Gyeran jjim
Steamed egg
Gyeran jjim (계란찜): fluffy steamed egg in a stone pot (vegetarian)
At Korean barbecue restaurants in Seoul and Busan, a bubbling stone pot of gyeran jjim arrives puffed high above the rim to soothe mouths burned by grilled meat and kimchi. At home it is a soft, savoury egg custard eaten with rice, especially by children. This vegetarian version uses kelp water instead of the usual salted shrimp or anchovy stock. The common mistake is keeping the heat high once the egg starts to set, which scorches the bottom and makes the top tough and full of holes. Chef's tip: stir constantly for the first minute as it heats, then cover with an upturned bowl over the lowest flame; trapped steam is what makes it rise like a soufflé.
- Total time
- 17 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup kelp water5 cm dried kelp soaked 30 minutes in the water, kelp removed
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 spring onionfinely chopped
- ½ tsp toasted sesame oil
- ½ tsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- ¼ tsp gochugaru (optional)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 2: Bring 1 cup kelp water to the boil in a small stone pot (ttukbaegi) or a small heavy saucepan over a medium heat.
3 minStep 3: Pour in the egg and stir constantly with a spoon, scraping the bottom, until it thickens into soft curds, about 1 minute.
1 minStep 4: Stir in most of 1 spring onion, turn the heat to its lowest and cover with a lid or an upturned heatproof bowl. Cook until puffed and set in the centre: a chopstick pushed in should come out clean.
6 minStep 5: Uncover, drizzle with ½ tsp toasted sesame oil, scatter the rest of the spring onion, plus ½ tsp toasted sesame seeds and ¼ tsp gochugaru, if using. Serve at once while it is still domed; it sinks within minutes.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 160 kcal
- Protein
- 13 g
- Carbs
- 2 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does gyeran jjim take?
- About 17 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 12 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
- What can I use instead of spring onion?
- Chives, or a little finely sliced onion.
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