Cheesy Gyeran Mari (Rolled Omelet)

I first came across gyeran mari (rolled egg omelet) during a night of drinking with coworkers when I lived in South Korea. It's fried, simple, tasty, and includes bits of veggies - the perfect accompaniment to alcohol! Gyeran mari is also perfectly suitable for breakfast or as a snack at any time of the day.

Update Disclosure: This post has been updated for one or more of the following reasons: easier reading, updated photos, clearer instructions, and just plain ol' improvements to the recipe (as noted).

Jump to:

• What is Gyeran Mari
• The Gyeran Mari Pan Debate
• Ingredients
• Substitutes
• Tips for Perfectly Rolled Omelet
• How to Make Gyeran Mari
• How to Serve
• Cheesy Gyeran Mari (Rolled Omelet) Recipe
• Have You Tried This Recipe?

That night, I was one of the remaining survivors, and the last place we visited was a suljib, or drinking house that served snacks. Someone ordered gyeran mari, and there was a collective agreement among the table that it was the perfect comfort food to end a long night of drinking.

What is Gyeran Mari

Gyeran mari is an omelet rolled over and over until it turns into a long log. Then you cut it into pieces to reveal the layers of fried egg in the middle.

As much as it is considered anju (drinking snack with soju), rolled omelet is also popular among Korean moms who want to make simple snacks for their children. 

Perhaps that's why it's still a prevalent choice among adults today. After drinking some alcohol, eating gyeran mari is a great choice for a nostalgic, warm and fuzzy feeling.

The Gyeran Mari Pan Debate

If you are interested in buying special equipment for gyeran mari, you can pick one up at Amazon by searching for the term "tamagoyaki pan". Tamagoyaki is the Japanese word for rolled omelet.

BUT... you do not need special equipment to roll your omelet! You can simply use a round frying pan you most likely already have in your kitchen.

It will take a few tries to roll your omelet the right way whether or not you use a special pan.

Ingredients

This recipe includes instructions to add some sticks of mozzarella cheese in the middle for a stretchy, cheesy effect, but it's optional. You can skip that step if you don't want to add cheese.

Other ingredients include:

• Eggs
• Green Onions
• Carrots
• Diced ham (optional)
• Vegetable Oil, for frying
• Salt & Pepper to taste

It's a short ingredient list!

Substitutes

• Eggs: If you don't prefer to eat actual eggs, the texture of egg substitute should work fine for this recipe as long as you still use oil.
  
  
• Oil: Since the recipe asks you to use low heat, you can replace vegetable oil with alternatives that have a lower smoke point. But you may have to work faster. Some options are olive oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil. Oils with a higher smoke point than vegetable oil such as sunflower oil, and peanut oil also work well.
  
  
• Vegetables: Work with what you have! As long as the veggies you have available are diced small enough to throw into the egg mix, you are good to go!

Tips for Perfectly Rolled Omelet

• Fold the Omelet: I know, it sounds confusing. But the motion you should aim for is actually folding. It looks rolled because the result has so many layers. So when you begin cooking, remember that you are folding flaps of the egg into itself. 
  
  
• Move Slowly on Low Heat: When the pan isn't as hot, the egg will take longer to set so that you can roll the omelet at a slower pace. Also, don't worry about ripping the egg if you are still in the middle of cooking your gyeran mari. The next layer can cover your mistake. 
  
  
• Keep Oil Nearby: Add oil to the pan before adding eggs so they don't stick. You don't need a lot of oil for your pan but just make sure to spread it around evenly. This sticking issue shouldn't be a problem if you have a nonstick pan.  
  
  
• Leave a Tail: When adding more raw egg to the pan, make sure it touches and connects with the tail. Even better if it streams onto the tail because it makes a seamless connection as the eggs set. The layers also look more continuous after you cut into the egg roll.

How to Make Gyeran Mari

Here is a short overview of what you will do in this recipe:

1. Crack eggs in a bowl.
2. Add diced veggies and ham (if you are using them!), then add your salt and pepper.
3. Whisk everything together!
4. Add oil in a pan on low heat then add some egg mix.
5. Add mozzarella pieces at the edge of one side.
6. Start rolling (folding) by folding the edge closest over the cheese.
7. Then keep folding it over until you have a bit of tail left. Push the omelet to one side.
8. Pour more eggs onto the empty side making sure the raw eggs touch the tail.
9. Repeat the steps until you use up all the eggs.

You are not quite done yet! You should now have a round, rectangular omelet log. Lock in the shape by carefully searing each side of the egg for about twenty seconds.

How to Serve

You can choose to top it with mayonnaise and ketchup. But my favorite thing to do is brush a bit of soy sauce and sesame oil along the top! Serve it as a drinking snack with somek, which is a mixture of three parts soju and seven parts beer. Orrrr... enjoy it as a simple breakfast for two!