Dive into Korea’s culinary world with our Korean marinated eggs recipe. Known as ‘Mayak Eggs’, this dish is a savory staple in many Korean households and is commonly enjoyed as a side dish. The term ‘Mayak’ is derived from the Korean word ‘Mayak(마약)’ which translates to ‘drug’ or ‘narcotic’ in English. In this context, it’s used metaphorically to describe the dish’s addictively delicious flavor. If you’ve ever wondered how to make marinated eggs, our tutorial will guide you through every step.
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 1/2 cup jin ganjang (soy sauce)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp mirin (sweet rice wine), white wine can be used as a substitute
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 green onion (using the white part near the root), finely chopped
- 1 spicy green chili pepper(청양고추), seeds slightly removed and finely chopped
- 1 red chili pepper, seeds slightly removed and finely chopped
Instructions
Boil the Eggs:
- In a pot, add enough water to submerge the eggs and 1 tbsp of salt.
- Gently lower the eggs into the cold water using a slotted spoon.
- Bring the water to a boil and cook the eggs for 12 minutes for a soft-boiled consistency. Adjust the cooking time according to your preference.
- Immediately transfer the eggs to cold water and let them cool for 3 minutes.
Peel the Eggs:
After cooling, gently tap them on a hard surface and peel off the shell.
Prepare the Marinade:
- In a pot, combine 1/2 cup of soy sauce, 1 cup of water, 2 tbsp sugar, and 2 tbsp of mirin or white wine. Bring to a boil and once the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Finely chop half an onion, one spicy green chili pepper (청양고추), and one red chili pepper. When chopping the chili peppers, slightly remove the seeds. Also, chop half of a green onion.
- Add them to a container with the peeled eggs.
- Sprinkle 1 tbsp of toasted sesame seeds over the ingredients.
- Pour the cooled soy sauce mixture over the ingredients in the container.
Marinate the Eggs:
- Ensure the eggs and other ingredients are submerged in the marinade. If the eggs float, place a paper towel on top to help keep them submerged.
- Refrigerate and marinate for at least 6 hours, but ideally overnight for a deeper flavor. The longer they marinate, the saltier and more flavorful they will become.
How to Eat Mayak eggs
To serve, place the Ganjang Gyeran-jang on top of a bowl of rice. Drizzle about 1/2 tsp of sesame oil or perilla oil over the top. Also sprinkle some seaweed flakes on top of the rice. Enjoy this delicious combination!
Tips
How long do mayak eggs last?
- The prepared Ganjang Gyeran-jang should be consumed within 5 days, so it’s best to make it as needed.
Using the leftover soy sauce
- You can use the remaining soy sauce as seasoning for dishes like braised potatoes or sautéed mushrooms.
