1-Step 1: Prepare Your Sauce and Slurry Start by mixing all your sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Combine 2 tablespoons light soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Set this aside near your stovetop for easy access during cooking. In a separate small bowl, prepare your cornstarch slurry by mixing 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water. Stir well to eliminate any lumps. This slurry will thicken your sauce at the end, so keep it handy but don’t add it yet.

2-Step 2: Begin Cooking the Aromatics Heat your wok or large skillet over medium heat until it’s properly hot. Add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and let it warm for about 30 seconds. Add your sliced shiitake mushrooms and minced ginger to the pan. Stir fry these for approximately 2-3 minutes until the mushrooms turn lightly golden brown around the edges. Next, add your minced garlic and continue stir frying for another 30-45 seconds. Watch carefully during this stage because garlic can burn quickly and become bitter. You want the garlic to change color slightly and become fragrant, signaling it’s ready for the next step.

3-Step 3: Brown the Ground Pork Increase your heat to high. Add the 1/2 lb of ground pork to the wok, breaking it up into small pieces with your spatula or wooden spoon as you stir. This browning process should take about 3-4 minutes. Work the pork around the pan to ensure even cooking and proper browning on all sides. When the pork is fully browned with no pink remaining, pour in your prepared sauce mixture. Toss everything together for about 30 seconds to coat all the meat and mushrooms evenly. The sauce will bubble and become fragrant almost immediately.

4-Step 4: Simmer and Develop Flavors Add 2 cups of your reserved mushroom soaking liquid to the wok. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and let it simmer for 20 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld together while the pork becomes tender and absorbs the sauce. Stir occasionally during this 20-minute simmer to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The sauce will reduce slightly, concentrating the flavors.

5-Step 5: Prepare and Fry the Egg Tofu While your pork mixture simmers, prepare the egg tofu. Cut through the packaging lengthwise, then gently squeeze the tofu out onto a clean cutting board. Handle it carefully because egg tofu is very delicate and can break easily. Slice the tofu into 1/2-inch thick rounds using a gentle sawing motion with your knife. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat with 1 tablespoon of oil. Non-stick is essential here because egg tofu sticks easily to regular pans. When the oil shimmers, carefully add your tofu slices in a single layer without overcrowding. Fry each slice for about 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. The tofu should develop a beautiful light crust that actually helps protect it from breaking. Use a silicone spatula to flip the slices gently. Remove the fried tofu to a plate and set aside while you finish the sauce.

6-Step 6: Finish and Combine After 20 minutes of simmering, check your liquid level. If it’s running low, add up to 1/4 cup water. Return the mixture to a low boil over medium-high heat. Give your cornstarch slurry another good stir because the starch settles at the bottom. Add half the slurry to your pork mixture while stirring constantly. Watch as the sauce begins to thicken and turn glossy. If you want a thicker consistency, add the remaining slurry a little at a time until you reach your desired thickness. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon nicely.

7-Step 7: Final Assembly Gently slide your fried egg tofu slices into the sauce. Use your spatula to carefully coat each piece with the thickened sauce. Work slowly and gently to avoid breaking the delicate tofu. Let everything simmer together for 1-2 minutes so the tofu absorbs some of the sauce flavor. Your egg tofu with minced pork is now ready to serve. Plate alongside steamed rice for a complete meal that serves 4 people comfortably.