Korean Street Toast

Korean street toast, or gilgeori toast, is a dish that immediately brings to mind the buzzing energy of Seoul’s morning rush hour. I remember standing by a busy subway station, watching a street food vendor work a massive flat-top grill with incredible speed. The sound of the metal spatulas clinking and the sweet, buttery aroma filling the air is something you never forget. It is the ultimate breakfast on the go, a brilliant mix of savoury, sweet, and crunchy that somehow feels exactly like the city itself.

The magic of this recipe is in the unexpected combination of ingredients. I used to be a bit sceptical about sprinkling sugar over an omelette, but that tiny hint of sweetness is actually what makes the whole sandwich work. It perfectly balances the salty ham and the melted cheese, creating a flavour profile that is addictive and uniquely Korean.

The omelette is packed with finely shredded cabbage and carrots, which adds a lovely freshness and a bit of a crunch that you do not normally get in a standard breakfast sandwich.

I love how every element is toasted in butter until it reaches a perfect, golden brown. Using a frying pan to toast the bread gives it a much richer, crisper texture than a traditional toaster ever could.

When you add the cool, creamy Kewpie mayonnaise and a squeeze of ketchup, the whole thing becomes a gloriously messy, decadent treat that is incredibly satisfying to eat.

This has become my favourite weekend breakfast for when I want something that feels fun and a bit nostalgic. It is simple to make but feels like a proper celebration of street food culture. One bite of that buttery, sugary, vegetable-packed toast and you will understand why there is always a queue at those street stalls.

Korean Street Toast

Korean Street Toast is a popular breakfast and snack item in Korea, combining a crispy toasted sandwich with a sweet-savory omelette filling. The combination of cabbage, carrot, ham, and cheese with a touch of ketchup, mayonnaise, and sugar makes it irresistible. I enjoy making this on weekends for a nostalgic, quick, and satisfying meal.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 1 person

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: Korean

Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients

  

Sandwich

• 8 slices white bread
• 4 slices Easi Single cheese
• 4 slices ham
• 1 tbsp Ketchup to taste
• 1 tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise to taste
• 1-2 tsp sugar per sandwich
• 1 tbsp Butter for cooking

Omelette Mixture

• 80 g white cabbage finely shredded
• 1 piece carrot finely shredded
• 1/2 piece small onion finely sliced
• 1 piece spring onion finely chopped
• 2 piece eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

 

Cook the Omelette

1. In a bowl, mix all omelette ingredients until combined.
2. Heat a non-stick pan with a little butter.
3. Pour approximately 5 tbsp of the mixture into the pan to form a small thin omelette.
4. Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside. Repeat for remaining mixture.

Toast the Bread

1. In the same pan, add 1 tsp butter and 2 slices of bread.
2. Pan-fry until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.

Sear the Ham

1. Quickly sear the ham slices in the pan for a few seconds on each side until heated through.

Assemble the Sandwich

1. Place a slice of toasted bread as the base.
2. Add the omelette, sprinkle a little sugar, then the seared ham and cheese.
3. Drizzle with ketchup and mayonnaise.
4. Top with the final slice of toast and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

• Adjust the amount of sugar, ketchup, and mayonnaise to taste.
• For a crunchier texture, lightly press the sandwich while toasting.
• Can be customized with additional vegetables or different cheeses.