Mayak eggs, also known as “drug eggs,” are a popular Korean side dish that will leave you coming back for more! The name simply comes from how incredibly addictive they are. The kind of dish you’ll find yourself craving again and again.
At their core, mayak eggs are soft-boiled eggs that are marinated in a soy-based sauce, absorbing layers of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors. They’re super simple and inexpensive to make! Plus the result is a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or even as a snack on their own.
The magic of mayak eggs comes from the marinade. Typically, it’s made with soy sauce, a touch of sugar or honey for sweetness, garlic, green onions, and chili peppers for heat. As the eggs sit in this mixture, they soak up the flavors and become deeply seasoned while still maintaining that soft, jammy yolk.
The longer the eggs marinate, the stronger the flavor becomes. Although even a few hours in the fridge is enough to create a delicious bite. That said, I recommend marinading overnight!
One of the best things about mayak eggs is their versatility. You can enjoy them over a hot bowl of rice for a quick and satisfying meal, slice them onto noodles for extra richness, or just grab one straight from the fridge as a high-protein snack.
They’re also great to prepare ahead of time, making them a perfect make-ahead dish for busy weeks. Whether you’re new to Korean cuisine or already love experimenting with banchan (Korean side dishes), mayak eggs are an easy and rewarding recipe to add to your rotation.
Mayak (“Drug”) Eggs Recipe
- Total Time: 18 minutes (plus overnight marinading time)
Description
Mayak eggs are soft-boiled eggs marinated in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy soy-based sauce that’s so addictive they’re nicknamed “drug eggs.”
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon ginger, grated or minced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (or other sweetener)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 red chili, finely chopped (keep the seeds for extra spice)
- Optional: additional green onions for topping
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, water, onion, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, green onion, sesame seeds, and chili. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Place the cooked, peeled eggs (see cooking instructions for the eggs below) into a container and pour the marinade over them. If they aren’t fully submerged, rotate the eggs after about 6 hours to ensure the marinade coats the entire egg.
- Cover and refrigerate, ideally overnight, for the best flavor. Enjoy the eggs halved or whole over warm rice, noodles, or as a savory snack.
Air Fryer Method:
- Place eggs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 300°F (149°C) for 8 minutes.
- Immediately transfer eggs to an ice water bath to stop cooking. Peel once cooled, keeping them in the water while peeling for easier shells removal.
Boiling Method:
- Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer. Carefully lower in the eggs and cook for 6 ½ minutes for soft-boiled (or slightly longer for firmer yolks).
- Immediately transfer eggs to an ice water bath to stop cooking. Peel once cooled, keeping them in the water while peeling for easier shells removal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 eggs
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