Gyeran Mari – Korean Rolled Omelette. A delicious omelette made of eggs, ham, green onion and carrots fried into a thin layer and rolled into one. Perfect as a side dish for breakfast, dinner or lunch. Ready in 30 minutes.
I’ve always been a big egg lover. I can have them sunny side up, over easy, scrambled, boiled and I can never grow tired of them. There is something so satisfying about eggs when they are perfectly cooked and when they come in an omelette it’s even better! Especially when you have got finely diced green onion, carrots, ham and a hint of sesame oil to tie it altogether.
Popular in Korean Cuisine
This is one of those popular egg dishes in Korean cuisine. The spirals of the egg are iconic to this dish. It's common to eat this egg omelet with rice and other side dishes (or "banchans" in Korean) for a meal especially for breakfast. You'll also spot thicker rolls or giant size versions of this egg omelet served as popular street food in Korea.
Great for lunch boxes!
In addition, this dish is a popular addition lunch box item as it can be served as bite size pieces and at room temperature. There are also many different Korean versions of gyeran mari, such as the kind with a seaweed sheet, or with cheese.
The options are endless when it comes to any omelette. Other filling options can include spam, crab meat, garlic chives, bell pepper, and more! The most popular ingredients are carrots, green onions and ham.
Easy Recipe
This egg recipe may look intimidating with the mesmerizing layers of egg but it's really not! I am here to share step by step pictures and a video on how to make this Korean rolled egg omelette, so you don’t fail!
If you follow my instructions carefully, you may nail your first roll! The trick is frying your raw egg mix over medium-low heat (Level 3), so you have full control over the cooking process. In fact, if you nail this you could probably make gyeran mari kimbap, which I share a recipe for here.
Gyeran Mari Ingredients
You will need the below gyeran mari ingredients. Please visit recipe card below for full details and measurements:
- Eggs: For gorgeous yellow yolks, opt for free-range or free-run eggs with Omega 3's.
- Green onions: aka spring onions or scallions. These offer a wonderful aroma and taste to the omelette. If you're not a fan of green onions, you can also replace with garlic chives too!
- Ham: This meat is optional but offers a delicious savory flavor. You can substitute with spam, imitation crab meat. Alternatively, ff you're vegetarian you can replace with mozzarella cheese or omit completely.
- Carrot: The carrots lend a vibrant colour and contrast to the yellow eggs.
- Salt: A pinch of salt helps to bring out the flavors of the most important ingredients: egg, carrot and green onions. You can also flavor this omelet with soy sauce if you wish.
- Sesame oil: This oil gives the omelet a nutty scent and taste! Key to most Gyeran Mari recipes.
- Avocado oil or any neutral oil: like grapeseed oil, vegetable oil or canola oil
Optional: you can also season the egg mixture with a pinch of black pepper if you wish.
How to make Gyeran Mari
These are brief instructions on how to make this Korean rolled omelette. Please visit recipe card below for full details.
In a large bowl or measuring cup with a lip, whisk eggs. Then add ham, carrots, green onions, sesame oil and salt. Whisk everything together.
In a non-stick pan on medium low heat (level 3 heat) lightly grease the bottom of the pan with oil by spreading it with a paper towel or brush.
Once the pan is hot, whisk your egg batter again and pour just enough egg batter until a thin layer forms. Swirl the pan so the egg mixture evenly distributes across. If needed, gently evenly disperse filling ingredients with chopsticks.
Fry for 2-3 minutes until top of the egg is cooked around the edges and the center is slightly wet but not runny. To test this, tilt your pan and if the egg is not running off of it, it's time to roll.
With a spatula, loosen the edges and the bottom of the omelette, if possible.
With two spatulas and from one end of the omelette, fold it about 1 inch forward gently pressing down. Continue to fold and roll until you reach halfway and stop.
Carefully slide the rolled omelette back to the middle of your pan. Then pour a thin layer of egg mixture to cover the open space, aiming for the tail edge of the omelette so that new egg layer sticks to the former one. Do not fill the other side of the pan beyond the rolled part.
