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.

Can I use Kewpie mayo for 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.

Where does the name Tamago Sando come from? ›

While the tamago sando is now a staple of modern Japanese convenience culture, its roots intertwine with Japan's rich culinary history and Western influences. Fresh eggs have long graced Japanese kitchens, whether atop ramen, cured in soy sauce and enjoyed over rice, or within tamagoyaki in sushi restaurants.

What is the origin of the egg salad sandwich? ›

The site suggests that someone in Britain may have created the first egg salad sandwich in the 19th century. In the U.S., Rooted In Foods tracked down an early recipe for "egg salad," turning up an 1899 article in a Hamilton, Ohio newspaper that calls for butter rather than mayonnaise.

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? ›

Apart from other health benefits, recent research studies on the effects of eggs on our health show that they can also support weight reduction. A boiled egg sandwich is a highly proteinaceous diet that assists in metabolism enhancement. Its thermic effects help your body digest and process all the nutrients faster.

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.

Does Japan use mayonnaise? ›

One of the most obviously foreign influences on Japanese food is mayonnaise. Japanese people put mayonnaise on a huge amount of foods. It's not just foreign foods that typically have mayonnaise in them, like sandwiches or potato salads; even traditionally Japanese foods aren't spared.

Why is Kewpie Mayo so much better? ›

Kewpie is made with egg yolks so it's richer.

For starters, Kewpie mayonnaise — which is made with egg yolks and not whole eggs — has a richer, more velvety texture than regular store-bought mayo. It is not surprising, since they use a high proportion of yolks, which give it an egg-forward flavor.

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 Sando mean in Japan? ›

a sandwich; used especially of a Japanese-style sandwich.

What is tako tamago in Japanese? ›

A japanese street food specialty, baby octopus with a quail egg inside, candied and skewered.

Why is egg salad runny the next day? ›

Every ingredient that goes into egg salad has water in it. Salt and sugar in the dressing draw the water out of the ingredients as they sit, and they make your egg salad watery regardless of whether it's in the fridge or in a sandwich.

Should an egg salad sandwich be refrigerated? ›

Egg salad is always better fresh, but you can certainly store it for up to 4 days in the fridge for quick lunches or for potlucks and picnics.

Do people eat egg salad by itself? ›

The flavor of this egg salad is so delicious and full on its own, you won't need any other accompaniments, if you don't want them. Simply dig in and enjoy to your heart's content! On Top of Toast: The classic way to enjoy egg salad is on top of buttery toast, or sandwiched together between two slices of white bread.

Why do Japanese eggs taste better? ›

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 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.

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.

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