The closest analog we have on youtube is like instantpot recipe creators, and that method of cooking is not fun at all.

[@milrtp101]

Lucas is the best food personality since Pepin.

[@audreyjan520]

I’ve had egg drop soup and I’ve had the home made version of tomato egg dish, this is the first time to see something that’s kind of in between! Will definitely try it!

[@vysharra]

I disliked how the editor added the ‘flying math’ to Lucas’s explanation about amino acids. I’ve only seen that meme used when it was intended to imply the speaker was confused and/or wrong about the subject. Lucas wasn’t confused or wrong (from my laymen research). I don’t want to discourage the creative editing. I think the cuts to the knife-wielding “makes sense?” and the ketchup bit were well done. It’s just the one criticism.

[@user-nj9ge5qz7z]

this was sooo good, loved it i'm going to make it regularly

[@maryngshwuling9916]

Thanks for sharing this recipe 🌻

[@lostchildnlostworld]

more Lucas pls !!! love all the hk style dishes! pls bring more so i could share my childhood dishes with my kid !

[@eatcellsbiologybites151]

This is delicious! Followed directions to a T, except black pepper instead of white. Thank you, Lucas. Looking forward to your other videos and recipes.

[@frostyfly31122]

he finally is doing a series 🙌

[@FantomMind]

My goodness it looks so good.

[@pepprdgefarm]

Awesome explanation video of every step of this recipe. Definitely going to check out any more videos with Chef Lucas Sin.

[@supremewhip]

Lucas made my night.

[@charlesvogl7679]

Your the best Lucas. Learned something again.

[@faizagul1490]

I just made this with a side of boiled rice..... chef's kiss!

[@nataliemscrzysxycoolharris]

This is sooo intriguing 🤔.

[@lisajusko932]

I made this tomato egg drop of yours. It came out perfect. Thank you so much for this recipe. Looking forward to more recipes of yours.

[@ghostgirl6970]

Yay! Lucas' Cooking School!

[@donaldlambert9522]

Omg, this was so good! I already know this is going into my regular rotation.

[@charlie70605]

Looks delicious and easy for an amateur. I especially liked the historical discussion in the recipe. Two names for tomatoes - .who would have thought Thanks

[@jacobrich7785]

Yes more Lucas always

[@nhtathinfbntb2746]

The most appetizing dish ever honestly. I inhale few bowls of rice with this dish without even knowing.

[@aydapadistudio]

My mama makes this for us all the time! I didn't know it was of Chinese origin, I just thought it's just a dish from my province in the Philippines. 😃

[@qwertyboo]

Think we do the stir fry version, but it's close! It's definitely a comfort food for Filipinks

[@qwertyboo]

Filipinos*

[@katyagrad3704]

Sarciadong isda also

[@MsKainui]

Made a version of this for lunch with and it was very satisfying! I did make several changes based on what I had on hand, including using canned tomatoes, a handful of flat chives in addition to green onions because I didn’t have enough, frying chopped mushrooms before the chives and green onion because I needed to use up the mushrooms, a few drops of Maggi seasoning instead of powdered MSG, only 2 eggs, and setting aside a third of the sauce (before adding the cornstarch slurry) for tomorrow. Was this as good as what Lucas made? No. It was still tasty and I plan to do this again sticking more closely to the recipe as given.

[@DB-xo6xh]

Its great when these videos serve as inspiration.

[@sunrisesunset7135]

Makes sense! Yummy yummy

[@nabildipatuan9216]

Lucas Sin is back!😍😍😍

[@paulinewqi]

Learning so much from you... Thanks...for all your brilliant videos..👍💝🌻

[@3casesbelly]

Really heartwarming to see this dish featured more often in recent years

[@mariaj3263]

Love Lucas 😍

[@simpleitsdanny]

A fantastic chef Lucas

[@chriswells5011]

I've eaten this twice in the past week. It's so delicious and easy to make.

[@Oh_that_mle]

A whole new Lucas Sin series???? 🎉🎉 I learn so much and his recipes always are things I need to try. Can you use canned whole tomatoes for this recipe? Just thinking in the winter, I’m likely to have that on hand over fresh.

[@abhigopal5337]

Lucas DESERVED his series , he is so good at explaining techniques in normal lingo where everyone can understand.

[@nadia86]

I've always cooked the eggs first, then set aside to add back in later. I like this method more since it's one less step. I also keep the skin on the tomato but that's just preference. I like the texture. The biggest change that I love and won't deviate from now is the addition of the slurry. I've always struggled to get the right sauciness before and this really solves it for me.

[@emeliaheck1620]

I would love to see Lucas Sin do a video on taiwanese beef noodle soup.

[@racheltriesthings]

yay to more lucas!

[@tDucIaL]

I love Lucas Sin

[@paule2658]

I make it a little different. I add onion, ginger, garlic, rock sugar and soy sauce to it. I also leave the skin on and precook the egg before combining into the tomatoes. Its a little more hardy but this version looks amazing ill have to try it.

[@nickw7693]

My favorite childhood dish 😩

[@spacewalker9375]

Damn. I’ve never had egg and tomato that looks like that. Looks amazing

[@Daniel-ld5pj]

most charming chef on utube!

[@HaydenLikeHey]

Finally made this tonight! Had to sub MSG with oyster sauce since I couldn't find MSG (please don't question why oyster sauce specifically, I couldn't tell you), added some turmeric because I love it, used soy sauce with the eggs, and used garlic salt instead of kosher for the final seasoning bit. Wow! Way more delicious than my attempts at shakshuka! Definitely adding this to my regular routine!

[@lilacfields]

if you have any accent (brand) seasoning in your pantry it is actually msg! and if you don’t you can likely find it at a local supermarket

[@sadsameyes]

I’m definitely gonna make this - wish me luck

[@vickyl5686]

Lucas is just awesome - his techniques are spot on and I love that he explains everything as he goes along. The part at the end where he says to take care with presentation of the dish even if it's just for yourself made me smile :)

[@DoctorMcHerp]

I always have this with some sort of fish. It's awesome.

[@Gwyndolinn]

Love Lucas sass face at the end when he asks if he can eat what he cooked lolol

[@EonniCuisine]

boom syalalaaa~~ this definitely one of my fav, just enjoy with a fluffy warm rice, I can have this all my life😋🥰

[@MosesFalconi]

New series?! LET’S GO!

[@lb8141]

Chinese tomato and eggs is one of my favorites ❤

[@natnutty]

LUCAS SIN NEW SERIES????? immediately clicked the subscribe button!