Kimchi Pancake Recipe (Kimchijeon) - Easy | Korean Bapsang (2024)

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This crispy flavor-packed kimchi pancakes are super easy to make with a few basic ingredients as long as you have some kimchi.

Kimchi Pancake Recipe (Kimchijeon) - Easy | Korean Bapsang (1)

Kimchijeon, or kimchi jeon (김치전), is a type of Korean savory pancake that’s made with kimchi. It’s also called kimchi buchimgae (김치부침개). Enjoy these deliciously crispy kimchi pancakes as a snack, appetizer, or a light meal!

If you have nicely fermented kimchi and some flour, you can make this popular snack in no time. The flavor-packed sour kimchi does a wonder when it’s fried in a simple batter. Everything else is nice to have, but not absolutely necessary.

Kimchi for pancakes

As I always say, ripe, well-fermented kimchi is always best to cook with. No exception for this kimchi pancake recipe! Napa cabbage kimchi is standard for kimchi pancakes, but you can also use radish kimchi (kkakdugi or chonggak kimchi).

Simply use vegan kimchi for vegan kimchi pancakes.

Kimchi Pancake Recipe (Kimchijeon) - Easy | Korean Bapsang (2)

Kimchi pancake batter

All-purpose flour (or gluten free flour) is all you need! You can add some sweet rice powder or corn/potato starch, if available, to give it a little bit of crispy, slightly chewy texture. Of course, buchim garu (부침가루, Korean pancake premix) is always good for any Korean savory pancakes. It’s a staple in Korean homes.

The addition of some juice/liquid from the kimchi is the key. It gives the pancake batter its distinct flavor and a nice orange hue.

For a slightly spicier kimchi pancake, I like to add a little bit of gochujang (Korean red chili pepper paste) to the batter. Gochujang is especially good if your kimchi doesn’t have much liquid because it adds extra umami. Gochugaru (Korean red chili pepper flakes) works too if you just want a spicy kick.

If you use gochujang and/or kimchi liquid, the pancakes will be very well seasoned so you don’t really need a dipping sauce. That will also be the case if you used buchim garu, which is seasoned. A dipping sauce recipe is provided here in the recipe below in case you still like to have it.

Kimchi Pancake Recipe (Kimchijeon) - Easy | Korean Bapsang (3)

Variations

Minced or thinly sliced pork is commonly added to kimchi pancakes. No surprise there because kimchi and pork are a winning combo in Korean cooking.

I sometimes add some squid strips. The chewy squid lends a nice textural contrast to the crunchy kimchi. Canned tuna is also a great addition to kimchi pancakes. Squeeze out the liquid from tuna, if using.

You can make 2 to 3 large pancakes with this kimchi pancake recipe, or 5 to 6 small ones instead. The smaller the pancake is, the easier it is to flip. For best results, kimchijeon should be made thin.

Tips for making kimchi pancakes:

1. Use well fermented sour kimchi
2. Use juice/liquid from kimchi if at all possible.
3. Use icy cold water.
4. The batter should be thin enough to flow easily from a spoon.
5. Spread the batter thin when pan frying.
6. Use a generous amount of oil.
7. Increase the heat a little to crisp up the pancakes at the end of pan-frying.

Watch how to make it

More Korean savory pancakes recipes

Haemul Pajeon (Scallion seafood pancakes)
Nokdujeon (savory mung bean pancakes)
Gamjajeon (potato pancakes)
Hobak buchim (zucchini pancakes)
Buchujeon (garlic chives pancakes)

Kimchi Pancake Recipe (Kimchijeon) - Easy | Korean Bapsang (4)

For more Korean cooking inspirations, follow along on YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Kimchi Pancake Recipe (Kimchijeon) - Easy | Korean Bapsang (5)

Kimchijeon (kimchi pancakes)

4.41 from 154 votes

Appetizer, Snack

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Servings: 3

Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup thinly sliced fully-fermented kimchi
  • 1 to 2 scallions Two if thin and small
  • 1/4 medium onion
  • 3 ounces minced pork, canned tuna (without the liquid), or squid cut into small strips - optional
  • cooking oil with high smoke point for pan frying

