Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Scallion Pancake)

Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Scallion Pancake)

A crispy Korean pancake — a bed of scallions loaded with squid and shrimp in a golden batter, crisp at the edges and tender inside. The classic rainy-day dish to share with makgeolli.

Ingredients

2servings
  • Scallions · or green onions1 bunch
  • Mixed seafood · squid, shrimp, mussel200 g
  • Cheongyang chili · optional1
  • Red chili · garnish, optional1
  • Cooking oil · generous4 tbsp
  • Batter
  • Korean frying mix · or flour + salt1 cup
  • Water · cold0.75 cup
  • Egg1
  • Soy-vinegar dip
  • Soy sauce2 tbsp
  • Vinegar1 tbsp
  • Water1 tbsp
  • Gochugaru · optional0.5 tsp
  • Sesame seeds · a pinch

Steps

  1. Cut the scallions to the width of your pan; chop the seafood small and drain it well in a sieve.

  2. Whisk the frying mix with cold water and the egg into a slightly thin batter — not too thick.

    ⏲ 2 min
  3. Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan over medium heat, lay the scallions out neatly, and pour the batter evenly over them.

    ⏲ 1 min
  4. Scatter the seafood and chili on top, drizzle a little more batter, and fry until the bottom is golden.

    ⏲ 5 min
  5. Flip once and crisp the other side, drizzling oil around the edges for extra crunch.

    ⏲ 4 min
  6. Mix the soy-vinegar dip. Cut the pancake into bite-size pieces and serve with the dip.

Tips & Variations

Variations

  • Kimchi jeon: Use chopped sour kimchi instead of seafood.
  • Buchu jeon: Swap the scallions for a pile of garlic chives.
  • Dongnae pajeon: Busan style — heaped with seafood and a runny egg cracked on top.
  • Gamja jeon: Finely grated potato for a chewy version.

Tips

  • Keep the batter slightly thin for a thin, crisp pancake; thick batter turns gummy.
  • Mixing with cold water makes it crispier.
  • Use plenty of oil over medium heat so the inside cooks through and the edges crisp up.
  • Flip it only once so it does not fall apart.
  • Best eaten hot off the pan with makgeolli.

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