Savory and smooth scrambled eggs with ham between fluffy milk bread. This quick and easy Hong Kong ham egg sandwich are ready in 10 minutes with simple ingredients. A great meal for breakfast or lunch or an afternoon snack!
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This Hong Kong ham egg sandwich features soft scrambled eggs with ham stuffed between super fluffy Asian milk bread!
What makes this Hong Kong sandwich different from your regular ham and egg sandwich are the fluffy eggs and milk bread. The secret to making the eggs smooth, moist and fluffy are the cornstarch and oil.
This is a popular sandwich served at many Hong Kong style cafés (aka "cha-chang-teng" in Cantonese), which serve Western food with an Asian twist since Hong Kong was once colonized by Britain. So you'll find classic dishes like Hong Kong style French Toast.
Locals love to grab this sandwich for a quick and affordable meal for the commute because it's portable, filling and delicious!
This is one of my favourite sandwiches in Chinese cuisine because the fluffy eggs are undeniably delicious!
Ingredients & Substitutes
Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements.
- Milk Bread: this type of Asian-style milk bread is sold at many Asian bakeries and they are usually rectangular shaped. Or substitute with regular white bread.
- Ham: thin slices of ham or substitute with a block of ham and thinly slice it. Or substitute with slices of roast beef, turkey or chicken.
- Large Eggs: for bright yellow eggs, I love to use eggs with omega 3's but this is optional.
- Chicken Bouillon Powder: this is also known as chicken stock powder and gives the eggs an incredible savory flavor.
- Cornstarch: this locks in the moisture in the eggs. Or substitute with potato starch.
- Cold Water: to dissolve the cornstarch.
- Neutral oil: like avocado oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil with a high smoke point. Avoid olive oil that has a low smoke point.
- Butter: either unsalted or salted butter both work.
Expert Tips
- Use Asian milk bread for best texture and taste. This bread is extra fluffy and slightly sweet which is the perfect contrast to the savory fillings.
- Beat egg mixture for at least 30 seconds until very smooth.
- Don't skip the cornstarch and oil in the egg mixture! This will make the eggs super fluffy, moist and smooth.
- Use a non-stick pan for smooth cooking and easy cleanup.
- 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.
- Make sure every inch of that bread is spread with butter, which prevents the bread from getting soggy.
- Slice off the bread crusts with a very sharp serrated knife for best texture.
Instructions
Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make Hong Kong ham and egg sandwich:
- In a small bowl or measuring cup with a lip, combine the cornstarch and cold water and mix until dissolved. Then crack the eggs into the same bowl and add vegetable oil and chicken bouillon. Beat egg mixture for at least 30 seconds until very smooth.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a small non-stick pan on low-medium heat. Pour in half the egg mixture and push it to one side of the pan to create a square shaped omelet until edges solidify. Then on the other side of the pan, pour the remaining egg mixture and cook it the same way.
- Then flip that omelet on top of the other one to create a layered effect. Fry the omelet until cooked through on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- Warm up the slices of ham in the pan for only 20-30 seconds or it'll dry out. Remove and set aside. Spread butter on both slices of bread from edge to edge. Fill the sandwich with the omelet and ham. Slice the crusts off the sandwich with a serrated knife. Enjoy warm!
Storage
- These sandwiches are best consumed fresh or same day.
- Leftovers will last up to 2 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic wrap. To reheat, microwave each sandwich for 60 seconds or until hot.
- Freezer-friendly? I don't recommending freezing this sandwich because the eggs will turn rubbery even after reheating.
Pairing Suggestions
This Hong Kong ham and egg sandwich will serve well with:
- hot soups like Hong Kong Style Macaroni Soup or
- Hong Kong Tomato Macaroni Soup
- other sandwiches like HK Style Satay Beef Sandwich
- congee
- hot soup noodles like Satay Beef Noodle Soup
- hot drinks like HK milk tea, Earl Grey Milk Tea, coffee or milk tea mixed with coffee, or sweet lemon tea
FAQ
Hong Kong ham and egg sandwiches can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, microwave each sandwich for 60 seconds or until hot.
📖 Recipe
Easy 10-min. Hong Kong Ham Egg Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices milk bread or regular white bread
- 2 slices ham thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon butter room temperature
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil for cooking the omelet
For the Egg Mixture:
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch or potato starch
- 1 tbsp water cold
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- ¾ teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
Instructions
- In a small bowl or measuring cup with a lip, combine the cornstarch and cold water and mix until dissolved. Then crack the eggs into the same bowl and add vegetable oil and chicken bouillon. Beat egg mixture for at least 30 seconds until very smooth.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a small non-stick pan on low-medium heat. Pour in half the egg mixture and push it to one side of the pan to create a square shaped omelet until edges solidify. Then on the other side of the pan, pour the remaining egg mixture and cook it the same way.
- Then flip that omelet on top of the other one to create a layered effect. Fry the omelet until cooked through on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- Warm up the slices of ham in the pan for only 20-30 seconds or it'll dry out. Remove and set aside. Spread butter on both slices of bread from edge to edge. Fill the sandwich with the omelet and ham. Slice the crusts off the sandwich with a serrated knife. 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!!