**Korean Pancakes with Scallions (Pa Jun): A Savory Treat with Crispy Edges and Tender Interiors**
Korean pancakes, also known as pa jun, are a delightful culinary creation that combines the best of both worlds: crispy, savory exteriors and tender, flavorful interiors. These pancakes are a staple in Korean cuisine and are often served as a main course or a side dish. With their versatility and ease of preparation, Korean pancakes have gained immense popularity worldwide.
This article presents a collection of three distinct Korean pancake recipes, each offering unique variations on this classic dish. From the traditional pa jun made with scallions to the kimchi pancake bursting with spicy and tangy flavors, and the seafood pancake loaded with an assortment of seafood delights, these recipes cater to diverse tastes and preferences.
1. **Traditional Korean Pancake with Scallions (Pa Jun):** The quintessential Korean pancake, this recipe takes you back to the basics. With a simple batter made from flour, eggs, and scallions, this pancake delivers a crispy crust and a fluffy interior that melts in your mouth. Enjoy it as a hearty breakfast, lunch, or dinner option.
2. **Kimchi Pancake:** This recipe adds another dimension of flavor to the classic Korean pancake by incorporating kimchi, a staple Korean fermented cabbage dish. The kimchi pancake is a symphony of flavors, combining the spiciness, sourness, and umami of kimchi with the savory pancake batter. It's a perfect way to use up leftover kimchi and create a unique and delicious dish.
3. **Seafood Pancake:** If you're a seafood lover, this recipe is the one for you. Packed with shrimp, squid, and mussels, this pancake boasts a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The seafood pancake is a great option for a special occasion or a weekend brunch, and it's sure to impress your family and friends.
No matter which recipe you choose, Korean pancakes are a fantastic way to experience the vibrant and diverse flavors of Korean cuisine. Their crispy-tender texture and savory taste will surely delight your taste buds and leave you craving more.
SCALLION PANCAKE (PAJEON)
Chef Kim's version of this popular appetizer is full of greens held together by a crisp matrix of batter. He'll share the secrets to making a light, airy pancake: ice cold club soda and good technique.
Provided by Hooni Kim
Categories appetizer
Time 45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Batter: In a large bowl, add flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, sugar, and pepper. Mix well and set aside. In another bowl, add egg yolks, club soda, and soy sauce. Smash and peel the garlic, then finely chop. Use the flat part of your knife to press down on the garlic to further break it down, then continue to mince. Place garlic in the bowl with the wet ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and gently whisk, just enough to combine. (Do not over-whisk, or you will form extra gluten in the batter, making it too doughy.) Cover with plastic and let rest in the refrigerator, allowing any small lumps in the batter to dissolve, 10-15 minutes.
- Trim and discard scallion roots and the very tips of the greens. Slice scallion greens into 1½-inch batons; cut the denser white parts slightly shorter, about 1 inch. Chop the Chinese chives into 1-inch batons. Combine chives and scallions in a bowl.
- Dipping sauce: In a small bowl, add soy sauce, sesame oil, mirin, and rice vinegar. Stir to blend. Reserve at room temperature until ready to use. Makes about ¼ cup. (Note: Dipping sauce can be made several days ahead and stored in a lidded container in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before using.)
- Heat skillet over high heat. Remove batter from refrigerator and quickly whisk, about 10 seconds. Ladle just enough batter into the scallions and chives to hold them together; mix with your hand until every scallion and chive is coated with batter. (You will have leftover batter.) Add ¾ of the oil to the hot skillet, enough to cover the bottom in a thin layer. When the oil is rippling, add the pancake mixture: spread it in an even layer across the skillet, without letting it touch the sides of the skillet. (Otherwise, the edges will burn before the center is cooked through.) Ladle another ½-cup batter across the top of the pancake and cook until it's golden brown on the bottom, 2-3 minutes. Lower the temperature if the pancake is browning too quickly.
- Gently slide a spatula (or two, if necessary) under the pancake and flip it, using caution to avoid oil splatter. Cook 2-3 more minutes, flattening the top with spatula, and occasionally shaking the skillet so some of the hot oil runs underneath the pancake. Add more oil as necessary to maintain a thin layer in the skillet. When the bottom is a deep golden brown, flip one more time and cook another 2 minutes.
- Remove pancake from skillet and transfer onto several layers of paper towels to drain excess oil. Cut pancake into 6 wedges, like a pizza, and serve immediately with dipping sauce. (Note: Extra batter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days; make another pancake using scallions or any seasonal leafy green.)
