Tamago yaki (卵焼き)

Tamago yaki, the beloved Japanese rolled omelet, is a true culinary gem that will leave you craving for more. In Japan, tamagoyaki is commonly found in Japanese homes, as well as in restaurants and specialty shops. It is also a popular street food and you can find it in food stalls and markets. Whether you’re an adventurous foodie or simply curious about Japanese cuisine, tamagoyaki is a must-try dish that will transport you to the heart of Japan’s culinary delights. 

What is Tamago Yaki?

Tamago yaki is a popular Japanese dish often referred to as a rolled omelet or Japanese-style omelet. Locals made it by whisking together eggs, soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), and sometimes sugar, and then rolling the mixture into thin layers as it cooks. Tamagoyaki is a versatile dish that you can enjoy on its own as a snack or side dish, or used as a component in other dishes such as sushi, bento boxes, or as a topping for rice. It is popular for its slightly sweet and savory flavor and has a distinctive texture that is both fluffy and slightly firm.

Tamago yaki History

For a long time, Japanese people rarely ate eggs because of their Buddhist beliefs. Western sweets using eggs were introduced in the 16th century, and from around this time, people gradually began to eat eggs. Tamagoyaki, with a history dating back centuries and likely influenced by Chinese culinary techniques, has become an integral part of Japanese cuisine. During the Edo period, it gained popularity as a nutritious dish served in teahouses for breakfast. The association between tamagoyaki and the Edo region solidified its status as a staple food item. 

As Japan underwent modernization and Western influence in the Meiji period, tamagoyaki evolved with the introduction of Western-style omelets, blending Japanese and Western cooking techniques and experimenting with new flavors. Following World War II, tamagoyaki became widely available as street food and found its way into bento boxes, becoming a popular choice for convenient lunches and snacks. Today, tamagoyaki remains a beloved and iconic dish found in homes, restaurants, and specialized tamagoyaki shops, with various creative variations catering to diverse tastes while maintaining its traditional preparation method.

How do the Japanese prepare their Tamagoyaki?

To prepare tamagoyaki, you need a rectangular frying pan known as a makiyakinabe, specially crafted for this dish. Start by coating the pan with oil, then pour a small portion of the egg mixture into it, spreading it out to create a thin layer. Once the bottom layer sets, skillfully roll it up using a unique rolling technique. Add another layer of the egg mixture, roll again, and continue this process until you achieve the desired thickness and number of layers.

Tamagoyaki in Kansai and Kanto region

Locals eat tamagoyaki all over Japan, but there are also differences about Tamagoyaki in Kansai and Kanto region.

Tamagoyaki pan

There are three main types of tamagoyaki makers: the square Kanto type, the vertically long rectangular Kansai type, and the horizontally long rectangular Nagoya type. In the Kanto region, tamagoyaki is known for being slightly sweet and thick, often seen in Edomae sushi. They typically made them by browning the omelet slowly, using plenty of eggs, flipping it once, and folding it to half the width. The square shape is believed to match the original size.

In contrast, the Kansai style is rectangular, influenced by Kansai’s culinary culture. It features a rolled omelet with tamagoyaki dashi, using a looser and smoother egg mixture that requires multiple flips to achieve the desired shape. The Kansai-style tamagoyaki maker is commonly used in households today. As for the Nagoya, the type differs by being rolled up using a spatula, with a preference for a horizontally long shape. Unfortunately, the Nagoya type has become scarce in recent times.

Tamagoyaki pans, used for making Japanese omelettes, can be made from iron, copper, or stainless steel. Each material has its characteristics and affects the cooking process and final result. Iron pans have excellent heat conductivity and retention, develop a natural non-stick surface when seasoned, and require maintenance to prevent rust. Copper pans offer superior heat conductivity, and precise temperature control, but may react with acidic foods and need lining. Stainless steel pans are durable, non-reactive, resistant to rust, and easier to clean, but may require more oil or non-stick coating. The choice depends on heat distribution, non-stick properties, maintenance, and personal preference.

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What are the common ingredients of Tamago yaki?

Tamagoyaki, the Japanese rolled omelet, is made with eggs, soy sauce, mirin, and optional sugar. These ingredients provide the base, savory flavor, gentle sweetness, and glossy appearance. Variations allow for the addition of dashi, vegetables, cheese, nori, or other seasonings to personalize and create unique renditions of this delightful dish.

What does the name “Tamago Yaki” means?

The name “Tamago Yaki” originates from the Japanese language. “Tamago” means “egg” in Japanese, while “yaki” translates to “cooked” or “grilled.” Therefore, “Tamago Yaki” literally means “cooked egg” or “grilled egg.” The term “Tamago Yaki” has been used for centuries in Japan to refer to this popular dish.

Tamago yaki Recipe

Where to buy Tamago yaki?

Tamagoyaki Ozawa (玉子焼 おざわ)

A tamagoyaki specialty store located in the back alley of Kamakura Komachi Street. It is a simple menu with 3 pieces of hot and fluffy tamagoyaki, rice, miso soup, and nozawana, but it’s very delicious. The signboard menu “Tamagoyaki Gozen” is a set of plump and thick omelets, miso soup and rice. Their tamagoyaki is plump with plenty of dashi stock.

Address: Arcadia Building 2F, 2-9-6 Komachi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Phone number: 04-6723-5024
Hours Open: Weekdays 11:30-17:00
Website: https://tabelog.com/

Yagenbori (やげんぼり)

This is a restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Kyoto cuisine. For dinner, the course menu, where you can enjoy seasonal ingredients, is popular, but even if you can’t afford dinner, you can still enjoy lunch at a reasonable price. Their popular lunch menu is the “Yasaka”. This gozen set includes dashi maki omelet, red miso soup, rice, and a small bowl. The large dashi maki omelet is soaked in plenty of dashi stock and goes perfectly with rice.

Address: 3-19-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone number: 03-3582-2270
Hours Open: [Mon-Fri] 11:30-14:00 (LO 13:30) 17:30-23:00 (LO 21:30) [Sat] 11:30-14:00 (LO 13:30) 17:30-22: 00 (LO20:30)
Website: http://www.yagenbori.co.jp/tenpo/akasaka/index.html

Ranway 卵道 (ランウェイ)

Here, you can have a plump and fluffy texture of thick dashi-maki tamago. The popular set meal comes with rice, miso soup, and a side dish! At this restaurant, the shop recommends trying their “Shira-dashi Maki Teishoku”, which contains an unusual pure white dashi-maki tamago. Their pure white tamagoyaki doesn’t have the yolk, it’s all made with pure white eggs.

Address: 549 Kotanba, Okutama-cho, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo
Phone number: 05-0559-72550
Hours Open: [Mon-Sun] 11:00〜15:00
Website: https://ranway-dashimaki.com/

Takeaway

If you haven’t experienced the joy of Tamagoyaki yet, it’s time to give it a try. This iconic Japanese dish offers a delightful blend of flavors and a unique texture that is both fluffy and slightly firm. Whether you savor it on its own, incorporate it into sushi, or bento boxes, or enjoy it as a topping for rice, Tamagoyaki promises a culinary adventure worth embarking on. Its rich history, versatile nature, and the artistry involved in its preparation make it a must-try delicacy. So, seize the opportunity to indulge in the deliciousness of Tamago Yaki at least once in your lifetime and savor a true taste of Japan’s culinary heritage.

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