December 20, 2024 | 12:00am
Watching K-Dramas not only guarantees to tug at your heartstrings but can also induce hunger, what with the most tempting and appetizing array of Korean food and delicacies you see on your screen.
But for entrepreneur Steward Lee Ong, president of Salt and Butter Group, it can also lead to a business venture.
“Like many of you, I’m also a K-Pop and K-Drama fanatic,” he shares. And after watching that scene on Hospital Playlist, where the adorable Uju (Kim Jun) was enjoying his fave egg sandwich, Stewart spent the next few days suffering from post-drama cravings.
“Natakam talaga ako doon,” he says with an impish grin. “Also, a store that specializes in egg sandwiches piqued my curiosity. So right after the pandemic, I went to Seoul and dined at Eggdrop — straight from the airport.”
Needless to say, it was love at first bite for Stewart.
“And that’s when I decided to bring Eggdrop to the Philippines,” he declares.
At the opening: Butter and Salt Group Inc. president Stewart Lee Ong (right) with Eggdrop brand design team leader Kyuwon Han
Fresh drop: Egg sandwiches with a dramatic twist
Eggdrop is a Korean brand that specializes in fluffy-as-clouds gourmet egg sandwiches with delish fillings. The brand’s exposure to K-Dramas, K-Pop culture, and mukbang channels has only increased its global appeal.
In the Philippines, the egg drop trend started in the midst of the pandemic, with several stores selling their own versions.
“I’ve tried them all and I must say that nothing beats the original,” enthuses Stewart during the media launch last Wednesday, the day before Eggdrop’s formal opening on Dec. 19 at SM Mall of Asia.
Stewart was joined by Egg Drop Korea CEO Young-woo Noh in welcoming guests to the first Eggdrop branch in the Philippines.
“We are thrilled to introduce Eggdrop’s original and authentic gourmet egg sandwiches to Manila,” says Noh. “With its deep appreciation for high-quality food and the growing influence of Korean culture, the Philippines is the perfect place for us to continue our global expansion.”
Eggdrop’s Bacon Double Cheese
What’s on the menu
When asked what makes Eggdrop stand out from the rest, Stewart hastily replied, “It’s our brioche buns. It’s soft and oozes with (butter) flavor.”
According to Stewart, Eggdrop Korea is so strict with quality.
“Though they allowed us to use local ingredients, they have to check if they meet Eggdrop’s standards. Our R&D team traveled to Seoul four times just to get the recipes right,” he adds. “How complicated can an egg sandwich get, right?”
The eggs are also sourced locally. “But finding a supplier is hard, too. What I realized is that while there are organic practices in place, the eggs aren’t certified organic because we don’t have a regulating board here.”
Stewart and his team had to go through all this just so they could give Filipino diners Korea’s gourmet egg sandwiches crafted with A+ grade eggs and fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
“Our goal is to not simply bring the flavors of Korea, but to truly understand and embrace local food culture and trends,” notes Eggdrop Korea’s Young-woo Noh. “Through active participation especially in bringing in and by sourcing fresh ingredients through local farmers in the Philippines, we try to achieve sustainable growth and a positive impact.”
Eggdrop’s menu, which includes classics like Mr. Egg, Bacon Double Cheese, and Garlic Bacon Cheese, reflects the heart of Eggdrop’s philosophy: simple yet flavorful, high-quality sandwiches that don’t break the bank and satisfy every craving.
And Noh is right. Just one bite of the Bacon Double Cheese and I’m hooked. The saltiness of the bacon and brioche bun complements the creamy and fluffy scrambled eggs drizzled with sriracha and sweet mayo.
Uju’s fave, the Avo Holic, comes with soft scrambled eggs, fresh avocado slices, and Eggdrop’s homemade avocado sauce in brioche toast.
“My fave is the Garlic Bacon Cheese,” says Stewart. “It combines the rich flavors of garlic butter, crispy bacon, and melted cheese with scrambled eggs, of course!”
Eggdrop’s gourmet egg sandwiches are reasonably priced. The cheapest is Mr. Egg, a simple yet satisfying egg sandwich, priced at P140. The premium ones go for P205, a tad cheaper than the local copycats.
“Soon, we will have Pinoy exclusives,” shares Stewart.
Overall, Eggdrop’s menu is designed not just to satisfy but to delight — each sandwich is thoughtfully crafted to be both delish and visually appealing, making it the perfect bread for foodies, TikTokers and, certainly, K-Drama fans.
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Eggdrop, which is brought to the Philippines by Butter and Salt Group, is on Level 1, North Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia.
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