KOREAN SCALLION PANCAKES -- PA JUN
Korea is not officially part of the Silk Road, but East-West trade extended there, and as a result, Korea's cuisine influenced and was influenced by the travelers on the Silk Road. Pa Jun is a Korean pancake that can be served as a snack, appetizer, or side dish and is commonly found in Korean street markets. It's a crispy scallion pancake that is chewy and moist on the inside, with fillings of carrots, mung beans and seafood. Today you can find it made in many different variations in most Korean restaurants, where it is served as a starter with a dipping sauce. Though Pa Jun is typically made with a pancake like batter, my Pa Jun is gluten free, made with rice flour. It's speckled with zucchini and carrots and served with a ginger-soy dipping sauce--all together, a sure recipe for no leftovers. These pancakes can be eaten alone without the dipping sauce, just make sure to add some salt to taste to the batter.
Provided by Vegetarian Hostess
Categories Onions
Time 1h
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the flour, eggs and 1 tablespoon of the oil with the water until a smooth batter is formed. Stir in the scallions, carrot, and zucchini and mix to combine. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the rice flour to swell.
- Coat the bottom of an 8-inch nonstick skillet with the remaining oil. Set over medium heat. When the pan is hot, ladle in about a quarter of the batter and spread it out into a circle, tilting the pan slightly to spread it evenly. Cook for about 8 minutes, or until the bottom is browned and you see holes in the pancake. With a spatula, flip the pancake and press firmly on the top to squeeze out any remaining batter that is not cooked.
- Cook for another 8 minutes, or until the batter is cooked thoroughly and the pancake is browned. Repeat with the remaining batter.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, vinegar, ginger, red pepper flakes and sugar.
- Cut the pancakes into small triangles and serve with the dipping sauce.
KOREAN PANCAKES WITH SCALLIONS (PA JUN)
Savory pancakes are customary to serve as an appetizer, a side dish or a snack. Serve with a dipping sauce which can be mild or spicy. (Or, try them for breakfast as an alternative to sweet pancakes!)
Provided by Carolyn Haas
Categories Other Appetizers
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- 1. Mix ingredients and let stand for about 10 minutes. (The batter should be a little bit runnier than American pancake batter.)
- 2. Spray medium pan with spray or add 1 teaspoon of oil, heat. Pour about 3/4 cup batter to fill the pan in a thin layer.
- 3. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until set and golden brown on the bottom.
- 4. Flip pancakes and finish by cooking 1 to 2 more minutes, adding more oil if necessary. Put on plate in warm oven and continue with the rest of the batter.
- 5. Cut pancakes into wedges. Serve with either soy sauce, a spicy or mild dipping sauce - or all 3!
HAEMUL PAJEON (SEAFOOD SCALLION PANCAKE)
Crispy delicious Korean scallion pancakes with seafood!
Provided by Hyosun
Categories Appetizer
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Prepare the seafood, scallions and optional pepper, draining excess water. (Wet ingredients will make pajeon soggy.) Cut the scallions in half crosswise. Cut the white part of the scallions lengthwise if thick. Mix the seafood with the sesame oil.
- In a large bowl, mix the pancake mix with 3/4 cup icy cold water. You may need a couple more tablespoons but add one tablespoon at a time. The batter should be thinner than a Western breakfast pancake batter and thicker than a crepe batter. (For a crispy pajeon, the batter should be relatively thin.) Mix in 1/2 of the seafood.
- Heat 3 to 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium high heat, ladle 1/2 of the mixture into the pan and spread it evenly into a thin round shape.
- Arrange the scallions in a single layer on top of the batter, pressing them down into the batter. Add 1/2 of the remaining seafood and a few slices of the optional pepper.
- Spoon one half of the optional lightly beaten egg on top. Cook until the bottom is golden brown (3 - 4 minutes). Reduce the heat to medium if the pancake is browning too fast.
- Turn it over, adding more oil (2 to 3 tablespoons) around the edges. Cook for another 3 - 4 minutes. Repeat the process with the remaining batter and ingredients. Serve hot off the pan with dipping sauce.
KOREAN PANCAKES (PA JUN)
Provided by Leslie Kaufman
Categories dinner, easy, quick, main course
Time 20m
Yield 2 to 4 appetizer servings (3 pancakes)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- For dipping sauce: In a small bowl, combine vinegar, soy sauce, sugar (if using) and red pepper flakes. Mix well and set aside.
