Tortang talong is a Filipino eggplant omelet: whole eggplants are grilled until smoky and soft, peeled, flattened into a fan, dipped in seasoned beaten egg and pan-fried until golden. It takes about 35 minutes, serves 3, and costs roughly ₱70–₱100 per batch, one of the cheapest ulam you can make. Serve it with rice and banana ketchup. The secret to a great torta is charring the eggplant over an open flame, keeping the stem on so it holds together, and frying in medium heat so it doesn’t soak up oil.
What is tortang talong?
Torta means omelet and talong means eggplant, so tortang talong is simply “eggplant omelet.” It’s one of the most common everyday ulam in Filipino homes and carinderias: cheap, quick, meatless and loved by kids. Filipinos eat it for breakfast, lunch or dinner, usually with steamed or garlic rice and a dip of banana ketchup or soy sauce with calamansi.
It’s also a popular budget ulam. In our 100-peso ulam recipes, it’s the dish that stays closest to a true ₱100 budget even with 2026 prices.
Tortang talong recipe
Ingredients
- 3 long Asian eggplants (talong), stems on
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- ½ small onion, finely chopped (optional)
- ¼ tsp salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 3–4 tbsp cooking oil
- Banana ketchup or soy sauce with calamansi, to serve
Instructions
- Char the eggplants. Grill the whole eggplants directly over a gas flame, charcoal or a hot grill pan for 10–15 minutes, turning often, until the skin is blackened and the flesh is completely soft.
- Steam and peel. Put the hot eggplants in a covered bowl for 5 minutes to loosen the skin. Peel off the skin, leaving the stem attached.
- Flatten. Lay each eggplant on a plate and gently press it flat with a fork, spreading the flesh into a fan shape. The stem keeps it in one piece.
- Season the eggs. In a wide bowl, beat the eggs with the salt, pepper, garlic and onion.
- Coat. Dip each flattened eggplant into the egg, spooning more egg over the top until well coated.
- Fry. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Slide in the eggplant, spoon a little extra egg on top, and fry 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve. Serve hot with rice and banana ketchup, or soy sauce with calamansi.
No open flame? Boil the eggplants for 8–10 minutes, or roast them at 200°C (400°F) for about 20 minutes. They’ll be less smoky, but just as tender.
Tips for perfect tortang talong
- Grill, don’t just boil. Charring the skin gives the smoky flavor that makes tortang talong special.
- Keep the stem on. It works as a handle and holds the fan of eggplant together while flattening and frying.
- Choose slim, firm eggplants with smooth, glossy skin. Long Asian eggplants cook faster and flatten more neatly than the large round kind.
- Fry on medium heat. Too low and the torta soaks up oil; too high and the egg burns before the inside is hot.
- Use a wide, shallow bowl for the egg so the whole eggplant fits flat.
- Drain on paper towels to keep it light, not greasy.
Tortang talong variations
- Tortang talong with giniling Top the flattened eggplant with sautéed ground pork, onion, garlic, tomato and carrots before dipping and frying. It’s heartier, and a favorite for kids’ baon.
Tortang talong with giniling. Illustrative image. - Tortang talong with corned beef Spread a thin layer of sautéed corned beef on top, a quick pantry upgrade.
- Tortang talong with crab or shrimp Add flaked crab or chopped shrimp to the egg for a seafood version.
- Cheesy tortang talong Add grated cheese to the egg or sprinkle it on top while frying.
- Air fryer or low-oil version After coating, cook on a lightly oiled tray in the air fryer or a nonstick pan with just a teaspoon of oil.
- Vegetarian tortang talong The basic recipe is already meat-free. Use soy sauce and calamansi instead of fish sauce for dipping.
How much does tortang talong cost? (2026)
| Ingredient | Amount | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Eggplants | 3 pieces (about ½ kg) | ₱30–₱50 |
| Eggs | 3 pieces | ₱24–₱30 |
| Garlic, onion, salt, pepper | Small amounts | ₱5–₱10 |
| Cooking oil | 3–4 tbsp | ₱5–₱10 |
| Total | Serves 3 | About ₱70–₱100 |
Rough 2026 market prices; eggplant prices change with the season and location. Adding giniling or corned beef raises the cost.
What to serve with tortang talong
- Rice: steamed white rice, or garlic rice (sinangag) for breakfast.
- Dips: banana ketchup, soy sauce with calamansi, or spiced vinegar.
- Soup: a light sinigang or tinola for a full lunch. See our tinola recipe.
- Vegetables: ensaladang talong or ginisang sitaw for a healthy plate. See our healthy Filipino food guide.
Storing and reheating
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat in a dry nonstick pan or an air fryer for a few minutes to bring back the crisp edges. The microwave makes it soft.
- For baon: let it cool fully before packing so it doesn’t get soggy.
Home-style ulam like tortang talong is cheap and easy to find at carinderias. Budget your trip’s food, stays and tours in our free calculator.
Tortang talong: FAQ
What is tortang talong in English?
Tortang talong means “eggplant omelet” in English. Torta means omelet and talong means eggplant.
Should I grill or boil the eggplant for tortang talong?
Grilling over an open flame is best because it gives a smoky flavor and makes the skin easy to peel. Boiling for 8 to 10 minutes or roasting in the oven also works if you don’t have a flame, but the flavor is milder.
Why is my tortang talong oily?
Usually because the oil wasn’t hot enough, so the egg and eggplant soaked it up. Fry on medium heat, don’t use too much oil, and drain the torta on paper towels.
How do you keep tortang talong from falling apart?
Keep the stem attached when you peel the eggplant, flatten it gently with a fork, and coat it well with egg. The stem works as a handle and holds the pieces together.
Is tortang talong vegetarian?
Yes, the basic recipe of eggplant, egg, garlic and onion is vegetarian. Avoid fish sauce in the dip, and skip variations with ground pork, corned beef or seafood.
How much does it cost to make tortang talong?
About ₱70 to ₱100 for three servings at 2026 market prices, making it one of the cheapest Filipino ulam.
What is the best eggplant for tortang talong?
Long, slim Asian eggplants with smooth, glossy skin are best. They cook evenly, peel easily and flatten neatly.
Can I make tortang talong in an air fryer?
Yes. Grill or roast and peel the eggplant as usual, coat it in egg, then cook on a lightly oiled tray in the air fryer until the egg is set and golden. It’s lighter, though less crisp than pan-fried.
Cebu-born travel and food writer, raised between Cebu and Dumaguete and now based in Zamboanga del Sur, Mindanao, where he also keeps a vegetable garden. Gio writes Best Philippines Travel Guide to share Filipino food and travel with the world.