Ajitsuke Tamago (味付け卵), often called ramen eggs, is a quintessential topping in Japanese ramen that elevates the dish with its rich flavor and perfect texture. These marinated soft-boiled eggs are known for their creamy, slightly runny yolk (although you can definitely cook it to your preferred texture!) and savory-sweet taste.
The word “ajitsuke tamago” directly translates to “seasoned egg,” which reflects their preparation – surrounded by a flavorful marinade typically made of soy sauce, mirin, and water, sometimes enhanced with sake, sugar, or other aromatics.
The process of making ajitsuke tamago begins with boiling (or air-frying, which will be shown in the instructions) the eggs for just the right amount of time – usually 6 to 7 minutes – to achieve that signature jammy yolk. Once cooked, they’re carefully peeled and soaked in the marinade. The longer they sit, the deeper the flavor penetrates, but they’re best consumed within a couple of days to maintain their delicate texture.
Ingredients:
Making Ajitsuke Tamago is quite simple, it just takes time and patience so it tastes best marinaded overnight. Here are the ingredients:
- Eggs: Soft-boiling the eggs ensures the yolk remains slightly runny while the whites take on the savory flavors of the marinade. Using 4 eggs maximizes the amount of egg that can absorb the marinade, but you can adjust the number based on your needs.
- Soy Sauce: The backbone of the marinade, contributing a salty, umami flavor that deeply infuses the eggs.
- Water: Water helps to dilute the soy sauce slightly, balancing the overall saltiness of the marinade.
- Mirin: Adds a subtle sweetness to the marinade, which balances out the salty soy sauce.
- Sugar: Sugar enhances the sweetness of the mirin and helps to round out the flavor of the marinade.
Ajitsuke Tamago (Japanese Soft-Boiled Flavored Egg)
- Total Time: 11 minutes
Description
Ajitsuke Tamago, or ramen eggs, are soft-boiled eggs marinated in a savory-sweet blend of soy sauce, mirin, and water, known for their creamy, jammy yolks and rich umami flavor.
Ingredients
Instructions
Air Frying the Eggs:
- To your air fryer, add your eggs and make sure they all are touching the bottom of the air fryer and aren’t stacked.
- Heat your air fryer to 300 F (149 C) and air fry the egg(s) for 8 minutes.
- When it’s done air-frying, immediately submerge your egg(s) into a bowl filled with water and ice cubes before peeling. Tip: for easier peeling, submerge your eggs into the cold water while peeling. Set the eggs aside.
- To a quart-sized plastic bag or deep container (must be able to fit the eggs completely), mix the soy sauce, mirin, water, and sugar.
- Place the peeled eggs into the bag or container, ensuring they are fully submerged. Seal the bag or cover the container and refrigerate for 4 hours to overnight. The longer they sit in the marinade, the more the flavors will penetrate the eggs. I recommend eating the eggs within 2 days.
- Remove the eggs from the marinade and slice them in half just before serving to reveal the yolk. Use as a topping for ramen, rice bowls, or enjoy them as a snack.
Boiling the Eggs:
- Bring a pot with water filled enough to submerge the egg(s) to a simmer.
- Carefully drop in your eggs to the water and allow to simmer for 6-6 1/2 minutes. You can go for 30 seconds to a minute longer depending on how cooked you want the egg yolks to be.
- When it’s done air-frying, immediately submerge your egg(s) into a bowl filled with water and ice cubes before peeling. Tip: for easier peeling, submerge your eggs into the cold water while peeling. Set the eggs aside.
- To a quart-sized plastic bag or deep container (must be able to fit the eggs completely), mix the soy sauce, mirin, water, and sugar.
- Place the peeled eggs into the bag or container, ensuring they are fully submerged. Seal the bag or cover the container and refrigerate for 4 hours to overnight. The longer they sit in the marinade, the more the flavors will penetrate the eggs. I recommend eating the eggs within 2 days.
- Remove the eggs from the marinade and slice them in half just before serving to reveal the yolk. Use as a topping for ramen, rice bowls, or enjoy them as a snack.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
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Thank you for reading!
I never knew you could make this in the air fryer!
Crazy right?! Best hack!