Pancakes on Parade: Pajeon or Korean Fish and Vegetable Cakes

 

"Flapjacks, crêpes, pajeon, dosa, blini, tortillas, crespelle, jian bing, pikelets, ataif, blintzes, bánh cuốn, palačinka, injera …the varieties are as endless as the cooks who prepare them and the countries they hail from."

So wrote Susan, of The Well-Seasoned Cook, in her Pancakes on Parade announcement. A call for pancakes, any kind of pancakes, is hard to resist and so was deciding what sort of pancakes to make.

I was able to rule out traditional American breakfast pancakes right away, having been traumatized by sogginess as a child. I still won't eat them, and I shy away from syrup, as well (syrup + big thick pancake = soggy), though I do love a nice crispy waffle with jam on top. I could go on about my childhood trauma, but I'll spare you and just get to pancakes I do like.

I love savory pancakes of all sorts and particularly Korean jeon (or jun). Jeon are pancake-like dishes made from a sturdy batter of flour, eggs, water and a little oil. Different fillings result in different dishes, and include scallions, shellfish, white fish, meats and all sorts of vegetables.  Even though the name of the dish changes with each type of filling used, most people just call any Korean pancake pa jun (or pajeon) which is actually the well-known version made with scallions.

Pajeon are large pancakes made in a skillet, requiring cooking on both sides. Although the batter is very sturdy, they can be a little tricky to flip if you've really loaded them up with filling. You can watch Mark Bittman prepare them here, and see the recipe I adapted here.

Korean Fish and Vegetable Pancakes
adapted from Mark Bittman in The New York Times
Serves 4 - 6 as an appetizer and 3 for a main meal

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon canola or other neutral oil, more as needed
1 1/2 cups water
5 scallions, green parts only, cut into 3-inch lengths and sliced lengthwise
20 chives or 5 chopped scallions
1 medium carrot, julienned
1 small yellow or green squash, trimmed and julienned
1/2 pound firm white fish, cooked and flaked
1 tablespoon rice or white vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon hot pepper oil
3 - 4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar

In a medium bowl, mix the flour, eggs and oil with the water until a smooth batter is formed. Stir in the scallion greens, chives, carrots, squash and fish.

Heat the oil in an 8- inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Ladle in about a quarter of the batter and spread it out evenly into a circle. If the batter seems too thick you can thin it with a little more water for the next ones. Turn the heat down to medium and cook until the bottom is browned, about 3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter.  As the pancakes are finished you can drain the on paper towels, and place in a warm oven to keep hot.

Make the dipping sauce by mixing together the vinegar, sesame oil, hot pepper oil, soy sauce and sugar.

Cut pancakes into small triangles and serve with dipping sauce.

Comments

[Lore]

Now that's an event I would so like to join! Your savoury pancakes look so springy, love them!

[Manggy]

Would you believe I've never even heard of pajeon?! I'm pathetic! I need to learn more about my Asian brothers, hahaha. They look really wholesome, I've been excited to see your fish-cakes since Jack mentioned them :)

Y.. You don't like pancakes?! Noooooooo!!! To have them thick, puffy, underdone in the middle, with a smooth golden surface with minute ridges like a vinyl record?! And the maple syrup filling every lacuna in the sweet, eggy foam?! Absolute joy for me!!

[núria]

Hey Ann! We don't have this tradition here... it's so American! First time I heard this word was in a Woody Allen's film! They look like crepes to me or tortillas... I bet they are simply delicious :D

[Deborah]

I've never had these before, but I see that changing in my future. They sound fantastic!

[Peter]

Ann, I'm seeing more & more savory pancakes or whatever each ethnicity calls them. One unifying adjective...yum!

[Bonbon Oiseau]

mmm. so good. i may have to try this recipe tomorrow (or go to Koreatown tonight and eat some...)

[adele]

Mmm. These look delicious.

How did I miss hearing about this event? It sounds like a great excuse to make zucchini pancakes (not as odd as they sound.)

[Susan]

That's it! I just walked in the door with a huge handful of chives from my mother's garden. What to do with them, what to do...Thanks, Ann, for deciding our supper and for joining in the event.

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

I love scallion pancakes, but this stuffed version looks even better -- and they are easier to form than the coiled-and-rolled Chinese pancakes. These would be great fun for a dinner party.

[We Are Never Full]

one of our favorites to order at our fave Korean restaurants. love this recipe!!! i'd take a savory pancake over asweet one any day!

[Becky]

i've had a recipe for these pancakes on hold for the longest time! these pictures make me itch to get in the kitchen now even though it's almost 11 PM. nice blog!

[grace]

flatten something and call it a pancake, and i'll eat it. :) this particular version looks delicate and tasty--nice contribution. :)

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

Right, I can not eat pancakes with sugar syrup in the morning or I feel like ... all day, and I'll bite your head off if you try to talk to me.
These are my kind of pancakes! Must try them soon!

[Sophie]

these pancakes look awesome!
i've always loved pancakes (the sweet type, i mean), but they might just have a competitor now! :)

[katy]

those look obscenely good -- and super light and colorful! i want one for breakfast. :-)

[Maya]

I have been meaning to make these little pancakes, maybe now is the time. Those look wonderful.

[cookinpanda]

I love savory pancakes and have made them with scallions and sweet potatoes and radishes, but never with something as bold as fish. These sound great... as good at any seafood pancake I've had at Korean restaurants.

[Tartelette]

I have been meaning to try making these for ages but I think your write up mede me hungry enough to do so tomorrow! They look and sound wonderful!

[Bellini]

Mmmm these sound incredible Ann. I will have to give them a try:D I love pancakes of all kinds:D

[melissa]

Oh yeah, these are pancakes that I love. Killer.

[maybelles mom (feeding maybelle)]

these are wonderful, as are the picts.

[[eatingclub] vancouver]

Great-looking pancakes! I love savoury pancakes and the dipping sauce looks killer.