Crispy & Cheesy Potato Pancake (Gamjajeon)
Irresistible Cheesy Potato Pancakes Made in 5 Easy Steps
This recipe was inspired by a memorable cheesy potato pancake I enjoyed as a side dish at a restaurant. It’s designed to be a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, offering a delightful contrast of crispy exterior and chewy interior, generously filled with melted cheese.
Ingredients- 1 medium potato (approx. 150-200g)
- 2 Tbsp pancake mix (approx. 20g)
- 2 Tbsp cold water (approx. 30ml)
- 3 Tbsp cooking oil (approx. 45ml)
- 3 Tbsp shredded mozzarella cheese (approx. 30g)
- 1/2 tsp salt (approx. 2-3g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the potato and wash it thoroughly. Julienne it into very thin, fine strips. Gently squeeze out any excess moisture from the julienned potatoes. In a bowl, combine the julienned potatoes, pancake mix, cold water, and salt. Mix well until there are no lumps, creating a batter. If the batter is too thin, add a little more pancake mix; if it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more water. Aim for a consistency slightly thicker than pancake batter.
Step 2
Heat 1.5 Tbsp of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Pour half of the potato batter into the pan and spread it thinly and evenly into a large circle. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the potato pancake is golden brown on the bottom. Carefully flip it using a spatula and cook the other side until equally golden brown. Once both sides are golden brown, slide the pancake to one side of the pan.
Step 3
Add the remaining 1.5 Tbsp of cooking oil to the same pan. Pour the rest of the potato batter and spread it thinly. Once this batter starts to set, carefully lift the first cooked potato pancake and place it over the second batter, folding it in half. Generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese in the center.
Step 4
After adding the cheese, cover it and cook for another 1-2 minutes over medium-low heat. This will allow the heat to gently melt the cheese inside. Carefully flip the pancake again and cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the batter is cooked through. Be careful not to use high heat, as this can burn the cheese or leave the potato uncooked.
Step 5
Once the cheese is completely melted and all the ingredients are nicely melded together, your delicious cheesy potato pancake is ready! Carefully remove it from the pan, cut it into desired portions, and enjoy while warm. It’s wonderfully crispy on the outside, delightfully chewy on the inside, with the rich, gooey cheese pull. It’s also delicious served with ketchup or chili sauce!
