Tortang Talong Recipe (2024)

Published: by Nora Reyes · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Tortang Talong, or eggplant omelet, is the Filipino version of an omelet with smoky, custardy eggplant grilled on an open flame. It is dipped in an egg mixture and fried, creating a fluffy omelet with crispy edges. It's a simple yet flavorful way to elevate the humble eggplant into a special and satisfying meal.

Tortang Talong Recipe (1)
Jump to:
  • What is Torta?
  • Ingredients you'll need
  • Notes and substitutions
  • How to make this recipe
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Try other dishes with eggplant
  • Other vegetable recipes you may like
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

What is Torta?

In Filipino cuisine, "torta" is a savory omelet, derived from the Spanish word for "cake," reflecting the Philippines' Spanish colonial history. While "torta" in Spain can denote a cake, in the Philippines, it's primarily an egg-based dish.

Popular variations include Tortang Sayote (chayote omelet), Tortang Giniling (a ground meat omelet, typically made with leftover Picadillo), and Tortang Alimasag (crab omelet). It's customary to serve torta with rice, and it's frequently paired with banana ketchup for an added burst of flavor.

Ingredients you'll need

Tortang Talong Recipe (2)

Notes and substitutions

  • Eggplant: Choose the long, slender Japanese/Chinese variety available at Asian supermarkets.
  • Oil: Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, which is ideal for frying. Good options include vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, or avocado oil if you're willing to spend a bit more.

How to make this recipe

Step 1: Use a fork to pierce the eggplant to allow the steam to escape as it cooks, preventing it from bursting. Grill them on the stove over medium-high heat, preferably on a wire rack.

Turn them with tongs every few minutes until the skin is charred and flaky and the flesh becomes soft. Alternatively, you can broil them in the oven until charred.

Tortang Talong Recipe (3)

Step 2: Once cool enough to handle, peel the charred skin while leaving the flesh intact. You can use a spoon to scrape any burnt bits or rinse them gently under running water.

Tortang Talong Recipe (4)

Step 3: Flatten them with a fork, keeping them as whole as possible. Set them aside.

Tortang Talong Recipe (5)

Step 4: Combine 3 eggs, 1 teaspoon fish sauce, a pinch of salt, some ground pepper, 1 stalk of scallion, and chilies (if using) in a bowl. Beat until frothy to create a lighter and fluffier omelet.

Tortang Talong Recipe (6)

Step 5: Dip the eggplant into the egg mixture, coating them well. If you prefer to fry them separately, you can use two bowls to make it easier to slide them into the pan.

Tortang Talong Recipe (7)

Step 6: Heat a small skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a generous amount of oil, around ½-inch thick. Once the oil starts smoking, carefully slide the eggplant into the skillet. The hot oil will create a fluffy omelet with crispy edges.

Tortang Talong Recipe (8)

Step 7: Fry until the edges are browned, about 1 minute. If the eggs have spread out too much, you can fold the sides inward.

Tortang Talong Recipe (9)

Step 8: Carefully flip the omelet and continue frying the other side for another minute until browned and thoroughly cooked.

Tortang Talong Recipe (10)

Step 9: Drain the excess oil as you lift it off the pan or drain it on paper towels.

Serve immediately and enjoy with ketchup, sweet chili sauce, or Sriracha. For a classic Filipino meal, serve it withSinangag or Java Rice.

Tortang Talong Recipe (11)

Recipe FAQs

Can I use other types of eggplant?

While it is possible to use other types of eggplant, such as globe or Italian eggplant, it's worth noting that larger ones can be a bit trickier to cook on the stovetop. They tend to char on the outside before the inside becomes creamy and fully cooked.

What does eggplant taste like?

Eggplant has a mild, earthy taste. The flavor can vary depending on how it's cooked and seasoned. When cooked, it becomes tender and creamy. Proper seasoning is essential to avoid any bitterness or blandness.

Try other dishes with eggplant

  • Eggplant Stir Fry: A quick stir-fry with eggplants, shrimp, bell peppers, and aromatics.
  • Ensaladang Talong: A creamy salad with grilled eggplants, tomatoes, and onions, usually seasoned with shrimp paste or vinegar.
  • Kare Kare: A rich peanut stew that contains beef (often oxtail) and various vegetables like eggplant, yarlong beans, and okra.
  • Adobong Talong: Eggplant slices stewed in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic, adopting the classic Filipino adobo flavor profile.
  • Pinakbet: A mixed vegetable stew with eggplant, squash, okra, yardlong beans, and bitter gourd, sautéed with shrimp paste.

Other vegetable recipes you may like

  • Tofu and Mushroom Adobo Recipe
  • Laing Recipe
  • Adobong Talong Recipe
  • Ginataang Ampalaya Recipe
Tortang Talong Recipe (16)

Did you make this recipe? I would love to know! Your feedback helps me make better recipes. Please rate, review, or comment below. Questions about this recipe are welcome, too!

Let's connect on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter, and Youtube. Be sure to tag me when you try any of my recipes @recipesbynora!

📖 Recipe

Tortang Talong Recipe (17)

Tortang Talong Recipe

A fluffy omelet with crispy edges made with smoky, custardy eggplant grilled on an open flame.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Asian, Filipino

Diet: Gluten Free

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 352kcal

Author: Nora Rey

Cost: $2-$3

Equipment

  • Small skillet or wok

Ingredients

  • 2 Japanese or Chinese eggplant see note
  • 3 eggs beaten well
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Neutral oil (for frying) see note

Instructions

  • Use a fork to pierce the eggplant to allow the steam to escape as it cooks, preventing it from bursting.

