Vegan Kimchi Pancakes (Korean Kimchijeon Recipe) (2024)

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This quick and easy recipe for crispy vegan Kimchi Pancakes (Kimchijeon) makes a tasty breakfast, snack, appetizer or main course – Serve your hearty pancake with a flavorful dipping sauce and you can enjoy this popularKorean dish in just a few minutes!

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Hearty pancakes with Kimchi

Every time when I prepare a new batch of homemade vegan kimchi, I have to make a big kimchi pancake immediately because I love this recipe so much! The exotic flavor of the spicy pickled napa cabbage makes this hearty pancakes especially tasty and absolutely unique!

These Korean pancakes are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside with delicious kimchi and crunchy vegetables – I guarantee that your pancakes will be gone in no time!

So if you’re looking for a way to use up leftover kimchi, or an inspiration to try homemade kimchi at all, now’s the time!

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What are kimchi pancakes “Kimchijeon”?

Hearty kimchi pancakes “Kimchijeon”, also known as kimchi-buchimgae, are a popular Korean dish. The pancake batter is traditionally made of flour, eggs, water, kimchi, various vegetables, and often also contains meat or shrimp. However, my kimchi pancake recipe is vegan, meaning without eggs, meat, and fish, but tastes incredibly delicious!

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Use any vegetables you like!

Kimchi pancakes are super quick and easy to prepare and are so versatile. The only thing that takes some time is chopping the vegetables. However, you can use any fresh vegetables you have on hand, chop them in your desired way or even leave them out completely – that’s up to you!

Besides homemade kimchi, I also added spring onions, red peppers, carrots, and corn. Here are some other suggestions of vegetables that are also very tasty in these veggie pancakes. Just be sure to chop them finely:

  • Broccoli
  • Courgette
  • Mushrooms
  • Cauliflower
  • Spinach
  • Peas
  • Potatoes
  • Kale or other cabbages

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How to make Vegan kimchi pancakes

First, check out this step-by-step guide. The full recipe with exact measurements can as always be found in the recipe box below!

Step 1: Making the pancake batter

Start by whisking together the flour, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt (optional, because the dip is very salty) in a large bowl. Next, pour in the water and stir briefly. Then add the kimchi and kimchi juice and continue stirring until the ingredients are incorporated and a relatively thick batter forms.

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Step 2: Cooking the pancake

Now you can heat either a large non-stick pan or a smaller pan to make 2 pancakes from this recipe. Then cover the bottom of your pan with some oil, but be sure to use enough or the kimchi pancakes won’t get crispy. Once the pan is hot, pour around ¾ of the batter into the pan and spread it out evenly with a spoon. Then spread the vegetables on top and press them into the dough with a spatula. Finally, top evenly with the remaining batter.

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Fry the pancake for about 3-5 minutes or until it can be easily moved around in the pan (cover the pan if necessary so that the dough will cook through faster). Then flip it carefully and fry the other side for another 3 minutes until it is nicely browned and crispy.

Tip: The easiest way to flip a big pancake is by covering the pan with a flat lid or plate. Then carefully turn the whole pan, holding on to the lid/plate, so that the pancake will turn onto the lid/plate. (Please be careful not to burn yourself as the pan is hot!). Then carefully slide the flipped pancake back into the pan.

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Step 3: Slice and enjoy!

Finally, place the cooked pancake on a plate and slice it like a pizza. Serve immediately with the dumpling dipping sauce or other Asian sauce you like and make sure to enjoy the kimchi pancake while it is still hot and crispy!

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Make ahead and storing tips

When the Kimchijeon cools, it loses its crunchiness. But you can easily reheat leftover pancakes in a pan on the stove, in the oven or on the grill until they are crispy again!

You could also prepare a big batch of batter and then store it covered for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Before using, simply stir through the batter briefly – then you can cook fresh crispy Kimchi pancakes within minutes at any time!

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This recipe for Korean kimchi pancakes is:

  • Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
  • Plant-based
  • Healthy
  • Quick and easy
  • Crispy on the outside
  • Soft and juicy on the inside
  • Loaded with vegetables
  • Full of vitamins
  • So delicious!
  • Spicy
  • Fresh and crunchy
  • Perfect as a starter, appetizer, side dish, snack, or main course for lunch or dinner!

