Gai Daan Jai (Hong Kong Egg Waffles)
Local name: 雞蛋仔
In short: Crisp-shelled, soft-centered bubble waffles from a sweet eggy batter, cooked in a special mold and torn off one puffy bubble at a time. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 410 kcal
Gai daan jai are Hong Kong's famous street waffles, made from a sweet, eggy batter cooked in a mold of round cups so the waffle forms a sheet of puffy bubbles. They are crisp on the outside and soft and chewy inside, and best eaten hot from the iron, torn apart bubble by bubble. A special egg waffle maker is needed, and a hot, well-greased iron is the key.
Instructions
- Whisk the eggs and sugar until pale and the sugar has mostly dissolved. Whisk in the milk, oil and vanilla.
- Sift the flour, tapioca starch, custard powder, baking powder and salt over the wet mixture. Whisk until completely smooth. Rest the batter for 30 minutes.
- Heat the egg waffle iron according to its instructions. Brush both sides generously with oil.
- Pour in about 120 ml (1/2 cup) of batter, filling the cups about three-quarters full. Close the lid and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, flipping if the iron requires it, until golden and set.
- Lift out the waffle and cool it on a wire rack for 1 minute, which makes it crisp. Repeat with the remaining batter, greasing the iron each time.
- Serve warm, torn into bubbles, or rolled into a cone.
Tips
- Do not stack the waffles while they are hot, as the steam makes them soggy. Cool them on a rack and eat them quickly, or recrisp in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 3 minutes.
- Adjust the batter if the waffle is dense: add 1 tbsp more milk. A fully preheated, well-oiled iron prevents sticking.
Questions and answers
Do I need a special egg waffle maker?
Yes, for the signature bubble shape. Electric egg waffle makers are sold online and in Asian grocery stores. A regular waffle iron makes a flat waffle with a similar taste.
Why is my egg waffle soft instead of crisp?
It may have been undercooked or stacked while hot. Cook until deeply golden and cool it on a rack so steam escapes.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Yes. Cover and chill it for up to 1 day. Whisk it well before using and let it return to room temperature.
How long does it take to make Gai Daan Jai (Hong Kong Egg Waffles)?
About 30 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Gai Daan Jai (Hong Kong Egg Waffles)?
About 410 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 67 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 410 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 67 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Sodium | 260 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
