How to Order a Fried Egg in French: A Guide to Egg Doneness
Introduction
One morning, as the sun streamed through our kitchen window, my husband stood by the stove, cracking eggs into a sizzling pan. He turned to me with a casual question:
"How do you want your fried egg?"
I paused for a moment, realizing I had never really thought about the different levels of doneness before. I knew how I liked my eggs—crispy edges with a slightly runny yolk—but how would I describe that if I were ordering in French? This simple breakfast moment sparked my curiosity. So, I decided to do some research—not only to satisfy my foodie side but also to improve my French skills!
If you’re like me and love ordering food with confidence while traveling or living in France, here’s a handy guide on how to order fried eggs based on their doneness.
🔴 NOTE: The word "œuf" is French and means "egg" in English.
To pronounce "œuf," say it like this: uhf (rhyming with the English word "rough"). The "œ" sound is a bit tricky for English speakers, but it's similar to the "eu" sound in the word "feu" (fire) in French. The final "f" is pronounced clearly.
1. Sunny-Side Up (Not Flipped, Runny Yolk)
If you like your egg cooked on one side with a bright, runny yolk, order:
🔹 Un œuf au plat, pas retourné (a fried egg, not flipped)
🔹 Un œuf au plat avec le jaune coulant (a fried egg with a runny yolk)
This is the most common way fried eggs are served in France unless you request otherwise.
2. Over Easy (Flipped, Still Runny Yolk)
For a lightly flipped egg but with a yolk that remains runny, you can say:
🔹 Un œuf au plat retourné, mais avec le jaune coulant
This means the egg is gently turned over but remains soft inside.
3. Over Medium (Flipped, Slightly Set Yolk)
If you prefer a bit more firmness but still some creaminess, say:
🔹 Un œuf au plat retourné, jaune légèrement pris
This will give you an egg that is firmer than over easy but not completely cooked through.
4. Over Hard (Flipped, Fully Cooked Yolk)
For those who like their yolk completely firm, this is the best choice:
🔹 Un œuf au plat bien cuit (a well-cooked fried egg)
🔹 Un œuf au plat retourné avec le jaune bien cuit (flipped with a fully cooked yolk)
5. Crispy Edges (For Extra Crunch!)
If you love crispy edges on your egg, you can request:
🔹 Un œuf au plat avec les bords croustillants
This ensures the chef cooks your egg with slightly browned, crispy edges for added texture.
Cultural Context: How Eggs Are Served in France
In France, fried eggs (œufs au plat) are commonly served sunny-side up by default, often accompanied by bread, salad, or even placed on top of a dish like steak-frites or croque-madame (a ham and cheese sandwich with an egg on top). Unlike in some countries where eggs are a breakfast staple, in France, they’re often enjoyed as part of lunch or dinner dishes rather than a morning meal.
Fun Fact About French Cuisine
Eggs are a fundamental part of French cuisine, not just in breakfast but in many classic dishes. Here are a few interesting ones:
🥚 Œufs meurette – Poached eggs served in a rich red wine sauce (a specialty from Burgundy)
🥚 Œufs cocotte – Baked eggs with cream, cheese, and sometimes ham or mushrooms
🥚 Quiche Lorraine – A famous French tart made with eggs, cream, and bacon
So, the next time you’re in France, you might want to explore beyond just fried eggs!
🗣 Pronunciation Tips for Ordering Like a Local
Ordering in French can feel intimidating, but a little practice goes a long way! Here’s how to pronounce some key phrases:
- œuf au plat → (uh-f oh plah)
- jaune coulant → (zhon koo-lahn)
- bien cuit → (byan kwee)
- bords croustillants → (bor krous-tee-yan)
Saying these with confidence will impress the waiter and make your dining experience even better!
🍳 Bonus: Other Ways to Order Eggs in French
If you ever want eggs cooked differently, here are more phrases to know:
- Boiled eggs → œuf à la coque (soft-boiled), œuf dur (hard-boiled)
- Scrambled eggs → œufs brouillés
- Omelette → omelette nature (plain), omelette au fromage (cheese omelette)
These will come in handy whether you’re in a café in Paris or a countryside bistro!
Final Thoughts
Learning these phrases not only helps when ordering breakfast in a French café but also deepens your understanding of how small details in food preferences can be expressed in another language. The next time I find myself in a Parisian bistro or a charming countryside restaurant, I’ll be ready to confidently order my perfect fried egg—just the way I like it.
And you? How do you like your eggs? 🍳😋
