Many Japanese home meals are centered on eggs. We love our ramen eggs (eggs marinated in soy sauce mixture), tamagoyaki (omelette grilled in a special pan), onsen tamago (poached eggs in hot spring temperature), egg tofu, and more. Here’s another amazing thing to do with eggs: use as a brilliant garnish to bring life and vibrancy to a dish. Like these golden ribbons of egg crepe called Kinshi Tamago (錦糸卵)! In this post, you will learn two Japanese preparations of eggs – Kinshi Tamago (錦糸卵) and Usuyaki Tamago (薄焼き卵).
What is Kinshi Tamago
Eggs are called Tamago in Japanese, and Kinshi Tamago (錦糸卵) refers to shredded egg crepe garnish that you may have seen in dishes such as Chirashi Sushi and Hiyashi Chuka. When added to a dish or a bento box, the bright yellow of these egg ribbons pops and catches your attention. It adds a layer of color and texture, and as a result enhancing the overall presentation of your meal. It’s slightly sweet so children often love Kinshi Tamgo in their rice or noodle dishes. Moms (and dads) love it because the eggs add extra protein. To make Kinshi Tamago, you will first need to make Usuyaki Tamago.
What is Usuyaki Tamago
Usuyaki Tamago (薄焼き卵) is basically a paper-thin omelette or egg crepe before it’s shredded into thin strips of Kinshi Tamago. We also use Usuyaki Tamago to wrap sushi rice for Temari Sushi.
How to Make Kinshi Tamago
Ingredients You’ll Need
Eggs Mirin Salt Potato starch (cornstarch) + water
Kinshi Tamago has a gentle sweetness to it. You can either use mirin or sugar to sweeten the egg. I used mirin for its mild sweetness and the liquid yields a slightly thinner texture.
Overview: Cooking Steps
Tips to Make Kinshi Tamago
Recipes To Use Kinshi Tamago
Chirashi Sushi Hiyashi Chuka Temari Sushi
Practice Makes Perfect
It’s not hard to make the perfect Usuyaki Tamago but if it’s your first time trying, you probably need to practice a few times. The thinness of the crepe is key and you will get the hang of it once you learn the ideal ratio of egg mixture for your frying pan. Have fun making these gorgeous egg crepe and ribbons!
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