Salted egg is taking Manila by storm. Suddenly, this humble ingredient is appearing in all sorts of dishes, morphing into something delicious that builds up layers of flavor, both savory and sweet, in one’s taste buds.
As chefs, food establishments and even home-based entrepreneurs discover new ways to use it, salted egg has been reinvented—from just a side dish with sliced tomatoes and onions, to a center of attraction to kitchen creations.
Here, Inquirer Lifestyle helps you find the best salted egg yolk-flavored food around town.
Salted Egg Yolk Ice Cream
1Ian Carandang of the famous Sebastian’s Ice Cream has been serving salted egg yolk ice cream since January, long before it became the flavor of the year.
A scoop of this cold concoction imparts a distinctly creamy, eggy flavor, plus a sandy texture that’s not overpowering. Carandang ensures there’s always a homemade sweet-salty goodness to every spoonful of his ice cream, its texture akin to Italian gelato.
He says: “Nothing too complicated here, we just opened a huge lot of salted duck eggs, dug out the yolk and mixed them into a special ice cream base.”
Sebastian’s Ice Cream, 2/F SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City; The Podium, 12 ADB Ave., Mandaluyong City; Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City.
Black Gold Egg Custard Buns
2This can either be an appetizer or dessert—steamed buns oozing with piping-hot, creamy, golden liquid salted egg yolk in the center. The salted buns are created by China Blue’s resident chef Eng Yew Khor, who underwent rigorous training under renowned chef Jereme Leung. An order costs P260.
China Blue, Conrad Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Call 8339999.
Salted Egg Lava Croissant
3Who needs a lava cake with melted chocolate center when you can bask instead in extra rich and creamy salted egg yolk oozing out of a croissant?
This confection debuted a few months before the newest food craze hit town, thanks to multi-awarded chef Miko Aspiras who experimented on the versatility of salted egg. The crisp French butter croissant with craquelin emits warm salted egg lava that goes well with caramel sauce, chopped almonds and meringue kisses.
“Basically, I just wanted to show how flexible salted egg is, and that you can incorporate it into our existing desserts,” says Aspiras.
Salted Egg Lava Croissant costs P325 per order.
Le Petit Soufflé, 3/F Century City Mall, Kalayaan Ave., Makati City. Call 8863056 or 0927-3872703.
Salted Egg Yema Cake
4The salted egg craze has found its way into this soft, fluffy confection created by siblings Dennis and Yvette Hipolito. Everything about this cake is decadently executed, from the chiffon cake to the yema frosting and filling that spreads evenly onto the two-layer dessert. It has a sweet-salty flavor and that unmistakable bit of yolk texture that comes from salted egg.
“We thought of introducing a classic dessert with a Filipino twist. And it clicked,” says Yvette. The Salted Egg Yema Cake comes in a loaf size at P550.
Joconde Cakes and Pastries for pick-up and delivery, call 0917-8486656. Follow on Instagram and Facebook @jocondecakes.
Brazo de Luna
5Filling this delicate, pillowy rolled meringue with creamy, custardy salted egg heightens the flavor and tempers the sweetness, creating a pleasant sweet-and-salty dessert/snack. There’s a slightly thicker and buttery salted egg yolk filling that adds to the complexity of the pastry—an innovative way to offset the sweetness of the classic brazo de mercedes.
“I called it Brazo de Luna because salted egg is supposed to symbolize the moon, according to Chinese custom,” says chef Pixie Sevilla.
Brazo de Luna costs P750.
Forget Me Not Specialty Cakes, for pick-up only in New Manila, Quezon City. Call 7232776 or 0917-5226010.
Salted Egg Craft Chicharon
6Nard Aquino, the third-generation owner of Leonardo’s Lechon which dates back to 1947, has created something unique with chicharon tinged with salted egg yolk—the saltiness of the yolk tempering the richness of the fatty pork rind.
“We need to innovate to suit the current market, thus we came up with our Craft Chicharon,” Aquino says.
Craft Chicharon costs P200 per 100g pack.
Leonardo’s Lechon, 89 J. Basa St. San Juan City; Heirloom Kitchen, Scout Gandia, Quezon City; Bok Boks Inasal, No. 4, Sta. Clara S., Kapitolyo, Pasig; Sidcor Sunday Market, Edsa, Diliman, QC. Call 7258618 or 09178833392.
Hiplog
7Hiplog is short for Hipon at Itlog na Maalat (shrimp and salted egg)—a new dish from Dedet dela Fuente that has a generous amount of salted egg yolk sauce coating plump shrimps that are then stir-fried to perfection. The buttery sauce is best enjoyed when topped on a mound of rice.
“I always like the idea of playing with humble ingredients like the salted egg and turning it into something wonderful that every Filipino household should enjoy,” Dela Fuente says.
An order of Hiplog costs P3,700 good for 10-15 persons.
Pepita’s Kitchen, Magallanes Village, Makati City, for pick-up only. Call 4254605 or 09178660662.
Salted Egg Potato Chips
8Potato chips are a perfect canvas for the salted egg craze. When salted egg potato chips first became a hit in Singapore, 28-year-old Klaudine Yapyuco knew it would also conquer Manila. Her mom Klaire tirelessly helped her experiment in the kitchen to come up with the best-tasting salted egg potato chips in town. Their version is not only crispy and crunchy, but also generously coated with salted egg, and comes with crunchy curry leaves.
“Everything starts with fresh, quality ingredients like eggs, margarine, etc. That’s important to us,” Yapyuco says.
House of Crisps, for pick-up only, Riverside, Pasig; Salcedo Market, Makati; Urban Pantry, Greenhills; PowerPlant Snack Bar, Rockwell Center. Call 0925-3028719.
Salted Egg With Labuyo Sauce Rice-stuffed Lechon
Who can resist lechon? Dedet dela Fuente’s specialty Lechon de Leche has joined the bandwagon—stuffed with salted egg rice and labuyo sauce. It’s on the spicy-sweet-salty side, ensuring a different lechon-eating vibe.
Imagine the richness of the salted egg yolk in the rice combining with the crispness of the roasted skin.
Salted Egg with Labuyo Sauce Rice-stuffed Lechon costs P9,000 per 8 kilo.
Pepita’s Kitchen, Magallanes Village, Makati City, for pick-up only. Call 4254605 or 0917-8660662.
