Best Mini Ramen Eggs 味付け玉子 (Ajitama Quail Eggs)

Looking for the Best Mini Ramen Eggs with Quail Eggs 味付け玉子 to elevate your ramen game? These bite-sized, soy-marinated quail eggs—also known as ajitsuke tamago—are the perfect topping for a steaming bowl of ramen noodles or a delightful snack on their own. With their custardy, jammy yolks and umami-rich flavour, these mini ramen eggs are quick, easy, and absolutely irresistible. It's the easiest way to enjoy these soy sauce eggs with a runny yolk!

Marinated soft boil quail eggs are the perfect bite-sized ajitama tamago for Japanese cuisine ramen lovers. The cooking time for raw quail eggs takes much less time than regular soft-boiled eggs! 

> In This Post: Everything You'll Need For Perfect  Jammy Ramen Eggs Ajitama Recipe 

Marinated soft boil quail eggs are the perfect bite-sized ajitama tamago for Japanese cuisine ramen lovers. The cooking time for raw quail eggs takes much less time than regular soft-boiled eggs! 

Check out this quick story summary of our recipe!

Jump to:

• > In This Post: Everything You'll Need For Perfect Jammy Ramen Eggs Ajitama Recipe
• What Are Quail Eggs?
• Why Quail Eggs Are Perfect for Mini Ramen Eggs
• Ingredients and Substitutes
• Instructions
• What To Serve With The Best Ramen Eggs
• > Recipe
• Best Mini Ramen Eggs 味付け玉子 (Ajitama Quail Eggs)

What Are Quail Eggs?

A Nutrient-Packed Delicacy

Quail eggs are adorable and cute speckled egg laid by quail birds that resembles Easter mini eggs. 

Quail eggs are prized for their delicate flavor, creamy texture, and impressive nutritional profile. About one-fifth the size of chicken eggs, they are a gourmet ingredient used in various cuisines worldwide, particularly in Asian and European dishes. You can find this type of egg at your local farmer's market, Asian supermarket, or large big box stores.

Quail Eggs Benefits

Despite the size of the eggs, quail eggs are nutrient-dense, offering more protein, vitamins (like B12, A and D, and riboflavin), healthy fats and minerals (such as iron, selenium, and zinc) per gram compared to chicken eggs. 

Quail eggs health benefits including essential amino acids, boosting our immune systems, metabolism, supporting respiratory systems, and improving skin elasticity, sexual health, and eyesight. 

how to cook quail eggs

These tiny eggs are incredibly versatile—boiled, fried, pickled, or added to ramen, salads, sushi, and appetizers. Their rich, slightly gamey flavor and unique appearance make them a favorite among chefs and food enthusiasts. 

Quail Egg vs Chicken Egg

These small but mighty quail eggs pack a richer, creamier texture and jammier punch than chicken eggs, depending on how you cook them. 

Three quail eggs are equal to a single-size of chicken egg.

If you love the nutrient-packed delicacy and creamy texture of quail eggs, try adding them to 

Whether you’re making mini ramen eggs, a fancy appetizer, or a nutritious snack, gourmet quail eggs are a delicious and elegant choice. Try them today with avocado toast, perfect ramen egg homemade instant noodles, or crack a few to replace your regular sunny-side eggs during breakfast! 

Why Quail Eggs Are Perfect for Mini Ramen Eggs

Quail eggs are the ultimate choice for mini ramen eggs. Smaller than chicken eggs, they cook faster, offer a higher yolk-to-egg whites ratio, and deliver that perfect pop-in-your-mouth size. Their delicate texture pairs beautifully with a sweet, salty, and umami-packed marinade, making them a standout addition to any ramen bowl. Plus, they’re nutritious, fun to eat, and bring a touch of gourmet flair to your dish.

If you’re searching for the best mini ramen eggs with quail eggs, you’ve come to the right place. This easy ramen eggs recipe balances simplicity and flavor, ensuring you get that signature jammy yolk every time. 

Ingredients and Substitutes

You only need a 5 simple ingredients to make tasty shoyu quail eggs.

• Quail Eggs - Compared to a regular soft boiled egg s, hardboiled quail eggs are fun to pop in your mouth.
• White Vinegar - Adding a little vinegar to the boiling water makes for easy peeling eggs shell. 
• Bowl of Iced Water - prepare a bowl of cold water filled with ice to stop your soft-boiled eggs from cooking further.

Marinade Brine

This flavorful, slightly sweet and salty marinade is what makes the ramen egg yolk gooey. The salt cures the yolk. Controlling the salt content or the time the egg is submerged in the marinade is critical to having the perfect yolk.

