Years ago, when I was living in Japan, I had an opportunity to eat Korean food from a restaurant in Nagasaki, Japan. I ate stir-fried Korean noodles/ Japchae and Kimchi, both of which I immensely loved. Two years ago I had a Korean Neighbor, and I asked her about the noodles, she told it is Japchae and I asked her for the recipe. She told she will give me, but then one fine day she moved out without giving me the recipe. So my love for Korean food came to a temporary end. Latter I came to know that she doesn’t like to cook that much. Of course going to a Korean restaurant would be a way to eat Korean food, but with two crying babies that is out of the question.
One day while browsing the internet about pancakes, I came to know about Pajeon. I liked it immediately as it contains green onions/Scallion, all purpose flour, rice flour, chilies, and is eaten by dipping in a thick vinegar soy sauce (Cho Ganjang). I also borrowed a cook book Eating Korean by Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee from the local library. This book doesn’t have not breathtaking photos, but every recipe is described well. I also found a great Korean cooking blogs like this and this.
This pancake doesn’t look like a pancake that we are used to making for breakfast; and it doesn’t have any leavening agent just like dosa (south Indian crepe/pancake). However compared to dosa the time needed to make pajeon is much less. Dosa needs some planning, as batter needs to ferment for about 8 hours whereas pajeon can be made in jiffy. I read that it is eaten as a snack or side dish along with meal, and is sold by street vendors. It is also served with Makgeolli rice wine. My proverb is “anything you can get from street vendors will be tasty; otherwise they won’t able to make a living out of it”.
We watch a lot of foreign movies, and what I have seen from Korean movies is that their food is elaborate with lot of dishes and rice. In one movie the lead couple ate almost 3-4 times in 1 and half hour movie. I could also see from the movies, that South Korea is beautiful, with greeneries and nice beaches. May be some time I will visit there.
Pajeon/Korean green onion pancake is different from Chinese green onion pancake which similar to Indian latcha paratha. Next in my list is to try that Chinese green onion pancake.
I made this pancake twice; the first day photo session was really bad. My hubby says he will conduct a blog event and give $1000 if somebody can take a picture with one toddler who is pulling your food while the other one is crying because he has been not held for some time. Conditions will be you have to click the picture within 5 seconds and almost no possibility of arranging the props. My hubby is my photographer most of the time, but he gets irritated if I asking him to take a picture of two foods in a day. So I admire all the food bloggers who takes stunning pictures with nice props and so on.
I made Paejon using all purpose flour , rice flour, green onion, carrot , green chili, and soy sauce. While in this blog she used cake flour and egg which give extra crispiness. I will try that version next.
When I made second time it turned out to be better looking (according to me) and tasting great. Original Vinegarsoy sauce has too much roasted sesame seeds according to me. So I reduced the amount of sesame seeds the second time. My little one was so happy and she enjoyed the pancake a lot. If she tells you it tastes good, then it is good no doubt. So when you buy green onion/scallions next time keep a bunch aside and try this pancake. You are going to love them. Here goes the recipe.
One year ago: Watermelon Juice
Two year ago:Egg Bhurji from him
Print recipe from here.
What you need
All-Purpose Flour: ½ cup
Rice Flour: ⅛ Cup
Cold Water: ½ cup
Green Onions (Scallions), cut into 2-inch pieces: 5 no
Rice Flour: ⅛ Cup
Cold Water: ½ cup
Green Onions (Scallions), cut into 2-inch pieces: 5 no
Carrot cut into 2 inch pieces: 1 no
Green Chili: 1 no
Salt: ¼ teaspoon
Green Chili: 1 no
Salt: ¼ teaspoon
Soya sauce: ¼ teaspoon
Canola Oil: 2 tablespoon
Vinegar Soy Sauce (Cho Ganjang)
Soy Sauce: 1 tablespoon
Rice Vinegar: 1 tablespoon
Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon
Toasted Sesame Seeds: 11/2 teaspoon
Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon
Rice Vinegar: 1 tablespoon
Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon
Toasted Sesame Seeds: 11/2 teaspoon
Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon
How I made
In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the vinegar soy sauce and set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix the flours and cold water, adding water a little at a time and mixing until the mixture is the consistency of thin pancake.
In a separate bowl add the green onions, carrot, green chili and sea salt and mix until just combined.
Heat a skillet and add 1 tablespoon oil then line the green onions, carrot and green chili in two rows. When it start soften turn the heat on medium high and add ½ the batter onto the pan in a large flat circle. Shake the pan around to distribute it, and continue cooking over medium-high heat. The batter will slightly brown on the bottom and begin to set. Then add the rest of the batter on the top. Cook on one side until golden brown. Flip and brown the other side, pressing down with a spatula to make sure all surfaces contact the skillet.
Remove the pancake to a plate. Wipe the skillet with the oily paper towel and repeat with the rest of the batter, laying the pancakes on top of each other as they finish and holding them warm. Remove the pancake and cut into wedges or make smaller pancakes. Serve the pancakes hot with vinegar soy sauce.
jal meokkesseumnida ! Enjoy
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Serving: 3 serving
Verdict: Yummy
Will you make it again: Yes I will
Will you make it again: Yes I will
I am linking this Hearth and Soul blog hop# 104 hosted here.
hosted by Kristy of Veggie converter.com
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
Amanida Tonyina says
I just made these pancakes and I want to say thanks!
Recently I know your blog and today I made this recipe and banana roti.
