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? ›

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 sandwiches? ›

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.

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?

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!

What is special about Japanese eggs? ›

Japanese eggs typically have an expiration date of two weeks. This means that they can safely be eaten raw for two weeks, and still eaten if thoroughly cooked after the two weeks. This is unlike other countries, which indicate an expiration date based on the assumption that the eggs are not 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.

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.

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.

How to make egg salad Gordon Ramsay? ›

Gordon Ramsay's Egg Salad recipe is made with eggs, red onion, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, parsley, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. It serves 6 and takes about 30 minutes to prepare, offering a delicious, creamy, and flavorful twist on a classic dish.

What was Anthony Bourdain's best egg sandwich? ›

Even the late, great food critic Anthony Bourdain (RIP) was a fan and documented his love of the Lawson egg sandwich in the Okinawa edition of 'Parts Unknown'.

What is a Charlie Brown sandwich? ›

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

Does Chick Fil A have an egg sandwich? ›

A breakfast portion of our famous boneless breast of chicken, seasoned to perfection, freshly breaded, pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil, a folded egg and cheese, served on a buttermilk biscuit baked fresh at each Restaurant.

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? ›

These sandos (the Japanese name for sandwiches) are made from simple ingredients like Japanese milk bread filled with pork cutlets, eggs, or fruit, and offer quick and delicious meals that even people like Anthony Bourdain appreciate.

Are Japanese eggs healthier? ›

Japanese Eggs That Are Safe to Eat Raw

In other countries, eating eggs without cooking them is considered a bad idea, because of the risk of salmonella infection or other bacteria. In Japan, eggs are specially checked to make sure that they are safe to eat raw.

Do Japanese eggs taste better? ›

It all depends on what the chickens eat as to what their eggs taste like. American egg producers tend to feed a cheap protein lite corn heavy feed. Japanese producers tend to use a feed that is higher in protein both from meal worm and/or fish offal and use a lot of rice bran.

Are Japanese eggs better than American 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.

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.

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