Uni Toast

If you’ve never added uni to your egg toast, this is your sign! Uni toast is a combination of luxurious flavors with the comfort of a familiar breakfast staple. 

I’m convinced if you put uni on anything, it’ll be *chef kiss* and eggs are no exception. It’s the perfect balance between sweet, savory, and briny with a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you’ve never had uni or sea urchin before, it’s rich and creamy with the consistency of a firm, velvety custard. Flavor-wise, it’s slightly sweet and briny with a subtle oceany taste. You’ve probably seen it served on sushi, but there are so many other ways it can be used to elevate a simple dish, like toast! 

It’s a one-of-a-kind ingredient and is even considered a delicacy in some cultures. so I highly recommend giving this recipe a try!

Why you’ll love this recipe

This isn’t your ordinary toast, and for some, it may be the breakfast of their dreams (aka me lol). It’s a play on eggs on eggs – a magical combination that has become a staple in my home, as long my wallet allows. 

Golden brown toast and creamy and fluffy eggs make the perfect canvas for the uni. The simple addition of uni instantly levels up your typical egg toast thanks to its uniquely indulgent flavor and texture. Uni’s rich and briny flavor deliciously complements this breakfast staple that will leave you wanting more and more. 

As indulgent and decadent as this dish may sound, it only takes 15 minutes to prepare! Treating yourself and/or your loved ones has never been easier. 

Uni Toast Ingredients & Substitutions

Uni (sea urchin): uni is the star ingredient of this recipe, so be sure to source high-quality uni to get the best flavor.

Milk bread: milk bread serves as the base for the uni and eggs and provides a subtle sweet contrast against their briny flavors. You can use white bread or brioche as a substitute.

Unsalted butter: butter makes everything better, and this is no exception! You can substitute it with olive oil, but just make sure it’s good quality. 

Eggs: I recommend scrambling the eggs rather than serving them sunny-side up or poached because it adds a layer of creaminess with structure. Eggs with runny yolks can overshadow the flavor and texture of the uni. 

Heavy cream: heavy cream enhances the creaminess of the scrambled eggs. You can use milk or half-and-half as a substitute, but it won’t be as creamy. 

Olive oil: olive oil is used to drizzle over the uni toast as a final touch. You want to make sure you’re using high-quality olive oil that is used for serving cold dishes, like salads and dressings. 

Toasted walnuts: walnuts add a crunchy texture that contrasts the soft and creamy texture of the uni toast. You can substitute it with other types of nuts, like almonds or peanuts. Make sure the walnuts are toasted for a more intense nutty flavor. 

Lime juice: lime juice adds an acidic element to elevate and balance the flavors of the uni toast. Alternatively, you can use lemon juice. 

Lime zest: lime zest adds a fresh and tangy flavor that complements the lime juice. You can also use lemon zest as a substitute. 

Salt & ground black pepper: salt and ground black pepper are used to season the eggs. Feel free to adjust the amount according to taste.

Flakey salt: this is optional but I like to add a pinch of flakey salt on top of the uni as a finishing touch. Start with a light sprinkle – you don’t want to over-salt it. 

Uni Toast Ingredient Additions/Variations

While the uni toast is already delicious as is, there’s always room for experimentation. If you want to take the flavors of uni toast to new heights, you can experiment with these ingredients below:

1. Cream cheese – if you want to make your uni toast richer, you can slather some cream cheese onto the toast. It adds a subtle sweet and tangy flavor to elevate the dish further.

2. Creme fraiche – if you want to make your eggs extra creamy and rich, you can swap the heavy cream with a dollop of creme fraiche. Unlike heavy cream where it’s mixed with the eggs before cooking, add the creme fraiche after the eggs are just about done. 

3. Ikura (Salmon Roe) – to make this the ultimate eggs-on-eggs-on-eggs dish, try adding ikura on top of your uni toast. Also called salmon roe, these plump eggs are jewel-like beads that burst with briny and umami flavors in every bite. 

How do I prepare Uni Toast?