• White Sugar or Brown Sugar
• Cold Water or Dashi Stock
• Japanese Soy Sauce - Light soy sauce or Dark soy sauce is a good substitute.
• Mirin - Japanese rice vinegar with a higher sugar content due to the fermentation process. No sugars are added.
• Cooking Sake or Rice Wine - Shaoxing cooking wine can be a good alternative.

Leftover Marinade

Besides making marinated eggs again, there are many great uses for leftover soy sauce-based marinades.

First, I suggest boiling the marinade before using it to remove impurities. 

I took the leftover soy marinade to Chicken Katsu Seasoning Broth for チキンカツ丼 Easy Crispy Chicken Katsu Don. It is one of my favorite ways to use up shoyu marinades!

Instructions

Follow these steps to craft the best mini ramen eggs with quail eggs that will have everyone asking for your secret! This

foolproof recipe and simple method guarantees delicious shoyu tamago flavor bombs at home every time. Yes, you can even use chicken eggs too!

Step 1: Boil the Quail Eggs

There are different ways to make jammy egg with a runny egg yolk center. The secret to cooking perfect soft-boiled eggs every single time is white vinegar. 

Bring a large pot of water and white vinegar to a rolling boil.

Use a slotted spoon to carefully lower eggs into the hot water. Continue stirring the pot to keep the eggs moving. This will ensure the eggs come out round and the egg yolk is evenly distributed.

For marinated soft-boiled egg, set a timer to precisely 2.5 minutes. The seven-minute egg is for a large chicken egg.

If you prefer your eggs less runny, adjust the cooking time according to your preference for their doneness. For hardboiled eggs, increase the cooking time to 4 minutes.

Alternatively, you can also sous vide quail eggs for 30 minutes at 145.7°F (63.2°C) to ensure a perfect poach. However, the cook time is too long. There's a good reason I prefer using the simple cooking process of making Japanese ramen eggs in boiling water instead.

Also, remember that the doneness also depends on the size of the eggs.

Step 2: Cool in an Ice Bath

Remove the eggs immediately after cooking, and transfer the eggs to an ice bath - a large bowl of ice water bath. 

Allow the boiled eggs time to cool. 

Step 3: How To Peel Eggs Perfectly 

A perfect Ajitama egg will have a firm egg white with no dents from peeling or air bubbles.  

• Gently crack boil eggs first and add them back to the ice-cold water. Let the water "seep" into the egg between the shell and the egg whites. The egg shell and the thin membrane will separate. 
• Gently tap each egg on a hard surface to crack the shell.
• Peel the eggs under running cold water. 
• Pull back only the shell once you can see the thin membrane layer.

Place peeled eggs in an airtight container or large mason jar. Set aside.

Step 4: Prepare the Marinade

The marinated brine requires just 4 ingredients. 

In a small saucepan, combine marinade ingredients (dark soy sauce, mirin, sake, water, and sugar).

Heat over low heat until the sugar dissolve s and the mixture is combined (about 2 minutes).

Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature — If you place eggs in the hot marinade, you can risk turning the soft yolk into hard-boiled eggs.

The mirin mixture can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Step 5: Marinate the Quail Eggs

Pour the cooled marinade over the eggs, ensuring they’re fully submerged. Use a small plate or paper towel to keep them underwater if they float.

Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, but ideally overnight (up to 24 hours) for maximum flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

1. Remove the cold eggs from the marinade.

2. Slice in half (optional) and serve atop ramen, rice, or as a standalone snack.

3. Store any leftovers in the refridgerator for up to 3 days.

How To Meal Prep Japanese Soft-Boiled Eggs

You can efficiently work this marinated ramen egg recipe into your healthy family meal prep ideas for the week. These perfectly jammy delicious eggs are just like shoyu eggs from your local ramen shop! Add a marinated egg to rice bowls, noodles or server them as a high protein cold appetizer garnished with finely chopped green onions. 

Gooey, golden egg yolks Ajitsuke Tamago can be portioned airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

What To Serve With The Best Ramen Eggs 

An ideal ajitama has a firm egg white and a custardy, gooey yolk served at room temperature. Allow the eggs to warm up before adding them to a hot bowl of noodles.  

This is one of the most popular proteins to add to Japanese cuisine. It is perfect as a make-ahead-of-time weekly meal prep for two. Enjoy this bold and flavourful umami-rich soft boiled egg to complete the meal with the following delicious dishes.

• Japanese Mentaiko Spaghetti Noodles 明太子パスタ
• Best Tonkatsu Japanese Pork Cutlet 豚カツ 
• Easy Crispy Chicken Katsu Don チキンカツ丼 
• Vegan Unagi Don (Eggplant Kabayaki) うなぎ丼

Other Jammy Eggs Recipes

• Chinese Tea Leaf Eggs 茶葉蛋 
• Chinese Deviled Eggs with Pork Floss

I'd love to see how you went with my recipes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS.

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