Hong Kong French Toast (Sai Do Si with Peanut Butter)
Local name: 西多士
In short: Thick bread sandwiched with peanut butter, dipped in egg and fried until golden, then topped with butter and syrup, a cha chaan teng classic. It takes about 20 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 840 kcal
Sai do si is the Hong Kong take on French toast and a star of the cha chaan teng menu. Two thick slices of white bread are sandwiched with peanut butter, dipped in beaten egg and fried until the outside is golden and crisp while the inside stays soft and gooey. A slab of butter and a drizzle of golden syrup or condensed milk go on top. It is very rich, so share it, with a glass of milk tea.
Instructions
- Spread the peanut butter evenly over two slices of bread, leaving a small border. Top with the other slices and press the edges together firmly.
- Beat the eggs with the milk in a shallow dish until smooth.
- Heat the oil in a small, deep pan to 165°C (330°F). It should be deep enough to nearly cover the sandwiches.
- Dip each sandwich in the egg mixture for about 10 seconds per side, so the bread absorbs the egg but does not fall apart. Let the excess drip off.
- Lower one sandwich at a time into the oil. Fry for about 2 minutes per side, spooning hot oil over the top, until deep golden brown.
- Drain on a rack for 1 minute. Place the butter on top and drizzle with the syrup. Cut diagonally and serve immediately.
Tips
- Slightly stale bread soaks less and holds together better. Dip it briefly, because soggy bread falls apart in the oil.
- For less oil, shallow-fry in 1 cm (1/2 in) of oil and turn often. Kaya (coconut jam) or jam can replace the peanut butter.
Questions and answers
Why is Hong Kong French toast deep-fried?
Frying in oil gives a crisp shell around a soft, molten filling. Cafes usually use a deep pan. A shallow pan works at home, with more turning.
Can I make sai do si ahead of time?
It is best eaten straight from the pan. You can assemble the filled sandwiches a few hours ahead and keep them covered in the fridge, then dip and fry just before serving.
What can I use instead of peanut butter?
Kaya, fruit jam, hazelnut cocoa spread or a thin layer of sliced banana all work. Keep the filling thin so the sandwich cooks through.
How long does it take to make Hong Kong French Toast (Sai Do Si with Peanut Butter)?
About 20 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Hong Kong French Toast (Sai Do Si with Peanut Butter)?
About 840 kcal per serving, with 22 g of protein, 68 g of carbohydrates and 55 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 840 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbohydrates | 68 g |
| Fat | 55 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 22 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
