17 International Egg Recipes

Posted on: January 13th 2022

Unlike many regional foods, eggs are popular all over the world. Because just about every culture cooks with eggs, exploring international egg recipes and discovering unusual egg dishes is especially fun. Keep reading to find out why the world loves eggs so much, how different cultures use eggs, and the best types of egg dishes you can prepare today.

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Why Are Eggs So Popular Around the World?

Eggs have been a part of the human diet for thousands of years. Eggs have always been a delicious, adaptable ingredient in addition to an excellent source of protein. The versatility of eggs has made it a star ingredient in cooking recipes, baking recipes, and beverage recipes all over the globe.

Considering how tasty and nutritious eggs are, it’s no wonder that we eat more than 1.1 billion eggs each year as a global population. While nearly every culture has put its own spin on eggs, China, Mexico, and Japan lead the world in the average egg consumption per person. In fact, eggs are a popular everyday food in many parts of the world, from the United States to Asia.

How Are Eggs Used in Different Cultures?

Around the world, eggs are a staple ingredient in breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and even desserts. They’re found in soups, salads, sandwiches, beverages, and more. Some countries enjoy topping dishes with eggs, like fried rice or toast, while others like snacking on whole fried or hard-boiled eggs.

Along with serving eggs for a variety of meals and occasions, each culture seems to have its own favorite cooking techniques for preparing eggs. Some of the most popular ways to cook eggs include scrambled, poached, omelet, fried, hard-boiled, and pickled. However, the most memorable international egg recipes stand out for more distinct cooking methods like steaming, rolling, and deep-frying.

Because eggs are essentially a blank canvas, they’re the perfect ingredient for different cultures to show off their unique culinary flavors. Eggs showcase the signature seasonings and spices of a region beautifully — for example, India incorporates curry into its eggs, Mexico often pairs eggs with salsa, and Japan douses eggs with soy sauce.

17 Recipes With Eggs From Around the World

Below, you’ll discover 17 of the best international egg dishes that will help keep your cooking fresh.

1. Japan — Tamagoyaki

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can enjoy this rich Japanese egg dish. Check out the details on tamagoyaki below.

The dish: Tamagoyaki is a beautiful dish composed of thin layers of eggs cooked and rolled into a log to make a spiral pattern. Depending on how tamagoyaki is seasoned by whoever’s making it, this dish can be very sweet or less sweet. The unique shape of this dish is achieved by using a special rectangular tamagoyaki pan, but you can get a similar result by using a regular round frying pan.
Ingredients: Eggs, salt, soy sauce, mirin, and oil
Where to find ingredients: Mirin is a sweet rice wine that is probably kept in the international aisle of your local grocery store. If you can’t find mirin, you can substitute granulated sugar.
Our top recipe: We love the tamagoyaki recipe from Japanese Cooking 101.
Review: One Japanese Cooking 101 reader commented: “I just made the recipe for my family. They loved it [and] they want me to make it every morning.”

2. China — Steamed Egg Custard

If you’re looking for the ultimate savory egg custard recipe, you must try Chinese steamed egg custard. Here’s all you need to know before making this classic Chinese comfort food:

The dish: Although the recipe for steamed egg custard may seem as simple as just whisking a few ingredients together, straining and steaming the eggs requires some technical culinary skills. However, the silky smooth texture and versatile flavor of this egg custard make it more than worth your while to prepare.
Ingredients: Eggs, water, salt, white pepper, and sesame oil
Where to find ingredients: You may need to look in the international section of your grocery store for sesame oil.
Our top recipe: This steamed egg custard recipe from Feast to the World is the best you’ll find.
Review: One Feast to the World fan said: “Splendid. You can also simply add sugar to the recipe to turn this into a quick, fuss-free dessert! Wonderful!”

3. The Philippines — Tokneneng

Also known as kwek kwek, tokneneng is a satisfying egg dish from the Philippines. If you like Filipino street food, you need to check out this dish.

The dish: Making tokneneng involves hard-boiling, battering, and deep-frying eggs. The result is a crispy, flavorful egg that’s delightful to snack on. The reddish color of the batter also makes this egg dish visually attractive. Typically, tokneneng is served alongside a vinegar-based dipping sauce that adds even more flavor to the dish.
Ingredients: Eggs, water, cornstarch, annatto powder, flour, salt, pepper, cooking oil
Where to find ingredients: Annatto powder is an orange-red food coloring made from the seeds of the achiote tree, which grows in tropical areas. You can most likely find annatto powder in the spice aisle. If you can’t find annatto powder, red and yellow food coloring will work just as well.
Our top recipe: Try our favorite tokneneng recipe from Panlasang Pinoy.
Review: One review for this tokneneng recipe said: “I never heard this food before, but…I tried it…delicious…wow!”

