Description
Korean Steamed Eggs, also known as Gyeran Jjim, is a silky, fluffy, and delicate steamed egg dish popular in Korean cuisine. Made with beaten eggs mixed with water or broth and seasoned simply with soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt, it is steamed until just set, resulting in a smooth and jiggly texture. This comforting side dish is quick to prepare and pairs wonderfully with rice and Korean meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup water or broth (chicken or vegetable)
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt to taste
Garnish
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- Optional: extra sesame oil or sesame seeds for drizzling or sprinkling
Optional Add-ins
- Diced vegetables (carrots, zucchini)
- Seafood (shrimp, crab)
- Kimchi
Instructions
- Beat the eggs: In a mixing bowl, beat the 4 eggs until smooth and fully combined to create a uniform mixture.
- Mix in liquid: Gradually whisk in 1 cup of water or broth to achieve a consistent, slightly diluted egg mixture which helps in creating a light texture.
- Season: Stir in 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and salt to taste to add a subtle umami and nutty flavor.
- Strain the mixture: For the smoothest texture, pass the egg mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps or chalaza strands.
- Prepare steaming setup: Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer and place a steamer rack or a heatproof bowl inside the pot to hold the egg mixture bowl.
- Steam the eggs: Pour the strained egg mixture into a heatproof bowl, cover with a lid or foil, and steam for 15-20 minutes until the eggs are set but still slightly jiggly in the center, indicating perfect doneness.
- Garnish: Remove from heat and garnish with finely chopped green onions. Optionally, drizzle extra sesame oil or sprinkle sesame seeds for added flavor.
- Serve: Serve warm alongside steamed rice and Korean side dishes for a comforting and nutritious meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use chicken broth instead of water.
- Be careful not to overcook; the eggs should remain jiggly to retain their silky texture.
- You can customize the dish by adding diced vegetables, seafood, or kimchi before steaming.
- Using a fine mesh sieve ensures a velvety smooth texture by removing lumps.
- Covering the bowl during steaming prevents water droplets from falling onto the eggs and keeps the surface smooth.
