Mayak Gyeran / Drug Eggs

If you have been anywhere near food TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, you have probably come across Mayak Gyeran, mayak eggs, or drug eggs. This dish has become one of the most viral recipes on the internet because it is simple, flavorful, and incredibly addictive. The name might sound intense, but it refers to just how irresistible these eggs are once you try them. Earlier this week, my Korean girlfriend, Hanna, was craving Mayak eggs and asked me to make them for her. Here’s my version of this well-known dish, along with some tips to help you perfect it.

What Are Mayak Eggs?

Mayak Gyeran is a Korean dish featuring soft-boiled eggs marinated in a soy-based sauce filled with garlic, green onion, peppers, and sesame seeds. The eggs soak up all those savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors, turning them into the perfect bite to enjoy over a steaming bowl of rice. Now, the name sounds a little wild, but the reason they are called “drug eggs” is not because there is anything shady. It is simply a nod to how addictive they are, kind of like how certain drugs can be. One bite leads to another, and suddenly you are reaching for your second or third bowl of rice. In Korea, people even call this dish a bap doduk, or rice thief, because of how the rice soaks up all of the sauce and makes you eat way more than you had originally planned.

How to Get the Perfect Jammy Egg

The foundation of Mayak eggs is, of course, the egg itself. To really nail this recipe, you want a perfect jammy yolk, neither too runny nor too firm. Here’s how I do it.

1. Start with fresh eggs. This makes a huge difference, both for flavor and peeling
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil, and make sure there is enough water to fully submerge the eggs
3. Reduce the heat slightly. A gentle simmer helps prevent the eggs from cracking
4. Lower the eggs into the pot carefully. I like to use a spoon to lower them carefully into the boiling water
5. Cover and cook for 6.5 minutes. This timing consistently gives me that jammy yolk with a custardy center
6. Transfer the eggs immediately into an ice bath or very cold water to stop the cooking

Tips for Easy Peeling

Peeling eggs can be frustrating, but these tricks always help me:

• Crack the egg gently all over before peeling.
• Start peeling from the wider end, where the air pocket is. It usually makes it easier.
• Keep the egg submerged in water while peeling to help the shell slide off.

What Kind of Peppers to Use

In my recipe, I use two red Korean chili peppers and one green Korean pepper. They are not very spicy, but they add a subtle flavor and a nice crunch that beautifully balances the soy-based marinade.

If you want to adjust the heat level or just use what you have on hand, there are plenty of options. Jalapeños or serranos will provide more spice, while Thai chilies will really turn up the heat. On the other hand, if you cannot find Korean peppers, bell peppers make a perfectly fine substitute, still providing freshness and texture. At the end of the day, Mayak eggs are meant to be a quick and easy recipe. Feel free to adapt the ingredients to your own taste and what is accessible to you. The peppers should complement the dish, not complicate it.