Lu Dan (Soy Eggs)

February 7, 2017
Food,Recipes

Today, I get real. I don’t often get personal on HonestlyYUM, but this time things are different. This time, I feel as though I can’t keep quiet. Yes, this post is political, but the events that have unfolded in the past two weeks cut beyond politics to a deeply personal level. I have the same story as many other people in this country: I am the daughter of two immigrant parents, who came to this country for a better life and sacrificed everything they had so that my sister and I could have every opportunity to become the people we wanted to be. My mother and grandmother were refugees that narrowly escaped a government regime that would have put them in a labor camp or worse. Life could have been tragically different or not at all for me and my family. Some of you may not know that HonestlyYUM is not my full-time job; I work as an attorney during the day and have represented children refugees that have risked death to escape horrible conditions in their countries. When I asked one of my clients what he liked most about living in America, he answered going to school without fear. So when I say I am impassioned and heartbroken over where our country appears to be headed, I say that from the perspective of having seen what the American dream is for the many people who were not born in this country.

Despite these dark times, there’s been a ray of light. Every day, I am so inspired by the growing community that has mobilized to protect our rights. I’ve made a commitment to myself to do my part and today’s post is small part of that commitment. This post is also part of a growing group of food bloggers that are choosing to channel their activism through food. Throughout the week, I’ll be updating this post so you can see what others have shared and why this movement is so important to us. Beyond reading our stories, there are so many ways to get involved and to fight the good fight, from calling your congressional representative to donating to organizations fighting on the ground like the ACLU. Whatever you choose, do not choose to stay quiet. Big or small, every march counts, every word counts, every act counts.

Other #immigrantfoodstories:

Lu Dan (Soy Eggs) | Recipe by HonestlyYUM #immigrantfoodstories

A little more about the recipe here, lu dan (soy eggs) are one of my favorite Chinese recipes because they are so easy and versatile. These were practically a staple in my diet as a child and I can eat a terrifying amount. You can eat them as a snack or add them to a rice or grain bowl or noodles— they’re pretty much fantastic with anything. Soy eggs are typically prepared as hard boiled eggs, but I like to undercook them so that after they’ve marinated in the refrigerator the yolks are thick and viscous.

Lu Dan (Soy Eggs) | Recipe by HonestlyYUM #immigrantfoodstories

LU DAN (SOY EGG)

Ingredients:

  • 6 eggs
  • 2 cups of water
  • 1 cup of soy sauce, low sodium
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 2-3 whole star anise

Directions:

  • Bring a medium pot of water to a boil (enough water to cover the eggs with). Lower to a simmer and gently slide the eggs into the water with a spoon being careful not to crack them against the pot.
  • Gently boil the eggs for 7 minutes. Strain the eggs and run under cold water to stop the cooking. Once the eggs have cooled enough to handle, peel the eggs.
  • In a small pot, combine the 2 cups of water, soy sauce, sugar and star anise and bring to a simmer and let the mixture steep for about 5-10 minutes. Transfer the eggs to into the soy sauce mixture and refrigerate overnight.

(images by HonestlyYUM)

Conversation

Reading this in 2021, but thank you for your heartfelt post and the important work you do!
Looking forward to trying this recipe. Thank you.

These sound amazing! I love eggs and always looking for new ways to cook these little gems. This weekend I’ll be making lu dan soy eggs and think these would also be great for a potluck when potlucks are okay again.

Hi! I see that this was written 3 years ago but I happen to be searching for a soy egg recipe during our quarantine cooking times. Your story was great, one that I, and assume many can relate to. Your day job is commendable and dedication to building this online community is inspiring. However, I just want to say that I was slightly disappointed with regards to the ‘immigrant stories’ links you shared – I was really hoping to read more like yours, hear from cultures that are are not so mainstream. Albeit, they were all beautiful sites and I’m sure amazing bloggers, I wonder if you can highlight the lesser told stories of ‘immigrants’. They must be out there. I’m really hungry for them and seems you have a platform to share. Just my few cents – thanks for all the amazing work you do and I can’t wait to try out this yummy recipe!

Thank you for sharing your story, Karen and for the meaningful work that you do. So thankful for this supportive community. xo

Thank you for taking the time to share your story! I’m so glad that this space can be a platform for you to share what’s on your heart. I have loved reading all of these #immigrantfoodstories so far, and I really enjoyed reading yours. Thanks again for sharing!

Karen, I’m a white Anglo Saxon (agnostic) Protestant woman who is the great grand daughter of immigrants from Denmark, Germany and Wales. While I am not struggling with the same issues as people of color, different language or religion, please know that your voice and experience reaches me and many like me, please know that you and the millions of other immigrants or children of immigrants are not alone. My husband is 1/2 Filipino, 1/2 German-Dutch. My niece has children who are 1/2 Japanese. We’re going to love these soy eggs!

Loved all the #immigrantfoodstories posts and that you have used both your platform online and IRL to help refugees 🙂 The ACLU and the IRC both do such great work and they need more support now than ever !

Thank you for telling this story. I’m so glad we were able to come together today. I’m proud of my heritage and proud to be part of such a loving and supporting community of bloggers. And I love that we can share and support each other in this way, and hopefully bring more awareness and compassion. Silence is definitely no longer an option. XOXO.

Absolutely! I’m so glad we could all come together and share our stories. I loved reading everyone’s stories and what #immigrantfoodstories means to them. And you’re absolutely right– silence is no longer an option! xo

Thank you. I’m one of the 65 and I will be calling my representatives and sending a check to the ACLU. Now, on to cooking!

Thank you so much for sharing! Its incredible what risk people have taken to have a chance at a new beginning…thank you for the work you do!

Thank you Bella! It’s sometimes unreal hearing these harrowing stories, but so important that refugees have a voice. So glad we did this and to be part of this group!

being an immigrant myself, i can relate to the frustration as well has generosity of people from everywhere. i love soy eggs and 7 minutes really does the trick.

I’ve been loving reading everyone’s stories so far, they offer such great insight into how diverse we all are! Major love and hugs to you for working so hard on important issues at hand. xo

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