Batter

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour or buchimgaru (Korean pancake premix) or Swap 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour with sweet rice flour or corn/potato starch
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons juice/liquid from kimchi See note on water below
  • 1 or 2 teaspoons gochujang (Korean chili pepper paste) or gochugaru - optional
  • 1 lightly beaten egg - optional
  • 1 cup icy cold water Use more water if juice/liquid from kimchi is unavailable and not using an egg. Flour to liquid should be about 1:1 ratio in total.

Optional Dipping Sauce (Combine all the ingredients)

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • pinch of black pepper

Instructions

  • Thinly slice the kimchi, about 1/2-inch thick. Cut the scallions into about 2-inch pieces. If the white part is thick, cut in half lengthwise. Thinly slice the onion.

    Kimchi Pancake Recipe (Kimchijeon) - Easy | Korean Bapsang (6)

  • In a large bowl, combine the flour (or pancake mix) with the liquid from kimchi, the optional gochujang/gochugaru and egg, and water, a little bite at a time. Start with dissolving the gochujang with water, and mix everything together. Do not over mix.

    Kimchi Pancake Recipe (Kimchijeon) - Easy | Korean Bapsang (7)

  • Add a little more water if the batter is too thick. The batter should flow easily from a spoon.

    Kimchi Pancake Recipe (Kimchijeon) - Easy | Korean Bapsang (8)

  • Stir in the kimchi, scallions, onion and the optional protein of your choice.

    Kimchi Pancake Recipe (Kimchijeon) - Easy | Korean Bapsang (9)

  • Heat one tablespoon of oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Ladle the mixture into the pan, and spread it evenly into a thin round shape. Cook until the edges turn light golden brown, about 3 minutes. Turn it over, and add more oil to the sides of the pan. Gently swirl the pan to distribute the oil under the pancakes. Press the pancake down with a spatula. Cook until the other side is nicely browned and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes.

    Kimchi Pancake Recipe (Kimchijeon) - Easy | Korean Bapsang (10)

  • Repeat the process until there is no remaining batter. Serve hot with a dipping sauce, if desired.

Notes

Tips for making kimchi pancakes:

1. Use juice/liquid from kimchi if at all possible.

2. Use icy cold water.

3. The batter should be thin enough to flow easily from a spoon.

4. Spread the batter thin when pan frying.

5. Use a generous amount of oil.

6. Increase the heat a little to crisp up the pancakes at the end of pan-frying.

Tried this recipe?Mention @koreanbapsang or tag #koreanbapsang!

This kimchi pancake recipe was originally posted in February 2010. I’ve updated it here with new photos, more information and minor changes to the recipe.

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  • Gyeran Mari (Rolled Omelette) with Bell Peppers
  • Sikhye (Rice Punch)
  • Baechu Doenjang Guk (Soybean Paste Soup)
  • Korean Dinner Party Menus
Kimchi Pancake Recipe (Kimchijeon) - Easy | Korean Bapsang (2024)

FAQs

Why is my Korean pancake chewy? ›

Cooking temperature: cooking the pancake over too low a heat can lead to a softer texture. Higher heat is essential to achieving crispiness. Pan type: using a non-stick pan is important as it prevents sticking and ensures even cooking.

What is in a Korean kimchi pancake? ›

In a bowl, place 1 cup of chopped kimchi, 3 tbs of kimchi juice, 2 tbs chopped onion, ½ ts kosher salt, ½ ts sugar, ½ cup flour (all purpose flour), and ¼ cup of water and mix it well with a spoon. Heat up a 12 inch non-stick pan over medium high heat and drizzle about 2 tbs grape seed oil.

Why is my kimchi pancake not crispy? ›

The two key points to make crispy kimchi pancakes are to have a loose, not over-mixed batter and to use generous amount of oil when pan frying. What do I do if my kimchi is not fermented (sour) enough?

