Authentic Tamago Sando (Japanese Egg Sandwich)
Make the perfect fluffy Japanese egg sandwich at home. This authentic recipe features a creamy egg filling, a dramatic jammy center, and pillowy soft shokupan bread.
Ingredients
The Eggs
- 6 large eggs room temperature (Hard-boiled base)
- 1 large egg room temperature (Medium-boiled center)
- water as needed for boiling
- ice as needed for ice bath
The Creamy Filling
- 2 tsp whole milk
- 4 tbsp Kewpie Japanese Mayonnaise essential for authentic flavor
- 1/2 tsp white granulated sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt Diamond Crystal preferred
- 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tbsp chives finely chopped, optional garnish
The Assembly
- 4 slices shokupan (milk bread) crusts completely removed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened to room temperature
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a full rolling boil. Prepare a large bowl with cold water and ice. Carefully lower all 7 room-temperature eggs into the boiling water and start a timer.
- At exactly 7 minutes and 30 seconds, remove 1 egg and drop it into the ice bath. At the 9-minute mark, remove the remaining 6 eggs and place them in the ice bath. Let cool for 2 minutes, then peel gently.
- Slice the 6 hard-boiled eggs in half, transfer to a mixing bowl, and mash with a fork until finely minced.
- Add the milk, Kewpie mayonnaise, sugar, salt, black pepper, and chives. Mix until creamy and glossy. Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Spread a thin, even layer of softened butter on one side of all 4 bread slices to prevent the sandwich from getting soggy.
- Halve the medium-boiled egg lengthwise. Place one half, cut-side down, in the exact center of two bread slices.
- Spoon the chilled egg salad around the medium-boiled egg halves, spreading evenly to the edges. Place the remaining bread slices on top, butter-side down. Press lightly.
- Wipe a sharp knife with a damp cloth, slice each sandwich straight down the middle to reveal the center egg, and serve immediately.
Notes
Mayo Substitute: If Kewpie is not available, add a small pinch of extra sugar and a drop of rice vinegar to your regular mayo. Bread Substitute: Thick-sliced brioche or a very soft, premium white sandwich bread works perfectly if you cannot find shokupan.