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More vegan Asian, Chinese, Japanese, or Thai inspired recipes to try:

  • Scallion Pancakes (Chinese flatbread)
  • Yaki Onigiri (Crispy Japanese Rice Balls)
  • Vegetable Dumplings (Vegan Gyoza)
  • Vegan Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce
  • General Tso’s Tofu with Sweet-Sour Sauce
  • Asian Chili Garlic Noodles
  • Crispy Sesame Tofu with Tahini Peanut Sauce
  • Vegan Sushi (Easy Recipe)
  • Korean Bibimbap with crispy Tofu
  • Vegan Pad Thai with Veggie Noodles and Tofu
  • Chinese Eggplant with Chili Garlic Sauce
  • Asian Peanut Noodles with Crispy Tofu

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If you try this vegan recipe for savory vegetable pancakes with kimchi, please leave a comment and a rating on how you liked it! And if you take a picture of your Korean pancakes and share it on Instagram, please tag me @biancazapatka and use the hashtag #biancazapatka, because I love to see your remakes! Enjoy!

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Korean Kimchi Pancakes (Kimchijeon)

Author: Bianca Zapatka

This quick and easy recipe for crispy vegan Kimchi Pancakes (Kimchijeon) makes a tasty breakfast, snack, appetizer or main course - Serve your hearty pancake with a flavorful dipping sauce and you can enjoy this popular Korean dish in just a few minutes!

5 von 4 Bewertungen

Print Pin Review

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Lunch & Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack

Servings 2 Servings

Calories 306 kcal

Ingredients

Kimchi pancakes

  • 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • pinch of salt optional to taste
  • 1 cup (150 g) kimchi chopped + 3 tbsp kimchi juice (marinade)
  • cup (160 ml) water

Vegetables (can be varied)

  • 2 sticks (40 g) spring onions cut into thin sticks (40g)
  • ½ (80 g) red bell pepper thinly sliced (80g)
  • 1 (60 g) small carrot cut into thin sticks (60g)
  • 3 tbsp corn drained

To serve

  • 1 recipe dipping sauce
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • spring onions sliced

Instructions

  • *Note: See step-by-step photos in the blog post above!

  • Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt (optional, because the dip is very salty) in a large bowl.

  • Pour in the water and stir briefly. Then add kimchi + kimchi juice and continue stirring briefly until the ingredients are incorporated.

  • Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat and cover the bottom generously with 2-3 tablespoons of oil (*please read recipe notes below).

  • Once the pan is hot, pour approx. ¾ of the batter into the pan and spread it out evenly with a spoon. Then spread the vegetables on top and press them into the dough with a spatula. Finally, top evenly with the remaining batter. Fry the pancake for about 3-5 minutes or until it can be easily moved around in the pan (cover thicker pancakes as needed so that the dough will cook through faster). Then flip it carefully and fry uncovered for a further 3 minutes until the other side is nicely browned and crispy (*see tip for easy flipping in the blog post above).

  • Meanwhile, whisk together all the ingredients for the dipping sauce as instructed in my dumplings (gyoza) recipe.

  • Remove the pancake onto a plate and slice it like a pizza. Serve immediately with the dipping sauce while it’s still hot and crispy!

  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • I used a large 10-inch (24/26cm) non-stick pan to make a big pancake. But you can also use a smaller pan to make 2 pancakes from this recipe. If you like your pancakes crispier, I recommend making them thinner. The thicker the pancakes, the more of the soft inside you get.
  • The vegetables can be varied or even omitted as you like (suggestions can be found in the blog post above).
  • When the pancakes cool, they lose their crunchiness. However, you can easily reheat leftovers in the pan, in the oven or on the grill until they are crispy again!
  • More tips and helpful information can be found in the blog post above!

Nutritions

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 6201IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition is calculated automatically and should be used as estimate.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @biancazapatka or tag #biancazapatka!

IF YOU HAVE PINTEREST, YOU CAN FIND ME HERE AND PIN THE FOLLOWING PICTURE, IF YOU LIKE! 🙂

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©Bianca Zapatka | All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use myimages without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please link back to this post for the recipe. More info here. Thank youfor supporting biancazapatka.com!

Vegan Kimchi Pancakes (Korean Kimchijeon Recipe) (24)Disclosure for affiliate links with asterisk(*):
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Vegan Kimchi Pancakes (Korean Kimchijeon Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

Why is my kimchi pancake not crispy? ›

Not using enough oil. To get the right amount of oil in the pan, think of this cooking process as a kind of deep fry rather than a saute. Your entire pan should be covered by oil. Start with half of the oil and you'll add the remaining amount after flipping the pancake.

