MAYAK EGGS

Eggs so addicting you can’t eat just one (I literally ate 4 in one sitting)

Yes, the literal translation for mayak gyeran is “drug eggs” because of their addictiveness! These make such a great addition to the weekly meal prep line up because how easy they are to make and last in the fridge for about 5 days (IF they even last that long).

Mayak eggs are very similar to ramen eggs – they’re soft-boiled with a jammy, ooey-gooey yolk, and marinated in a soy based marinade. What makes these eggs a little different are the extra little bits of scallions, garlic, peppers, sesame seeds, to add an extra layer of flavor and texture to the already delicious marinade. Plus they’re normally eaten chilled on a bed of hot rice instead of in a broth based ramen soup.

Also, I PROMISE you I have a fool proof method of boiling eggs and getting the shell off in one piece. I, too, like most of you, have struggled with the simple boiled egg for a long time, but I assure you, I now get the perfect easy peeled boiled egg every single time.

Some tips from the kitchen:

  • Adding salt and vinegar to your boiling water will help the shell peel easier from the egg. The salt permeates the shell while the acidity in the vinegar helps break down the shell. Adding baking soda will also do the trick.

  • I add my eggs into the boiling water straight from the fridge. I feel like the initial shock from cold to hot prevents the membrane from sticking too much (I could be wrong, just an educated guess lol). MAYAK GYERAN (SOY MARINATED EGGS)

  • Dunking the boiled eggs straight into an ice bath also helps them peel easier, kind of like the thought process I said in the last bullet point, but in reverse. The ice bath also prevents the eggs from carry-over cooking.

  • I used Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) in my recipe, but if you want more of a crunch and a kick, use red chili peppers instead!

  • If you can’t find corn syrup or need a substitute, rice syrup, sugar, and/or honey will work. This is the one I used.

  • These eggs will last in the fridge for about 5 days.

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs

  • Salt as needed

  • Splash of vinegar

Marinade:

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce

  • 1/3 cup corn syrup (or rice syrup, honey, or sugar – sweetness levels will vary so make sure you add a little at a time and taste as you go)

  • 1/2 tbsp. sesame oil

  • 2 scallions chopped

  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced

  • 1 Korean green pepper, minced

  • 1 Red pepper, minced OR 2 tsp. Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)

  • 1 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds

Mayak Eggs (Korean Drug Eggs)

Yes, the literal translation for mayak gyeran is “drug eggs” because of their addictiveness! These make such a great addition to the weekly meal prep line up because how easy they are to make and last in the fridge for about 5 days.
Prep Time15 minutes
Resting Time8 hours
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Korean
Keyword: banchan, eggs, jammy eggs, marinated eggs, side dish, soy marinade
Servings: 6 eggs

Ingredients

  • 6 Eggs
  • Salt as needed
  • Splash of vinegar

Marinade

  • 1/4 cup Water
  • 1/2 cup Soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup Corn syrup or rice syrup honey, or sugar (sweetness levels will vary so make sure you add a little at a time and taste as you go)
  • 1/2 tbsp. Sesame oil
  • 2 Scallions chopped
  • 3 Garlic cloves minced
  • 1 Korean green pepper minced
  • 1 Red pepper minced or 2 tsp. Gochugaru Korean chili flakes
  • 1 tbsp. Toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Bring a pot of water up to a boil, add in a pinch of salt and a splash of vinegar. Drop in eggs straight from the fridge and cook for 6 minutes.
  • Transfer eggs into an ice bath and chill completely.
  • Combine all marinade ingredients into a large bowl (be sure you choose a large bowl that will also fit the eggs!)
  • Peel the eggs and gently place them into the marinade. Chill them in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours or overnight for the best results. (Will keep for around 5 days in the fridge)

Author

  • THERESA

    I am a food content creator and recipe developer based in the Washington D.C. area. After working in the restaurant industry for almost 10 years, I got laid off due to COVID (oh, the unprecedented times). I moved half way across the world and back into my hometown. I rediscovered a newfound appreciation for Korean cuisine and dishes I ate growing up. Here you’ll find easy & approachable Asian (mostly Korean) recipes for the everyday home cook 🙂 Have a seat, stay a while, drink some water (stay hydrated), and let’s cook something delicious together!

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