What is Korean pancake mix made of? ›

Commercially available pancake mix (buchim garu, 부침가루) is a pantry staple in Korean homes. The mix is seasoned and typically includes wheat flour and other ingredients such as corn starch, rice flour and sometimes baking powder. Koreans look for a slightly chewy and crispy texture in savory pancakes.

Why isn t my pajeon crispy? ›

She says that when she put out her first video on the subject, “The number one question was: 'How come my pancake isn't crispy in the middle? ' And that's because you need to use a generous amount of oil, and make sure it gets under the pancake” by tilting the pan while lifting the pancake itself.

What to eat with kimchi pancakes? ›

Kimchi Pancakes can be served in many ways! It can be an appetizer to your Korean BBQ, a side dish in your bento box, a snack on its own, or simply served with a bowl of freshly steamed rice. It can go with a soy-based dipping sauce or mayonnaise, or if seasoned well, it can be good on its own!

Does kimchi go bad? ›

If you have store-bought kimchi that's been opened, it will be good for 3-4 days at room temperature and up to 6 months when refrigerated. Signs of your kimchi going bad include mold growth, an alcoholic smell, and an extremely sour taste.

What is kimchi called in Korea? ›

Kimchi (/ˈkɪmtʃiː/; Korean: 김치, romanized: gimchi, IPA: [kim.tɕʰi]) is a traditional Korean side dish (banchan) consisting of salted and fermented vegetables, most often napa cabbage or Korean radish.

Why is kimchi healthy? ›

Along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, kimchi contains natural probiotic bacteria. If you eat them regularly, the probiotics in fermented foods can be beneficial to your gut microbiome. Studies suggest that eating kimchi on a daily basis could help to improve some digestive problems.

Why is my kimchi pancake chewy? ›

one of the most important factors is actually the temperature of the oil. so you want make sure you have it hot enough to get it crispy. i cooked it for about 2min on medium heat. also you want to make sure that you're making the pancakes on the smaller side.

Can you eat kimchi pancake for breakfast? ›

Make them in the morning if you're a savory breakfast lover like me. Serve them with a stir-fry for dinner. Or whip up a batch whenever you're home, think there's nothing to eat, and remember the beautiful jar of kimchi waiting around to make your day.

Why doesn't kimchi rot? ›

A classic baechu kimchi (cabbage kimchi) is made by salting cabbage leaves to draw out their moisture, seasoning them, packing them in a clean container, and waiting. The presence of salt means that only certain microbes can survive, which helps to make the difference between fermentation and rotting.

What is the difference between Korean pancake and Japanese pancake? ›

First, a korean pancake is much thinner and therefore, when fried, it has a crispier texture. Second, the Korean version comes with its own dipping sauce unlike the okonomiyaki which is seasoned with brown sauce, mayo or ketchup.

What is a Korean pancake called? ›

Buchimgae (부침개), or Korean pancake, refers broadly to any type of pan-fried ingredients soaked in egg or a batter mixed with other ingredients. More specifically, it is a dish made by pan-frying a thick batter mixed with egg and other ingredients until a thin flat pancake-shaped fritter is formed.

What causes chewy pancakes? ›

The more mixing of the batter makes the gluten in the flour STRONGER which leads to a chewier tougher pancake,. How do you avoid pancake batter getting tough? Don't overwork the batter by stirring it too much. Stir just to combine and not develope gluten in the flour which makes it tough.

Why are my pancakes tough and chewy? ›

Over-mixing pancake batter develops the gluten that will make the pancakes rubbery and tough. For light, fluffy pancakes, you want to mix just until the batter comes together—it's okay if there are still some lumps of flour. Fat (melted butter) makes the pancakes rich and moist.

Why do my pancakes come out rubbery? ›

Overmixing pancake batter causes the gluten to build up, making the cooked results rubbery discs instead of soft and fluffy pancakes. Solution: Stir the batter until the wet and dry ingredients are just incorporated. A few lumps are okay! Pancake batter should be thick enough, so it drips off the back of a spoon.

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