I will continue with many more!
Excuse my English, I'm learning ...
Greetings from Spain.
Swathi Iyer says
Thanks Amanida for trying my recipes and giving your feedback. Glad to meet you here.
Kitchen Queen says
this is my favorite dish. nice clicks too.
http://realhomecookedfood.blogspot.com
Neel says
yum! they look delicious !I love having pancakes, but I never want to try the savory ones.These are so breezy that they inspire me…
Lizzy says
Oooh, these look SO tasty!!! I know I'd love them 🙂
Cathleen says
Oh my goodness, this looks absolutely delicious! I have never tried a korean pancake before, but now I know how to make one 🙂
Sonali Pradhan says
ohhh dear !!!!these pancakes look absolutely awesome !!!!loved the way it is made !!thanks for sharing the recipe and the step by step process!!!bookmarked !!!!!
Elisabeth says
Swathi-I really admire you for doing all the research for your Korean green onion pancakes. Love, love, and absolutely adore how beautiful it turned out. I've never made these myself; but after seeing all three versions with your extensive resarch, I certainly would love to make it as well!
Loved reading your interesting and "from the heart" post, I can just picture your poor hubby taking the photo, with all the distractions in the background from the little ones!
I have observed so much in the last week or so of other food bloggers that really take the time with the background props, which some of them look like well "thought out" objects, specifically set up for their food photos, just like in a photo studio!
To be perfectly honest Swathi, your photos are beautiful each and every time, and it tells the real STORY what the food actually is; and that's what counts the most.
Sorry for coming over so late again...i got so much going on with the "back-and-forth" running from daughter's house to mine. I even amazed that I actually still post things on my blog!
BTW-I grabbed the Hearth and Soul badge again, and will try to link on Tuesday.
HAPPY 2nd Hearth and Soul Bloghop Anniversary!
El Oteador de los Mercados says
Visiting your blog is like traveling. Always find something new: a flavor, a form of cooking a recipe, an ingredient that did not know...
Navaneetham Krishnan says
Superb and lovely pancakes, what more with the sauce. Certainly better than the ones I have tried in Korean restaurants.
Baker Street says
I love your take on the good ol' pancakes! A savory pancake would be very appreciated in my house! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe! 🙂
Tina Bk says
A savory pancake does make for a more healthy breakfast, especially with this recipe. Love the looks of those veggies running through the pancakes-yum! Also, I would have to have the soy sauce on top. Great post!
Rekha says
i love the presentation..pancake looks fabulous.. it looks so tasty!
http://indiantastyfoodrecipes.blogspot.com
Christi Silbaugh says
This is so great! I can't wait to try it!
thelady8home says
I love this recipe!! It's a little similar to something one of my friend taught, she made them with cucumbers. This look totally delish!!!
Tina (PinayInTexas) says
What an awesome savory pancake, Swathi! YUM!
Gayathri NG says
Sounds new to em n looking delicious pancakes...
Anu says
Different one for me..and a must try recipe..looks so yummy..
mjskit says
I love a good scallion pancake and these look absolutely delicious!
Sobha Shyam says
very interesting and lovely recipe 🙂
srividhya Ravikumar says
interesting and colourful recipe..
ANU says
wow very nice and yummy!
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Joanne says
Interesting recipe and it looks so good. Def. one to try.
Guru Uru says
This pancake has my heart aching - looks delicious 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Sanoli Ghosh says
This an interesting recipe, very different type of pancake. Looks yummy.........
averilgomes says
These look amazing Swathi. and the step-by-step photos are incredible 🙂
Averil
love2dine says
Your photos are simply breathtaking, ridiculously beautiful! And your writing also, just looks amazing. You make something so simple seem so gorgeous!
Marus says
It are a delicius pancakes.
Good day
Now Serving says
Looks really yummy - always good to learn about new cuisines 🙂
Balvinder Ubi says
Swathi, I loved this. Even though I eat many other flours but rice and rice flour is my staple. These pancakes would be loved by my family.
Spice up the Curry says
this is very interesting. looks delicious.
Suzi says
I am so happy you posted this I have been trying to make these for a long while and they never turn out, they looks delicious and I am goingto try it your way. Thanks and have a wonderful day.
radha says
Lovely. I think I will try it soon. Daughter coming home!
Kaveri Venkatesh says
I admire the way you try out dishes from different countries..the write up was informative...the pics look great Swathi...Nice recipe..will be trying next time I get some spring onions
Alea Milham says
What a delicious, savory dish! I can't wait to give this a try!
kitchen queen says
Wow Swathi the step by step pictures r absolutely beautiful and so tempting.This pancake does remind me of being similar to a paratha.It looks very mouth watering and delicious.
Shobha says
Very different kind of pancakes..will try them out soon..
Hamaree Rasoi says
Swathi I really can imagine your plight when it comes to taking pics of food recipes...I have hard time too when my son is around ...So I may win 1000$ that you hubby is offering 😉
This pancake is so healthy and colorful....i want to try this soon...
spusht says
Awww! Sometimes I wonder how mothers who blog get the time and energy after most of it is drained looking after kids!
Despite all that, you shared a really nice and colorful pancake recipe that I'm surely going to make the next time I get scallions.
I mostly buy scallions when I have to make Indo-Chinese or to use with tofu. Sometimes even running out of options until it's time to throw them away!
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Pattu says
I am not an expert, but I appreciate the color presentation here. It encourages to try the recipe.
Thanks for sharing.