Hard-Boiled Eggs Get Better Flavor From This Umami-Rich Korean Dish

Hard-boiled eggs are an incredible high-protein snack to prepare in advance and stash in the fridge. They also fill out light salads, elevate avocado toast, and lend bulk to a basic sammie when you're in a rush. However, if you've been eating them every day, it's normal to want a change. Instead of messing up your macros with new snack ideas, consider boosting the flavor of your eggs by marinating them in kimchi. Rich in umami flavor, kimchi will imbue your huevos with a tangy, spicy kick that's warming and characterful.

Now, pairing eggs with kimchi isn't a new idea. This fermented side dish is perfect for serving with frilly fried eggs for breakfast or accompanying a jammy boiled egg in a bowl of bibimbap for lunch (you can even top your deviled eggs with kimchi for a huge flavor punch). The difference here is that the brine in your jar of kimchi, versus the chunks of fermented cabbage, carrots, or daikon packed inside, is the magic elixir you'll be employing. 

Loaded with fish sauce, plenty of Korean red pepper flakes (known as gochugaru), and aromatics including garlic and ginger, this bold brine has a funky personality that will upgrade your eggs with zero prep. One Redditor who's made marinated kimchi eggs before recommends submerging them in the liquid for "anywhere from 12-72 hours," adding that "the shorter end of that you get a neat 'pink rim' and a little spiciness," but even four hours can be sufficient for a lighter flavor.

While pickling your eggs in kimchi (as opposed to marinating them) is a yummy option, it takes longer and involves adding vinegar to the existing brine as it ferments. This method produces a tangier result as the vinegar and spicy flavors present in the brine penetrate the eggs. However, marinating for a shorter period is more convenient as it doesn't require additional ingredients and the final taste is milder and doesn't overpower the personality of the eggs. Within the space of a few hours, you'll have flavor-packed portable protein with a deliciously salty and spicy exterior to munch on as a quick post-gym snack. That said, you could just as easily split them open and nestle them in a steaming bowl of ramen for a full-on meal. Of course, you can add more texture to your dish by adding some of the fermented kimchi veggies on top.

If you don't have any kimchi on hand, thinned-out gochujang and soy sauce are a couple of other creative liquids you should be marinating hard-boiled eggs in if you enjoy Asian flavors. Rich in umami flavor from the soybeans used to make them, both of these ingredients will lend your eggs a savory quality and saltiness.