(おんせん)(たまご)

おんせんたまご
noun
onsen egg; slow-cooked soft egg
1. onsen egg; egg slow-cooked at a low temperature
An egg cooked slowly in hot water around 65–70°C so that the yolk stays creamy while the white turns soft and custard-like. Originally made using hot-spring water.
温泉(おんせん)(たまご)(つく)る。
To make an onsen egg.
(どんぶり)(うえ)温泉(おんせん)(たまご)をのせる。
Place an onsen egg on top of the rice bowl.
温泉(おんせん)(たまご)白身(しろみ)がやわらかく、黄身(きみ)がとろりとしているのが特徴(とくちょう)だ。
An onsen egg is characterized by its soft white and runny yolk.

Compound of 温泉(おんせん) (hot spring) + (たまご) (egg); the name comes from originally cooking eggs in hot-spring water. Often shortened to 温玉(おんたま) in casual speech and on menus.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 温泉(おんせん)(たまご)をのせる: to top (a dish) with an onsen egg
  • 温泉(おんせん)(たまご)(つく)る: to make an onsen egg

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 半熟(はんじゅく)(たまご): soft-boiled egg — boiled briefly so the white sets firm but the yolk stays runny; an onsen egg instead has a soft, custard-like white