TAMAGOYAKI (JAPANESE ROLLED OMELETTE)
Tamagoyaki is a classic Japanese rolled omelette made by cooking thin layers of seasoned egg and folding them into delicate rolls. Typically enjoyed at breakfast or served in bento boxes and sushi assortments, it offers a delightful blend of savoury and sweet flavours, with just a handful of ingredients like egg, mirin, soy sauce, sugar and a touch of oil. This dish is quick and easy to prepare yet sophisticated in appearance and taste. Its tender texture and golden layers make it both visually appealing and satisfying. Tamagoyaki is not only a nutritious choice but also highly versatile, suitable as a snack, side or main for lighter meals. This recipe for one serving captures the essence of authentic Japanese comfort food in under 15 minutes.
RECIPE CATEGORY
Breakfast, Appetizers, Side
SERVING SIZE
1
CUISINE
Japanese
PREPARATION/TECHNIQUES
5 Ingredients or Less, Pan-Fry
OCCASION/HOLIDAY
Casual Dinner, Date Night, Back to School, Picnic
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION/DIETARY CONCERNS
Healthy, Quick & Easy, Kid-Friendly, Vegetarian
DISH TYPE
Omelette
INGREDIENTS
Here is a list of ingredients for Tamagoyaki (Japanese Rolled Omelette):
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon mirin
- ½ teaspoon soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon oil
FULL NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
- Calories: 72 kcal
- Protein:1 g
- Carbohydrates:2 g
- Sugars: 1 g
- Fat:1 g
- Saturated Fat:4 g
- Cholesterol: 186 mg
- Sodium: 202 mg
- Fibre: 0 g
- Potassium: 62 mg
PREPARATION
- Whisk The Egg Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the egg, mirin, soy sauce and sugar until smooth and well combined.
- Heat The Pan: Warm a small non-stick or tamagoyaki pan over medium heat and add the oil, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Cook In Layers: Pour a small portion of the egg mixture into the pan, tilting to coat evenly. Let it set slightly, then gently roll it to one side of the pan using chopsticks or a spatula.
- Add More Egg And Roll: Add more of the egg mixture to the empty side of the pan. Lift the rolled egg slightly so the new mixture flows underneath. Let it rest, then roll the omelette back over it. Repeat until all the egg is used.
- Shape And Rest: Once done, press the roll gently with a spatula to form a uniform shape. Let it rest for a minute, then transfer to a cutting board.
- Slice And Serve: Cut the tamagoyaki into bite-sized pieces and serve warm or at room temperature.
PREP TIME
3 minutes
COOKING TIME
5 minutes
TIPS
Here are some helpful tips for Tamagoyaki (Japanese Rolled Omelette):
- Use A Tamagoyaki Pan If Possible: It helps to achieve even layers and easier rolling.
- Don’t Overheat: Keep the pan at medium or slightly lower heat to prevent browning.
- Strain The Eggs (Optional): For a smoother texture, strain the egg mixture before cooking.
- Use Chopsticks Or a Spatula: Rolling with chopsticks gives better control, especially with smaller pans.
VARIATIONS
- Add Dashi: Replace mirin with a small amount of dashi stock for umami depth.
- Vegetable Boost: Add finely chopped spinach or spring onions to the egg mixture.
- Sweeter Version: Increase sugar slightly for a dessert-style tamagoyaki.
- Low-Sodium: Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
PREPPING AND STORAGE
- Fridge: Store cooled tamagoyaki slices in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended because the texture tends to become rubbery after freezing.
- Reheat: Gently warm in a microwave or pan on low heat before serving, if preferred warm.