Korean Marinated Mayak Eggs Recipe (+ Video)

Ever sit down to breakfast in front of your usual plate of scrambled eggs and toast and find yourself craving something new and flavorful? Enter: Mayak eggs, also known as Korean Marinated Mayak Eggs or "drug eggs," a bold recipe that transforms your everyday eggs into a wildly addictive dish.

What is a Mayak egg?

Mayak eggs, also known as Korean marinated eggs, are soft-boiled eggs with jammy yolks, marinated in a savory-sweet soy sauce marinade. The sauce is infused with garlic, chili peppers, green onion, sugar and sesame seeds. The result? An umami-rich, slightly spicy dish that's impossible not to eat again and again. The jammy yolks, savory sauce, and heat make this the perfect egg recipe to add to your weekly rotation.

"Mayak" means "drug" in Korean, which translates to "drug eggs," because they are truly so addictive. Trust us, once you taste one, you'll want to add them to everything from breakfast bowls to noodles or even eat them right out of the fridge for a snack.

How to make Mayak eggs at home

Mayak eggs are simple to prepare and just require a few steps. Start by soft boiling a batch of eggs. While the eggs cook and cool, prepare the marinade. Once eggs are cooled in their ice bath, gently peel them, carefully removing the shell, before placing them in the marinade. Transfer to a container with a lid, cover and refrigerate. You can prepare a batch over the weekend and let the eggs marinate in the fridge throughout the week; the flavor will deepen and improve the longer they sit.

Ingredients

• 6 large whole eggs
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• ¾ cup light soy sauce
• ½ cup water
• 1 small chili pepper (or jalapeno), finely diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 green onions, finely sliced
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Preparation

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add vinegar. Carefully add eggs to the boiling water and cook for 7 minutes for soft-boiled eggs.
2. Using tongs, carefully remove eggs from the boiling water and transfer to a bowl of ice water. Let eggs cool in the ice bath for 5 minutes. Once cool, peel the eggs carefully using your hands or with a spoon.
3. In a large mixing bowl or container, mix together soy sauce, water, chili pepper, garlic, green onions, sugar and sesame seeds.



4. Add the peeled eggs into the marinade and toss marinade over eggs using a spoon. Transfer to a container with a lid, cover and place in the fridge.
5. Let eggs marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
6. Enjoy marinated Mayak eggs over a bowl of rice, noodles or ramen.

Cooking Tip: If eggs are at room temperature, reduce cooking time to 6 minutes for perfect soft-boiled eggs. This recipe uses eggs straight from the fridge, so follow the 7-minute boil time for that ideally jammy yolk.

Nutritional Values Per Serving

Serves 6, Serving Size: 1 egg

Calories: 109
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Protein: 9 g
Fat: 5 g
Sodium: 1685 mg
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 5 g
Vitamin A: 323 IU
Vitamin C: 5 mg
Calcium: 52 mg
Iron: 2 mg

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes.

What kind of eggs are best for Korean marinated eggs?

You can use any eggs you have in your fridge, just make sure they are fresh and use large sized ones for the best results. Whether you prefer soft boiled eggs or hard-boiled eggs, this recipe can work however you wish to prepare them. Just don't forget to gently peel them once they are cooled in the ice bath before you add them to the marinade.

How long should you marinate your Mayak eggs?

The longer you marinate your Mayak eggs, the more intense and savory the flavor becomes. For the most addictive taste, let the soft-boiled eggs sit in the marinade in the fridge overnight, ideally for at least 12 hours. This gives the eggs time to absorb the full depth of the Korean soy-based sauce. If you're short on time or can't wait to eat, you can enjoy them after 4 hours, though flavors will continue to develop the longer they soak. You can eat the marinated eggs on their own, add them to rice bowls, noodle dishes or ramen recipes.

Do you refrigerate marinated eggs?

Yes, always refrigerate your marinated Mayak eggs. Once you've peeled eggs and added them to the Korean eggs marinade, make sure to store them in an air-tight container in the fridge. Keeping the marinated eggs cold ensures they stay fresh at a safe temperature to prevent spoilage so that you can add these flavorful eggs to rice, noodles or ramen throughout the week.

Are Korean marinated eggs healthy?

Yes, Korean marinated eggs can be a healthy dish. Their main ingredient, eggs, are a nutrient-dense food, offering high-quality protein along with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like vitamin A, B12, selenium and lutein. These nutrients found in the eggs help support muscle health, immune function and eye health.

However, keep in mind that traditional soy sauce used in the marinade recipe is high in sodium. If you're watching your salt intake, consider using low-sodium soy sauce or soy sauce substitutes such as tamari or coconut amino acids in the marinade recipe instead. Enjoy your marinated eggs in moderation.

Looking for another unique egg-forward breakfast idea? Try this Easy Shakshuka with Feta Cheese recipe!

Do Mayak eggs supply enough eye-supporting nutrients?

Mayak eggs are a source of eye-supporting nutrients. Eggs naturally contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful antioxidants known to help maintain healthy eyes as we age, as well as nutrients like vitamin A and zinc that also support vision health.

Research shows that consuming a moderate amount of eggs, about 2-4 eggs per week, may support macular health. However, with fluctuating egg prices and availability, it can be difficult to consistently reach that intake. That's where a supplement can help fill in nutritional gaps and support eye health.

Life Extension's Ocular Support with Saffron provides a science-backed blend of lutein, zeaxanthin, and saffron to help protect and support long-term eye health. It's a convenient way to get the nutrients your eyes need on a daily basis.

References

• Gopinath B, et al. "Consumption of eggs and the 15-year incidence of age-related macular degeneration." Clin Nutr. February 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30914217/
• "Eggs, Grade A, Large, egg white." U.S. Department of Agriculture. December 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/747997/nutrients