Konbi’s Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich: Tamago Sando Recipe · i am a food blog (2024)

Tamago sando, or egg salad sandwiches, are extremely popular in Japan – they even had a short run of tamago sando flavored potato chips! All of the combini (convenience stores) carry them, and as of late, there have been fancier tamago sando popping up too. But, if you want to keep it classic, just head towards the cooler in 7-11 or Lawson’s and pick up one of those ubiquitous soft and squishy triangles filled with a simple egg and kewpie filling.

The bread is cloud like, the filling the perfect balance of savory and salty, and together, the parts create a whole that is extremely nostalgic. People who know, just know, egg salad sandos are where it’s at. David Chang knows. Anthony Bourdain knew. Egg salad is a thing and it’s here to stay.

I always eat a tamago sando (or 8) when in Japan and this time, since we came home with a whole loaf of shokupan, I decided that we were gonna make our own. I went with a simple classic filling of medium-hard boiled eggs, kewpie mayo – absolutely essential – and a generous sprinkle of salt. Added in a couple of jammy eggs for a bit of visual contrast and boom, instant egg salad sandwich heaven. So nice to have a little taste of Japan, right here at home :)

PS – I based this guy off of Konbi’s famous egg salad sandwich. Still haven’t had one, but soon!

Konbi’s Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich: Tamago Sando Recipe · i am a food blog (1)

Konbi’s Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich: Tamago Sando Recipe · i am a food blog (2)

Konbi’s Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich: Tamago Sando Recipe · i am a food blog (3)

Konbi’s Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich: Tamago Sando Recipe · i am a food blog (4)

Konbi’s Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich: Tamago Sando Recipe · i am a food blog (5)

Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich: Tamago Sando Recipe
makes 1 sandwich


  • 4 large eggs
  • salt, to taste
  • 1-2 tablespoons kewpie mayo, or to taste
  • 2 slices fluffy white bread, crusts trimmed

Remove the eggs from the fridge as your bringing your water to a boil.

Prepare an ice bath with a large bowl of cold water and ice.

Bring a pot of water to rolling boil, then turn the heat down and gently add eggs in, with a slotted spoon. Turn the heat back up to medium high and maintain a simmer for 7 minutes. Remove 2 of the eggs, and leave the remaining 2 eggs in for another minute and a half.

Plunge the eggs into an ice bath to cool down. Peel the eggs: Gently tap the wide end of the egg on the countertop, then flip around and tap the pointed end. Gently roll the egg and peel, under running water, if it helps.

Cut the 7 minute eggs in half and set aside. Place the remaining two eggs in a bowl and use a fork to crush with the mayonnaise and a sprinkle of salt until a rough paste forms. Taste and adjust the kewpie mayo and salt.

Spread an even layer of egg salad on one slice of bread then arrange the cut eggs on the salad, nestling in gently. Top with the remaining slice of bread, then cut into three, being sure to cut perpendicular to the yolks, so when you turn the sandwich, you see the yolks.

9 Comments

  1. Emma says:

    May 29, 2019 at 5:13 pm

    I didn’t realize just how much the kewpie mayo would transform my standard egg salad sandwich. It’s a little sweeter than other mayonnaise I’ve had, but in combination with the eggs, it’s absolutely scrumptious.

    Reply

    1. Stephanie says:

      June 2, 2019 at 10:21 am

      hi emma,
      isn’t it amazing how different it tastes even though it is just mayo?! thanks so much for trying out the recipe :)

  2. Karen says:

    June 3, 2019 at 6:36 am

    I made it for lunch today. It was so cute and absolutely delicious

    Reply

    1. Stephanie says:

      June 3, 2019 at 6:43 pm

      yay! so happy you made it and liked it :)

      Reply

  3. Lilium Beau says:

    June 19, 2019 at 7:50 pm

    I can’t wait to try this as soon as my kewpie mayo comes in from Amazon! I’m planning on serving these for an afternoon tea. I was wondering if there is a traditional side? Would like to offer something other than chips. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    1. Stephanie says:

      June 20, 2019 at 10:25 am

      hi lilium,
      anything goes – they don’t usually have a traditional side! i like your idea of them for afternoon tea, just some other sandwiches maybe? or a salad?

      Reply

      1. Lilium Beau says:

        June 20, 2019 at 7:07 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply

Leave a Reply

Konbi’s Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich: Tamago Sando Recipe · i am a food blog (2024)

FAQs

Why is Japanese egg sandwich so good? ›

What makes this sandwich so unique is the type of bread used. It is not ordinary sliced white bread! Traditionally, Japanese milk bread is used which is a super soft melt-in-your-mouth white bread. The slices are also a bit thicker because of how fluffy they are compared to normal white bread.

