Inkigayo Sandwich. A fluffy Korean sandwich that contains layers of potato egg salad, cabbage crab salad and strawberry jam. A uniquely flavourful sandwich popular among K-pop stars with an interesting story behind it.
What is the Inkigayo Sandwich?
The Inkigayo sandwich is a unique food item sold at South Korea's national television broadcast center called SBS in their office cafeteria. SBS airs a popular music program called "Inkigayo" where all the famous K-pop groups perform. Hence the name Inkigayo. The K-Pop stars also adore this sandwich for its taste and because they can secretly pass their phone numbers between the sandwich plastic wrap to other idols they are interested in. Idols have to keep it a secret as dating in the K-Pop industry is a considered a "scandal". Often, entertainment agencies issue a "dating ban" to ensure the idols focus on their careers in the early phase. That's how the inkigayo idol sandwich was born!
I absolutely love this tasty sandwich! It's savoury and sweet, thanks to the potato egg salad, cabbage and crab mixture with the strawberry jam. Together the combination makes for one delicious sandwich that truly hits the spot!
Ingredients
Please scroll down to below recipe card for exact measurements.
Note: Most Asian grocers will carry these ingredients. You may find some at your select grocery store or online, like on Amazon.
- Strawberry Jam
- White bread
Potato & Egg Salad Layer:
- Potatoes: yukon gold or yellow russet potatoes will work
- Egg
- Japanese Mayo: or substitute with regular mayo
- Salt
Cabbage Crab Layer:
- Shredded Cabbage
- Imitation Crab Meat
- Japanese Mayo
How to make the Inkigayo Sandwich
Boil Potatoes and Eggs
In a small pot, boil potatoes and egg together to make it easier. Boil your potatoes for 10-15 minutes until fork tender. Boil your egg for only 7 minutes and place in an ice bath for easy cracking and peeling.
Prepare Cabbage Crab Mixture
Meanwhile, shred your cabbage using a peeler. Place into a bowl and mix with chopped crab stick meat. Mix in your Japanese Mayo.
Prepare Potato Egg Mayo Mixture
In another bowl. mash potatoes, egg and mayo together until well combined.
Assemble Sandwich
For 1 sandwich, use 4 pieces of bread. Spread a layer of mashed potato mixture on top of your bread.
Top off with a slice of bread. Spread jam over top of that piece.
Lay another piece of bread on top of the jam, spread your cabbage crab salad and cover with another piece of bread.
Place a heavy plate over your sandwich to gentle press it down or wrap it in cling film for 5 minutes.
Slice off Crusts
Uncover the plate or cling film, slice off crusts of bread. Slice diagonally and enjoy!
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📖 Recipe
Inkigayo Sandwich
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon Strawberry Jam
- 8 slices bread
Potato & Egg Salad Layer:
- 2 small potatoes peeled and quartered
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoon Japanese mayo
- â…› teaspoon salt
Cabbage Crab Layer:
- 1.5 cups shredded cabbage
- 4 imitation crab sticks roughly chopped into thinner pieces
- 3 tablespoon Japanese mayo
Instructions
- In a small pot, boil potatoes and egg together to make it easier. Boil your potatoes for 10-15 minutes until fork tender. Boil your egg for only 7 minutes and place in an ice bath for easy cracking and peeling.
- Meanwhile, shred your cabbage using a peeler. Place into a bowl and mix with chopped crab stick meat. Mix in your Japanese Mayo.
- In another bowl. mash potatoes, egg and mayo together until well combined.
- For 1 sandwich, use 4 pieces of bread. Spread a layer of mashed potato mixture on top of your bread. Top off with a slice of bread. Spread jam over top of that piece. Lay another piece of bread on top of the jam, spread your cabbage crab salad and cover with another piece of bread.
- Place a heavy plate over your sandwich to gentle press it down or wrap it in cling film for 5 minutes.
- Uncover the plate or cling film, slice off crusts of bread. Slice diagonally and enjoy!
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Never Ending Journeys
This inkigayo sandwich looks and sounds so delicious with all those different flavors! I could really go for one right now.
Katherine | Love In My Oven
I would never have thought to combine strawberry jam with crab, but now that I think about it I can definitely see how it would taste good!! Plus this sandwich is so pretty!
Mabbi
This is the best sandwich I've ever made!!! You wouldn't think the flavours go together, but they really do! YAAAM.
Michelle | Sift & Simmer
Whoa, what a unique sandwich -- I've never heard of using strawberry jam with crab and cabbage! Thanks for sharing and all the tidbits about Korean pop stars!
Katerina | Once a Foodie
What an interesting combination of flavours, Christie! I would love to try this - it's so unusual and yet I believe you when you say it totally hits the spot. And I loved that bit of trivia about K-Pop stars passing the messages through these - how fun!
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
The 3 layers are such a fun idea... and the flavors are dynamite. It's like indulging in a flavor adventure with every single bite of sandwich!
Sunghoon Park
I am hungry and I want this right now but my hyungs are asleep right now 🥲😂
christieathome
I hope you enjoy it!