Crispy Pa Jeon (Scallion Pancake) Recipe by Baek Jong-won: Easy Korean Classic at Home

Buchujeon (부추전) is a traditional Korean pancake dish. Its simple ingredients and cooking method make it easy to enjoy a crispy and flavorful taste, representing a quintessential Korean food. Chef Baek Jong-won's (백종원) version boasts a unique flavor, blending the savory taste of chives and dried shrimp, the spiciness of green chilies, and the rich umami of anchovy sauce. This recipe includes a dipping sauce (초간장) for a perfect meal or appetizer.

The Allure of Buchujeon

Buchujeon is a crispy, thinly-fried pancake perfect as a meal, snack, or even an appetizer. In Korea, it's so popular that it's often enjoyed with makgeolli (막걸리), especially on rainy days. The combination of nutritious chives, savory dried shrimp, and pancake batter creates a delicious flavor that appeals to people of all ages.

Introducing the Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• Chives (부추): 200g
• Carrot (당근): 1/6 (50g)
• Green Chili Peppers (청양고추): 4 (24g)
• Pancake Batter (부침가루): 1 1/2 cups (150g)
• Water (물): 1 1/2 cups (250g)
• Anchovy Sauce (멸치액젓): 1 tbsp (10g)
• Dried Shrimp (건새우): 1/2 cup (20g)
• Cooking Oil (식용유): 3 tbsp (20g)
• Minced Garlic (간마늘): 1 tbsp (15g)

Dipping Sauce (초간장)

• Soy Sauce (진간장): 1 tbsp (10g)
• Vinegar (식초): 1 tbsp (10g)
• Brown Sugar (황설탕): 1/2 tbsp (5g)

How to Make Buchujeon

1. Prepare the Ingredients

• Soak the dried shrimp in the water for the batter to enhance the savory flavor.
• Wash the chives thoroughly and cut them into 5cm lengths.
• Finely chop the green chilies and thinly julienne the carrot.

2. Make the Batter

• In a large bowl, combine the carrot, chives, green chilies, minced garlic, pancake batter, soaked dried shrimp, water, and anchovy sauce. Mix well until a smooth batter forms.
• Using anchovy sauce adds a deep savory taste and a pleasant saltiness.

3. Cook the Buchujeon

• Pour plenty of cooking oil into a frying pan and preheat over low heat.
• Spread the batter thinly on the pan and cook over medium heat until the edges become crispy.
• Once one side is golden brown, flip and cook the other side until crispy.

4. Make the Dipping Sauce

• Mix the soy sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar to make a simple dipping sauce.
• The dipping sauce enhances the flavor of the Buchujeon.

5. Completion

• Arrange the golden-brown Buchujeon on a plate and serve with the dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Buchujeon and the Allure of Korean Cuisine

Buchujeon offers a delightful combination of crispy exterior and moist interior. It also makes an excellent side dish alongside Korean barbecue or grilled meats, enhancing the overall dining experience. The sweet and sour taste of the dipping sauce further complements the Buchujeon's flavor.

Chef Baek Jong-won's (백종원) recipe allows you to easily enjoy the charm of traditional Korean food at home. Make Buchujeon today – it's a satisfying dish perfect as an appetizer, snack, or even a full meal!

Crispy and delicious Chef Baek Jong-won's (백종원) Buchujeon (백종원표 부추전), try it today!