Korean Marinated Eggs (Mayak Eggs)- VIDEO

What are Korean Marinated Eggs (Mayak Eggs)?

These Korean Marinated Eggs were super viral several years ago and for good reason! They’re soft boiled eggs that are marinated in a simple but delicious marinade. They were nicknamed “mayak eggs” because “mayak” means drug in Korean – and there are SO addictively good that that they’re jokingly referred to as “drug eggs”!

The combination of the runny, jammy yolk with the savory, garlicky, and sweet marinade is out of this world good!

If you love marinated eggs, make sure to try my Ramen Eggs – this is a Japanese version of marinated soft-boiled eggs and are traditionally used to top ramen. If you prefer a cooked egg, you’ll love Korean Egg Roll (Gyeran Mari) – this is a popular Korean dish that is a rolled omelette. Feeling like soup? There’s nothing better than a comforting bowl of Egg Drop Soup – if you want one that is heartier, make Chicken Corn Egg Drop Soup soup instead!

Ingredient Tips for Korean Marinate Eggs (Mayak Eggs)

Luckily, you won’t need many ingredients to create this incredible dish! These are probably items you already have in your pantry. Here is what you’ll need:

• Light Soy Sauce (low sodium) – You want to use light soy sauce or all-purpose soy sauce; do NOT use dark soy sauce, as it is too sweet and thick for this recipe.
  • I used “low sodium” as the longer the eggs sit in the marinade, the saltier you may find them to be.
• Rice Syrup – I use rice syrup to add a bit of sweetness to balance the salt and spicy.
  • If you don’t have rice syrup, you can use corn syrup, mirin, or 1-2 tbsp of white/brown sugar. Add more sugar, if needed.
• Scallions
• Garlic
• Fresno Chili – I like to use Fresno chilis because of their spice level and the color it adds to the dish; I find them at my local Asian grocery stores (99 Ranch or H Mart). If you can’t find Fresno chilis, you can use another chili pepper (red, if you want the same “look” as pictured).
  • If you are sensitive to spice, you can leave this out.
• Sesame Seeds – This is for added texture; if you don’t have it, you can skip it.
• Eggs – You want your eggs to be peeled as smoothly as possible; otherwise, the raggedy texture will be highlighted after marinating in the Mayak Eggs marinade.
  • I recommend using older eggs, as they will be easier to peel. When the eggs are fresh, they are less acidic, and the albumen (egg white) sticks to the shell. As the egg ages, it releases some carbon dioxide and the egg becomes more porous and absorbs more air, causing it to be easier to peel.
  • I add distilled white vinegar to the water before boiling my eggs. Vinegar helps break down the egg shell, allowing the peeling to be a much easier process.

Recipe Instructions for Korean Marinated Eggs (Mayak Eggs)

1. Boil Your Eggs

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add vinegar.

Gently place your room temperature eggs into the boiling water and boil for exactly 7 minutes.

2. Shock the Eggs in an Ice Bath and Peel

Remove and place them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Let them sit in the ice water bath until they are cool to the touch.

Gently peel the eggs with your hands or a spoon. You want your eggs to be peeled as smoothly as possible; otherwise, the raggedy texture will be highlighted after marinating.

Storage

Korean Marinated Eggs (Mayak Eggs) can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I would recommend removing the eggs from the marinade and storing separately after 24-48 hours. Longer than that and you may find that your Korean Marinated Eggs are too salty. (These never last too long in my house so I’ve never had this issue!)

How to Eat Korean Marinated Eggs (Mayak Eggs)

My favorite way to eat Korean Marinated Eggs (Mayak Eggs) is over a warm bowl of white rice! I like to place the egg right on top of my rice and then spoon some of the delicious marinade over it.

You can also eat this as a protein alongside other Korean side dishes (banchan). I love the variety and plethora of side dishes in Korean cuisine – everyone has their favorite, and every family has their own recipes.

• Some of the best sides are vegetables – I love eating Korean Spinach Side Dish (if I’m feeling something spicy, I’ll make Spicy Korean Spinach Side Dish ) and Korean Bean Sprout Salad. A crowd favorite is always Korean Braised Potatoes! You can’t forget about the refreshing and light Korean Cucumber Salad.
• Other protein sources are the sweet and savory Korean Stir Fried Fish Cakes and Korean Egg Roll!