Mayak Eggs (Korean Marinated Eggs)

These Mayak eggs call for simple ingredients to make the most flavorful batch of eggs ever! These soft & jammy eggs are soaked in a delicious marinade overnight to create a wonderful burst of flavor in every bite. Make your own batch today with this quick & easy recipe!

What are Mayak Eggs?

“Mayak Gyeran” (마약계란), which is the Korean name of this dish, translates to “drug eggs” to signify the incredibly delicious and addictive taste of these eggs, as its alluring flavor is guaranteed to have you craving for more.  

Soy-marinated eggs have always been my weakness, but this recipe, in particular, is hands down one of my favorite banchan (Korean side dishes) to make as it is suitable for any time of the day. 

The beauty of this dish also lies in its versatility, as it can be used as an excellent garnish to heighten the flavors of any dish that you prefer. They also make for an incredible substitute for ramen eggs which contain similar flavor notes. 

The key to this recipe is the sweet and salty sauce that’s complemented with a touch of garlic, as well as the nutty aromas from the sesame oil and seeds.

This flavorful sauce is completed with finely diced onion, green onion, and hot peppers, which add an extra kick in flavor and texture to the overall marinade. 

Served over a bowl of rice or noodles, these eggs make for an entirely satisfying meal on their own, which makes the dish to be an absolute staple to have in my fridge. 

Essential tips for perfecting your Mayak Eggs

Although the preparation process is simple for these eggs, there are a few key tips to make the perfect batch of Mayak Eggs on your first session. 

How to make perfect jammy eggs every time

• Use room-temperature eggs if possible. About 30 minutes before cooking, take out the eggs from your fridge to prepare them for boiling.
• This will ensure the eggs are thoroughly cooked while maintaining that soft jammy texture while also preventing any cracks which is often caused by a rapid change of temperature. 
• To make foolproof soft-boiled eggs, make sure to add vinegar and salt to your boiling water, while also ensuring the pot is filled with enough water to fully submerge the eggs.
  • Adding vinegar and salt will make it easier for the eggs to peel, especially when the eggs are soft inside, it makes the process much more seamless.
• When the water comes to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and gently place the eggs, one at a time. Boil for exactly 6 minutes for large-sized eggs.
• To achieve the perfect cross-section, stir the eggs around in the pot for about 30 seconds in one direction, to ensure the yolk sets in the middle.
• Prepare a bucket of ice water before the eggs finish cooking, to immediately submerge them to cool when your timer goes off.

How to peel jammy eggs without breaking them

• Ensure the eggs are completely cooled before peeling, for at least 15 minutes. The ice bath will cause the egg to contract and pull away from the shell, which will make the peeling process a lot easier.
• To peel the eggs without any scratches or cracks, work slowly with each egg.
  • The first step is to gently tap and crack the entire surface of the egg, and proceeding to gently peel off a small portion of the eggshell and its thin layer of the membrane.
  • Once a small portion is peeled off, I use a small teaspoon to gently peel off the rest of the eggshell. Perfect soft-boiled eggs require a bit of patience, but definitely worth the effort!
• Marinate the eggs overnight for the extra burst of flavor. Properly stored, these eggs are good for 3-4 days in the fridge, although I personally prefer them the next day.
  • As the eggs marinate over time, they will soak up more flavor.

How do you serve Mayak Eggs?

My favorite way to serve this is on top of freshly cooked rice, in which I add some chopped green onions, sesame seeds, dried seaweed flakes, and a drizzle of sesame oil on top.

It makes for an excellent garnish over a bowl of noodles (soba, ramen, udon, etc) as well, or any dish that you prefer. 

What can I do with the leftover marinade?

Although it is possible to reuse the marinade to make another batch of eggs, the flavors and texture of the second batch may not be as ideal. It will also go bad a lot faster than the first batch. 

Instead, the leftover marinade can be used as an excellent garnish to heighten the flavors of any dish that you prefer. They also make for an incredible substitute for ramen eggs which contain similar flavor notes. 

For detailed visual instructions, please refer to the video tutorial above (you will need to disable AdBlock if you are on your computer!).

I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious recipe, and please leave me a comment below or message me on Instagram if you have any questions!

Other Korean recipes you may like:

• Bibim Guksu (Korean Spicy Cold Noodles)
• Kimchi Fried Rice with Tuna
• Tteokbokki (Korean Spicy Rice Cakes)
• Korean Egg Drop Sandwich
• Kimchi Udon Noodle Stir Fry 
• Korean Shrimp Burger