Crispy Kimchi Pancakes (Kimchi Buchimgae) – Easy, Authentic Korean Recipe

Method6 steps · about 25 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Whisk the pancake mix with the ice-cold water (1 cup) until smooth. If using plain flour instead, add 1/8 tsp each of salt, garlic powder (1/8 tsp) and onion powder (1/8 tsp). Mix in the chopped kimchi, kimchi liquid (1 Tbsp) and finely ground gochugaru (1 tsp).

   Uses 1 cup Korean pancake mix (buchimgaru), or all-purpose flour · 1 cup ice-cold water · 1 cup well-fermented kimchi, chopped · 1 Tbsp kimchi liquid (the juice from your kimchi container) · 1 tsp finely ground gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) · 1/8 tsp fine salt, only with plain flour · 1/8 tsp garlic powder, only with plain flour · 1/8 tsp onion powder, only with plain flour

2. 2

   Step 2: Heat a pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add enough cooking oil to coat the surface generously and swirl it around.

   Uses Cooking oil for the pan, as needed

3. 3

   Step 3: Ladle some prepared batter into the hot oiled pan. Spread it thinly into a round pancake about 5–6 inches wide; reserve the remaining batter for the other pancakes.

   Uses A ladleful of kimchi batter; reserve the rest

4. 4

   Step 4: Cook over medium-high heat for 10–20 seconds to set the bottom, then reduce to medium. Continue until the bottom is golden and crisp and the top is starting to set. Lower the heat if it browns too quickly and add oil as needed.

   Uses Uncooked kimchi pancake · Additional cooking oil as needed

5. 5

   Step 5: Flip when the bottom is golden and the top has begun to set, about 70% cooked. Press gently with a spatula a few times and cook the second side until golden, crisp and cooked through.

   Uses First-side-cooked kimchi pancake

6. 6

   Step 6: Transfer the cooked pancake to a board and cut into bite-size pieces. Repeat the oiling, spreading, cooking and flipping with the remaining batter to make four pancakes in total. Serve hot with the prepared dipping sauce.

   Uses Cooked kimchi pancake · Batter remaining for the other pancakes · Further cooking oil for remaining pancakes, as needed · Prepared Korean pancake dipping sauce, to serve