SNS Viral Hit! Effortless Marinated Eggs (No Cooking Required)
Learn how to make the incredibly popular ‘Mayak Gyeran’ (addictive eggs) seen all over social media. This recipe is quick and easy as it doesn’t require boiling the sauce, making it a perfect weeknight dish.
I saw the trending ‘Mayak Gyeran’ on Instagram and it immediately caught my eye! It’s exactly the kind of dish I love – a ‘Gyeran Jang’ (marinated eggs) that’s so simple because you don’t need to boil the sauce. I made it right away and the result was incredibly satisfying! It’s not difficult at all, so give it a try.
For Boiling the Eggs- 10 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
For the Marinating Sauce- 1 cup soy sauce (200ml)
- 1 cup water (200ml)
- 1/3 cup sugar (approx. 70g)
- 10 stalks green onions (scallions)
- 2 Korean chili peppers (Cheongyang peppers)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 cup soy sauce (200ml)
- 1 cup water (200ml)
- 1/3 cup sugar (approx. 70g)
- 10 stalks green onions (scallions)
- 2 Korean chili peppers (Cheongyang peppers)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let me explain the ratio for the base of the Mayak Gyeran sauce. The original recipe uses a 1:1:1 ratio of soy sauce, water, and sugar. However, I prefer less sweetness, so I significantly reduced the sugar. Also, instead of regular scallions, I used the thinner green parts (the shallots or young green onions) for a more delicate flavor, and added Korean chili peppers for a spicy kick. I intentionally boiled extra eggs, anticipating that some might not peel perfectly! (laughs)
Step 2
Before boiling the eggs, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps prevent the eggs from cracking during the boiling process due to temperature shock. This simple step can make a big difference in getting perfectly boiled eggs.
Step 3
Add the salt
Step 4
and vinegar to the boiling water. This is crucial for making the eggshells peel off easily later, ensuring your marinated eggs look beautiful.
Step 5
The key to delicious Mayak Gyeran is the ‘soft-boiled’ egg! For a runny yolk, boil for 7 minutes. If you prefer a slightly more set but still jammy yolk, aim for 10 minutes. For the first 30 seconds of boiling, gently roll the eggs with a spatula. This helps to center the yolk, creating a visually appealing marinated egg.
Step 6
While the eggs are boiling, finely chop the
Step 7
green onions and Korean chili peppers. You can adjust the amount of chili peppers to your spice preference.
Step 8
Now, let’s make the marinating sauce. In a pot or bowl, combine
Step 9
1 cup of soy sauce
Step 10
1 cup of water, and 1/3 cup of sugar.
Step 11
Stir well with a spatula or spoon until the sugar is completely dissolved. It’s wonderful that you don’t need to boil this sauce!
Step 12
Once the sugar is dissolved, add the chopped
Step 13
green onions and Korean chili peppers, along with 1 tablespoon of minced garlic.
Step 14
Finally, sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds for added nutty flavor. Your Mayak Gyeran sauce is complete! Not having to boil it makes this recipe so convenient.
Step 15
Here’s a secret to easily and beautifully peeling soft-boiled eggs, which are trickier than hard-boiled ones. Many people get frustrated trying to peel them! I’ll share a simple method that guarantees a pretty result.
Step 16
After boiling, immediately plunge the eggs into cold water to cool them down completely. Once cooled, gently place the egg on a cutting board or sink and apply even pressure, rolling it to crack the shell all over. Rinse the cracked egg under cold running water.
Step 17
Letting the cracked egg sit in the cold water for about 10 minutes makes peeling incredibly easy and preserves its shape. Patience is key to a beautiful peel!
Step 18
Sometimes, even with this method, one egg might not peel perfectly. Those ‘imperfect’ ones are the first to go straight into my mouth! (Giggles)
Step 19
Place the peeled soft-boiled eggs into the prepared marinating sauce. Cover the container and refrigerate.
Step 20
After about half a day, gently turn the eggs over in the sauce. This ensures that the marinade colors and flavors the eggs evenly on all sides.
Step 21
You’re almost done with the SNS-famous Mayak Gyeran! This picture shows the eggs after half a day of marinating. They are usually ready to eat after about one full day of marination for deeper flavor.
Step 22
To enjoy your Mayak Gyeran, place it over a bowl of hot rice along with some of the sauce. Drizzle with sesame oil or perilla oil for an extra burst of flavor and mix it all up – it’s incredibly delicious! People nowadays would call it ‘JMT’ (Jjonmat – slang for super tasty). I personally like it spicier, but this recipe wasn’t too spicy, so my kids could eat it too. Next time, I plan to add 5-8 more Korean chili peppers. Feel free to adjust the spice level to your liking!