  • Grill them on the stove over medium-high heat, preferably on a wire rack. Turn them with tongs every few minutes until the skin is charred and flaky and the flesh becomes soft. Alternatively, you can broil them in the oven until charred.

  • Once cool enough to handle, peel the charred skin while leaving the flesh intact. You can use a spoon to scrape any burnt bits or rinse them gently under running water.

  • Flatten them with a fork, keeping them as whole as possible. Set them aside.

  • Combine the eggs, fish sauce, a pinch of salt, some ground pepper, scallions, and chilies (if using) in a bowl. Beat until frothy to create a lighter and fluffier omelet.

  • Dip the eggplant into the egg mixture, coating them well. If you prefer to fry them separately, you can use two bowls to make it easier to slide them into the pan.

  • Heat a small skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add a generous amount of oil, around ½-inch thick.

    Once the oil starts smoking, carefully slide the eggplant into the skillet. The hot oil will create a fluffy omelet with crispy edges.

  • Fry until the edges are browned, about 1 minute. If the eggs have spread out too much, you can fold the sides inward.

  • Carefully flip the omelet and continue frying the other side for another minute until browned and thoroughly cooked.

  • Drain the excess oil as you lift it off the pan or drain it on paper towels. Serve immediately and enjoy with ketchup, sweet chili sauce, or Sriracha.

Notes

  • Eggplant: Choose the long, slender Japanese/Chinese variety available at Asian supermarkets.
  • Oil: Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, which is ideal for frying. Good options include vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, or avocado oil if you're willing to spend a bit more.

Nutrition

Calories: 352kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 6gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 460mgPotassium: 574mgFiber: 7gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 231IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg

Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided here is solely for informational purposes. I am not a certified nutritionist, and this data hasn't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or any other authority. It shouldn't be seen as health or nutrition advice. The figures are estimates calculated from various food composition databases and might vary based on product types, brands, natural variations in produce, and ingredient processing methods. Individual results may differ.

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @recipesbynora or tag #RecipesByNora!

More Vegetable Recipes

  • Ginisang Okra Recipe
  • Lumpiang Labong Recipe
  • Adobong Sitaw Recipe
  • Ginataang Kalabasa Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. B

    Tortang Talong Recipe (22)
    Yummmm!

    Reply

    • Nora Rey

      I totally agree! 🤤😋

      Reply

Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think:

Tortang Talong Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is tortang talong the best egg dish in the world? ›

It is yet another list on the Taste Atlas website where Filipino food has emerged as part of the upper echelons. Tortang talong may be considered simple fare, but this simple dish has just been judged as the best egg dish in the world.

Why is tortang talong healthy? ›

This simple and heart healthy dish combines the fresh and light flavor of eggplant with the rich flavor of egg infused with savory chicken taste. Eggplant is a rich source of fiber which does not only benefit the digestive process, but it also helps to improve your heart health.

What is the meaning of tortang talong? ›

The name tortang talong means "eggplant omelette"; from a suffixed form of torta ("omelette" or "flat cake"), and talong (eggplant). The name is sometimes shortened to tortalong.

What is the number one egg dish in the world? ›

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino food sure is eggcellent! Gastronomic catalog Taste Atlas named Tortang Talong as the number one egg dish in the world, while balut is the worst, according to their audiences.

What is the hardest egg dish to make? ›

Japan) is one of the hardest egg dishes to make, but. it isn't impossible!

What are the benefits of eggplant 🍆? ›

Eggplant has antioxidants like vitamins A and C, which help protect your cells against damage. It's also high in natural plant chemicals called polyphenols, which may help cells do a better job of processing sugar if you have diabetes.

Can too much eggplant be bad for you? ›

Inspite of all the health benefits that eggplant provides, consumption of this vegetable in large quantities can have some harmful effects on your body. Nasunin, present in eggplant, is a phytochemical which can bind with iron and remove it from the cells. The oxalates in this vegetable can cause stones in the kidney.

Can I eat eggplant everyday? ›

Eating eggplant every day is generally not bad for you, but it's important to consider a few factors: Nutritional Value: Eggplants are a nutritious vegetable rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are low in calories and can be a healthy addition to your daily diet.

What is the Filipino name for eggplant? ›

In the Philippines, eggplant is known as talong and is the number one vegetable in terms of production area.

What is the old name for eggplant? ›

Translated into English as 'mad-apple', 'rage-apple', or 'raging apple', this name for eggplants is attested from 1578 and the form 'mad-apple' may still be found in Southern American English.

Where did tortang talong originated? ›

Tortang Talong is an eggplant omelette dish that originated in the Philippines. It's made by cooking whole eggplant then pan frying in an egg mixture. The name tortang talong comes from the Tagalog words for “omelette” (torta) and “eggplant” (talong).

What is the rating of tortang talong? ›

The Philippines has the best and worst egg dishes, according to readers of Taste Atlas, an experiential online travel guide on food. With five being the highest, the beloved Tortang Talong got a 4.7 rating as one of the best-rated egg dishes in the world.

Why is tortang talong popular? ›

Tortang talong is eaten throughout the day, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or merienda (snacks between meals). It's a staple in households as well as in carinderias (eateries) around the country. Some go for crunch and crisp, others softness. The beauty of the dish is its simplicity.

What is the popular egg dish in Japan? ›

Other than bento, tamagoyaki is also commonly served as part of a traditional breakfast in Japan. With a delicate and fluffy texture, tamagoyaki melts in your mouth as you chew. Because it's a standard way to serve eggs in Japan, tamagoyaki is worth a try!

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 5642

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.