How to Make Dishes with Fresh Salted Egg in Singapore

Salted egg is one of the most popular ingredients in many Singaporean homes. It adds a rich, savoury taste that works well in both simple meals and more special dishes. You’ll find it in snacks, stir-fries, sauces, and even baked items.

This guide will show you how to use salted egg in Singapore cooking. We’ll share easy recipes, explain how to prepare the eggs, and look at how it compares to century eggs. If you’re new to this, don’t worry. Everything here is simple and easy to follow.

What Are Salted Eggs?

Salted eggs are made by curing fresh duck or chicken eggs in salt. This is usually done by soaking them in salt water for a few weeks or covering them in salted clay. Once cured, the whites are firm and very salty, while the yolks turn deep orange and have a creamy, grainy texture.

Duck eggs are more commonly used because they have larger yolks and a stronger taste. You can buy salted eggs cooked or raw. Some stores even sell just the yolks, which are ready to use for cooking.

Century Eggs vs Salted Eggs

People often mix up salted eggs and century eggs. Both are preserved eggs, but they are quite different.

• Salted eggs are cured in brine. They are mostly used in cooked dishes, sauces, or deep-fried food.

• Century eggs in Singapore are made by covering the eggs in clay, ash, and lime for several weeks. The egg white becomes jelly-like and dark, while the yolk turns blackish-green and soft. These are usually eaten with porridge or tofu.

They each bring a different taste and texture. Salted eggs are used more in hot dishes, while century eggs are often eaten cold.

Where to Buy Salted Eggs in Singapore

Finding salted egg in Singapore is simple. Most supermarkets like NTUC FairPrice, Sheng Siong, and Cold Storage carry them. Wet markets also stock both cooked and raw options. You’ll also find salted egg yolk paste and powder in many Asian grocery shops.

If you plan to use salted eggs often, buying cooked yolks or paste can save you time. These are easy to store in the fridge and ready to use.

Keep raw salted eggs in the fridge. Once cooked, eat them within a week for the best taste.

How to Prepare Salted Eggs

If you’re using raw salted eggs, boil or steam them first.

Steps to prepare:

1. Wash the egg shells to remove any dirt

2. Place the eggs in boiling water for 10–15 minutes

3. Let them cool

4. Crack open the eggs, remove the yolks, and mash them with a fork

Mashed yolks are used in sauces, stir-fries, and as toppings. You can also pass the yolk through a sieve for a smoother sauce.

Dishes You Can Make with Salted Eggs

Salted eggs work well in many simple dishes. They add a creamy, salty taste that pairs well with prawns, chicken, tofu, and rice. Let’s look at a few popular options.

Salted Egg Prawns

This is a favourite in many homes. The prawns are coated in a creamy sauce made from mashed salted egg yolks.

Ingredients:

• 10 medium prawns

• 2 salted egg yolks

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp oil

• Curry leaves

• 1 red chilli (optional)

• 2 garlic cloves, chopped

Steps:

1. Steam the yolks and mash them

2. Heat oil and butter in a pan

3. Add garlic, curry leaves, and chilli

4. Add yolk paste and stir until foamy

5. Add prawns and cook until pink

6. Serve with rice

Salted Egg Chicken

This dish is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The salted egg sauce gives the chicken a rich coating.

Ingredients:

• 300g boneless chicken thigh, diced

• Cornflour

• 2 salted egg yolks

• 2 tbsp butter

• Curry leaves

• 1 red chilli

Steps:

1. Coat chicken with cornflour and fry until golden

2. Set aside

3. In another pan, melt butter. Add curry leaves and chilli

4. Add mashed yolks and stir until bubbly

5. Add chicken and toss to coat

6. Serve hot

Salted Egg Tofu

This is a simple and tasty side dish. It uses soft tofu and a creamy salted egg sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 block soft tofu

• Cornflour

• 2 salted egg yolks

• Curry leaves

• Garlic

• Oil

Steps:

1. Cut tofu into cubes and dry with paper towel

2. Coat with cornflour and fry until crisp

3. In a pan, fry garlic and curry leaves

4. Add mashed yolks and stir well

5. Toss tofu in sauce and serve

More Ways to Use Salted Egg

There are many other ways to enjoy cooking with salted egg at home:

Salted Egg Fried Rice

Use day-old rice, mashed yolks, garlic, egg, and a protein like prawns or chicken. Fry everything together until golden.

Salted Egg Pasta

Toss cooked pasta in a simple salted egg sauce made with butter, mashed yolks, and mushrooms.

Salted Egg Buns

Fill soft steamed buns with a salted egg custard made with yolks, milk, sugar, and flour.

Snacks

You can also add salted egg yolk to potato chips, popcorn, and fried fish skin. Many snack brands in Singapore sell ready-made options too.

Tips for Cooking with Salted Egg

Here are some useful tips to get the best results:

• Steam yolks before mashing for smoother texture

• Use butter to carry the flavour and give it a creamy base

• Avoid adding extra salt

• Use curry leaves and chilli to balance the richness

• Add the yolks towards the end to prevent burning

If using paste or powder, read the label. Some are already seasoned, so adjust other ingredients as needed.

What About Century Eggs?

Even though this blog focuses on salted eggs, century eggs in Singapore also have a strong place in local cooking.

Century Egg Congee

This dish mixes rice porridge with slices of century egg and minced pork. It’s simple, filling, and often eaten for breakfast.

Cold Tofu with Century Egg

Place chilled soft tofu on a plate, add diced century eggs, spring onions, and drizzle with light soy sauce.

These dishes are easy to prepare and bring out the flavour of the century egg without much work.

Why Salted Eggs Are So Popular in Singapore

Salted eggs are part of many traditional and modern recipes. You’ll find them in home kitchens, hawker stalls, bakeries, and even in snack aisles.

Their creamy texture and savoury taste make them great for sauces, coatings, and fillings. Whether you fry, steam, or mix them into dough, they bring a strong flavour that stands out.

In recent years, new dishes like salted egg pasta, burgers, and chips have become popular. This shows how flexible and loved the ingredient has become.

Final Thoughts

Cooking with salted egg is a great way to make your meals more flavourful. From prawns and chicken to tofu and rice, the options are wide and easy to try at home. Salted eggs are not just for fancy meals—they’re perfect for simple, tasty home cooking.

If you haven’t tried century eggs in Singapore, give them a go too. They’re very different from salted eggs but still bring a lot of flavour.

Grab a few salted eggs from the shop and try one of the recipes in this post. Once you get used to them, you’ll want to keep them in your kitchen all the time.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken eggs instead of duck eggs for salted eggs?

Yes, but duck eggs are better. They have richer yolks and give a stronger flavour.

2. How long can I keep cooked salted eggs?

Store them in the fridge. Eat within one week for the best taste.

3. Do I need to cook salted eggs before eating?

If they are raw, yes—boil or steam them. If they are already cooked, you can use them right away.