During my college years and as a young professional, my mornings always seemed so rushed. I was always too busy waking up, washing up, and heading out to even think about breakfast. But then, there comes an age where sudden hunger hits you out of nowhere. That’s when I think of the memories of the street toast sold from food trucks.
These toast trucks, which usually appeared only in the early morning hours, were a reliable source of energy for busy Koreans. (Sometimes I’d look for them when I felt hungry after a night of drinks, though not many stayed open late at night!)
The taste of eggs and various vegetables pan-fried in plenty of butter, then sandwiched between bread slices also toasted in butter… you truly can’t understand how amazing it tastes until you’ve had it as your very first meal of the day. Plus, at the affordable price of just 1,000 to 2,000 won.(which is roughly around $0.75 to $1.50 USD) it almost felt like I was making money by eating it!
I’ve reached an age where I don’t feel that same morning hunger anymore, but on certain weekend mornings, I find myself craving that specific taste and the memories that come with it. So, this weekend, I decided to recreate it at home.
<Street Toast Ingredients>
■ 2 Slices of Bread (or 1 slice if you prefer)
■ 2 Large Eggs Vegetables: Cabbage, Carrots, Onions, Green onions
: all thinly shredded
■ Ham (Optional)
■ Butter or Margarine
■ A pinch of Salt and Pepper
■ Ketchup and Sugar
- Thinly shred the vegetables. In a bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch or two of salt and some pepper to make the egg mixture.
- Combine the shredded vegetables with the egg mixture and mix well.
- Melt some butter or margarine in a pan and toast the bread until both sides are golden brown.
: You can’t get that authentic street toast flavor with regular cooking oil. You absolutely must use butter or margarine! - Pour the egg and vegetable mixture into the pan. Shape and trim it so it fits the size of your bread slice as it cooks.
- Place the fried egg mixture onto the toasted bread. (If you’d like to add ham, place a slice of ham on top here, just like a sandwich). While it’s still hot, drizzle with ketchup and sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar evenly over the top.
- Cover with the other slice of bread to finish.
When it comes to street toast, drinking it with milk is almost like an unwritten rule. Since the toast trucks always sold cartons of milk right alongside the toast, it became incredibly natural to pair it with plain white milk rather than coffee. That is the true, authentic way to enjoy it.
Since you’re eating this on the street, you can’t exactly eat it in a formal or polite way, right?
Usually, if you tuck the toast deep into a disposable paper cup, as shown in the photo, it’s much easier to carry and eat on the go. Otherwise, they’ll wrap it in aluminum foil for you.
Also, when two slices of bread feel a bit too heavy, I prefer using just one slice. I fold it in half like an open sandwich, which actually makes the flavors of the fillings feel even richer. This is my personal favorite way to enjoy it!
When I was just starting out in my career, the process of becoming a professional felt so exhausting, and there were so many days when I just didn’t want to go to work. (I’m sure it’s the same no matter where you live! ^^) On those days, grabbing one of these street toasts on my way to the office would lift my spirits and give me the courage to face new challenges.
In Korea, we have a saying: “You can only do your job well when your stomach is full and satisfied.” Perhaps that’s why this toast feels so special. Thinking about it brings back memories of my younger self as a junior at the office, gaining strength from a simple toast to work hard through the day.
I highly recommend trying this simple recipe at home, but if you have plans to visit Korea, you should definitely check this place out.
Since street food trucks selling toast can be hard to find—they are usually near subway stations, but their numbers have decreased significantly lately—looking for a chain called “Isaac Toast” is your best bet.
At Isaac Toast, you can experience that authentic Korean-style breakfast toast. They have hundreds of locations all across the country, so you can easily find one near your accommodation by searching on Google!
Is there a specific food that energizes your day and makes you feel alive? I’d love to hear about it.
Wishing you a vibrant and energetic start to your day,
From Seoul,
MJay
Leave a Reply