Allow that layer to fry for 2-3 minutes.
Repeat the above process until you have depleted your batter. Carefully turn the roll on its side to seal in the remaining edge.
Transfer to a cutting board to slice into 0.75-inch-thick pieces. Serve and enjoy!
Cooking Tips
I am sharing some tips that I found useful when making this gyeran mari recipe:
- Very finely chop the ham, green onion and carrots. If you chop it into big pieces, it will cause your omelette to break.
- Whisk your omelette BEFORE you pour to ensure each layer has an equal amount of ingredients.
- Cook over medium low heat. This is one of the keys to making this omelette!
- Wait for the base and outer parts of omelette to solidify with the center being slightly wet, before you begin folding or it can break. It usually takes a full 2-3 minutes over medium-low heat.
- Do not roll when the egg is still runny. It should be mostly solid. To test this, tilt your pan and if no egg, runs off it, it's time to flip.
- Loosen the edges before rolling. This prevents breakage.
- To slide the omelette to the midway point, use two spatulas to loosen the edges and help you move it carefully.
- When pouring egg mixture, aim for the edge of the former omelette so the batter can stick to it.
FAQ
Gyeran mari in English?
Gyeran means “egg” and Mari means “rolled up”.
How to pronounce Gyeran Mari 계란말이?
Gyeran Mari is pronounced as “Gye-ran. Ma-ri”.
Gyeran mari origin
This delicious side dish originates from Korea.
What to eat with gyeran mari?
This Korean egg roll recipe is commonly eaten as a popular side dish along with a bowl of rice, and other "banchans" or Korean side dishes. I like pairing it with these dishes:
- Korean Spinach Side Dish
- Gamja Jorim
- Korean Cucumber Salad
- Potato Salad Korean Style
- Korean Bean Sprout Salad
- Korean Fish Cake Stir-Fry
Gyeran Mari – Korean Rolled Omelette
Ingredients
- 6 eggs beaten
- 2 green onion finely chopped
- ⅔ cups ham finely chopped
- 3 tablespoon carrot finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon avocado oil or any neutral oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl or measuring cup with a lip, crack and beat eggs. Then add very finely chopped ham, carrots, green onions, sesame oil and salt. Whisk everything together until well combined.
- In a non-stick pan (approx. 10 inches wide) set on medium low heat, lightly grease the bottom of the pan with oil by spreading it with a paper towel or brush.
- Once the pan is hot, whisk your egg batter again and pour just enough egg batter until a thin layer forms. Swirl the pan so the egg mixture evenly distributes across. If needed, gently evenly disperse filling ingredients with chopsticks.
- Fry for 2-3 minutes until top of the egg is cooked around the edges and the center is slightly wet but not runny. To test this, tilt your pan and if the egg is not running off of it, it's time to roll.
- With a spatula, loosen the edges and the bottom of the omelette, if possible.
- With two spatulas, fold the omelette about 1 inch towards the middle and gently pressing down. Continue to fold and roll until you reach halfway and stop.
- Carefully slide the rolled omelette back to the middle of your pan. Then pour a thin layer of egg mixture to cover the open space, aiming for the tail edge of the omelette so that new egg layer sticks to the former one. Do not fill the other side of the pan beyond the rolled part.
- Allow that layer to fry for 2-3 minutes.
- Repeat the above process until you have depleted your batter. Carefully turn the roll on its side to seal in the remaining edge.
- Transfer to a cutting board to slice into 0.75-inch-thick pieces. Serve and enjoy!
Caleb - Never Ending Journeys
I love a good omelette, but have to admit I've never tried Gyeran Mari yet. It looks so flavorful and perfect for weekend brunch!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
Your photos make the process of rolling the eggs so easy to understand... and the finished spirals of egg are crazy tantalizing!
Lani cristobal
I like the way you explain . Very clear to us cooking enthusiast. With that giving you 5 stars . Thank you for sharing your talent.
christieathome
Thank you so much Lani for this kind comment! I am so happy you enjoyed it 🙂 Have a lovely day!