Prepare the Ice Bath: Before you do anything else, fill a medium-sized bowl with cold water and plenty of ice cubes. This is a crucial step for later, so have it ready and waiting next to your hob.

Boil the Eggs: Bring a medium saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Carefully lower the room-temperature eggs into the water using a slotted spoon. Reduce the heat slightly to maintain a strong simmer, not a furious boil. Set a timer for exactly 7 minutes for a perfectly jammy yolk. If you prefer a slightly firmer yolk, go for 8 minutes.

Shock the Eggs: Once the timer goes off, immediately use the slotted spoon to transfer the eggs from the boiling water directly into the ice bath. Let them sit in the icy water for at least 10 minutes. This stops the cooking process instantly and makes the eggs much easier to peel. I find that this step is the secret to avoiding those frustrating, pockmarked eggs!

Make the Marinade: While the eggs are cooling, prepare the marinade. In a glass jar or container large enough to hold the eggs snugly, combine the soy sauce, water, honey (or rice syrup), minced garlic, chopped spring onions, chopped chilli, toasted sesame seeds, and sesame oil. Stir everything together until the honey is fully dissolved.

Peel and Marinate: Carefully peel the cooled eggs. Gently tap the egg on a hard surface and roll it to create fine cracks all over the shell, which should then peel away easily under cool running water. Place the peeled eggs into the container with the marinade.

Let the Magic Happen: Ensure the eggs are fully submerged in the marinade. If they float, you can place a small piece of kitchen paper on top to keep them covered. Seal the container and place it in the fridge for at least 6 hours. For the best, most intense flavour, I recommend leaving them overnight. The longer they sit, the more delicious they become.

Serve and Enjoy: When you're ready to serve, remove an egg from the marinade. You can serve it whole or slice it in half to reveal the beautiful jammy yolk. Don't throw away the marinade! It's delicious drizzled over rice or noodles.