Crispy Seafood and Chive Pancake (Haemul Buchujeon)
How to Make Perfectly Crispy Seafood and Chive Pancakes, Even in the Center!
Have you ever been disappointed by soggy centers in your homemade pancakes? With this recipe, you’ll achieve a delightful crispiness all the way to the middle, with a wonderfully moist interior! We highly recommend adding plenty of spicy Korean green chilies for an extra kick.
Ingredients (Makes 4 pancakes)
- 1 squid
- Frozen shrimp (as much as you like)
- 1 bunch chives
- 5 Korean green chilies (cheongyang peppers)
- 1 small onion
- 1/3 carrot
- Cooking oil (generous amount)
Batter
- 1.5 paper cups pancake mix
- 2 paper cups cold water
- 0.5 Tbsp salt (standard adult spoon)
- Pinch of black pepper
Dipping Sauce (based on standard serving spoon)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 5 Tbsp water
- Toasted sesame seeds
- 1.5 paper cups pancake mix
- 2 paper cups cold water
- 0.5 Tbsp salt (standard adult spoon)
- Pinch of black pepper
Dipping Sauce (based on standard serving spoon)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 5 Tbsp water
- Toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Don’t be shy with the frozen shrimp; the more you add, the richer the flavor of your seafood and chive pancake will be! Soak the shrimp in cold water to thaw. Clean and cut the squid into bite-sized pieces. Rinse the chives in cold water, paying special attention to removing any dirt or grit from the roots. This preparation ensures a cleaner taste.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine 1.5 paper cups of pancake mix with 2 paper cups of cold water, using paper cup measurements. Add 0.5 Tbsp of salt and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined and smooth, ensuring there are no lumps. Avoid overmixing; a few small lumps are perfectly fine.
Step 3
Thinly slice the onion and carrot into julienne strips. Add the thawed seafood (cut into manageable pieces, if necessary) to the batter. Finely chop the chives and other vegetables and mix them into the batter as well.
Step 4
Gently mix all the ingredients into the batter until each piece is evenly coated. Be careful not to overmix; you want the ingredients to be well-coated, not mashed.
Step 5
Generously coat a frying pan with cooking oil. Preheat the pan over low heat. It’s crucial to preheat gently; a pan that’s too hot will cause the pancake to burn before it cooks through.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to add the batter to the preheated pan. Using tongs to place the ingredients helps to distribute them thinly and evenly, making it much easier to achieve a crispy texture. Try to place the ingredients somewhat spread out rather than in a dense clump.
Step 7
Arrange the batter and ingredients in a circular, donut-like shape in the pan. Cook over low heat continuously, allowing it to cook gently. Maintain the low heat until you can see the bottom side is golden brown and cooked through from the top view.
Step 8
If you’re new to making pancakes, using two spatulas can make flipping much easier. Gently press down on the pancake with the spatulas as it cooks to ensure even browning. Be careful not to press too hard, as this can cause the ingredients to separate.
Step 9
Flip the pancake one more time and cook until golden brown on the other side. Your delicious seafood and chive pancake is ready! Repeat the process with any remaining batter.
Step 10
Let’s prepare the dipping sauce that pairs perfectly with your pancake! Combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp vinegar, 1 Tbsp sugar, and 5 Tbsp water in a small bowl. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved. Your flavorful dipping sauce is now ready!
Step 11
Making the pancake in a donut shape allows the center to cook through thinly and become wonderfully crispy. The initial seasoning in the batter means it’s tasty even on its own, but dipping it in the sweet and tangy sauce elevates the flavor even further.
Step 12
The chewy squid and plump shrimp make for a delightful texture and incredible taste. The savory seafood combined with the freshness of the chives creates a flavor that’s far from blandly floury; it’s wonderfully chewy and crispy! This is a perfect dish for a meal side or as a snack with drinks.
