Chicken egg foo yung
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Chicken egg foo yung is a savory, pan-fried omelet patty packed with shredded chicken, bean sprouts, and scallions, often smothered in a rich, umami-laden brown gravy. It boasts a satisfyingly fluffy yet firm texture with a golden, slightly crispy exterior, offering a protein-forward meal with a moderate calorie profile of 137 kcal per 100g. Its distinct flavor profile balances the mildness of eggs with the savory depth of the sauce, making it a staple of Chinese-American comfort food.
Calorie split: 37% protein · 14% carbs · 49% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love chicken egg foo yung for its comforting, savory flavor profile and the satisfying contrast between the fluffy omelet and the rich, glossy gravy. It is a beloved staple in Chinese-American cuisine, often served with steamed rice, making it a culturally significant and nostalgic dish for many.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The brown gravy can be high in sodium and sometimes contains added sugars, which may be a concern for those monitoring blood pressure or blood sugar levels. To counteract this, opt for low-sodium soy sauce or use a homemade gravy with reduced salt, and pair the dish with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad to balance the meal.
Key benefits
- High protein content (12.79g per 100g) supports muscle maintenance
- Low carbohydrate density (4.78g per 100g) suitable for low-carb diets
- Provides essential vitamins and minerals from eggs and vegetables
- Quick and easy to prepare as a one-pan meal
- Versatile base for adding various vegetables or proteins
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Egg foo yung is often considered a Chinese-American invention, with its name derived from the Cantonese term for 'egg omelet' (dan jiao), and it was popularized in the United States during the mid-20th century as a staple in Chinese restaurants.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 73.5 g |
| Energy | 137 kcal |
| Protein | 12.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 7.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 4.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.30 g |
| Total Sugars | 3.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 34.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 15.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 149 mg |
| Potassium, K | 172 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 401 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 19.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.7 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.23 mg |
| Niacin | 2.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.10 mg |
| Folate, total | 31.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 31.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 31.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 142 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.47 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 85.0 ug |
| Retinol | 80.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 64.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 6.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 325 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.88 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.1 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 23.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.5 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.46 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.9 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.23 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.3 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 207 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Egg rolls, chicken, refrigerated, heated — USDA does not publish this profile for Chicken egg foo yung.
| Tryptophan | 0.14 g |
| Threonine | 0.34 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.35 g |
| Leucine | 0.68 g |
| Lysine | 0.48 g |
| Methionine | 0.19 g |
| Cystine | 0.14 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.43 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.21 g |
| Valine | 0.39 g |
| Arginine | 0.48 g |
| Histidine | 0.25 g |
| Alanine | 0.42 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.74 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.3 g |
| Glycine | 0.40 g |
| Proline | 0.72 g |
| Serine | 0.43 g |
FAQ
What is chicken egg foo yung?
Chicken egg foo yung is a savory Chinese-American omelet dish made with eggs, shredded chicken, bean sprouts, and scallions, typically served with a brown gravy.
Is chicken egg foo yung healthy?
Chicken egg foo yung can be a healthy option due to its high protein and low carbohydrate content, but it may be high in sodium and fat depending on the gravy and cooking method.
Can I make chicken egg foo yung at home?
Yes, chicken egg foo yung is easy to make at home by mixing eggs with cooked chicken, vegetables, and seasonings, then pan-frying and serving with a homemade gravy.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.37 kcal/g · 37% calories from protein · 0.3 g fiber · 3.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.33 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.