4. India — Egg Curry

If you’re into spice, this egg curry from India is for you. Learn more about this dish below.

The dish: This spicy masala egg curry is a delicious way to enjoy hard-boiled eggs. The flavorful curry is seasoned with onion, tomato, red chili powder, coriander, and turmeric before the eggs are added. Serve with steamed basmati rice, naan, or roti to create a hearty and filling meal.
Ingredients: Eggs, onion, cooking oil, tomatoes, green chili, ginger, garlic, salt, water, coriander, red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric
Where to find ingredients: If you can’t find garam masala, you can make your own version of the spice mixture by combining coriander, cumin, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, and cinnamon.
Our top recipe: We recommend this egg curry recipe from Swasthi’s Recipes.
Review: One reader who tried the recipe remarked: “Really good! I used chopped onion, garlic, and ginger to add some texture, but this tastes amazing. Will definitely redo.”

5. Thailand — Khai Yat Sai

This simple, straightforward egg dish from Thailand is easy to whip up for a weeknight family dinner. Here’s how you can enjoy khai yat sai:

The dish: This tasty Thai egg recipe is essentially a giant stuffed omelet. The fluffy omelet is traditionally filled with minced pork and herbs to enhance flavor. Although khai yat sai is quick and easy to make, it will certainly impress your dinner guests.
Ingredients: Eggs, onions, spring onions, tomatoes, coriander leaves, garlic, bird chilies, oyster sauce, fish sauce, tomato paste, soy sauce, salt and pepper
Where to find ingredients: Bird chilies are a type of chili pepper commonly used in Southeast Asian cooking. If you can’t find bird chilies, you can substitute cayenne pepper or serrano chiles.
Our top recipe: Our favorite khai yat sai recipe comes from 3 Hungry Tummies.
Review: One comment on this khai yat sai recipe stated: “Wow, this is quite the super omelet! I love the filling!”

6. Korea — Gyeran-Jjim

You might be familiar with gyeran-jjim if you’re a fan of Korean barbeque. Whether you’ve had gyeran-jjim before or not, keep reading to become more familiar with this delicious dish.

The dish: Gyeran-jjim is a light, steamed egg custard that is commonly served as a side dish for rich meats. The airy quality of the steam egg custard makes the perfect companion for the denser, heavier qualities of barbequed meats.
Ingredients: Eggs, salt, water, scallions, and toasted sesame seeds
Where to find ingredients: If you can’t find toasted sesame seeds, you can toast your own in the oven or in a skillet.
Our top recipe: Try this gyeran-jjim recipe from The Kitchen.
Review: A review for this recipe said: “I made this for dinner last night — absolutely awesome. I added garlic chives and sesame salt and served it over plain white rice with tamari and sriracha. This meal will be a heavy player in my weeknight dinner rotation.”

7. Afghanistan — Afghani Omelet

Are you ready to take your regular omelet up a level? Try whipping up a batch of Afghani eggs. Check out the details for this dish below.

The dish: This Afghani omelet dish is similar to a baked frittata. Essentially, the recipe covers a bottom layer of potatoes, onions, and tomatoes with eggs and spices, then allows everything to simmer together to create a medley of mouthwatering flavors.
Ingredients: Eggs, onion, potato, tomato, cooking oil, salt, oregano, coriander, red chili flakes, and green chives
Where to find ingredients: Fortunately, all of the ingredients for an Afghani omelet are common in American cooking and easy to find.
Our top recipe: For your Afghani eggs, use this recipe from Tasted Recipes.
Review: One reader commented: “Amazing recipe. Turned out really good. Thank you for sharing.”

8. Egypt — Eggah

Find out how to make an Egyptian-style omelet, known as eggah, by reading below.

The dish: Eggah is like a thick and heavy version of an omelet. In fact, eggah can include so many tasty fillings that eggs might not even be the primary ingredient. You also have the flexibility to season your eggah with whatever Middle Eastern spices you would like, including turmeric, cumin, and fresh herbs.
Ingredients: Eggs, flour, onion, cooking oil, fresh parsley, tomatoes, green bell pepper, salt, and pepper
Where to find ingredients: All of the ingredients for eggah will be easy for you to find at your local grocery store.
Our top recipe: Our go-to eggah recipe is from Food.com.
Review: A review for this recipe said, “This is a lovely and satisfying omelet, great eaten any time of day.”

