Egg Tuck Comes to Orange County Amid 'Eggflation'

Ivy Dai
Apr 16
4 min read

Popular fast casual franchise begins its anticipated rapid regional growth throughout Southern California with a new local store.

The classic egg sandwiches at this Korean-inspired breakfast chain range from the original egg version starting at $9.10 to the Royal and Spicy Royal West options with a hearty Korean meat patty. Photo courtesy of Egg Tuck.

After a couple of delays, the Korean-inspired sandwich chain Egg Tuck officially opened its doors April 15 at the Anaheim Hills Festival shopping mall.

This will be the first Orange County location for the trendy breakfast chain, which is owned by parent company Waba Grill, with headquarters on Old Springs Road in Anaheim Hills.

Egg Tuck is known for its elevated take on the humble egg sandwich. Prices range from $9-$13 for items such as the classic egg, avo egg, bacon and cheese, and ham and cheese sandwiches.

For those looking for a heartier option, try the Royal West or Spicy Royal West – a Korean beef and pork patty over medium egg, cheddar, grilled onions and pickles.

Each sandwich begins with buttered, pan-toasted thick brioche toast. A slit is cut in the middle to hold three silky scrambled eggs, other fillings, and it’s finished with a creamy herbaceous house egg sauce, sriracha aioli and a fresh chive garnish.

Triple stack of Egg Tuck’s egg avo sandwich for $10.79 features soft scrambled eggs, fanned avocado, fresh chives, house sriracha aioli and egg sauce (house mayo). Photo courtesy of Egg Tuck.

The secret is the eggs – fluffy, barely-done soft scrambled with a rich, velvety taste. Korean versions usually use MSG, but Egg Tuck uses its own natural umami seasoning made with mushroom. The combination of fresh herbs, hints of creamy, spicy sauces and plenty of butter in the eggs make for a unique, craveable taste and silky texture.

There is something for everyone – vegan egg and plant meat options abound in the signature burritos. Gluten-free options and sides include the signature egg over tater tots or fries and kale Caesar salad.

House-brewed iced coffee is also on tap, as well as non-caffeine offerings like the chai churro latte, which hits all the right notes of sweet, creamy and spicy. There are plant milk options and also real chocolate milk for the kiddos.

It is fast casual food, elevated. Classics with an ethnic hipster twist is right on trend; appealing to foodies yet simple enough to have mass appeal. What sets Egg Tuck apart is its use of premium, restaurant-quality ingredients and flavor packaged for convenience.

Restaurateur Alex Sohn opened Egg Tuck in 2018 in Los Angeles. It was a pop-up concept during the pandemic inside the now-shuttered restaurant Chef Kang Sul Box in L.A.’s Koreatown. Since then, the popular eatery has expanded to 12 stores in Los Angeles, Illinois and Texas, with plans to expand regionally in California. Sohn sold to restaurant chain Waba Grill in 2023. While the other locations are franchises, Anaheim Hills will be the first corporate flagship store.

Last month, the average cost of a dozen large grade A eggs increased nearly $1 in a single month to $5.89 and continues to climb, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In February, the price jump of eggs was the biggest since 1980. The H5N1 avian flu in September is largely responsible for “eggflation” and the dwindling inventory.

Chicken farmers from December to February had to put down 53.8 million birds because of influenza exposure – nearly four times more than the same period the year prior. Migrating wild birds from Europe brought the virus over three years ago.

PHOTO 1: The classic egg sandwiches at this Korean-inspired breakfast chain range from the original egg version starting at $9.10 to the Royal and Spicy Royal West options with a hearty Korean meat patty. PHOTO 2: The 13th Egg Tuck location is the first corporate flagship store, and the first one in Orange County, with Egg Tuck headquarters just a couple miles away. A gourmet bacon and cheese sandwich pairs well with orange juice and tater tots for an elevated breakfast experience. Photos courtesy of Egg Tuck.

Eggs traditionally were seen as a complete protein and an affordable, nutritious food. Nowadays, prices have skryrocketed and availability is hit or miss in supermarkets. Other local businesses like newcomer Meggie’s Bakes in Irvine have also felt the pinch of eggflation.

“I have not raised prices due to me just starting to get my product out to consumers, but I have lost profit margins due to the increased prices in eggs,” said Meggie’s owner Megan Payne.

At Egg Tuck, a case of 180 eggs that used to cost $35 a couple months ago has skyrocketed to $140 to $150 a case, said marketing manager John Shin.

“Despite those rising costs, we made a conscious decision not to raise our prices over the past three years,” Shin said. “We only recently made a modest adjustment … our focus has always been on preserving the quality of our offerings.”

Shin, who is also a local pastor, works out of the corporate headquarters in Anaheim Hills. Egg Tuck chose Anaheim Hills for the first Orange County location because of the growing demand for casual dining options in the neighborhood.

“The area offers the perfect blend of family-oriented residents and busy professionals who are looking for a fast, yet high-quality breakfast or brunch option,” Shin said.

April 15 was Egg Tuck OC’s soft opening; a grand opening celebration is slated for mid-May.

SPECIAL PROMO FOR OC RESIDENTS: “$4 for 4 Hours”: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on grand opening day, guests can enjoy any sandwich or burrito for just $4.