- For pancakes: Fill a pitcher or glass with ice and 1/2 cup or more cold water; set aside. Place a small (6- to 8-inch) nonstick or well-seasoned skillet over medium-low heat. Coat bottom with vegetable oil and allow to heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk eggs just until frothy. Add flour and salt and whisk to combine. Add vegetables or meat and stir to blend. Add 1/2 cup ice water and mix again to blend.
- Fill a 1/2-cup measuring cup with batter; pour into hot pan. Allow to sit until browned and crispy on bottom, about 2 minutes. Flip pancake and cook another 2 minutes. Place on a serving plate and keep warm (or set aside to serve at room temperature). Repeat with remaining batter. Serve with dipping sauce, tearing or cutting off pieces of pancake to dip in sauce with fingers or chopsticks.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 167, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 18 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 928 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams
PAJEON (파 전 / SCALLION PANCAKES)
While this recipe features scallions, Korean pancakes can be filled with almost anything: garlic chives, ramps, chrysanthemum leaves. If you want something a little more substantial, add squid or shrimp cut into bite-sized pieces.
Provided by Hooni Kim
Categories Dinner Pancake Green Onion/Scallion Pan-Fry Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Vegetarian
Yield Makes 4 or 5 pancakes
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- To make the batter, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, sugar, doenjang, and pepper in a medium bowl and mix well to blend. Add the club soda, egg yolk, and garlic and mix gently using a whisk. Do not whisk too much, or extra gluten will form in the batter, making it too thick and doughy. Whisk about 10 times, then let the batter rest for 10 minutes in the freezer so any remaining small clumps of flour can dissolve and blend into the mixture by themselves.
- When you're ready to make the pancakes, line a sheet pan with paper towels and set aside. Place scallions in a medium bowl and fold in just enough cold batter to hold the scallions together.
- Set a 10-inch nonstick sauté pan over high heat and add about 1 tablespoon of the oil. When the oil begins to shimmer and just barely smoke, add 1 cup of the scallion batter to the center of the pan. Using a spatula, spread it out to form a 7-inch pancake. (You don't want the pancake to touch the sides of the pan, or the edges may burn before the center is cooked through.) Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until the bottom of the pancake has set. Once it has set, gently slide your spatula under the edges of the pancake and lift them, tilting the pan, so some of the hot oil runs underneath the pancake. Then cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until the bottom is a deep golden brown and crisp. You can check the color by gently lifting an edge of the pancake with your spatula. Flip the pancake and cook on the other side for 3 to 4 minutes, until it is golden brown on the second side and cooked through. Transfer to the prepared sheet pan to drain. Wipe out the pan, set it back over high heat, add another tablespoon or so of oil, and repeat until all of the pancakes are cooked. The finished pancakes can be kept in a low (200°F) oven on a clean sheet pan while you cook the remaining batches, but it's best to eat them right away.
- Cut each pancake into quarters and serve with small bowls of the Pajeon Sauce and ice-cold makgeolli (Korean rice wine).
KOREAN PANCAKES (PA JUN)
This came from the February 11, 2009 edition of the New York Times, describing several immigrants in the area and their weeknight "go-to" staples. Ji Yoon Yoo suggested a Korean savory pancake. A tasty and easy way to use up leftover veggies. If you want, try a little sesame oil in the dipping sauce.
Provided by Kumquat the Cats fr
Categories Vegetable
Time 20m
Yield 2-4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine vinegar, soy sauce, sugar (if using) and red pepper flakes. Mix well and set aside.
- Fill a pitcher or glass with ice and 1/2 cup or more cold water; set aside. Place a small (6-8 inch) non-stick or well seasoned skillet over medium-low heat. Coat bottom with vegetable oil and allow to heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk eggs just until frothy. Add flour and salt and whisk to combine. Add vegetables and stir to blend. Add 1/2 cup ice water and mix again to blend.
- Fill a 1/2 cup measuring cup with batter and pour into hot pan. Allow to sit until browned and crispy on bottom, about 2 minutes. Flip pancake and cook another 2 minutes. Place on a serving plate and keep warm (or set aside to serve at room temperature). Repeat with remaining batter. Serve with dipping sauce.
