Korean Inspired Tuna Melt
This Korean-inspired tuna melt is spicy, creamy, and loaded with flavor thanks to hot pepper tuna, kimchi, and kewpie mayo, all pressed between crispy sourdough brushed with garlicky butter. It’s bold, savory, and way more exciting than a classic tuna melt.
Servings sandwiches
Ingredients
TUNA FILLING
- 3 cans double hot pepper Dong Won tuna
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/4 cup kewpie mayo
- 1/4 cup kimchi, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
GARLIC BUTTER
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
- Sprinkle of black pepper
- Sprinkle of salt
FOR ASSEMBLY
- 6 slices sourdough bread
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a bowl, add the tuna (drain if there’s too much liquid), sesame oil, kewpie mayo, kimchi, and green onions. Mix until evenly combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, parmesan, black pepper, and salt.
- Lay out the sourdough slices and brush one side of each slice generously with the garlic butter.
- Flip the bread over so the buttered side is facing down. Sprinkle cheddar cheese onto the bread first, then spoon the tuna mixture on top, followed by another layer of cheddar cheese. Finish with the remaining bread slices, buttered side facing up.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook the sandwiches for 3–4 minutes per side, covering loosely with a lid for part of the cooking time to help the cheese melt, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
- Remove from the pan, let rest for about 1 minute, then slice and serve hot.
Notes
Q: Where can I buy Dongwon tuna?
A: You can find it at H Mart. It’s usually sold individually or in packs of four, which is great if you want to stock up. Q: Is the double hot pepper tuna very spicy?
A: No — it’s honestly not spicy at all. If you want more heat, add chili flakes or a squeeze of sriracha. If you’re still worried, try the mild version. Q: What’s the best bread for this?
A: Sourdough is ideal because it gets crispy and holds the filling well, but any sturdy sandwich bread works. Q: Can I cook this in an air fryer or panini press?
A: Yes. A panini press works great, or air fry at 375°F for 5–7 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and melted. Q: Why cover the pan while cooking?
A: Covering the pan helps the cheese melt evenly without over-browning the bread.
A: You can find it at H Mart. It’s usually sold individually or in packs of four, which is great if you want to stock up. Q: Is the double hot pepper tuna very spicy?
A: No — it’s honestly not spicy at all. If you want more heat, add chili flakes or a squeeze of sriracha. If you’re still worried, try the mild version. Q: What’s the best bread for this?
A: Sourdough is ideal because it gets crispy and holds the filling well, but any sturdy sandwich bread works. Q: Can I cook this in an air fryer or panini press?
A: Yes. A panini press works great, or air fry at 375°F for 5–7 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and melted. Q: Why cover the pan while cooking?
A: Covering the pan helps the cheese melt evenly without over-browning the bread.
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you make this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turns out. I love hearing from you!