Why the Ugandan Rolex Is the Perfect Morning Meal

Try this authentic Ugandan Rolex recipe, a popular East African street food made with a delicious combination of eggs, vegetables, and chapati rolled into a satisfying wrap. Hello, Lovelies. I hope you are all having a beautiful morning. Today started in a rather interesting way for me. I woke up with a very specific craving. For some reason, I could not get the thought of eggs out of my mind. There was a comforting warmth that eggs offered. It felt perfect for this chilly Tuesday morning in Nairobi. As I lay in bed, I slowly gathered the energy to get up. Suddenly, I remembered something I had seen and read about a while ago. It was a popular street food from Uganda called the Ugandan Rolex.

Now, if you have not heard of the Ugandan Rolex before, let me tell you a little bit about it. It is a beloved street food. It gained attention and popularity not only in Uganda but also internationally. This happened after being featured in several travel and food documentaries. The name might make you think of the luxury wristwatch brand, but it actually has a humorous origin. The term “Rolex” in this context is a playful twist on the words “rolled eggs.” And that is essentially what the dish is, eggs rolled inside a chapati.

There was something nostalgic and exciting about remembering this dish. I cannot really explain why it came to mind so vividly this morning. Maybe it was because I had leftover chapati from last night’s dinner. My subconscious mind was already calculating how to turn that into something special. Or maybe the dreary cold air in the morning made me long for something warm. I wanted something hearty and fulfilling. Either way, once the thought planted itself in my head, I knew I had to make it happen. I was set on having a Ugandan Rolex for breakfast.

For those unfamiliar with it, the Ugandan Rolex is essentially an omelet. It is cooked with vegetables. Then, it is rolled into a soft, flaky chapati. The vegetables often include onions, tomatoes, and cabbage, giving the dish a delightful mix of flavors and textures. In other variations, people might add carrots. They might also include green bell peppers or even hot peppers. This gives it more personality and spice. The beauty of the Rolex lies in its simplicity and adaptability. It is one of those meals that feels humble yet comforting. Despite its straightforward preparation, it never fails to impress.

As I made my way to the kitchen, I took a quick inventory of what I had. I already had the chapati from dinner. This was a bonus. Making fresh chapati in the morning would have taken more time than I had. I found eggs, onions, and a couple of ripe tomatoes. Unfortunately, I did not have any cabbage on hand, which is traditionally a part of the Rolex filling. I reminded myself that cooking is about working with what you have. It involves being creative with substitutions when necessary. So, I went ahead without the cabbage.

I chopped the onions finely and diced the tomatoes. Then, I whisked the eggs in a bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper. The smell of sautéing onions filled the kitchen and instantly began to warm the atmosphere. The sizzle from the pan was soothing. The aroma of the eggs as they began to set was comforting. The vivid colors of the vegetables blending together were mesmerizing. It was all very therapeutic in a way. Cooking often becomes my little moment of mindfulness, especially on days like today when everything outside feels cold and gray.

Once the omelet was ready, I carefully placed it on the chapati and rolled it into a neat wrap. I took a moment to admire the result before taking that first bite. And let me tell you, it was absolutely delicious. Even without the cabbage, the Rolex had everything I was hoping for. The softness of the chapati paired beautifully with the savory omelet. The sweetness from the tomatoes and the slight sharpness of the onions made each bite burst with flavor. It was warm, filling, and exactly what I needed to kickstart my day.

What I love most about the Ugandan Rolex is how practical and efficient it is. It does not take too long to prepare. You are not left standing in the kitchen for ages waiting for your breakfast to be done. It is also portable. It's perfect for those mornings when you are in a rush. You might also need to eat on the go. There is a reason it became such a popular street food, it is affordable, accessible, and so satisfying.

As I sat by the window enjoying my breakfast with a cup of hot tea, I felt incredibly content. Sometimes, the simplest meals can bring the most comfort. The Rolex might not be extravagant or complicated, but it delivers everything I need from a good breakfast. Warmth, flavor, a bit of nostalgia, and a sense of satisfaction.

I also found myself reflecting. It is fascinating that a dish from a different part of East Africa arrived in my kitchen this morning. It is intriguing to see how cuisines travel. Food really does have a unique way of connecting people and cultures. Even without traveling, I felt like I had taken a small culinary journey across the border. It was a gentle reminder of our interconnectedness. Food serves as a universal language. It tells stories and shares traditions.

This morning’s experience also reminded me of how important it is to be open to inspiration in our daily lives. Sometimes it comes in unexpected forms—a craving, a memory, or a leftover ingredient in the fridge. When we follow that inspiration, we often discover something beautiful. It might be a new favorite meal. It could also be a small moment of joy that adds meaning to our day.

If you ever find yourself with some leftover chapati and a few eggs, try making a Rolex. I highly encourage you to make one for yourself. You do not need a lot of ingredients or time. You might end up with something that brightens your morning, fills your stomach, and lifts your spirits. It did just that for me.

Wishing you all a cozy, delicious, and inspiring day ahead.

 Ingredients

2 Eggs
1/4 Cup Tomatoes
1/4 Cup Onions
1 Bunch Cilantro
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cooked Chapati
2 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil

Instructions

Break the eggs and whisk them well

Add salt. Mix

In the same bowl, add in the chopped onions

Next add the chopped tomatoes

Pour in the finely chopped Cilantro

You can add a spice or dried herb if you like

Whisk the mixture together until the eggs and the vegetables are well incorporated

Heat a pan. Add the vegetable oil. Pour into the pan the eggs mixture

Let the egg cook until it starts to set and become firm. It should take like 5 minutes

Cook until the egg starts to brown. Carefully flip the omelette and let the second side cook as well
Remove from heat and place on a plate

Since the Rolex is usully wrapped into a newsapaper when you buy, I wanted to be as authentic as I could 😅, though I have broken a few rules already
Like you should place the chapati on top of the omelette when the egg is almost done while still on the pan

Start to firmly roll the chapati over the omelette. Ideally the omelette should be slightly longer than the chapati

Continue to roll the Rolex firmly

And you are done! Easy peasy!

This is how Ugandans serve the Rolex, rolled inside a newspaper. Makes it easy to eat as you are on your way

How delicious is that Rolex? You get all the delicious elements on the inside of this breakfast wrap. The aroma is just amazing and every bite oozes yummyness!

print recipe

UGANDAN ROLEX

by Mulunga Alukwe September-12-2017

Ingredients

• 1 Chapati (cooked)
• 2 Eggs
• 1/4 Cup Tomatoes
• 1/4 Cup Onions
• 1 Bunch Cilantro
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 2 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil

Instructions

Add the eggs, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk to combineHeat a non stick pan. Add vegetable oil. Pour in the egg and vegetable mixtureLet the eggs set for a several minutes. When the underside has cooked and is golden brown, flip the omelette and cook on the second sidePlace the cooked chapati on a flat plate. Put the cooked omelette on top of the chapatiRoll the chapati and omelette tightlyServe immediately

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 30 mins Yield: 1 Wrap

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