Mayak Gyeran, or Korean Soy Sauce Marinated Eggs, are irresistibly savory soft-boiled eggs soaked in a rich, flavorful marinade of soy sauce, garlic, sesame, and chili. These “mayak” (meaning addictive) eggs are a Korean side dish staple — perfect over warm rice, noodles, or enjoyed on their own as a protein-packed snack.
Yields: Approximately 6-8 eggs
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
✨ Why You’ll Love This
✔ Meal-prep superstar (lasts 1 week in fridge)
✔ 3 ways to serve (with rice, noodles, or salad)
✔ Addictive flavor – “mayak” means “drug” in Korean!
Ingredients:
- 6-8 large eggs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced
Equipment:
- Medium saucepan
- Bowl of ice water
- An airtight container or jar
Instructions:
Step 1: Boil the Eggs
- Place the eggs in a single layer in a medium saucepan. Cover them with enough cold water to be about 1 inch above the eggs. Bring the water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the eggs simmer for exactly 6 minutes for a jammy yolk.
Step 2: Cool the Eggs
- Immediately transfer the cooked eggs to the bowl of ice water. Let them cool completely for at least 10 minutes. This stops the cooking process, making them easier to peel.
Step 3: Peel the Eggs
- Gently peel the cooled eggs. They should peel easily under cold running water.
Step 4: Prepare the Marinade
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, brown sugar (or honey), and rice vinegar (or white vinegar) until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the minced garlic, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Step 5: Marinate the Eggs
- Place the peeled eggs in an airtight container or jar. Pour the soy sauce mixture over the eggs. Make sure the eggs are mostly submerged in the marinade. Add the sliced green onions to the container.
Step 6: Refrigerate
- Close the container and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, or preferably overnight, for the best flavor. Gently flip the container occasionally to ensure even marination.
Step 7: Serve
- Remove the eggs from the marinade. You can slice them in half or serve them whole. Enjoy these delicious Korean Soy Sauce Marinated Eggs as a side dish, a snack, or as part of a larger meal. They are perfect with rice!
📊 Nutrition (Per Egg)
- Calories 80
- Protein 6g
- Carbs 5g
- Sodium 600mg
💡 Pro Tips
✅ Peeling hack: Crack eggs all over, peel under running water
✅ Marinade reuse: Up to 2x (add 1 tbsp soy sauce each time)
✅ Spicy version: Add 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
Enjoy your delicious homemade Korean Soy Sauce Marinated Eggs!
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