Description
Kimchijeon, or Kimchi Pancake, is a beloved Korean savory dish featuring a crispy outside with a tender, flavorful inside. Made from fermented kimchi, a light batter of all-purpose and rice flour, and often green onions and egg, these pancakes deliver a perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and savory flavors. Ideal as an appetizer, snack, or light meal, kimchijeon is quick to prepare and best enjoyed hot with a simple soy-based dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Kimchijeon Batter
- 1½ cups chopped well-fermented kimchi
- ¼ cup kimchi juice
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup rice flour (optional, for extra crispiness)
- ¾ cup cold water
- 1 large egg (optional)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for frying
Dipping Sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, rice flour, sugar, and salt. Add cold water, kimchi juice, and the egg if using, then whisk until smooth.
- Mix in ingredients: Fold the chopped kimchi and sliced green onions gently into the batter to distribute evenly.
- Heat the pan: Warm 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a nonstick skillet.
- Cook first pancake: Pour half the batter into the skillet, spreading it thin and evenly into a circle. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the bottom turns golden and crispy.
- Flip and finish: Carefully flip the pancake, add remaining oil around edges if needed, and cook another 3–4 minutes until crisp and cooked through.
- Repeat: If making two pancakes, repeat the process with the remaining batter.
- Prepare dipping sauce: In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, chopped green onion, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve alongside hot pancakes.
Notes
- Use well-fermented kimchi for the most authentic tangy flavor.
- Rice flour is optional but adds crispiness to the pancake texture.
- For a heartier meal, add ingredients like sliced pork belly, shrimp, or squid.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the pancakes hot and crispy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Korean
