Korean Marinated Eggs (Mayak Eggs)

Korean marinated eggs, also known as mayak eggs, are soft-boiled eggs soaked in a delicious marinade made with soy sauce and aromatic vegetables. These eggs are soft, jammy, and so flavorful that they’ve even earned the nickname “drug eggs” for their addictive taste! So, today, let’s find out together how addictive they really are.

KOREAN MARINATED EGGS

Ingredients:

• 1/4 yellow onion
• 1 Cheongyang chili pepper (or serrano, jalapeno, etc.) (optional)
• 1 mild red chili (or red bell pepper)
• 2 green onions
• 2 garlic cloves
• 6 cups water
• 6 large eggs
• Hot steamed rice, about 1 cup (210g) for each serving

Marinade:

• 1/2 cup (120ml) soy sauce
• 1/2 cup (120ml) water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

PREPARE VEGETABLES

1. Finely chop the onion and chili peppers. (You can reduce the amount of chili peppers since their spice level can vary.)

2. Thinly slice the green onions. Finely chop the garlic cloves.

MAKE MARINADE

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, water, sugar, vinegar, sesame seeds, sesame oil, and black pepper. Mix well.

2. Add all the prepared vegetables to the marinade. Stir to combine.

BOIL EGGS

1. Fill a pot with 6 cups of water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and gently add 6 large eggs. Stir gently to keep the yolks centered, or give them a little shake before cooking. This helps ensure the yolks are perfectly centered. Cook for 7 minutes for soft-boiled eggs.

2. Transfer the eggs to an ice bath to cool completely. Peel the eggs once they’re cooled. (If you want to make a larger batch, you can prepare up to 10 eggs using this method.)

MARINATE EGGS

1. Add the peeled eggs to the marinade and gently stir to coat them. Make sure the eggs are fully submerged. If not, give them a gentle stir halfway through the marinating time to ensure even flavoring. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight.

2. To serve, scoop the egg(s) from the marinade and place them over hot steamed rice. Drizzle with extra marinade and a touch of sesame oil. Enjoy!

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FAQ

1. What does “mayak eggs” mean?

• Mayak eggs, also known as “mayak gyeran” in Korean, literally translate to “drug eggs.” Despite the name, there are no actual drugs involved! The term “mayak” is a playful reference to the eggs’ irresistible flavor, as they are so delicious and mouthwatering that people humorously compare them to a narcotic. These soft-boiled eggs are marinated in a savory soy sauce mixture, making them a popular Korean side dish known for their rich, umami-packed taste and perfectly jammy yolks.

2. How long do Korean marinated eggs last?

• Korean marinated eggs last up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. While you can leave them in the marinade for the full 5 days, please be aware that the longer they sit, the saltier they may become. However, the marinade has just the right amount of saltiness, so it won’t make the eggs overly salty.

3. How do you eat mayak eggs?

• Mayak eggs are typically served with hot rice and other banchan (Korean side dishes). They can also be a quick and satisfying meal by placing them over a bowl of hot rice with drizzling some of the marinade and adding a bit of sesame oil. Additionally, like Japanese ramen eggs, Mayak eggs can also be used as a garnish for your favorite noodle dishes.

4. Do you reheat mayak eggs?

• There’s no need to reheat the eggs; the heat from the freshly cooked rice will warm them just enough. This simple preparation makes for a great quick meal or midnight snack.

5. Can I reuse the marinade?

• Yes, you can definitely reuse the marinade! You can boil more eggs and make another batch with it. Alternatively, you can use it in stir-fries or any dish that calls for soy sauce. Just be sure to consume it within a week, as it contains vegetables and sesame oil that can spoil. For inspiration, I used the leftover marinade to whip up a quick bulgogi (Korean BBQ beef) and asparagus stir-fry. Check out our YouTube video to see how I did it!

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• Yachaejeon (Korean Vegetable Pancakes)
• Gamjajeon (Korean Potato Pancakes)
• Gyeran Bap (Egg Rice Bowl)