Make the highly popular Korean Marinated Eggs, known as Mayak Gyeran. This recipe focuses on achieving perfect jammy soft-boiled eggs marinated in a savory, umami-rich soy sauce mixture, ideal for meal prep or topping rice bowls.
Author:ava_sinclair
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:10 min
Total Time:10 hours
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Side Dish
Method:Boiling and Marinating
Cuisine:Korean
Diet:Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
6 large eggs
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 red chili pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
Prepare the soft-boiled eggs: Gently place the eggs in a pot of boiling water. Boil for exactly 6 minutes and 30 seconds for a jammy yolk.
Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let them cool completely, about 10 minutes.
Peel the cooled eggs carefully. Set them aside.
Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl or a sealable container, combine the soy sauce, water, sugar, mirin, and toasted sesame oil. Whisk until the sugar dissolves.
Add the minced garlic, chopped onion, sliced green onions, sliced chili pepper (if using), and sesame seeds to the marinade. Stir well.
Place the peeled eggs into the marinade mixture. Ensure they are fully submerged. If necessary, use a small plate or parchment paper circle to keep them under the liquid.
Cover the container and refrigerate. Marinate for a minimum of 6 hours, but overnight is best for maximum flavor absorption.
When ready to serve, remove the Korean marinated eggs from the liquid and slice in half. Serve as a side dish (banchan) or over rice bowls.
Notes
For the best results with jammy yolk marinated eggs, use slightly older eggs, as they peel easier than very fresh eggs.
If you prefer a less salty marinade, reduce the soy sauce to 3/4 cup and increase the water slightly.
Save the leftover marinade to use as a flavorful dressing for salads or noodles.
These soy sauce eggs keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.