Trứng Chiên (Vietnamese Egg Omelet) Recipe

Vietnamese egg omelet has been an iconic Vietnamese dish for generations, and it’s not hard to see why. Simple yet incredibly delicious, this treat makes for a perfect breakfast or side dish for your daily meal.

In this post, let’s delve into the beauty of this classic Vietnamese delicacy and learn not one but two recipes to make it at home. The first one results in a no-meat dish, ideal for my vegetarian readers, while the second one will be more filling with the addition of ground pork.

Special Things That Make Vietnamese Egg Omelet Different

The omelet is probably one of the most common breakfasts in the world, as everyone seems to know how to make this dish. However, several aspects make the Vietnamese version (Trung Chien) different from your typical omelet.

First of all, Trung Chien is seasoned with popular Vietnamese fresh herbs and spices, such as cilantro, scallions, and fish sauce. These ingredients give the eggs a unique savory flavor that makes them stand out from the more common salt and pepper seasoning of the western variety.

When it comes to texture, Vietnamese omelets are usually light and fluffy, as the locals don’t often mix milk or cream with the eggs. In addition, the Vietnamese rarely (or never) include cheese in the fillings. Instead, they use a combination of meat, glass noodles, and mushrooms.

Tools

Having the correct tools is the first step in making any recipe. The good news is that you won’t need any fancy equipment to cook a Vietnamese-style omelet.

• Non-stick frying pan: A pan with a non-stick coating makes it easier for you to flip the eggs. And most importantly, no one likes an omelet that’s broken into pieces.
• Kitchen turner: Now I know that some people are skilled enough to flip their omelets without using a kitchen turner, and if you’re one of them, feel free to skip this tool.
• Other tools you might need: A wooden spoon, a fork, a knife, and a chopping board.

Ingredients

Next on the to-do list is gathering the right ingredients. Here is what you will need.

• Eggs: Besides chicken eggs, the Vietnamese also use duck eggs for cooking omelets. That said, this type of egg can be hard to come across in the States.
• Ground pork: Skip this ingredient if you want to make the meatless version.
• Wood ear mushrooms: Add a slight crunch to the filling. You can also use your favorite kinds of mushrooms.
• Glass noodles (Mien): A signature noodle type in Vietnamese cooking.
• Fish sauce: It’s nearly impossible to make authentic Vietnamese dishes without this savory sauce. Remember to use the vegan variety (Nuoc Mam Chay) if you follow a plant-based diet.
• Aromatics: Cilantro, scallions, shallots, and onion.
• Spices: Brown sugar and pepper.

Directions

When you’ve got all the tools and ingredients, there’s nothing left to do but cook up some tasty Vietnamese egg omelets! Here are the detailed recipes you’ve been waiting for.

Prepare The Ingredients

Rinse the wood ear mushrooms.

Cut the glass noodles into 2 to 3-inch strips. Then, soak them in clean water for 10 to 15 minutes to soften them. Once done, drain the noodles and let them dry.

Next, mince the scallions and cilantro. Thinly slice the mushrooms and shallots.

Option 1: Meatless Omelet

After preparing the mushrooms and vegetables, you now have two choices to cook the omelets. The first one is the meatless version.

Step 1: Beat The Eggs

Crack 4 eggs into a bowl and add the scallions and cilantro. Season them with fish sauce, pepper, and brown sugar. Beat the eggs using a fork or spoon. You can also use a pair of chopsticks to beat the eggs if you want to go Asian style.

Then, add the mushrooms and glass noodles to the egg mixture. Mix well.

Step 2: Fry The Eggs

Heat olive oil in a pan. Once the oil is heated, add the shallots and fry them until fragrant. Next, pour in the eggs.

Use a kitchen turner or spoon to spread the filling (mushrooms, glass noodles, etc.) evenly on the surface.

Gently lift and tilt the pan in a circular motion so that the eggs fill all the empty space. This step will also prevent the omelet from sticking to the pan.

Fry the eggs for 3 to 5 minutes over medium-low heat until they firm up. Occasionally lift and tilt the pan as instructed above to keep the omelet from burning.

Slightly tilt the pan and slide the kitchen turner under the eggs. Lift the pan upward and quickly flip the omelet over.

Cook your omelet for 1 to 2 minutes then remove it from the heat.

Option 2: Omelet With Ground Pork

If you want the omelets to fill your stomach more, opt for the second option, which includes ground pork. The cooking steps are quite similar to the no-meat version, but you’ll need to spend a little more time in the kitchen.

Step 1: Beat The Eggs

Similarly, crack 4 eggs and season them with the minced scallions and cilantro. Beat the eggs well.

Step 2: Stir-Fry The Pork

Heat olive oil in a pan. Next, add the onion and stir it until fragrant. Then, stir in the ground pork and season it with sugar, pepper, and fish sauce. Stir-fry the meat for 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 3: Add The Cooked Pork To The Eggs

Add the pork to the eggs and mix well. Then, add the mushrooms and glass noodles. Give everything a good mix.

Step 4: Fry The Eggs

Fry the eggs as instructed above. However, the cooking time will be slightly different. First, fry them for about 4 to 6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Present The Dish

Transfer the omelet onto a plate and sprinkle some scallions, herbs, and pepper on top. Slice it up like you slice a pizza and enjoy it with hot steamed rice.

Tips

Making Trung Chien can be a bit different from when you cook an American-style omelet due to the changes in ingredients. Don’t worry! These tips and tricks will help you prevent all the common mistakes.

• Covering the pan while frying the eggs can shorten the cooking time and avoid burning.
• Do not add raw ground pork to the eggs. Since eggs cook faster than meat, your omelet will be burnt by the time the pork is cooked. Plus, stir-frying the pork beforehand will enhance its flavor.
• As tempting as it is, you shouldn’t use too much ground pork, as doing so might cause your omelet to be too thick and take longer to cook.
• Make sure that the eggs’ surface has firmed up before flipping them over.
• Vietnamese egg omelet tastes delicious when added to salads or Bo Bia (spring rolls). You can also use it as a filling for Banh Mi or sandwiches.

Never A Boring Breakfast With Vietnamese Omelets

With the addition of spices and herbs, Vietnamese-style omelets are always packed with flavor. If you need a more filling option, include ground pork to turn your breakfast into a full meal. And for vegetarians, simply omit the meat and use vegan fish sauce.

If you’ve grown tired of the same omelet, give this Vietnamese classic a go today! After trying the dish, don’t forget to leave your feedback in the comment section. Besides, please like and share the recipe so that other people know about it as well. Thank you very much!