Crispy Potato String Pancake (Gamja-chaejeon) by Oh Yoon-ah
Oh Yoon-ah’s Special but Simple Potato String Pancake Recipe Revealed!
There are countless potato pancake recipes, but the Gamja-chaejeon introduced by Oh Yoon-ah on ‘Pyeonstaurant’ captivated viewers with its unique appearance and surprising crispiness. While it looks like a standard potato pancake made with shredded potatoes, its crispiness is truly exceptional. Potato pancakes have been a traditional dish for ages, and it might feel like a recipe passed down from mother to child, but Oh Yoon-ah’s recipe is so good that it will make you fall in love with it all over again.
Ingredients
- 3 potatoes (medium size or larger)
- Pinch of salt
- Sufficient cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the potatoes thoroughly and prepare them. For a potato string pancake, it’s best to use potatoes that are of medium size or larger, as they are easier to shred and provide a better texture. Unlike potato pancakes made by blending, using larger potatoes for shredding results in a more substantial and enjoyable texture.
Step 2
It’s important for the shredded potato strings to be of uniform thickness for even cooking and a delicious result. While you can slice them with a knife, if achieving uniform slices is difficult, using a mandoline slicer is highly recommended. A mandoline allows you to easily create potato strings of consistent thickness, which helps them cook evenly.
Step 3
To enhance the crispiness, soak the shredded potatoes in cold water to remove excess starch. Rinse them multiple times under cold water, ensuring all starch is washed away. Afterwards, drain them thoroughly using a colander. Removing as much moisture as possible is a crucial step for achieving a crispy potato string pancake, so be diligent.
Step 4
Once the potato strings are drained, season them with a pinch of salt. Potato string pancakes are delicious on their own or dipped in soy sauce. However, lightly seasoning the pancake itself will enhance the savory potato flavor and overall richness. If you prefer, you can add a tiny amount of sugar to your taste. Gently mix everything together to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Step 5
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Arrange the prepared potato strings in a round shape on the pan. Using a round pan makes shaping easier, but you can achieve a nice shape with a regular pan too. Oh Yoon-ah’s secret to this potato string pancake is frying it until crispy. Once the edges start to turn golden brown, flip it over and fry until the other side is also golden and crispy. Enjoy the ultimate potato string pancake – crispy on the outside and tender on the inside!
