Popular Korean Street Toast

Korean street toast is a popular breakfast food in Korea. It’s a sandwich filled with egg, vegetables, ham, ketchup, mayo, and cheese between buttery toasted bread. The unique combination of condiments creates a delicious sweet and salty taste that will leave you wanting more.

What is Korean Street Toast?

Korean Street Toast, also known as Gilgeori toast (길거리 토스트) in Korean, is a unique breakfast sandwich. It consists of shredded cabbage, carrot, and green onion cooked in an egg batter, layered with ham and cheese, and served between slices of buttered toast.

This popular Korean street food can often be found at street kiosks or franchise shops like Issac Toast, and is a common weekday morning scene on the streets of Korea. You’ll often see locals eating it on the go as they head to work or wait for the bus.

Unusual Sandwich

What makes this Korean toast recipe so unusual is the combination of condiments used to flavor the sandwich. A blend of sugar or jam, ketchup, and mayo (optional) is used to complement the egg omelet, crunchy vegetables, ham, and cheese that are sandwiched between slices of buttery toasted bread.

This sweet and salty flavor combination may sound unusual, but it’s a taste sensation that has made Korean street toast a worldwide popular.

Don’t knock it until you try it! This breakfast sandwich is not only delicious, but also nutritious, and is incredibly easy and quick to make.

Give it a try and discover why it’s become such a popular dish! And while you’re at it, be sure to try my recipe for Korean corn dogs, another beloved Korean street food.

Ingredients list

• Butter – Korean street vendors use margarine, but I like butter better.
• Eggs – 1 egg per sandwich
• Cabbage – finely shredded
• Carrot – finely shredded
• Green onion – optional but recommend
• Deli ham slices – any deli slices would work
• Cheddar cheese slices – or other meltable cheese of your choice
• Granulated sugar – or any fruit jam
• Ketchup – must included condiment for this recipe for Korean street toast
• Mayonnaise – optional. It’s a personal preference. Some loves it and some don’t. Will leave it up to you.
• Sandwich bread – Try my milk bread slices or use any store-bought white bread.

How to make Korean street toast

Egg & vegetable patties

Shred cabbage and carrot very thinly using a vegetable peeler.

Beat eggs in a large mixing bowl and add the shredded cabbage, carrot, green onion, and a pinch of salt; mix well.

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter on a skillet over medium low heat. (I use a stick of butter to touch the skillet directly).

Spoon in a portion of egg and vegetable mixture, and spread it around to about the size of your sandwich bread. (You can make two egg pieces at a time)

Cook the egg omelettes 2-3 minutes on one side and flip. Cook until golden brown. Transfer the omelette to a plate and repeat the next batch.

Heat ham slices and toast bread slices

Heat ham slices briefly, about 30-60 seconds; set aside.

Melt remaining tablespoon of butter and toast the sandwich bread until golden and crisp.

To assemble Korean Egg Sandwich

• Put a piece of egg omelet on the toast. Sprinkle about 2 teaspoon of sugar (or however much you desire).
• Squirt some ketchup on top. You can also add mayonnaise if you like.
• Place a slice of ham and a cheese on top and top with the another toasted bread.
• If you like your toast crunchier, add shredded cabbage between the layers of the condiments and ham.

Serving Suggestions

Korean street vendors typically wrap their toast in foil and place it in a paper cup to keep its shape. However, you can also eat it as a regular sandwich or wrap it in parchment paper for on-the-go snacking.

It’s best to eat Korean street toast while it’s still hot and fresh to fully enjoy its buttery goodness.

More Korean street food recipes

Here are some of the most popular and easy Korean street food recipes that you can make at home.

• Korean Corn Dog Recipe
• Creamy Rose Tteokbokki
• Fluffy Korean Twisted Donut (Kkwabaegi)
• Best Tteokbokki Recipe (Spicy Korean Rice Cakes)
• Korean Fried Seaweed Rolls (Gimmari)
• Hotteok Recipe (Korean Sweet Pancake)