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 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's the best bread for egg salad sandwich? ›

Some of the best breads for egg salad sandwiches include whole wheat bread, white bread, rye bread, croissants, and brioche. Remember to toast the bread, add condiments, and use quality ingredients to make the perfect egg salad sandwich.

Where does the name Tamago Sando come from? ›

Tamago sando, or egg salad sandwich, is without a doubt one of the most popular sandwiches in Japan. If you've been to Japan, you might have tried one in a convenience store like 7-11, Lawson, or Family Mart. It is an iconic Japanese sandwich that everyone loves!

Is Kewpie Mayo good on sandwiches? ›

In short, you can use Kewpie mayo anywhere you'd use regular mayonnaise, to spread on sandwiches, to bind egg salad, chicken salad and potato salad, to make a filling for deviled eggs, as a base for creamy dips or for glossy marinades or dressings, particularly one destined for Caesar Salad.

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.

Do they put ketchup on eggs in Japan? ›

Omurice or omu-rice (オムライス, Omu-raisu) is a Japanese dish consisting of an omelette made with fried rice and thin, fried scrambled eggs, usually topped with ketchup. It is a popular dish also commonly cooked at home.

What condiment is good on an egg sandwich? ›

Mayonnaise, hot sauce, mustard, cheese spread, chutney or even pesto will work great as a sandwich spread.

What to eat on the side of egg salad sandwich? ›

You can choose from various potato salad recipes, such as creamy mayonnaise-based or a tangy vinegar-based version. Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw with a mix of cabbage and carrots adds a crunchy and refreshing element to your meal. Chips or French Fries: A side of crispy potato chips or french fries can be a great.

What is the ingredients for egg salad sandwich? ›

Instructions. Combine eggs, onions (if desired), mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if desired), in small bowl; stir well to combine. Toast or grill your bread (optional).

What does Japanese tamago mean in English? ›

The word "tamago" means egg in Japanese, and the word "yaki" means to be cooked over direct heat.

What does tamago mean in Japanese? ›

The word “Tamago” actually means “egg” in Japanese, or “Tamagoyaki,” a Japanese omelet dish. It is a basic staple in Japan.

What is a Sando Japan? ›

Sando is Japanese and shortened English for Sandwich. By using milk bread (shokupan), we are able to accentuate the fresh and natural flavor profiles of every ingredient in a simple and smooth manner. You will not be able to forget this light and enjoyable Sando once you try it!

Can I turn regular mayo into Japanese mayo? ›

Add sugar and rice vinegar in a pinch to make Kewpie mayo with regular mayo. It will not be the same as it lacks the rich egg yolk flavors, but this is the closest substitution. For 1 cup of American mayonnaise (I use Best Foods/Hellmann's Mayonnaise), add 2 Tbsp rice vinegar and 1 Tbsp sugar.

What is the best Japanese mayonnaise brand? ›

But there is one store-bought mayo that nearly every professional chef and in-the-know food lover keeps in their chill chest: Kewpie. This Japanese brand has long been the secret weapon of the mayonnaise arsenal for those in the know.

Does Japan use mayonnaise? ›

In Japan, mayonnaise was introduced by the Japanese food company Kewpie Corporation in 1925. Generally, Japanese mayo is made of egg yolk, rapeseed oil or soybean oil, and rice vinegar, which creates a soft and mild mayonnaise which is preferred by many Japanese.

Why are eggs so popular in Japan? ›

The most distinctive characteristic is the use of “raw” eggs. Compared to other countries, eggs in Japan are considered to be much less contaminated by salmonella, one of the causes of food poisoning, and therefore raw eggs can be eaten without worry.

Why does Japan have better eggs? ›

So what is different about Japanese eggs? 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.

Why does Japan have the best eggs? ›

No eggs in the world are rated so high in quality as Japanese eggs. In Japan, there is strict hygiene management to prevent the spread of viruses, such as measures to prevent wild birds and small creatures from entering the hen coop, and thorough sanitization of staff as they enter and leave.

What is the difference between Japanese egg sandwich and American egg sandwich? ›

Japanese egg sandwiches are a lot simpler in comparison to American ones. It skips all the extras like butter, ham, onion, bacon, dijon mustard, and so on, opting for just eggs and mayo. The kind of mayo you use is also important! Japanese egg sandwiches will always use kewpie mayo.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6434

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.