9. Tunisia — Chakchouka

If you like a dish called eggs in purgatory, you’ll love the original Tunisian version of the dish. Here’s how you can make your own chakchouka:

The dish: In its simplest form, chakchouka is eggs simmered sunnyside-up over a customizable tomato-based sauce, which can be chunky or more liquidy. To make the most of your chakchouka, you’ll want to serve it alongside pita or another hearty bread that can help soak up all of the delicious tomato sauce.
Ingredients: Eggs, cooking oil, tomatoes, onion, red and green bell peppers, garlic, cumin, paprika, chili powder, and salt
Where to find ingredients: Pick up all of the ingredients for chakchouka at the grocery store nearest you. For a bit of extra flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
Our top recipe: You can find the best recipe for chakchouka from Curious Cuisiniere.
Review: One fan of this recipe said: “What a gorgeous dish! I could eat it ANY time of day!!”

10. North Africa — Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a variation of chakchouka that’s stuffed with even more flavorful ingredients. Check out the details for shakshuka below.

The dish: Like chakchouka, shakshuka involves cooking a tasty tomato sauce and sunnyside-up eggs in a skillet. The addition of ingredients like feta cheese and leafy greens gives the recipe even more tastes and textures to enjoy. Enjoy your shakshuka with crusty bread to help you sop up both the sauce and runny yolks.
Ingredients: Eggs, tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, cooking oil, garlic, chili pepper, paprika, caraway seeds, cumin, turmeric, honey, red wine vinegar, spinach, feta cheese, salt and pepper
Where to find ingredients: You should be able to find all of the shakshuka ingredients without any problems. However, shakshuka is a highly customizable dish, so feel free to make substitutions such as kale for spinach or apple cider vinegar for red wine vinegar, depending on what you already have at home.
Our top recipe: Make stand-out shakshuka with this recipe from David Lebovitz.
Review: One comment deemed shakshuka the “perfect brunch menu thing to make.”

11. Russia — Russian Peasant Omelet

Don’t let the name fool you — this omelet is fit for a king. Find out how to make this fabulous Russian egg dish below.

The dish: This hearty Russian recipe is like a mix between an omelet and a frittata. The potatoes make this egg dish filling and satisfying, while the whisked eggs lighten up the dish. The simple seasonings in this dish allow the flavors of the main ingredients to truly shine through.
Ingredients: Eggs, potatoes, onion, tomatoes, cooking oil, milk, salt, and pepper
Where to find ingredients: You can find these basic ingredients at any supermarket.
Our top recipe: Give this Russian peasant omelet recipe from Mr. Breakfast a shot the next time it’s your turn to host brunch.
Review: A reviewer of this recipe said: “Yum! However, I used sweet potatoes instead of ordinary — but what really made it special was to include feta cheese with herbs, cubed — it melted, adding a delicious flavor and texture. I will certainly make this again.”

12. Spain — Tortilla de Patatas

If you’re thinking of the thin, flat pancake used to wrap burritos, you’re not thinking of a proper Spanish tortilla. Keep reading to learn what tortilla de patatas really is.

The dish: Tortilla de patatas is a thick, pan-fried omelet overflowing with diced potatoes and onions. However, you can often find this dish filled with other vegetables and meats to add even more flavor. Specifically, Serrano ham or chorizo are popular add-ins in Spain.
Ingredients: Eggs, potatoes, onions, olive oil, and salt
Where to find ingredients: These ingredients are easy to find anywhere. Try to get Yukon gold potatoes if you can.
Our top recipe: Our favorite tortilla de patatas recipe is from Spanish Sabores.
Review: One reader said: “I made this recipe last night without making any substitutions and it was simply the best! It tastes like the tortillas I remember eating in Barcelona.”

13. France — Oeufs Cocotte

Any lover of baked eggs will appreciate this French recipe. Check out the details of the dish below.

The dish: Traditionally, oeufs cocotte is an individual portion of eggs and cream baked in a water bath. Oeufs cocotte get their custardy consistency from being baked in small, covered casserole dishes, which are placed on a high-sided baking pan and surrounded by hot water. Add ham, cheese, potatoes, and leeks to the mixture to make this dreamy, decadent dish even heartier.
Ingredients: Eggs, ham, Gruyere cheese, heavy whipping cream, fresh chives, olive oil, salt, and pepper
Where to find ingredients: If you need a substitute for Gruyere cheese, try using Swiss cheese.
Our top recipe: Try this rich oeufs cocotte recipes from All Recipes.
Review: Here’s what one reader had to say: “So easy to make…I stuck with the Gruyure as the recipe specifies, and I thought these eggs were excellent.”

