on the way here; while coming
Used adverbially, typically as 来がけに, to describe an action performed on the way to the current location. Often paired with 行きがけ (on the way there).
See also: 行きがけ
I bought a rice ball at the convenience store on the way here.
I ran into a friend in front of the station on my way here.
Alternate kanji spelling using 掛け; less common than 来がけ.
Compound of 来 (ki, 'coming', the continuative form of 来る) and 掛け (gake, 'in the process of', from 掛ける). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the structure parallels 行きがけ (ikigake).