Last Updated on December 16, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Roti John is a hawker food from Singapore and Malaysia, especially popular for breakfast. It’s a fusion British & Malay dish. Legend has a history that goes back many years when every British person was called John. A British John was missing his burger and one morning he tried to explain to a hawker what a burger was. The hawker came up with this concoction as his representation of the burger. Since the word for bread is roti, hence it became a Roti John.
Although traditionally made with just egg and beef, modern versions can include any type of meat – lamb and chicken are very popular. Italian versions are even available in Singapore with salami and cheese. Traditionally served with chile paste, it is now also served with ketchup and mayonnaise. Although not traditional, I added some bell peppers into this version to add a little more veggie.
Roti John
(inspired from Azlin Bloor)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves 2
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons oil, separated
- 1 chopped onion
- 1/2 chopped bell pepper
- 7 oz. ground turkey
- 6 eggs
- 2 teaspoons chile paste (Sambal Olek)
- 1 Portuguese roll (or French baguette)
Serving Accompaniments:
- chile paste (Sambal Olek)
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add onion and bell pepper. Saute until softened.
Add turkey and cook until meat is browned and cooked through. Leave to cool for a few minutes.
In a bowl, beat the eggs well. Add cooked meat mixture, Sambal Olek and season generously with salt.
Heat a skillet (best with a non stick skillet) with the remaining oil. Add egg and meat mixture. Add split roll on top. while the egg is still uncooked. Cook on medium heat until the eggs are set. Bottom will be well browned.
Cut the egg down the middle. Flip the sandwich together and brown on each side, toasting the outside ends of the bread.
Serve with chile paste, ketchup and mayonnaise.
Roti John
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons oil separated
- 1 chopped onion
- 1/2 chopped bell pepper
- 7 oz. ground turkey
- 6 eggs
- 2 teaspoons chile paste Sambal Olek
- 1 Portuguese roll or French baguette
- Serving Accompaniments:
- chile paste Sambal Olek
- Ketchup
- Mayonnaise
Instructions
- In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add onion and bell pepper. Saute until softened.
- Add turkey and cook until meat is browned and cooked through. Leave to cool for a few minutes.
- In a bowl, beat the eggs well. Add cooked meat mixture, Sambal Olek and season generously with salt.
- Heat a skillet (best with a non stick skillet) with the remaining oil. Add egg and meat mixture. Add split roll on top. while the egg is still uncooked. Cook on medium heat until the eggs are set. Bottom will be well browned.
- Cut the egg down the middle. Flip the sandwich together and brown on each side, toasting the outside ends of the bread.
- Serve with chile paste, ketchup and mayonnaise.
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It is funny how some of the food gets their name. Enjoyed the story behind thus bread. Rithi John looks like a filling & hearty breakfast to start the day.
Ah I never took time to read up on the history of this dish..thanks for sharing..it surely looks very filling and tempting!..must make it for my kids someday..
Name history sounds interesting.. great recipe
The hawker food must be really interesting , definitely has an interesting name ..a filling breakfast.
Roti john thats an interesting name, am hearing for the first time, looks like a super filling meal.
I also chose roti john but couldn’t make it.Yours looks very tempting.Love to read up about behind the name story.
Interesting history behind the name.Looks delicious.
Very interesting dish and loved reading the story behind it. Looks filling and delicious.
A heavy breakfast and interesting name for it,
That’s an interesting story behind the moniker.