14. United Kingdom — Scotch Eggs

From breakfast to a pub snack, Scotch eggs are delicious any time of the day. Here’s everything you need to know about this dish:

The dish: Making a Scotch egg involves wrapping an egg in sausage, breading the outside, and deep-frying the whole thing. When you bite into a Scotch egg, the satisfying crunch of the fried breading gives way to a soft, egg yolk center, making this dish a culinary triumph.
Ingredients: Eggs, flour, corn flakes, breakfast sausage, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper
Where to find ingredients: Try to get the meat as fresh as possible by going to a local butcher shop.
Our top recipe: For perfectly fried Scotch eggs, follow this recipe from bon appetit.
Review: One home chef remarked: “Delicious! Love serving these at parties.”

15. Jamaica — Jamaican Eggnog

When it comes to egg yolk recipes, it’s hard to beat eggnog. The following Jamaican eggnog recipe kicks traditional eggnog up a notch with premium ingredients like Jamaican dark rum, bourbon, and ice cream.

The dish: Eggnog is a festive boozy beverage that’s typically served around the holidays. However, you’ll want to make this Jamaican eggnog year-round. Preparing homemade eggnog includes whisking egg yolks with sugar, steaming milk and cream, and mixing ice cream with spirits. Finally, combine all of these ingredients for a drink that tastes like dessert.
Ingredients: Egg yolks, heavy cream, whole milk, Jamaican dark rum, bourbon, vanilla ice cream, brown sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon
Where to find ingredients: Because it is the Jamaican dark rum that makes this drink memorable, it’s worth making a separate trip to a wine and spirits shop to find it.
Our top recipe: We recommend this Jamaican eggnog recipe from Passports and Grub.
Review: One reviewer had these thoughts: “I LOVE eggnog!! I like the idea of making your own because you know what’s in it, and you can avoid the junk you don’t want.”

16. Mexico — Huevos Divorciados

From breakfast burritos to huevos rancheros, there’s no shortage of Mexican breakfast recipes. However, the following recipe for huevos divorciados might just be the best.

The dish: This dish translates to “divorced eggs” in reference to the way the ingredients are plated — two fried eggs are separated by a barrier of beans and served on warm corn tortillas. One of the eggs gets doused in red salsa and the other is topped with salsa verde, turning these divorced eggs into a flavor match made in heaven.
Ingredients: Eggs, corn tortillas, tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapenos, onion, garlic, fresh cilantro, cooking oil, and salt
Where to find ingredients: Tomatillos are small, green Mexican tomatoes that most grocery stores sell in the produce section. If you can’t find them there, you might spot canned tomatillos in the international aisle.
Our top recipe: Make the tastiest huevos divorciados possible by using this recipe from Epicurious.
Review: One reader made this comment: “Excellent breakfast/brunch recipe. The two salsas are different yet complement each other and I agree the presentation is beautiful. Perfect dish to serve to [a] guest. You can’t go wrong with this one, it’s a sure crowd-pleaser.”

17. Lititz, PA — Traditional Beet-Pickled Eggs

For our final international egg dish, we wanted to share a taste of home with you. The following recipe is a classic Pennsylvania Dutch egg recipe from the heart of Amish Country.

The dish: Beet-pickled eggs are famous for their vibrant, red color and distinctively delicious taste. Pickling hard-boiled eggs in a beet juice, vinegar, and sugar mixture gives them a sweet yet slightly tart taste. You’ll love snacking on these eggs plain, turning them into deviled eggs, or slicing them over a salad.
Ingredients: Eggs, apple cider vinegar, white sugar, brown sugar, canned red beets and juice, onions, salt, and pepper
Where to find ingredients: Get Sauder’s Eggs from your local grocery store to ensure you’re using the freshest ingredients possible.
Our top recipe: We love this classic pickled red beet eggs recipe from our own family cookbook.
Review: Here’s what people are saying about beet-pickled eggs: “Love these! My great-grandmother and my grandmother made these all the time when I was little.”

Find More Egg Recipes From Sauder’s Eggs

Once you’ve mastered the delicious international egg dishes above, you’ll need new egg recipes to explore. Check out the recipes from Sauder’s Eggs to feed your adventurous foodie side. Whenever you experiment with an egg recipe, make sure you use Sauder’s Eggs so that you can be confident you’re using high-quality, farm-fresh ingredients in your culinary creation.

Interested in trying out some more egg recipes? Visit our Recipes page to check out all our latest recommendations!

17 International Egg Recipes