Fragrant Spring Delight: Bud Jeon (Dureup-jeon) Recipe
Make Delicious Bud Jeon with Seasonal Buds! Capture the Essence of Spring in Your Kitchen.
Introducing a recipe for fragrant and delicious Bud Jeon, made with precious buds available only in spring. You can enjoy a special spring flavor with simple ingredients. The slightly bitter yet fresh taste of the buds transforms into something even more captivating when pan-fried. This recipe includes detailed steps, making it easy for beginners to follow.
Main Ingredients- 100g prepared Aralia elata buds (Dureup)
- 2L water (for blanching)
- 1 Tbsp salt (for blanching)
- 1 cup flour mix (for Korean savory pancakes, paper cup measurement)
- 1 cup water (paper cup measurement, for batter)
- 1 egg
- 3 Tbsp cooking oil (or more, as needed)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Fill a pot with plenty of water (about 2L) for blanching the buds. Once the water comes to a boil, add 1 Tbsp of salt. Adding salt helps to reduce the buds’ bitterness and enhance their vibrant color.
Step 2
Gently place the prepared Aralia elata buds into the boiling water. It’s best to submerge the tougher stem ends first and blanch for only about 20 seconds. Over-blanching can lead to a loss of texture and nutrients.
Step 3
Immediately remove the blanched buds from the hot water and rinse them under cold running water. This shocking process in cold water stops the cooking, preserves their crispness, and prevents them from becoming mushy later. Gently squeeze out excess water with your hands.
Step 4
In a mixing bowl (about the size of a soup bowl), combine 1 cup of flour mix (measured with a paper cup), 1 cup of water (measured with a paper cup), and 1 cracked egg. Whisk well with a whisk or chopsticks until smooth and no lumps remain, creating a batter. Adjust the consistency if it’s too thin.
Step 5
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add 3 Tbsp of cooking oil. Tilt the pan to ensure the oil evenly coats the cooking surface.
Step 6
Add all the drained buds to the batter and mix gently to coat them evenly. Then, carefully place the batter-coated buds onto the preheated frying pan. Use chopsticks or a spatula to spread them out evenly. Cook over medium heat to ensure they cook through without burning.
Step 7
Once one side is golden brown, flip the jeon to cook the other side until it also reaches a beautiful golden hue. Once both sides are perfectly cooked, your fragrant Bud Jeon is ready! Enjoy it warm to fully savor the fresh taste of spring.
