Addictive Marinated Eggs (Mayak Gyeran)
Easy Recipe for Mayak Gyeran, a Popular Summer Side Dish
You’ve probably seen the incredibly popular ‘Mayak Gyeran’ (addictive marinated eggs) all over social media! The name itself makes you wonder just how delicious they can be for such a seemingly simple dish. As someone who can’t resist a culinary mystery, I had to try it myself! With some fresh Popuri eggs in the fridge, I immediately got to work. I made them a little while ago, but with a backlog of recipes, I’m finally sharing this one now! These are perfect for a simple summer side dish when your appetite is low, or even as a delicious snack.
For Boiling the Eggs
- 10 eggs
- 1 tsp coarse sea salt (for boiling water)
- 1 Tbsp vinegar (for boiling water)
For the Marinade Aromatics
- 1/4 large green onion (finely chopped)
- 1 chili pepper (finely chopped)
- 1 red chili pepper (finely chopped)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
For the Marinating Sauce
- Soy sauce: 1 part (e.g., 100ml)
- Water: 1 part (e.g., 100ml)
- Oligosaccharide: 2/3 part (e.g., 60ml)
- Sugar: 1/3 part (e.g., 30ml)
- Cooking wine (mirin, etc.): 1 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide: 1/2 Tbsp (for finishing)
- 1/4 large green onion (finely chopped)
- 1 chili pepper (finely chopped)
- 1 red chili pepper (finely chopped)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
For the Marinating Sauce
- Soy sauce: 1 part (e.g., 100ml)
- Water: 1 part (e.g., 100ml)
- Oligosaccharide: 2/3 part (e.g., 60ml)
- Sugar: 1/3 part (e.g., 30ml)
- Cooking wine (mirin, etc.): 1 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide: 1/2 Tbsp (for finishing)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To prevent the eggshells from cracking while boiling, it’s best to let the eggs come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. Place the eggs in a pot, cover them with water, and add 1 teaspoon of coarse sea salt and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Once the water starts boiling, gently add the eggs and boil for 8-10 minutes over medium heat for perfectly soft-boiled eggs with a runny yolk. (Adjust the boiling time according to your preference.)
Step 2
While the eggs are boiling, let’s prepare the delicious marinating sauce. In a bowl, combine soy sauce and water in a 1:1 ratio (e.g., 100ml soy sauce and 100ml water). Add 2/3 part oligosaccharide (e.g., 60ml), 1/3 part sugar (e.g., 30ml), and 1 tablespoon of cooking wine. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
Step 3
Once boiled, immediately rinse the eggs under cold water to cool them down. Peeling the shells revealed beautifully cooked soft-boiled eggs, just as I hoped! The yolks are wonderfully runny.
Step 4
After peeling all the boiled eggs, prepare the vegetables for the marinade. Finely chop the green onion (or scallions). Remove the seeds from the chili peppers and red chili peppers, then mince them finely. (If you prefer less spice or don’t have chili peppers, you can omit them or use regular bell peppers.) For an enhanced flavor, I highly recommend finely dicing some onion and adding it to the mix.
Step 5
Now it’s time to combine everything. Place the peeled boiled eggs in a container. Add the chopped green onion, chili peppers, and red chili peppers. (Confession: I couldn’t resist eating one of the eggs right after peeling! Adding two pre-smoked eggs can also offer a delightful variation.)
Step 6
Pour enough of the prepared marinating sauce to cover the eggs. Add the chopped vegetables, 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. Here’s a pro tip: to ensure the marinade evenly coats the eggs, place a small plate or lid on top to keep the eggs submerged in the sauce. This allows the flavors to penetrate more deeply.
Step 7
Voila! Your delicious Mayak Gyeran is ready. They look incredibly appetizing! For an even richer flavor, refrigerate for at least a day to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 8
Don’t discard the leftover marinating sauce after you’ve enjoyed all the eggs! This seasoned soy sauce is a treasure trove of flavor that’s too good to waste.
Step 9
The leftover sauce is perfect for mixing with rice, creating a wonderfully savory and delicious dish. Add a drop or two of sesame oil when mixing the rice for an extra nutty aroma. It’s also delicious served with halved soft-boiled and smoked eggs over rice, drizzled with the remaining sauce!
