Tortang Talong with microgreens and ketchup

Eggplant Omelet (Tortang Talong)

Take a bite of Filipino cuisine with tortang talong, a tasty dish of smoky tender eggplant and savory browned eggs for a fragrant and satisfying delight!

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By Maggie Zhu
Updated 07/25/25 Published 04/22/21

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Tortang Talong: A Filipino Classic

Have you explored Filipino cuisine before? One of my favorite dishes is called tortang talong. It’s an eggplant omelet that is made with whole eggplant that has been grilled to impart a smoky flavor. It gets pan-fried in an egg mixture for an incredible taste. In the Philippines, they eat this omelet for breakfast and lunch, but you can feel free to enjoy this dish any time!

Why this recipe

Traditionally, tortang talong also comes with meat stuffed inside, but I wanted to keep things simple and be mindful of various dietary restrictions and preferences, so this recipe is fairly straightforward. This means it will be much easier to prepare, but you’ll still have the chance to indulge in the delicate taste of the eggs.

With the smoky, creamy eggplant and firm fried egg coating, the dish is an easy winner without needing much in the way of seasoning. In that regard, it’s quite a minimalist dish.

Ingredients

Making tortang talong only requires a few very basic ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

Chinese eggplant (or Japanese eggplant): Both types have a skinny shape and the texture contains less moisture, making it easier to cook through over a grill and creating a good texture.
Eggs: The dish is mild by itself, so use quality eggs make a big difference.
Onion: It adds sweetness and texture to the omelete.
Garlic: A small amount of garlic is used to add aroma to the omelet.
Salt and pepper

How to Cook Tortang Talong

For Best Results, Use Fire

To make the best tortang talong, your eggplants should be grilled. This will give them a smoky flavor. I used a gas stove grilling method which I’ll show you below, so you can get that smokiness without going to the trouble of firing up the grill. But what if you don’t have a gas stove? Don’t worry…you won’t need to have FOMO. You can use the broiling method that I’ll also show you, so you can cook the eggplant just right.

Cooking process

Grill the eggplant over a gas stove by directly placing the eggplant over the fire. Let cook and rotate from time to time, until the eggplant is cooked through.

Peel off the eggplant skin with a pair of tongs, flatten the eggplant, and dip in the egg mixture.

How to prepare the eggplant for the omlete

Pan fry the eggplant and eggs while drizzling a bit more egg mixture to add a fluffier texture. Cook until the egg is golden brown.

Pro tip

Poke the eggplants with a fork before grilling. This allows steam to escape during cooking because the holes help the eggplant cook more evenly and prevent it from bursting or splitting open unexpectedly.

How to serve

In the Philippines, Tortang Talong is usually served with ketchup. But not just any ordinary ketchup. Many Filipinos prefer using banana ketchup instead of tomato ketchup. It might be unusual, but its sweet and tangy taste adds a very local twist to the dish.

That being said, I really enjoy the texture and mild taste of this omelet, so I didn’t need to add much seasonings to it. If you really want a stonger taste, a little ketchup or hot sauce goes a long way.

No need to wait for breakfast to enjoy tortang talong. You can have it for lunch, dinner, or even a snack when you’re in the mood for something special!

Frequently asked questions

Can I make Tortang Talong without a gas stove?

Yes! If you don’t have access to a stove, you can broil the eggplant in the oven. Just keep an eye on it and turn it occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly and gets that nice smoky flavor.

Can I add meat or other fillings to my Tortang Talong?

Definitely. You can add sautéed ground meat, such as pork or chicken, as its filling. To make it, sauté the ground meat with salt and pepper and mix in the beaten eggs. Make sure that some meat is stick to the eggplant when you dip it into the eggs. You can also use cheese and tofu to play with the flavors and texture.

How do I reheat Tortang Talong?

TYou can reheat it in a skillet for the best quality over medium heat. This will bring back some of the omelet’s crispiness. Add a tiny bit of oil to prevent it from sticking to the pan. You can also warm it up in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds, but it won’t be as crispy as pan-frying.

Can I use other types of eggplant?

Yes you can. If using larger eggplants such as Globe or Italian eggplant, you can slice them into 1/2″ pieces, then grill (over a grill) or broil them. I wouldn’t use the gas stove method because the sliced eggplant won’t hold its shape once cooked and it’s hard to handle.

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