Hong Kong Ham Egg Sandwich. Savoury, velvety, smooth scrambled eggs with ham between two slices of fluffy milk bread. Ready in 10 minutes or less!
Jump to:
What is a Hong Kong Ham Egg Sandwich?
Hong Kong Ham Egg Sandwich is a delicious, savory ham and egg sandwich with soft eggs, ham on fluffy white milk bread. This sandwich is very easy to make, fantastic for breakfast, snack, lunch or dinner. Ready in 10 minutes with simple ingredients. The unique thing about this sandwich is you can see individual layers in the omelette.
It’s a popular sandwich in Hong Kong and found at Hong Kong style cafés (aka cha cha teng in Cantonese). These HK style cafés are known to serve Western food with an Asian twist. Hong Kong was colonized by Britain and the Chinese people added their own Asian cooking methods to classic Western dishes like this sandwich, Hong Kong Style French Toast and more!
Since this egg and ham sandwich is popularly sold at many HK style cafés, the Hong Kong people love to grab one for a quick and affordable lunch or as portable breakfast sandwich as they head to work.
I’ve always loved this Hong Kong Style Ham and Egg Sandwich so much. I remember when my husband and I would visit our favourite HK style café in Canada, we would always get this sandwich for lunch or an afternoon snack. It was only $5 back then but it was so tasty and satisfying.
Ingredients
Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements.
- Fluffy White Bread: or if you have access to Asian-style milk bread, use that! The latter is typically used for these sandwiches and they come in a square loaf.
- Large Eggs: for vibrant yellow eggs, opt for eggs with omega 3s. These nutrients give you those bright yolks.
- Chicken bouillon powder: aka Chicken stock powder. Don't skip on this! This is the secret ingredient to make those eggs taste eggcellent!
- Ham slices: get pre-cut ham slices at the grocery store to make it easier!
- Butter: softened at room temperature.
Expert Tips
- Beat eggs and chicken powder for at least 30 seconds until very smooth.
- Keep your heat on low (level 3/10 on the dial) while cooking the eggs and do not be tempted to increase it. You want soft, velvety eggs not dry scrambled ones.
- To create a layered square-shape omelette: only pour half the egg batter into the pan and sweep most of it to one side of the pan to cook. Then once that part is mostly cooked, then pour the remainder into the other side of the pan. Then once that is mostly cooked, quickly flip it onto the other half and fold everything into a square.
- Use fluffy milk bread for the best Chinese egg sandwich! The milk makes this bread very soft. You can find this at many Asian bakeries or Asian grocery stores.
- Make sure every inch of that bread is spread with butter. This makes a big difference.
- Cut the crusts with a very sharp bread knife. Bread knife has teeth-like serrations on the blade.
How to make Hong Kong Ham Egg Sandwich
Beat Eggs with Chicken Bouillon Powder
In a small bowl or measuring cup, crack eggs and add chicken bouillon powder. Whisk eggs for at least 30 seconds until well combined and smooth. This is important as it creates a smoother egg texture.
Cook Eggs
Grease a small 8 inch non-stick with 1 tablespoon butter, absorbing any excess with paper towel. Heat pan over low heat (level 3/10 on the dial). Do not raise heat any higher.
Pour half the portion of eggs into the pan, quickly sweeping it with a spatula to one side of the pan. Keep sweeping until the egg solidifies and holds shape. Then on the other side of the pan, pour the remaining eggs. Allow this to cook until the egg forms an edge. Then carefully flip that omelette on top of the other one as best as you can. Then fold the sides in to create a square. This technique creates a layered effect.
Alternatively for an easy non-layered effect: simply scramble the entire portion of the egg mixture in the pan and shape into a square omelette but you won't get the layered effect.
Flip Omelette Over
Flip over and fry on the other side for 5 minutes over low heat.
Warm Up Ham
Warm up your ham by placing it on the hot pan and warm for 30-45 seconds and no more or you'll dry it out. Optional: if you want your bread toasted, you can toast the bread on the pan until golden brown.
Assemble Sandwich
Spread remaining butter on both slices of bread from edge to edge. Assemble your sandwich. Slice the crusts off the sandwich with a sharp bread knife (optional). Enjoy warm!
Storage & Reheating
These sandwiches are best consumed same day. However, leftover sandwiches will last up to 2 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic wrap. To reheat, microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot but the bread will go soggy over time.
Other recipes you may like!
- Hong Kong Style Macaroni Soup
- Satay Beef Noodle Soup
- Hong Kong Tomato Macaroni Soup
- Cantonese Cream Corn Fish
- Chinese Style Satay Beef
- Earl Grey Milk Tea
- HK Style Satay Beef Sandwich
📖 Recipe
Easy 10-min. Hong Kong Ham Egg Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices white bread (or fluffy milk bread)
- 2 slices ham thin cut
- 2 tablespoon butter softened
Egg Mixture
- 3 large eggs beaten
- ¾ teaspoon chicken bouillon powder (aka chicken stock powder)
Instructions
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, crack eggs and add chicken bouillon powder. Whisk eggs for at least 30 seconds until well combined and smooth. This is important as it creates a smoother egg texture.
- Grease a small 8 inch non-stick with 1 tablespoon butter, absorbing any excess with paper towel. Heat pan over low heat (level 3/10 on the dial). Do not raise heat any higher.
- Pour half the portion of eggs into the pan, quickly sweeping it with a spatula to one side of the pan. Keep sweeping until the egg solidifies and holds shape. Then on the other side of the pan, pour the remaining eggs. Allow this to cook until the egg forms an edge. Then carefully flip that omelette on top of the other one as best as you can. Then fold the sides in to create a square. Fry on the other side for 5 minutes over low heat. This process creates a layered effect. Alternatively for an easy non-layered effect: simply scramble the entire portion of the egg mixture in the pan and shape into a square omelette but you won't get the layered effect.
- Warm up your ham by placing it on the hot pan and warm for 30-45 seconds and no more or you'll dry it out. Optional: if you want your bread toasted, you can toast the bread on the pan until golden brown.
- Spread remaining butter on both slices of bread from edge to edge. Assemble your sandwich. Slice the crusts off the sandwich with a sharp bread knife (optional). Enjoy warm!
Jd
Yes, I like your pendan pancakes so much
Monty
What is chicken powder? Like Knorr bullion cubes or ? Link please.
christieathome
Bouillon powder. Please see this link.
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
The consistency of your eggs is so perfect... and I love your secret ingredient! What a totally delicious idea!!