If you’re craving a bold and cozy breakfast (or quick lunch!) that delivers an irresistible combination of heat and umami, Spicy Gochujang Eggs are about to become your next obsession. Perfectly jammy eggs are bathed in a luscious, garlicky gochujang sauce—simple comfort food with a Korean twist that lights up your tastebuds and comes together in just minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Full-on Flavor: The rich, spicy-sweet gochujang sauce wakes up simple eggs and transforms every bite into something next-level.
- Quick and Easy: From stovetop to table in under 20 minutes—this is fast comfort food anyone can master.
- Flexible Meal: Serve these Spicy Gochujang Eggs over steaming rice, tuck into a wrap, or enjoy as a high-protein snack any time of day.
- Crowd-Pleaser Potential: The bold colors and aromas will impress everyone, whether it’s a solo treat or shared brunch moment.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All you need are a handful of simple pantry staples—each one playing a crucial role in creating the signature flavor explosion of Spicy Gochujang Eggs. Don’t skip any, because each ingredient brings something special, from silky texture to vibrant heat and that irresistible savory-sweet depth.
- 8 large eggs: The heart of the dish, cooked to jammy perfection for a creamy, luscious center.
- 2 tablespoons gochujang: This Korean chili paste is the key to spicy, umami goodness—look for it at Asian markets or well-stocked grocery stores.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce: Adds signature saltiness and depth of flavor while balancing the heat.
- ½ tablespoon sugar: Ever-so-slightly offsets the spice with a subtle sweetness in the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar: Brightens the dish and lifts all the other flavors.
- ⅔ cup chicken stock (or water): Makes the sauce silky and helps it coat the eggs. Chicken stock gives extra richness.
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil: For sautéing garlic and building the flavorful sauce base.
- 1 clove garlic, minced: A punch of aromatic warmth that mingles beautifully with the gochujang.
- 1 scallion, sliced (for garnish): Fresh crunch and color to finish each serving.
- Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish): A nutty, fragrant topping that makes everything pop.
Variations
Spicy Gochujang Eggs shine on their own, but the beauty of this recipe is how adaptable it is. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—whether you need to make it milder, vegan, or just want to play with flavors based on what’s in your kitchen!
- Make It Vegan: Swap the eggs for cubes of firm tofu, pan-seared until golden, and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
- Extra Veggies: Add sautéed spinach, shredded carrots, or snap peas when you cook the sauce for extra color and crunch.
- Boost the Heat: Stir in sliced fresh chiles or a drizzle of chili oil for a spicier, more dramatic kick.
- Sweeten It Up: Use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar for a more nuanced sweetness.
How to Make Spicy Gochujang Eggs
Step 1: Boil and Chill the Eggs
Fill a small pot with plenty of water, just enough to cover your eggs generously. Once it reaches a bubbling boil, gently lower the eggs in and cover the pot. After it boils again, reduce the heat to low and keep the eggs simmering for 7 minutes (use 6 for runnier yolks, 9 for hard). When the timer dings, quickly move those beauties to an icy bath—this stops the cooking and makes peeling a breeze. Once cooled, peel and set them aside.
Step 2: Mix the Gochujang Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and chicken stock (or water) until the mixture is smooth and glossy. This is your flavor-packed sauce base and it comes together in seconds, so have it ready before you heat the pan!
Step 3: Sauté the Garlic and Build the Sauce
Heat the neutral oil in a skillet over medium-high. When shimmering, toss in the minced garlic and stir for about 15 seconds—just until fragrant. Then, pour in your sauce mixture. It’ll start to bubble, fill the kitchen with spicy warmth, and thicken slightly after a minute or so.
Step 4: Simmer the Eggs in Sauce
Place your peeled eggs into the simmering sauce. Use a spoon to gently roll the eggs around so every side gets glossy and flavorful. Let them bask in that spicy bath for about 3 minutes, occasionally turning, so the sauce infuses right through.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Serve the Spicy Gochujang Eggs piping hot over a fluffy bed of warm rice. Scatter with fresh sliced scallions and a generous pinch of toasted sesame seeds to finish—dig in and savor every bite!
