Gyeran mari, literally translated as rolled eggs, is a Korean-style rolled omelette. Basically, the beaten eggs are cooked until almost set, then tightly rolled, and cut into slices. It’s usually eaten as a side dish for any meal, not just breakfast, and is hugely popular as a lunch box item. It is a delicious side dish that can be whipped up last minute before the meal.

Gyeran mari is typically made with chopped vegetables, but the filling options are endless ― scallions, carrots, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, bell pepper, cabbage, “gim” (nori), ham, bacon, cheese, etc. Here, I used red and green bell peppers. Making this dish is simple once you have the basics down. The key is to be patient and cook the eggs over a gentle heat. If the heat is too high, you’ll end up with tough eggs that will break when folded. If you don’t cook the eggs enough, the rolled egg will be runny in the middle.

Ingredients:

● 3 large eggs

● 1/4 red bell pepper, finely chopped

● 1/4 green bell pepper, finely chopped

● 1/4 teaspoon salt

● vegetable oil

Crack and beat the eggs in a bowl with a spoon or a fork, until the yolks and whites are blended well with no visible strings of whites. Stir in the chopped vegetables and salt.

Add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to a medium size non-stick pan and distribute the oil evenly using a napkin or paper towel. Preheat over medium low heat, until it feels hot when you place your hand 5 centimeters above the bottom of the pan.

Add the egg mixture to the pan, reserving a tablespoon or two to use as glue for the last fold. Swirl it around to cover the pan. Let it cook until the top begins to set but is still slightly wet.

Using a spatula, lift one end of the egg (3 to 4 centimeters) and fold it over. (Reduce the heat or raise the pan away from the heat for a little while if the bottom is browning.)

Lift the folded part and fold it again, repeating until only one fold remains. Spread the reserved egg mixture over the unfolded end. When the egg addition is set but still slightly wet, finish folding the omelette. Leave it on the hot pan for a few more seconds.

Remove from the pan and let cool for about 5 minutes. Slice the egg into thick, even pieces. 

By Ro Hyo-sun

For more recipes visit www.koreanbapsang.com.