**Introduction**
Korean cuisine offers a variety of delicious pan-fried dishes, and one of the most beloved among them is Haemul Buchimgae, or Korean seafood pancake. Unlike the more commonly known Pajeon, Haemul Buchimgae focuses on a medley of fresh seafood mixed into a crispy and savory pancake batter. This dish is perfect as an appetizer, a snack, or even a light meal, paired beautifully with a soy-based dipping sauce. It’s easy to prepare and gives you a true taste of Korean comfort food.
**Main Content**
**Ingredients (for 1 serving):**
– All-purpose flour: 70g
– Cornstarch: 20g
– Cold water: 120ml
– Egg: 1 large (about 50g)
– Small shrimp, peeled and deveined: 50g
– Squid, sliced into rings: 50g
– Green onion, chopped: 30g
– Carrot, julienned: 20g
– Garlic chives (or substitute with regular chives), chopped: 15g
– Salt: 1/4 tsp
– Ground black pepper: a pinch
– Vegetable oil for frying: about 2 tbsp
**Dipping Sauce:**
– Soy sauce: 15ml
– Rice vinegar: 10ml
– Sesame seeds: 1 tsp
– Finely chopped green chili (optional): 1 tsp
– Minced garlic: 1/2 tsp
– Sugar: 1/4 tsp
**Recipe Steps:**
1. **Prepare the batter:** In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and cold water until smooth. Add the egg and stir again until combined.
2. **Add the seafood and vegetables:** Gently fold in the shrimp, squid, chopped green onions, carrot, and garlic chives. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper. Mix until everything is evenly coated with the batter.
3. **Heat the pan:** Place a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat and add about 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Once hot, pour half of the batter onto the pan and spread it evenly into a round pancake shape about 20 cm in diameter and about 1 cm thick.
4. **Fry the pancake:** Cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side until the edges look crispy and golden brown. Carefully flip the pancake using a spatula and cook the other side for another 3 minutes until crispy and cooked through. Add more oil around the edges if necessary.
5. **Make the dipping sauce:** While the pancake cooks, mix all dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl until sugar dissolves.
6. **Serve:** Transfer the seafood pancake onto a plate. Cut it into bite-sized pieces and serve immediately with the dipping sauce on the side.
**Conclusion**
Haemul Buchimgae is a wonderful representation of Korean pan-fried dishes that brings together fresh seafood and crispy batter in every bite. It’s both simple and impressive—perfect to make when you want something satisfying and flavorful without too much effort. Whether it’s for a cozy night in or entertaining guests, this seafood pancake will surely delight your taste buds. Try this recipe and enjoy a little piece of Korea right at your table!
