Crispy Kimchi Pancake (Kimchijeon)
The Ultimate Crispy Kimchi Pancake Recipe Using Tempura Flour and Breadcrumbs
Craving the delicious Kimchi Pancake you saw on the TV show ‘I Live Alone’? Now you can easily make it at home! It’s a perfect way to use up aged kimchi before making new kimchi, and makes a simple yet satisfying meal for a holiday lunch or dinner. My mother-in-law finds it a bit bland, but that’s just how we like our kimchi! The secret to a crispy exterior and tender interior lies in the perfect balance of tempura flour, ice-cold water, and breadcrumbs. Let’s get started!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Tempura Flour
- 1 1/2 cups Ice-cold Water
- 3 cups Finely Chopped Aged Kimchi
- 2 Tbsp Breadcrumbs
- Vegetable Oil, for frying
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of tempura flour and 1 1/2 cups of ice-cold water. Whisk until smooth and no lumps remain. Using ice-cold water is key to achieving a crispier pancake.
Step 2
Using scissors, finely chop about 3 cups of aged kimchi. You don’t need to remove the kimchi juice; just chop it as if you were shredding it.
Step 3
Add the chopped kimchi to the tempura flour batter and mix gently until everything is evenly combined, creating your delicious Kimchi Pancake batter. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 4
Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and add a generous amount of vegetable oil. Ladle about 1/2 cup of the batter onto the hot pan and spread it thinly. It’s important to keep the pancake thin for even cooking.
Step 5
Evenly sprinkle 2 tablespoons of breadcrumbs over the surface of the batter spread in the pan.
Step 6
By sprinkling breadcrumbs on top, you’re setting yourself up for an incredibly crispy finish as they toast during cooking.
Step 7
Once the bottom of the Kimchi Pancake is golden brown and crispy, carefully flip it over so the breadcrumb side is now facing down. Drizzle a little more oil around the edges of the pan as you flip to ensure extra crispiness.
Step 8
This is the side with the breadcrumbs, now beautifully golden and crisp! The entire pancake, not just the edges, is wonderfully crispy. Enjoy it while it’s hot!
