Pancakes! If you put any type or kind of pancakes in front of me, I will eat it because I love them sweet or savory, and any time of the day or night. The question that you might ask…
How different are Korean pancakes from regular American pancake? Well… Eggs, wheat flour, rice flour, green onions, and other additional ingredients (seafood/meat/veggies) depending on the variety, but that is a basic base.
There are so many savory pancakes in Korean cuisine, but I am sure that you are familiar with a word “pagan” {pa-meaning scallions and Jeon (Jun/Chon) refers to pan-fried pancake type of dishes}.
So scallions are must because not only that they give nice aroma, but the taste is incredibly delicious.
It is whole another level of deliciousness If you add finely chopped kimchi. Of course, often you will find seafood such as squid, shrimps and/or oysters etc.
In these pancakes but it is also depending on the region (hae-mul-pajeon/seafood scallion pancakes). See, the thing is if one ingredient dominates, it is usually called that way with Jeon at the end.
If you are interested in learning more, visit Wiki where there is a simple and understandable text about these yummy pancakes.
Oh, and there is also a very good video from ep. 2 of Kimchi Chronicles that you must watch if you didn’t because you can learn hands-on how it’s made for real along with other delicious treats…
Now, since my niece is allergic to seafood, I didn’t want to risk it so I didn’t use anything except veggies that she and my kids like.
The best thing is, even when you have a kid that is not a fan of vegetables, this is the best dish to hide it just by cutting veggies in small pieces and mixing it with the batter.
This was quick after pool snack for them, so I made few large pancakes and cut into small squares, however you can make smaller circular ones that everybody could have several to munch on, but since there is a lot of kids around here, it was easier for me to serve them in two bite cut-out pancakes.
These also make an amazing appetizer, or side dish to go along with anything that you do.
I got to tell you these are addicting, but the good thing is you can make them fast, it’s economical, and the best thing is fed a crowd or unannounced guests…
Just sayin’. I make them, usually after school, or after some kind of activity.
KOREAN VEGETABLE PANCAKES
These savory Korean pancakes are perfect for parties, brunch or even breakfast. Delicious and very easy.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. Oil per large pancake /or 2-3 small ones
Batter:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp. Salt or to taste
- 1 tsp. Red Chili Paste gochujang (or you can add chili pepper flakes instead) *both optional
- 10-12 FL Oz 1.25-1.5 cup water, more if needed
Filling options:
- 6 Scallions chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach chopped
- 1 Green Pepper sliced/or chopped
- 1 red pepper sliced/or chopped
- 1 orange/yellow pepper sliced/or chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
Instructions
- Combine together pancake batter mix with an egg, salt, red chili paste, and water. It needs to be thinner than pancake batter and similar to crepe batter.
- Wash and chop all the veggies, then add them to the already mixed batter.
- Preheat skillet/frying pan and add oil. When oil starts to be hot and before smoking point, turn the heat down, from high to medium-high and add about 1/2-2/3 cup of batter (depending on how large you want it) and spread it to one end to the other, work fast. (Or Add less batter for smaller pancakes)
- When you can’t see anymore wet on top and it looks crispy on the bottom, turn it on the other side and press a bit with a spatula.
- Allow it to cook for a minute or until is crunchy on the other side, then turn again and give it a few more seconds to cook.
- Take it out and let it cool down for a minute or two before cutting. Continue adding oil while making pancakes, or until all the batter is used.
- Garnish with more scallions.
- Serve it with dipping sauce: Korean chili pepper flakes, chopped 3-4 scallions, finely minced garlic, 3 tbsp. Rice vinegar, 2 tbsp. Water, a drizzle of sesame oil and 1/2 cup soy sauce (lite) and you can toss in toasted sesame seeds and/or some sliced jalapeño peppers or red chilies, sweetened it with sugar or honey to your taste; mix.
Recipe Notes
- You can use Pancake Batter MIX, which to be honest, I like much better, but when I am out this is how I make it. You can find this batter mix in Korean, International markets/stores or online.
- You can use any other vegetables with scallions/or make it just with scallions. Some of you might say, oh that’s not how it’s made.
- I think we all make food to please our family and you can make it more traditionally using thinner scallions, almost like a very young scallions and placing them whole (after washing and trimming) on the hot oil, pour over the batter and then drizzle all over mixed egg, turn over after it’s crispy on the bottom and then cook on the other side until perfectly crispy and golden; but since I served it to the kids and they don’t like to chew on whole scallions, I chopped them and mixed all together.
- You can keep the unused batter in an airtight container overnight and up to two days; just add more liquid if needed and mix before cooking.
