Crispy Potato Pancakes (Gamjajeon): A Rainy Day Delight!
A Rainy Day Must-Have! Crispy and Delicious Potato Pancakes
What’s better than a crispy potato pancake on a gloomy, rainy day? This recipe will guide you through making perfectly golden-brown and wonderfully moist gamjajeon right in your own kitchen. Simple ingredients yield a truly satisfying and classic Korean dish.
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1/4 tsp coarse salt
Garnish & Dipping Sauce
- 1/2 red chili pepper
- 1/2 Korean green chili pepper (optional, for heat)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 red chili pepper
- 1/2 Korean green chili pepper (optional, for heat)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vinegar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash and peel the potatoes. Grate them using the coarse side of a box grater. Finely mince the red chili pepper and the Korean green chili pepper (if using). These will be sprinkled on top for color and a hint of flavor.
Step 2
Place the grated potato into a fine-mesh sieve and press gently to drain out as much liquid as possible. Set the drained liquid aside in a bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes until the starch settles at the bottom. Carefully pour off the clear liquid, reserving the white starch at the bottom.
Step 3
In a mixing bowl, combine the drained grated potato, the reserved potato starch, and the 1/4 tsp of coarse salt. Mix well with a spoon or spatula until a cohesive batter forms. The salt helps to enhance the natural sweetness of the potatoes.
Step 4
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Once the oil is hot, spoon portions of the potato batter onto the pan, spreading them thinly into desired shapes. Sprinkle the minced red and green chili peppers evenly over the batter. Cook until the edges are golden brown and crispy, then carefully flip and cook the other side until also golden brown.
Step 5
To make the dipping sauce, combine 2 tbsp of soy sauce and 1 tbsp of vinegar in a small bowl. For an extra kick, you can add a little more minced chili pepper. Stir well to combine. This tangy and slightly spicy sauce is the perfect accompaniment to your freshly made crispy potato pancakes. Enjoy!
