Crispy and Savory Buchu Jeon (Chive Pancake)
Make Crispy and Delicious Buchu Jeon with the Perfect Ratio!
The sight of fresh chives instantly makes me crave a savory pancake! I tend to make generous portions when I cook, and this recipe is perfect for sharing with family. Freshly made Buchu Jeon boasts a wonderfully crispy exterior and a tender, moist interior that everyone, young and old, will love. It’s a delightful dish that works perfectly as a simple accompaniment to drinks or as a snack, even on non-special occasions. If you enjoy cooking like I do, make a generous batch to complete a more abundant meal!
Batter Ingredients- 240g pancake mix (buchim garu)
- 640ml water
- 2 large eggs
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. First, wash the chives thoroughly, drain them well, and then cut them into lengths of about 3-4 cm. Slice the onion into thin strips, and remove the seeds from the bell pepper and hot pepper before finely chopping them. (You can prepare the hot pepper separately if family members don’t prefer spicy food.)
Step 2
2. In a large bowl, place the pancake mix. Gradually add the water in 2-3 portions while stirring to dissolve any lumps. It’s important to use a chopstick or whisk to create a smooth batter without any dry powder. Once the batter is somewhat dissolved, crack in the 2 eggs and mix again thoroughly.
Step 3
3. The batter consistency should be neither too thin nor too thick. Ideally, when you lift the batter with a spatula, it should flow down smoothly but feel slightly viscous. (Note: The vegetables will release some moisture, which can make the batter slightly thicker, so it’s okay if it feels a bit thick initially.)
Step 4
4. Add the prepared chives to the batter.
Step 5
5. Add the sliced onions.
Step 6
6. Add the red bell pepper for color and the hot pepper for a spicy kick. (Adjust the amount of hot pepper to your liking, or omit it. If you don’t like spicy food, you can set some aside and fry it separately.) Gently mix everything together so the ingredients are well combined with the batter.
Step 7
7. Don’t worry if the batter looks a bit thick! Batter with plenty of vegetables added will result in a much crispier and tastier pancake when fried.
Step 8
8. (For those who like spicy food) If you want to make spicy pancakes separately, take out a portion of the batter and mix in the chopped hot pepper. This batter can be used to make about 4 spicy pancakes.
Step 9
9. The prepared batter can be divided into spicy and non-spicy portions as shown.
Step 10
10. Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Once the oil is sufficiently hot, ladle some batter onto the pan.
Step 11
11. Spread the batter thinly and widely using a ladle or by gently pressing with a spatula. The thinner the pancake, the crispier it will be. Add a little more oil around the edges of the pan each time you flip it to ensure it cooks to a beautiful golden brown.
Step 12
12. Cook over medium-high heat, flipping it about twice on each side (four times in total), until it turns golden brown and the edges are crispy. This will yield approximately 12 delicious Buchu Jeon. Enjoy them while they’re warm!