Why is my Korean pancake chewy? ›

Cooking temperature: cooking the pancake over too low a heat can lead to a softer texture. Higher heat is essential to achieving crispiness. Pan type: using a non-stick pan is important as it prevents sticking and ensures even cooking.

How to say kimchi pancake in Korean? ›

Kimchijeon, or kimchi jeon (김치전), is a type of Korean savory pancake that's made with kimchi. It's also called kimchi buchimgae (김치부침개). Enjoy these deliciously crispy kimchi pancakes as a snack, appetizer, or a light meal!

Why is my pajeon mushy? ›

They are “mushy” because they were undercooked. They are undercooked because the heat was too high and the surface cooked before the inside making them look cooked but “mushy”. To fix those, you could put them in a medium hot oven or toaster oven for a few minutes.

How much water do you put in Korean pancake mix? ›

Making Korean pancakes is easy to do at home, so it's definitely one you should try and let me know how you get on. I have used the following ingredients: 2 cups of white plain flour(300g) or 2 cups of Korean pancake mix. 2 cups of water (450-490ml)

Why are my vegan pancakes gooey? ›

Overmixing the batter

If you mix the batter too much, you knock all of the air bubbles out and your pancakes won't rise very well, resulting in a gummy texture. Mix it until it just comes together and no more. Another cause of gummy pancakes is leaving the batter to sit for too long before frying.

What if Korean pancake is too thick? ›

Or if it's too thick, you can add water and kimchi juice. The rule of thumb is to just add 1 tablespoon at a time. Once the pancake batter is prepared, you'll need to heat up your 10-12-inch pan with a good amount of oil. You want to see a little bit of white smoke as it's heating up.

Why are Korean pancakes so oily? ›

“Because you are cooking in such a hot pan,” said Chung, “the pajeon can burn. But if you make the mistake of turning down the heat too much, the pancake has a tendency to become oily.”

Is it OK to eat kimchi everyday? ›

Overall, eating up to three servings of kimchi daily was associated with an 11% lower odds for obesity, compared to folks who ate less than one serving daily, Shin's group found. Results varied somewhat based on gender: Women who ate two to three servings daily saw their odds for obesity fall by 8%, the study found.

Can kimchi go bad? ›

Homemade kimchi must be kept refrigerated and will last for up to 1 month. Store-bought kimchi that remains unopened can be kept at room temperature for 1-3 months. If you have store-bought kimchi that's been opened, it will be good for 3-4 days at room temperature and up to 6 months when refrigerated.

What to eat with kimchi pancake? ›

Korean kimchi pancakes are typically served with a dipping sauce of soy sauce, vinegar and sugar - and occasionally some fresh chives and chilli powder. This kimchi pancake makes an wonderful spicy breakfast for the brave. Alternatively serve as a banchan side dish at a more formal Korean meal.

Why does my kimchi pancake fall apart? ›

After adding the batter, give it a few minutes to set. Moving it too soon robs it of the opportunity to build that initial crunch and may even cause the pancake to fall apart. Once the bottom has firmed up it's time to spin and slightly lift the pancake to ensure even distribution of the oil.

What does kimchi mean in Korean? ›

The Korean term "Kimchi" refers to fermented vegetables, and encompasses salt and seasoned vegetables. It is mainly served as a side dish with every meal, but also can be served as a main dish. Kimchi is mainly recognized as a spicy fermented cabbage dish globally.

Why is my kimchi not crunchy? ›

My kimchi is mushy, not crunchy like it should be, what went wrong? It's possible your kimchi fermented in a room that was too hot. Higher temperatures can lead to the bacteria becoming a bit overactive, breaking down the structure of the vegetables.

Why are my pancakes soggy? ›

My pancakes are soggy

You may have undercooked them or not used enough fat to cook them properly. Alternatively, the batter may be of the correct consistency but you may have used too much of it for each pancake. Batter which is too thick can also make the pancake difficult to roll or fold.

Is kimchi supposed to be soggy? ›

Kimchi spoilage and over-fermentation

It will continue to ferment at a cool temperature. If kimchi over-ferments, it will have a very vinegary odor and taste. It is not pleasant to eat raw, so it is often used for soups and stews. If any fermentation gets soft and slimy, then it is a sign of spoilage.

Why are my homemade pancakes rubbery? ›

If you stir your pancake batter too much, the gas bubbles that your acid and base just produced will be released. Over stirring causes tough, rubbery pancakes.

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