Pro Tips for Making Spicy Gochujang Eggs
- Perfect Jammy Centers: Start the eggs in gently boiling water (not rolling!), and don’t skip the ice bath—this creates that magical, just-set yolk.
- Sauce Consistency Control: Simmer the sauce just until slightly thickened; it’ll continue to reduce as you cook the eggs, so don’t overdo it early on.
- Rolling for Even Flavor: Gently rotate the eggs in the sauce every 20–30 seconds so the surface soaks up max flavor and color.
- Finish with Toasted Toppings: Toast your sesame seeds lightly in a dry pan for a richer, deeper aroma before sprinkling on top.
How to Serve Spicy Gochujang Eggs
Garnishes
Classic scallion slices and toasted sesame seeds add both crunch and a burst of color to Spicy Gochujang Eggs. For an extra layer of freshness, try a sprinkle of thin-sliced chili or microgreens—anything with a little snap will be stunning and tasty.
Side Dishes
The sauce begs for something starchy! Pile the eggs over hot steamed white rice or nutty brown rice. If you want a heartier meal, add simple sautéed greens, a cool cucumber salad, or even roasted sweet potatoes on the side. Kimchi makes a lively addition, too!
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Spicy Gochujang Eggs halved atop individual rice bowls for an eye-popping presentation, or tuck whole saucy eggs inside fluffy bao buns or a breakfast sandwich. For a party snack, slice the eggs and skewer them for dramatic, shareable bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Pop any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate—Spicy Gochujang Eggs keep well for up to 5 days. The flavors deepen over time, making them even more delicious the next day!
Freezing
While you technically can freeze hard or medium-boiled eggs, the egg whites may become rubbery after thawing. For out-of-this-world taste and texture, it’s best to enjoy your Spicy Gochujang Eggs fresh from the fridge within the week.
Reheating
To reheat, place eggs and sauce in a covered container and microwave for 30–60 seconds, or gently warm them in a saucepan over low heat. Just be careful not to overheat, as you want to preserve those dreamy jammy yolks!
FAQs
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Can I make Spicy Gochujang Eggs with soft-boiled or hard-boiled eggs?
Absolutely! Adjust your boiling time to 6 minutes for runny yolks or up to 9 minutes for completely firm yolks. Both textures soak up the gochujang sauce beautifully, so pick what you love.
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Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Yes—swap the chicken stock for vegetable stock, or simply use water. For a full vegan version, use tofu instead of eggs and double up on veggies in the sauce.
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What can I use instead of gochujang?
If you don’t have gochujang, try a mix of sambal oelek with a touch of miso for umami, plus a dab of honey for sweetness. The flavor won’t be quite the same, but it will get you close!
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Can Spicy Gochujang Eggs be meal prepped?
Definitely! Store cooked eggs and sauce together in the fridge for a grab-and-go meal component. Simply reheat and enjoy over fresh rice or tuck into a wrap for a fast, flavorful lunch.
Final Thoughts
Give Spicy Gochujang Eggs a try next time you want something cozy and electrifying all at once—they’re proof that a little spice and a handful of simple ingredients can turn everyday eggs into a crave-worthy dish. I can’t wait for you to discover why this is a staple in my kitchen. Enjoy every saucy, satisfying bite!
PrintSpicy Gochujang Eggs Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Spicy Gochujang Eggs is a delicious and flavorful dish featuring eggs simmered in a spicy Korean-inspired sauce. Perfect for a satisfying meal any time of the day!
Ingredients
Eggs
- 8 large eggs
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons gochujang
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 2/3 cup chicken stock (or water)
Other
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- For garnishing: 1 scallion, sliced; toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Boil the Eggs: Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add eggs and boil for 7 minutes. Transfer eggs to an ice bath, peel, and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, and chicken stock.
- Cook the Eggs: Heat oil in a skillet, add garlic, then the sauce. Simmer, add eggs, and cook for 3 minutes.
- Serve: Serve eggs over rice, garnished with scallions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Notes
- For runny eggs, boil for 6 minutes; for hard eggs, boil for 9 minutes.
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 295 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 794mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 372mg