VEGETABLE PAJEON (KOREAN SCALLION PANCAKES WITH VEGETABLES)
Crisp at the edges, soft at the center and filled scallions and other vegetables, these irresistible, comforting pancakes (adapted from Sohui Kim of Insa and the Good Fork restaurants in Brooklyn) make for a quick dinner that you can throw together on any given weeknight. It's extremely forgiving, so feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Ms. Kim recommends finely shredded raw vegetables, or even leftover cooked vegetables. And if you don't have the bandwidth to make a dipping sauce, a drizzle of soy sauce and squirt of Sriracha adds verve without any work. Serve pajeon by itself or topped with a fried egg or two, if you want to add protein.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, weekday, pancakes, vegetables, main course
Time 30m
Yield 3 to 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Prepare the pancakes: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, potato starch, salt and baking powder.
- In a medium bowl, combine water, egg and kimchi. Whisk kimchi mixture into flour mixture, and whisk until smooth. Fold in vegetables and about three-quarters of the scallions. (Save the rest for garnish.)
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Scoop 1/4 cup portions of batter into the skillet, as many as will fit while not touching, flatten, and fry until dark golden on the bottom, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and continue to fry until other side is browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with a little more salt. Continue with remaining batter.
- Before serving, make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, vinegar, ginger or garlic (if using), sesame oil and sugar. Sprinkle sliced scallion over pancakes, and serve with dipping sauce on the side.
KOREAN SCALLION PANCAKES (PAJEON)
These crispy fried scallion pancakes are traditionally paired with makgeolli, or Korean rice beer, and can be a vehicle for any number of ingredients. Instead of, or in addition to, the scallions, you can fill pajeon with garlic chives, ramps, small squid, shrimp, thin slices of Korean chile, or julienned carrots. To get the pancakes as crispy as possible, make sure the batter is very cold and the pan smoking hot and slicked with plenty of oil.
Provided by momaphet
Categories < 4 Hours
Time 1h10m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Make the pancakes:.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, sugar, salt, and pepper; stir to blend.
- In a separate small bowl, add the soy sauce, garlic, doenjang, and egg yolks; whisk to combine. Add this mixture and the club soda into the dry ingredients. Whisk about 10 times, then transfer to the freezer and let rest 10 minutes (this will help any remaining clumps incorporate).
- Meanwhile, make the dipping sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk the soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Retrieve the batter and fold in the scallion pieces. If the batter is too thick, add more club soda, 1⁄4 cup at a time, and mix well.
- Line a baking sheet with paper towels, and set it next to the stove.
- In a 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1⁄2 cup of the oil over high heat. Once shimmering, carefully add 1 cup of the batter to the center of the pan. Using a spatula, spread to form a 7-inch pancake; avoid letting the batter touch the sides if possible (to prevent the edges from burning before the center is cooked through).
- Lower the heat to medium and cook until the bottom of the pancake has set, 2-3 minutes. Gently slide a spatula under the edge of the pancake and lift it, tilting the pan so some of the hot oil runs underneath the pancake. Cook until the bottom is crispy and deep golden brown, 2-3 minutes more. Carefully flip the pancake, being careful not to let the oil splash, and cook on the remaining side until golden brown and cooked through, 3-4 minutes.
- Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, letting the paper towels absorb any excess oil.
- Place the pan back over high heat, and add 2-3 tablespoons more oil if needed. Repeat the process until all the batter is used. To keep the finished pancakes warm and crispy, set them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in a low (200°) oven.
- Cut each pancake into pieces and serve with the dipping sauce on the side.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 586.3, Fat 38.8, SaturatedFat 4.2, Cholesterol 61.5, Sodium 1654.1, Carbohydrate 52.1, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 4, Protein 9.1
Tips for Making Perfect Korean Pancakes with Scallions (Pa Jun):
- Use high-quality scallions: Fresh, vibrant scallions are essential for achieving the best flavor. Look for scallions with bright green leaves and firm white bulbs. - Don't overcrowd the pan: When cooking the pancakes, make sure to leave enough space between them so that they can cook evenly and get crispy. - Cook over medium heat: Cooking the pancakes over medium heat helps to ensure that they cook through without burning. - Flip the pancakes carefully: Use a spatula to carefully flip the pancakes once they are golden brown on the bottom. Be patient and don't rush this step, as the pancakes can easily break if you try to flip them too soon. - Serve with your favorite dipping sauce: Korean pancakes are traditionally served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as soy sauce, vinegar, or a spicy gochujang sauce.Conclusion:
Korean pancakes with scallions (pa jun) are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. With their crispy exterior, savory filling, and variety of dipping sauces, these pancakes are sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give Korean pancakes a try - you won't be disappointed!
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