Korean Gilgeori Toast | Myriad Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the famous toast in Korean? ›

Gilgeori toast, which literally means “street toast” in Korean, is a popular salty-sweet egg sandwich sold by many street-food vendors in Korea. For many who grew up there, it's a nostalgic snack, reminiscent of childhood. Eaten for breakfast or lunch, it's quick, easy and adaptable.

It is prepared using milk bread slices that are toasted in butter to crispy perfection, then filled with cheese, a crunchy vegetable omelette, and topped with sugar, ketchup, and mayo. Traditionally, sugar is sprinkled all over the omelette for added sweetness.

Korean Toast, also known as “gilgeori toast,” originated in the vibrant street food scene of South Korea. In the late 20th century, enterprising food vendors began crafting this innovative snack by blending Korean ingredients with a Western concept—sandwiches.

Seoul's famous street toast

Gilgeori toast is Korea's favourite street breakfast sandwich. Here you can have it with egg, ham, bacon or bulgogi beef. There are also options to add cheese, a hashbrown or both. Pro tip: pair your sandwich with galbae juice (Korean pear juice) to put an instant stop to your hangover.

Korea. Traditionally, Korean breakfasts consist mainly of rice and soup dishes. These can include small amounts of fish or beef, and some form of broth, stew or porridge. Like all Korean meals, breakfast is usually served with banchan, or side dishes consisting of kimchi, Gyeran-jjim (steamed eggs) and tofu.

Kaya toast is a dish consisting of two slices of toast with butter and kaya (coconut jam), commonly served alongside coffee and soft-boiled eggs. The dish was believed to be created by Hainanese immigrants to the Straits Settlements in the 19th century while serving on British ships.

One type of bread that is unique to Korea is "Gwangeo-ppang" or "Crown Bread." It is a sweet, soft bread in the shape of a crown and filled with red bean paste or cream.

Soboro-ppang, also known as Gombo-ppang, is one of the most popular breads in Korea due to its soft and crunchy texture. This sweet bread has a super soft inside covered with a peanut streusel which gives it a crunchy crust.

Gilgeori translates to “street” in Korean. It's also called Korean Street Toast because this sandwich was traditionally sold at street-food vendors in Korea. The purpose of this meal was to provide a compact, grab-and-go breakfast for people who were commuting to work or school.

Familiar names are: toastie (UK), grilled cheese sandwich (US), jaffle (Australia), panini (Italy), and croque monsieur (France). The toasted sandwich is not limited to these countries, however. You will find this popular snack, lunch, or dinner in every corner of our planet.

What country invented toasting? ›

But we do know that it’s a tradition that dates back to the Ancient Greeks of 6th Century BC. The practice began as a praise to their gods in hopes for long health. It was a simple, creative ritual involving good drinks and familiar company — and the earliest example of toasts as we know them today.

One of the most beloved Korean snacks is Tteokbokki. This popular street food consists of chewy rice cakes cooked in a spicy gochujang (red chilli paste) sauce. Tteokbokki is often garnished with fish cakes, boiled eggs, and spring onions, making it a complete and satisfying snack for any time of the day.

To use the “Korean cheers,” raise your glass in the air, say 건배 (geonbae), and clink your glass with your friend's glass. The word implies that you should then drink the whole of your drink, but this is not actually necessary. 건배 (geonbae) is usually said by itself rather than part of a phrase or sentence.

Try my version of Korean street toast for one of the most memorable sandwich experiences of your life. A slightly sweet, super savory vegetable and egg patty is sandwiched with smoky ham, melty Cheddar, and a ridiculous amount of mayo and ketchup between two slices of crispy, buttered bread.