Follow the recipe below to prepare this quick and luxurious treat at home:

Step 1: Prepare the eggs

Combine the eggs and heavy cream in a mixing bowl. Whisk them together until they’re fully combined, then set them aside.

Step 2: Cut the crusts from the bread

Remove the crusts from the milk bread. Then, cut each slice in half (for 2 large pieces) or quarters (for 4 small pieces).

Step 3: Melt butter and add the bread

In a pan, heat butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, place each piece of bread into the pan and quickly flip so both sides are buttered.

Step 4: Toast the bread to perfection

Toast all pieces of bread until they’re toasted to golden brown. Remove them from the heat, then set aside.

Step 5: Cook the eggs

In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of butter (or olive oil) over medium-low heat. Then, pour in the egg cream mixture. Continuously stir the egg mixture with a spatula until small curdles of egg form. Allow them to cook until your desired doneness (I prefer mine a bit runny). Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper!

Step 6: Assemble the toast

To assemble the toast, layer the scrambled eggs, then add a drizzle of olive oil. Top the toast with roasted walnuts, uni, lime juice, and lime zest. Repeat for all pieces of toast.

Step 7: Serve!

Once you’re done, transfer the uni toast to a plate and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Preparation Tips for Uni Toast

To make the most delicious uni toast every single time, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Considering this recipe only requires a few ingredients, you want to ensure all ingredients are of good quality as it will affect the overall taste. For example, make sure to buy fresh and high-quality uni for this recipe. There are many types of uni, depending on where they are sourced. My favorite are maine bafun or hokkaido uni. 
• For best results, avoid overcooking the scrambled eggs. Ideally, you’d want soft creamy scrambled eggs, and the secret to achieving this is to cook the eggs over low heat. Once the eggs look like they are just about set, remove them from the heat as the residual heat. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does uni taste like?

If you haven’t tried uni before, it has a sweet, salty, briny, and umami flavor. It also has a creamy consistency similar to custard, which goes well with the eggs. The flavor profile of uni varies depending on the species, grade, and habitat but generally, you can expect a combination of sweet, buttery, and oceanic flavors. 

Where can I buy uni?

You can buy uni from your local Asian market or seafood specialty market. It can also be purchased online, however, be sure to purchase from a reputable vendor. 

What is milk bread?

Milk bread, or shokupan, is a type of bread that’s known for its pillowy soft texture. The bread contains milk so it’s richer compared to regular white bread. I like to use milk bread for this recipe because its subtle creamy and sweet flavors complement the eggs and uni.

Can I make uni toast in advance?

Uni toast is one of those dishes that are best enjoyed fresh however, if you need to make it in advance, you can prepare the scrambled eggs and reheat it quickly in a pan over the stove-top, in the oven, or in the microwave. Prepare the toast fresh and assemble them right before serving. If you do need to store it in the fridge, be sure to keep each component separate in airtight containers. The uni should be stored in the fridge at all times until the toast is ready to assemble. 

Looking for more easy and delicious Japanese-inspired recipes?

1. Curry Udon Noodles with Egg – if you’re looking for a quick and no-frills weeknight meal, this recipe is for you! It’s made of udon noodles smothered in a rich and velvety curry sauce that’ll fill you right up!

2. Pork Katsudon – if you’re craving comfort food, add this pork katsudon rice bowl on top of the list. Perfectly fried pork cutlets topped with a dashi onion sauce and slightly runny eggs will satisfy your every craving!

3. Spicy Salmon Poke Bowl – for a lazy meal that’s still nourishing and tasty, this salmon poke bowl recipe is hard to beat. Melt-in-your-mouth salmon is seasoned with spicy Sriracha and mayo for a subtle kick. The best part is that it only takes 10 minutes to make this delectable meal!

4. Miso Udon Noodle Soup – if you can’t resist a hearty bowl of noodles, wait until you try this recipe. It’s a fusion of udon noodles and cozy miso soup for the best of both worlds! 

5. Mentaiko Onigiri – if you like the rich and umami flavors of uni, you might want to try my mentaiko onigiri recipe The spicy cured pollock roe filling is fused with sesame oil and sesame seeds and encased in warm rice for the ultimate on-the-go snack. 

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