Gyeran Jjim
Fluffy steamed egg custard with scallion and sesame.
Ingredients
- 4 Egg
- 1 Kombu (dried kelp)
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 Scallions (optional)
- 1 tsp Toasted sesame oil (optional)
Method
- Make a quick kombu broth: bring the kombu and a cup of water almost to a simmer in a small pan, then lift out the kombu just before the water boils and let the broth cool slightly.
- While the kombu broth heats, thinly slice the scallion.
- Beat the eggs with the warm broth and salt, then strain the mixture into a heatproof bowl for a silky texture.
- Steam the bowl gently, covered, until the custard is just set and puffed, about 8 minutes.
- Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil and the sliced scallion, and serve warm.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Gyeran Jjim
Gyeran jjim is a Korean steamed egg custard, one of the small side dishes (banchan) that quietly rounds out a Korean meal alongside rice and something spicy. What separates it from a plain scrambled egg is the treatment: the eggs are loosened with a light kombu broth rather than milk or plain water, giving the set custard a clean, savory depth that tastes of the sea without any fishiness. Straining the beaten egg before it steams is the detail that matters most, screening out the stringy chalaza so the finished custard sets smooth and trembling rather than curdled.
Eaten warm from the bowl, gyeran jjim is soft, barely-set, and almost soufflé-light where it puffs at the surface, with a savory backbone from the kelp broth and a nutty top note from the sesame oil drizzled on at the end. Sliced scallion adds a fresh bite against the mildness. It's a soothing counterpoint to bolder dishes like a garlicky stew or grilled meat, and because it steams gently in under twenty minutes it's an easy weeknight side. Vegetarian, naturally low in carbs, and gentle on the stomach, it works equally well as a light standalone snack with a bowl of rice.
Gyeran Jjim: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Gyeran Jjim?
A serving has about 169 calories — 12.9g protein, 2.1g carbs, 11.9g fat, 0.4g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Gyeran Jjim gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Gyeran Jjim has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
How long does Gyeran Jjim take to make?
About 18 minutes start to finish, but only around 12 of those are hands-on — the rest is cooking time. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Gyeran Jjim?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out scallions, toasted sesame oil — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Gyeran Jjim make?
This recipe makes 2 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.