Sweet and spicy, soy garlic marinated, jammy mayak eggs (마약계란) are a delicious Korean banchan to spice up your rice bowl. These soy marinated eggs are trending because they are dangerously addicting. Perfect for any occasion, these flavorful delights can elevate your meal prep or serve as an enticing snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Addictive Flavor: The unique blend of soy sauce, honey, and spices creates a mouthwatering taste that keeps you coming back for more.
- Quick Prep: With just 5 minutes of prep time, you can easily whip up these marinated eggs and let them work their magic overnight.
- Versatile Usage: Serve them alongside rice, salads, or as part of a charcuterie board for added flair to any dish.
- Meal Prep Friendly: These eggs can last up to a week in the marinade, making them an ideal choice for meal planning.
- Perfectly Jammy Texture: The soft-boiled eggs achieve a beautiful jammy consistency that pairs perfectly with the marinade.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into this delightful recipe, gather your tools. Having the right equipment will ensure your mayak eggs turn out perfect every time.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Spider strainer or slotted spoon
- Mixing bowl
- Airtight container
Importance of Each Tool
- Medium saucepan: Essential for boiling the eggs evenly and controlling water temperature.
- Spider strainer or slotted spoon: Helps gently lower and remove the eggs without cracking them, ensuring a smooth cooking process.
- Mixing bowl: Ideal for combining your marinade ingredients thoroughly before soaking the eggs.
- Airtight container: Keeps the eggs submerged in marinade while they infuse flavor overnight.

Ingredients
For the Eggs
- 6 eggs
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon white vinegar
For the Marinade
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 small yellow onion (diced about 1/4 cup)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 stalks scallions (minced)
- 1 Korean red pepper (sliced)
- 1 serrano (sliced)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
How to Make Mayak Eggs
Step 1: Soft Boil the Eggs
- In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil with salt and vinegar.
- Using a spider strainer or slotted spoon, carefully lower the eggs into the boiling water. Ensure they are fully submerged.
- Simmer room-temperature eggs on medium heat for 6 minutes or 7 minutes if using cold eggs from the refrigerator.
Step 2: Chill the Eggs
- Once cooked, remove the eggs from boiling water and place them in an ice-water bath for about 10 minutes until cooled.
- Gently peel the cooled eggs under running water to avoid breaking them.
Step 3: Make the Marinade
- In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, water, honey, diced onion, minced garlic, minced scallions, sliced Korean red pepper, sliced serrano pepper, and toasted sesame seeds.
- Stir well until all ingredients are mixed thoroughly.
Step 4: Marinate Overnight
- Place peeled eggs in an airtight container.
- Pour the marinade over the eggs until they are fully covered.
- Seal the container and refrigerate for at least 6 hours; overnight is best.
Step 5: Serve
Enjoy your flavorful mayak eggs with freshly cooked rice topped with a spoonful of marinade and a drizzle of sesame oil for extra flavor!
How to Serve Mayak Eggs
Mayak eggs are a versatile dish that can elevate your meals in many delightful ways. Here are some serving suggestions that will enhance the flavors and presentation of these soy marinated eggs.
With Steamed Rice
- Serve mayak eggs over a bowl of warm steamed rice for a comforting meal. The rich flavors of the marinade blend beautifully with the rice.
As a Salad Topping
- Slice the marinated eggs and add them to a fresh salad. Their creamy texture and savory taste provide an excellent contrast to crisp greens.
In a Rice Bowl
- Create a simple rice bowl by layering cooked rice, vegetables, and sliced mayak eggs. Drizzle with extra marinade for added flavor.
With Noodles
- Pair mayak eggs with your favorite noodles. The sauce from the marinade can act as a dressing, making the dish flavorful and satisfying.
As a Snack
- Enjoy mayak eggs on their own as a quick snack. Their sweet and spicy profile makes them an addictive treat.
How to Perfect Mayak Eggs
Achieving perfect mayak eggs requires attention to detail during preparation. Here are some tips to help you get it just right.
Use Fresh Eggs: Fresh eggs yield better texture and flavor. Look for high-quality eggs at your local market.
Monitor Boiling Time: To achieve that perfect jammy yolk, keep an eye on the boiling time—6 minutes for room temperature eggs is ideal.
Cool Immediately: After boiling, transfer eggs to an ice bath quickly. This stops the cooking process and makes peeling easier.
Marinate Longer: For deeper flavor, let the eggs marinate overnight. The longer they sit, the more infused they become with the marinade.
Adjust Spice Level: Customize the heat by adding more or fewer peppers based on your preference for spiciness in your mayak eggs.
Best Side Dishes for Mayak Eggs
Mayak eggs pair well with various side dishes that complement their robust flavors. Here’s a list of fantastic options to consider:
Kimchi: This fermented vegetable dish adds tanginess and crunch that balances well with the richness of mayak eggs.
Steamed Bok Choy: Lightly steamed bok choy provides a fresh, green element that contrasts nicely with the savory flavors.
Spicy Cucumber Salad: A refreshing cucumber salad with chili flakes enhances the overall meal’s spiciness while keeping it light.
Sesame Spinach: Sautéed spinach dressed in sesame oil offers a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with mayak eggs.
Rice Paper Rolls: Fresh spring rolls filled with vegetables and herbs offer a crisp bite alongside the creamy texture of marinated eggs.
Miso Soup: A warm bowl of miso soup complements mayak eggs perfectly, creating a cozy dining experience.
Pickled Radishes: These add acidity and crunch, which help cut through the richness of both rice and egg dishes.
Grilled Vegetables: Charred seasonal veggies provide a smoky flavor that pairs well with soy-marinated ingredients like mayak eggs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
It’s important to avoid common pitfalls when making Mayak Eggs to ensure you achieve the best flavor and texture. Here are some mistakes to keep in mind:
Overcooking the eggs: Cooking the eggs for too long can result in a rubbery texture. Stick to 6-7 minutes for a perfect jammy center.
Skipping the ice bath: Failing to chill the eggs immediately after boiling can make peeling difficult. Always place them in an ice bath for easier peeling.
Not marinating long enough: A short marinade time will result in less flavor absorption. Aim for at least 6 hours, but overnight is ideal for maximum flavor.
Ignoring ingredient quality: Using low-quality soy sauce or honey can affect the dish’s overall taste. Choose high-quality ingredients for better results.
Adding too much salt: Since soy sauce is already salty, be cautious with additional salt in the recipe. Adjust as needed for your taste preferences.

Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store Mayak Eggs in an airtight container.
- They can last up to one week when refrigerated.
- Ensure the marinade fully covers the eggs to maintain freshness.
Freezing Mayak Eggs
- It’s not recommended to freeze Mayak Eggs as it may alter their texture.
- If you do freeze, ensure they are well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn.
- Consume thawed eggs within a few days for best quality.
Reheating Mayak Eggs
Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the eggs on a baking sheet. Warm them for about 10 minutes.
Microwave: Heat eggs on a microwave-safe plate on medium power for about 30 seconds. Check and repeat if necessary but avoid overheating.
Stovetop: Place the eggs in a small pot of warm water over low heat until heated through, usually about 5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Mayak Eggs that may help clarify your cooking process.
What are Mayak Eggs?
Mayak Eggs are Korean marinated soft-boiled eggs known for their sweet and spicy soy sauce marinade, creating a flavorful side dish or snack.
Can I customize the marinade for Mayak Eggs?
Yes! You can adjust ingredients like honey or add different spices and herbs according to your taste preferences while keeping the base of soy sauce intact.
How long do Mayak Eggs last?
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, Mayak Eggs will stay fresh for up to one week.
Are Mayak Eggs suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! They make an excellent meal prep option as they enhance various dishes and can be enjoyed throughout the week.
What should I serve with Mayak Eggs?
Mayak Eggs pair perfectly with rice, salads, or as a topping on noodles. They add a delightful touch to many meals!
Final Thoughts
Mayak Eggs offer a unique blend of sweet and spicy flavors that elevate any meal. Their versatility makes them perfect as a side dish or snack. Feel free to customize the marinade by adding your favorite spices or adjusting sweetness levels. Try this addictive recipe today!

Mayak Eggs
Sweet and spicy Mayak Eggs are a must-try Korean treat! Marinated eggs add flavor and fun—make this addictive recipe today!
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 stalks minced scallions
- 1 sliced Korean red pepper
- 1 sliced serrano pepper
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon white vinegar
Instructions
- Soft boil the eggs by simmering them in salted water with vinegar for 6-7 minutes based on egg temperature.
- Transfer the cooked eggs to an ice bath for 10 minutes before gently peeling.
- In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, water, honey, onion, garlic, scallions, red pepper, serrano pepper, and sesame seeds.
- Place peeled eggs in an airtight container and cover with marinade; refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Serve over rice or as part of your favorite dishes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Boiling/Marinating
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 egg (50g)
- Calories: 84
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 505mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 186mg