Crispy and Chewy Potato Pancake (Gamja-chaejeon)
How to Make Deliciously Crispy and Chewy Potato Pancake with Starch Powder
While delicious when pan-fried to a crisp without starch powder, adding potato starch creates a wonderfully chewy texture that elevates this dish. This recipe makes 3 delightful pancakes from 3 medium potatoes. Because it contains no wheat flour, it’s a savory pancake that you won’t get tired of easily, making it a great choice!
Ingredients
- 3 medium potatoes
- 4 Tbsp potato starch
- 0.5 Tbsp salt
- A pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the potatoes thoroughly. Using a mandoline slicer or julienne peeler will help you get the thinnest possible shreds. If you don’t have one, you can thinly slice the potatoes with a regular peeler and then cut them into fine strips.
Step 2
Place the shredded potatoes in cold water for about 10 minutes to remove excess starch. (Tip: If you’re making this without added starch powder, you can skip this soaking step. However, if you want a chewier texture by using potato starch, it’s beneficial to soak them.)
Step 3
Drain the shredded potatoes well. If you have some thinly sliced green onions (scallions), you can add them now and mix them in with the potatoes.
Step 4
Add the 4 tablespoons of potato starch and 0.5 tablespoon of salt to the bowl with the potatoes.
Step 5
Sprinkle in a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything together well until the ingredients are evenly combined. Your pancake batter is now ready!
Step 6
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the pan, spreading them slightly. Fry until golden brown and crispy, almost like deep-frying.
Step 7
The natural moisture from the potatoes will combine with the potato starch in the batter, creating a wonderfully chewy texture within the crispy pancake.
Step 8
When forming the pancakes, try to use about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the potato mixture per pancake. This slightly thicker layer helps achieve that delicious, chewy center.
Step 9
Flip the pancakes and cook the other side until it’s also golden brown and crispy. The shredded potatoes will become beautifully browned. Enjoy your delicious potato pancakes while they’re warm!
