Divided by Nations, United By Eggs
Underrated egg dishes around the world
“How would you like your eggs, ma’am? Scrambled, fried, or sunny side up?”
The flirtatious lady answered, “Fertilized!!!”
The whole table erupted into laughter at the bawdy joke. It was my first visit to a trendy US breakfast joint. I was there with my new lab mates for a lab breakfast when the boss was away for a conference. Patricia, the waitress, comes up to me and decides to ask me this very question. The immediate aftereffect of the joke and the question caught me completely off guard. My internal panic mode started. What would my new colleagues think of me? Am I gonna be the butt of all jokes because I didn’t know how to order my eggs. Normally, I was used to ordering off a menu where eggs wouldn’t be the star of the show. They would always be some interesting sidekick. Who asks a sidekick how they want to be cooked?
Patricia probably sensed something in my uneasy eyes. Perhaps she had somehow telepathically deduced that I had recently moved into the country and was still adjusting to the culture. You know Patricia, you are a goddess among women. I wish more people had telepathic powers like you. She tactfully said, “You know a sunny side up is the most popular option that is ordered with this dish.” Silent gratitude adorned my lips. Excusing myself to use the restroom, I found a way to thank her in person this time, and she overwhelmed me with the 10 different ways of how eggs are ordered (Yes folks!!! Apparently, there are ten).
From then onwards, I made it a habit of eating at least once a week in that breakfast joint. Fast forward 9 years, and I have had eggs for my meals in innumerous restaurants throughout the US. After all, nothing can beat the breaking of eggs on a sizzling hot metal pan or when the metal spatula chops it up into teeny tiny scrambles of heavenly pleasures. Who can resist that?
A common theme that I have always encountered during these deliciously hard-boiled adventures is the Eurocentric nature of presenting eggs in a meal or an adopted Americanized version from its European counterpart. Be it the sautéed omelets, frittatas, or scrambled eggs; you can see this theme everywhere. This realization made me embark on a culinary journey of discovering some really underrated predominantly egg dishes around the world that I humbly list below. Go ahead, folks!!! Give these a crack (Pun intended)
Ecuadorian Mote Pillo
Have you ever been served a plate of homely comfort for your first meal of the day? Well, look no further; this simple yet wholesome traditional breakfast from Ecuador will bring you exactly that. Imagine scrambled eggs sauteed with hominy corn, onions, garlic, milk, fresh cheese, cilantro or parsley, and a side of fresh hot black coffee. Check out the recipe here.
Mexico: Huevos Divorciados
A dish that literally means divorced eggs. Sounds interesting? The reason behind this unnatural etymology lies in the fact that it is topped simultaneously with the ever warring red and green salsa. This ballistic dish is made of small tater-like baked potatoes and chorizo and served with twin sunny-side-up eggs. The two salsas can divide opinions among them and get divorced for all I care, but their infusion together can bring an added level of bliss to your breakfast. Try this recipe at home.
Turkey: Menemen
This Turkish breakfast favorite includes the quintessential scrambled eggs, but the twist lies in the fact that they are done until they are barely set. The menemen starts with a base of garden veggies consisting of tomatoes, green peppers, plenty of olive oil, and thyme. The gooey but scrambled eggs are next broken on top, and this hot dish is served with fresh toast and a spoonful of warmth. Try your menemen at home.
China: Steamed egg custard
Our next entry on the list is a straightforward breakfast dish consumed all over China. It has such a silky smooth texture that it can be mistaken for a dessert to the uninitiated. This effortless dish includes eggs mixed with a broth and mild seasonings, topped with a dash of soy sauce and hot chili in oil. Give this straightforward recipe a go.
Ethiopia: Doro Wat
This is probably the only one on the list which may not be an exclusive egg dish. However, eggs are an important part here. This East African delicacy includes a spicy, meaty stew adorned with the famous Ethiopian Berbere spice, poured over a couple of hard-boiled eggs. It’s almost like the boringness of two plain hard-boiled eggs are concealed by the absolutely mouthwatering spicy thick stew. This is the national dish of Ethiopia and is served normally with the traditional Ethiopian Injera bread. Check this amazing recipe here.
Thailand: Khai Yat Sai
This recipe is Thailand’s answer to pot pies, and it gives a new twist to stuffed pies. This Thai delight is made with sautéed minced meat and veggies. A tincture of fish sauce and the oyster sauce gives its vintage Thai aroma. The major twist comes in the omelet form, which forms the outer crust of this pie as it covers the stuffing almost like a curtain. An absolutely hearty and wholesome meal in itself!!!
Japan: Tamagoyaki
The Japanese are very skilled in infusing artistic inspirations into their cuisines. They also have a knack for introducing complexities (Sushi!!!) in their dishes. This lightly sweet and savory Japanese omelet rolled into swirls is no exception. This might be the most complicated dish to prepare in this list as it takes great guile to roll the thin layer of eggs to form a spiral log. This particular dish popular throughout Japan is consumed as part of their breakfast and a side dish in lunch Bento boxes. Try this one at home.
Srilanka: Egg hopper
Are you a fan of crepes as part of your breakfast? Then this Srilankan dish might be your thing. The presentation of this dish can also give some artistic dishes a run for their money. It consists of an over-easy egg on rice flour and coconut crepe. The interesting thing to note is that the crepe is made in the form of a basket, and there are special pans in the country sold to make this dish (talk about popularity). This gooey deliciousness is topped with coconut gravy and a chili onion relish, giving it a terrific island twist. Try this amazing recipe here.
India: Egg curry
Being an Indian myself, I thought I should save the last two entries on this list for two of my favorite Indian egg dishes. This one is almost a national favorite as most Indian mothers cook it and thus evokes a strong sense of nostalgia. It includes boiled eggs in a rich, creamy tomato and onion sauce. The rich, savory taste is perfectly accentuated with various Indian spices' flavorful aroma, including cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, and coriander. Many variations of this delicacy exist throughout the country, and you should definitely try the East Indian variation where potatoes are added alongside eggs. Spice up your life with the Bengali version of this recipe by Bongeats.
India: Egg bhurji
The final item on the list is a dish from the subcontinent, which has even the great chef Gordon Ramsay swooning over it (He made a separate Youtube video just for this). The egg bhurji, consumed throughout India, is its own spiced version of scrambled eggs. Imagine the sizzling sounds of the cracked eggs on an equally sizzling cast iron pan. The metal spatula scrambling up the eggs and the wonderful aroma from the fresh spices add to the bliss that is this dish. The simplicity and adventurous taste make this street food a huge crowd favorite.
So what are you waiting for? Ditch the usual ways you eat your eggs and try these new recipes from around the world. What are some of the other underrated or less popular egg recipes that you have? Comment and keep the list growing…
