How to Make a Korean Fried Egg Cheese Sandwich
This kimchi grilled cheese breakfast sandwich with sesame seed crust is everything your taste buds have been craving...
A few weeks ago, I was craving bibimbap, a traditional Korean dish that features meat, vegetables, and a fried egg over a bowl of white rice. I had the luxury of growing up with a Korean grandmother before K-culture wascool. Bibimbap was often on the table, served with beef bulgogi, mung beans, sauteed spinach, carrots and potatoes, and her homemade kimchi. The only ingredients I had on hand were kimchi and eggs.
Later,Half Baked Harvest had posted a kimchi grilled cheese recipe on her blog. It sounded so good; I wanted to make something similar with vegetables I usually put in my spicy ramen: eggs, red cabbage, cilantro, and scallions. So here we are, a kimchi grilled cheese breakfast sandwich with a sesame seed crust.
You'll love this kimchi grilled cheese breakfast sandwich because it's...
spicy
crispy
yolky
simple
cheesy
Want more Korean inspired recipes? Check out the "Craving More?" section at the bottom of this post
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Add a dash of sesame seeds...
This kimchi grilled cheese breakfast sandwich features a sesame seed crust. I used real mayonnaise and black sesame seeds. While you can mix the two ingredients before spreading it onto each slice of sourdough bread, I just sprinkled the sesame seeds over the mayo; then, I ran my knife back over the sourdough to press the seeds into the mayo. It makes the perfect crispy crust. However, if you don't like mayo, use softened butter.
What to put in this kimchi grilled cheese breakfast sandwich...
Not all kimchi is created equal. I always buy mine from an Asian Market, but it can be daunting if you've never been. Luckily, many local grocery stores, like Whole Foods and Target, carry kimchi because of its recent popularity —a couple of popular brands to look out for are Seoul Kimchi and Not your Mother-in-Laws Kimchi
For this sandwich, I chose kimchi (obviously) fresh cilantro, shredded red cabbage, scallions, a fried egg, and mango habanero cheddar cheese. Surprisingly, kimchi, fried eggs, and cheddar cheese are a dream combination.
I came across mango habanero cheddar cheese at my local grocery store and thought the slightly sweet but spicy flavor would pair well with the fermented tang of kimchi. I was right. If you can't find mango habanero cheddar or think it might be too spicy, you can use any style cheddar cheese you like. I prefer white cheddar varieties.
Make the kimchi grilled cheese breakfast sandwich...
Before starting, make sure you have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go so you are not scrambling to cook the sandwich —nobody wants a burnt grilled cheese.
Once everything has been prepped, fry the eggs first in a hot pan with a small amount of sesame seed or olive oil. We are looking for an egg that is still somewhat soft. When the eggs finish, season with a pinch of salt and pepper; then, remove from the pan and set aside.
Now, if needed, add a half teaspoon of oil into the pan —just enough to make the vessel look shiny. Next, once the pan is hot, place both slices sesame crust side down, and top with enough cheese to cover each slice. Then,on one slice of bread only, start adding your toppings: red cabbage, cilantro, a little more cheese, kimchi, scallions, and a pinch more cheese.
Cover the pan with a lid to let the cheese melt. When the cheese has melted, and the bread is golden brown, top the vegetable side with the fried egg, and place the other slice of bread on top pressing to adhere. Sprinkle with leftover cilantro, cut, and serve.
Craving more?
Check out my most popular recipe: Starbucks Copycat Mango Dragonfruit Refresher
Here are some other recipe(s) I think you might enjoy…
- Spicy Korean Pork Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps
- Slow Cooker Banh Mi Inspired Tacos
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With Love,
Mandy
Recipe inspired by Half Baked Harvest.
Ingredients
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- 1 tbsp real mayo
- 1 tsp black sesame seeds
- 3/4 c. mango habanero cheese, , shredded
- 1/4 c. kimchi
- 1/4 c. red cabbage, , loosely packed
- 1 scallion , chopped
- 1 small handful cilantro, chopped
- 1 egg, fried
- sesame oil , for frying
Instructions
- spread mayo on one side of each slice of bread. sprinkle with sesame seeds, and run the knife back over it to press the sesame seeds with the mayo.
- Set aside and prep other ingredients for easy access
- Fry egg in a small amount of oil, season with salt and pepper if desired. The egg yolk should still be somewhat soft and runny. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Coat the hot pan in a small amount of oil if needed, and place both slices of bread mayo side down.
- Cover both slices of bread with a handful of cheese. Then, on only one slice, stack veggies, sprinkling with a small amount of cheese between each layer.
- Once the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melty, Top the vegetable side with the fried egg.
- Place the other slice of bread on top and press to adhere.
- Garnish with cilantro, cut and serve.
Notes
Any cheddar cheese will work, but I prefer white varieties.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 people
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 868 Total Fat: 44g Saturated Fat: 12g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 30g Cholesterol: 215mg Sodium: 1324mg Carbohydrates: 91g Fiber: 7g Sugar: 25g Protein: 30g
Nutrition facts are for personal reference only as calories may vary on a case by case basis.
How to Make a Korean Fried Egg Cheese Sandwich
Source: https://www.mandyolive.com/kimchi-grilled-cheese/