K-drama world’s favorite egg sandwich now in Manila
Hospital Playlist,” “18 Again,” “Jirisan,” “Our Blues,” “Love Next Door,” “Romance in the House.” What do these K-dramas have in common? Eggdrop, the Korean restaurant chain known for its gourmet egg sandwiches. And now, you can finally sink your teeth into the sandwiches you’ve witnessed so many Korean stars enjoy.
Stewart Lee Ong, like so many other K-drama fans, first came across Eggdrop in the 2020 series “Hospital Playlist.”
In one episode, little scene-stealer Uju told his dad Ik-jun, “You get Ham and Cheese. I’ll get Avoholic.” The father and son then shared a touching moment as they ate their sandwiches.
“It was so tempting, watching Uju eat it,” Ong told Lifestyle.
Curious about the hefty egg sandwiches with generous fillings and toppings, on his next trip to Seoul, he headed to Eggdrop as soon as he landed. “I ordered the Garlic Bacon Cheese and I loved it.”
That single sandwich convinced him to bring the concept to the Philippines.
Ong is president of Butter and Salt Group Inc., which has the goal of bringing brands from different parts of the world to the Philippines. “We usually bring in what we love,” he said.
Craze
They’re the same group that brought us New York’s Magnolia Bakery, known here as M Bakery, and Melbourne coffee shop St. Ali.
Eggdrop, which opened in 2017 and now has 290 stores in South Korea, sparked a craze over its egg sandwiches during the pandemic, even spawning copycats in different parts of the world including the Philippines. But Ong and his team wanted to bring in the OG.
“Of course, we were concerned that baka ‘yung hype niya wala na, but we knew that as long as we offer a good product at a very affordable price … plus, Filipinos love eggs. Breakfast is not breakfast without eggs.”
Bringing Eggdrop to the Philippines was a process that took over a year. “The Philippine market, with its deep appreciation for high-quality food and the growing influence of Korean culture, is the perfect place for us to continue our global expansion,” said Noh Young-woo, CEO of Eggdrop Korea.
They found the perfect first location at the SM Mall of Asia. “We wanted something visible, something pedestrians could spot,” said Ong.
They did snag a great spot—it’s right beside the Disney Store. It opened Dec. 19, with the first 10 customers getting a special treat: a year’s supply of Eggdrop sandwiches.
Early next year, the second Eggdrop store will open in BGC, at High Street. They’re also actively looking for more locations for Eggdrop.
Yes, Eggdrop is the original, but what sets it apart from its competitors? “First is the quality of our brioche bread. Our recipe is from Korea. We really had to source good butter because that makes a good brioche,” said Ong.
Eggdrop’s research and development team went to the Philippines four times to make sure the offerings here are up to standard. “Madugo na proseso,” Ong said.
Because eggs are a vital ingredient, part of the process was finding a good local source for them. Sourcing local ingredients is important to Eggdrop “for sustainable growth and to make a positive impact,” said Han Kyu-won, leader of Eggdrop Korea’s brand design team, who was in Manila for the grand opening.
Ong said, “What we learned was there are no certified organic eggs in the Philippines. There are organic practices but no organic certification … We had to source premium, cage-free eggs.”
Even ingredients for the special sauce were tested. “We had to make sure they suit the flavor profile,” said Ong.
The Eggdrop team is very particular, even when it comes to packaging. Eggdrop sandwiches are served vertically—in nifty little boxes that make them ready to be photographed and then devoured.
“The perfect combination of soft egg and our special sauce has won the hearts of many,” said Han. And it’s this winning combination, a satisfying mix of savory and sweet, that they’ve also brought to the Philippines.
8 kinds of sandwiches
Right now, in the Philippines, Eggdrop serves eight kinds of premium egg sandwiches.
“I would recommend the American Ham Cheese and Garlic Bacon Cheese, those are my favorites. Avoholic is also good especially for the vegetarians,” Ong said.
We had the Bacon Double Cheese and really enjoyed it. It’s great comfort food and we found ourselves wanting to eat it again the next day.
We were surprised by the prices—only P120 to P205 for the sandwiches which are super filling and definitely do not scrimp on the ingredients. “We made sure that it’s very affordable. It’s premium quality but very accessible,” said Ong. Their prices are even lower than that of the local imitations.
You can also pay for additional toppings.
Do not skip the drinks. “All the drinks are concocted by the Korean partners. We’re excited for everyone to try our coffees, especially the Korean Mixed Coffee,” said Ong.
They also serve grapefruit-ade, lemonade and strawberryade. Drinks cost between P100 to P180.
The strawberry latte is so good—and just P130!
You can see the strawberry latte—plus a salad and sandwiches, of course—in the 2024 K-drama “Love Next Door.” Seok-ryu, played by Jung So-min, and Seung-hyo, played by Jung Hae-in, go on a date at Eggdrop. Seok-ryu takes a bite of her sandwich—American Ham Cheese, if our eyes are not failing us—and says, “It’s so good. How do they make this?”
They will be adding more menu items in the future, said Ong. “In Korea, they also have bagels and salads. We’re also planning for seasonal items.”
There are also plans to introduce Philippine exclusives. Han said, “Our goal is not simply to bring the flavors from Korea but to truly understand and embrace the local food culture and trends. With these insights, we aim to develop new menu offerings that are tailored to the Filipino palate. Through the introduction of exclusive Eggdrop creations, we hope to become a beloved brand here as well.”
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