Ajitsuke Tamago (Japanese Seasoned Eggs)

Name: Ajitsuke Tamago (Japanese Seasoned Eggs)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: Water; 6 Eggs; 150 mL Soy Sauce; 50 mL Mirin; 50 mL Cooking Alcohol; 1 tsp Dashi

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Ajitsuke tamago are soft-boiled eggs marinated in a savory soy-mirin sauce, commonly served as a ramen topping or enjoyed as a standalone snack. The eggs absorb the umami-rich flavoring in the refrigerator, tasting even better when marinated overnight.

Ingredients

6 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Put eggs into the pot
2
Pour ~5 cups of water into the pot to fully cover the eggs
3
Turn on the stove and begin boiling the water. Occasionally, stir to rotate the eggs
4
Pour 150 mL (~0.6 cups) of water into a separate pot to begin making the sauce
5
Add 150 mL of soy sauce into the sauce pot
6
Add 5 mL of mirin into the sauce pot
7
Add 50 mL of cooking alcohol into the sauce pot
8
Add 3/4 tsp of dashi into the sauce pot
9
Begin boiling the sauce
10
After the water begins to boil, boil the eggs for 7 minutes
11
After the sauce begins to boil, turn off the heat and allow to cool
12
Prepare some ice water and place the eggs inside to easily peel the boiled eggs
13
Place the eggs and and sauce into a large zip-lock or similar type of bag
14
Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. If you wait overnight, they will taste even better as the flavor infuses into the egg

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Rotate eggs gently while boiling to center the yolk for even marination and a pleasing presentation.
Cool the marinade completely before adding eggs—hot liquid will continue cooking the whites and may cause them to toughen.
Use ice water immediately after the 7-minute boil to stop cooking and achieve a creamy yolk center.
Pierce or score the shell lightly before peeling to allow the marinade to penetrate deeper into the egg white.

Substitutions

Cooking alcohol → sake, mirin, or water (water dilutes flavor slightly)
Dashi → kombu tea or omit entirely (reduces umami depth)
Mirin → honey or sugar (use 1 tsp sugar for 50 mL mirin; less complex flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Store marinated eggs in a sealed bag or container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; they do not require reheating and are best served chilled.

Common Questions

How long should I marinate ajitsuke tamago?

Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. For deeper flavor, marinate overnight or longer.

Can I make ajitsuke tamago ahead of time?

Yes, they store well in the refrigerator in a sealed bag or container for several days, making them ideal for meal prep.

What if I prefer harder or softer egg yolks?

Boil for less than 7 minutes for a runnier yolk, or longer for a firmer center. Adjust based on your preference.

Can I substitute mirin or cooking alcohol?

Mirin adds sweetness; omit or reduce if unavailable. Cooking alcohol can be replaced with a splash of water, though it helps mellow the soy sauce flavor.