What's the best bread for egg salad sandwiches? ›

If you want a sandwich that doesn't make a mess when you eat it, classic white bread or soft whole-grain is your best bet. The soft texture acts like a cozy pillow for the egg salad filling, ensuring it stays put when you take a bite so that there are no eggy spills on your lap!

What are the ingredients for egg salad sandwiches? ›

Five ingredients: hard boiled eggs, mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), yellow mustard, salt and pepper, sandwich bread. Customizable: I've listed some fun add-in ideas below, but it's easy to flavor this easy egg salad however you like!

What is the Anthony Bourdain egg sandwich? ›

Even the late Anthony Bourdain enjoyed what's better known as a Tamago Sando so much that he dubbed it “insanely delicious and incongruously addictive” in an episode of Parts Unknown. But aren't we talking about just a sandwich here? Boiled egg, mayonnaise, and some butter smashed between two pieces of white bread?

What is special about Japanese eggs? ›

Japanese Eggs(TAMAGO) can be eaten raw for up to three weeks

Japanese Eggs(TAMAGO) have a shelf life of 21 days, starting from the date the egg is produced. People from outside Japan probably think that this is a short period, however, this is actually the period during which the eggs can be eaten raw.

Is egg sandwich healthy or unhealthy? ›

It's high in protein, vitamins, and minerals which provide numerous health benefits like weight management and energy boost throughout the day. Moreover, it's budget-friendly and easy to make with various recipes to suit different tastes.

What condiment is good on an egg sandwich? ›

About Egg Sandwich

For this recipe you will need some boiled eggs, your favorite sandwich spread and some fresh salad veggies and herbs. Mayonnaise, hot sauce, mustard, cheese spread, chutney or even pesto will work great as a sandwich spread.

How to keep egg salad sandwiches from getting soggy? ›

To keep the texture of your egg salad sandwich intact, place two large (and dry) pieces of lettuce between the filling and the bread. The leaves will create a barrier that will keep your bread from soaking up the moisture of your egg salad filling, ensuring a dry and appetizing texture for longer periods of time.

Why is my egg salad bland? ›

If you've properly seasoned your egg salad and it still seems bland, add an acid. A few teaspoons of lemon juice or white wine vinegar will sharpen and enhance the flavours. Now you have all the tips and tricks to make the best egg salad possible, it's time to get cracking!

Why are egg sandwiches so good in Japan? ›

Good ingredients make all the difference

In Japan, high-quality fresh eggs with orange yolks are used in making the eggy spread. While these have the same nutritional content as those with yellow yolks, eggs that have an orange yolk are known to have a richer mouthfeel and a deeper flavor when eaten.

What is an egg bomb sandwich? ›

One fried egg, two slices of bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on a grilled brioche bun.

What is a Charlie Brown sandwich? ›

House-made peanut butter, Cheddar cheese and brisket. Topped with bacon. On a roll.

Why does Japan have the best eggs? ›

The demand for eggs in Japan is so high that the poultry population is almost equal to the human population of 120 million residents. With eggs that are farmed with strict standards and marked for taste, it's no wonder that eggs here are delicious, nutritious and a popular addition to many meals.

Why are Japanese eggs healthier? ›

In Japan, extensive measures are taken to ensure that eggs are safe to eat raw, even without breaking the shell. For instance, highly advanced machines are used to clean the eggs, check their quality, sort them by size and package them.

What is the most popular sandwich in Japan? ›

The Irresistible Appeal of the Tamago (Egg) Sandwich

The same survey revealed that the most popular sandwich filling in Japan is egg, with one in four respondents naming it as their favorite. The delicate balance of the fluffy bread and egg salad creates an irresistible combination that appeals to many.

Why does Japanese mayo taste so good? ›

It's slightly more sweet and less acidic than American mayo because it contains rice or cider vinegar rather than distilled white vinegar. Japanese mayo is also a bit richer due to the incorporation of egg yolks, unlike American mayo which uses whole eggs.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dan Stracke

Last Updated:

Views: 6362

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dan Stracke

Birthday: 1992-08-25

Address: 2253 Brown Springs, East Alla, OH 38634-0309

Phone: +398735162064

Job: Investor Government Associate

Hobby: Shopping, LARPing, Scrapbooking, Surfing, Slacklining, Dance, Glassblowing

Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.