Image by hannaone: Hotteok
Image by hannaone: Kimchi pancake
Image by hannaone: Hotteok dough
Article by Gil "hannaone" © Copyright 2007-2026. All rights reserved.
김치전 | kimchi-jeon
Kimchi pancakes, or 김치전 / 김치부침개 (kimchijeon / kimchi buchimgae), are a type of savory pancake made with kimchi and other ingredients, such as pork or seafood, added for extra flavor. They are often served at picnics, on the streets from food carts, and as a popular snack food.
Ingredients
1/2 cup kimchi
1/4 pound pork loin, loin chop, picnic shoulder, blade roast, or even ham (substitute any type mushrooms)
1 bunch scallions, spring, or green onion
2 large fresh red chili or jalapeno peppers
1 small white onion
Vegetable cooking oil as needed for frying
Batter Ingredients
1 large egg
1 3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup corn or potato starch
2 cup ice cold water
1 tablespoon pure roasted sesame seed oil (NOT cold pressed oil)
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dip ingredients
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon chopped scallion, spring, or green onion
1 teaspoon roasted sesame seed oil
1 teaspoon coarse ground chili powder
1 teaspoon sugar
Directions
Pork
Slice the pork into long thin strips, lightly salt, and let stand for 15 minutes
Vegetables
Slice larger scallion/green onion in half lengthwise, then cut to 1 inch lengths.
Slice the onion, then cut each slice in half and separate the layers.
Slice the peppers (discard seeds, or save for drying) into thin slivers.
Press excess moisture from kimchi. Save about 2 teaspoons of the juice to add to batter.
Toss together in a medium bowl
Dip:
In a small bowl, mix all dip ingredients.
Stir well and set aside.
Batter:
In a small mixing bowl:
Whip egg and sesame oil together with a whisk, fork, or slotted spoon.
In a medium to large mixing bowl:
Mix dry ingredients (flour, starch, salt).
Add egg mixture, kimchi juice, and water. Stir until well mixed. (Batter should be slightly thinner than standard pancake batter.)
Cooking:
Preheat large flat bottomed skillet (pancake griddle to 350º) over high heat.
Lightly oil griddle or skillet.
Add pork strips and lightly brown them. (30 to 45 seconds) Add to bowl with veggies and toss.
Reduce heat to medium and add 1 teaspoon vegetable oil.
Ladle batter into skillet (six to eight inch diameter cake) and quickly add the tossed ingredients evenly over the batter.
When the underside is lightly browned carefully flip the pancake. (check by slightly lifting one edge with spatula)
Repeat until golden brown on both sides. Edges should be slightly crisp.
Repeat process until all the batter is used. (pancakes may be kept in warm oven until cooking is done).
Cut pancakes into approximately 1 inch by 1 inch sections and serve with dip as a snack or as a side dish with a Korean meal. Unused cooked pancakes may be frozen for later use.
To reheat - Wrap in tin foil and place in 350º oven for about 10 minutes. Add 5 minutes for each additional pancake.
Hoddeok is a common sight at street food markets throughout Korea, particularly in the colder months. This beloved delicacy offers a sense of warmth and comfort to its consumers.
Legend has it that hotteok, a Korean pancake, first emerged in 1882. During this period, Chinese merchants and soldiers were rumored to have journeyed to Korea to aid in their battle against Japan. As they roamed the streets, these merchants supposedly sold a different type of pancake, called hotteok. Unlike traditional Chinese pancakes with savory fillings like chives, the Korean version was known for its sweet sugar filling and quickly gained widespread fame.
Over the course of almost one hundred years, it has become a beloved classic dish. However, in modern times, there have been some new takes on hotteok. For instance, ssiat hotteok, which is filled with pumpkin and sunflower seeds or cream cheese filling are also quite popular choices!
Image by hannaone: Cooking Kimchi-jeon
While the classic filling is brown sugar, modern versions include savory fillings like cheese, red bean, vegetables, minced meat, or japchae.
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