Crispy Korean Spring Onion Pancake (Pajeon)

Introduction

If you’re craving a savory, crispy appetizer or a unique side dish that bursts with flavor, look no further than the classic Crispy Korean Spring Onion Pancake—better known as Pajeon. This Korean favorite combines vibrant green onions in a light, crunchy batter, resulting in a dish that’s as satisfying as it is easy to make. Whether served as a quick lunch, a shared snack, or an impressive party starter, Pajeon is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Deliciously Unique Crispy Korean Spring Onion Pancake (Pajeon)

Pajeon stands out for its irresistibly crisp edges, tender interior, and the aromatic punch of spring onions. Unlike many pancakes, Pajeon is pan-fried to golden perfection, offering a delightful contrast in texture. Paired with a tangy, savory dipping sauce, it delivers balanced, umami-rich flavor in every bite—making it a must-try for fans of Korean cuisine and anyone who appreciates an easy, delicious dish.

Preparing the Perfect Pajeon Batter

The secret to the crispiest Pajeon lies in a simple batter of flour, ice-cold water, and a touch of cornstarch or rice flour for extra crunch. Whisk until just combined—the batter should be loose and slightly lumpy. Chilling with cold water ensures the pancake fries up light and thin, while keeping the spring onions vibrant and just cooked.

How to Achieve the Signature Pajeon Crispiness

After prepping the batter, arrange the spring onions in a hot skillet and pour the batter evenly over them. Fry in a generous amount of vegetable oil over medium-high heat to create crisp, golden edges. Press down gently while cooking for even contact, then flip carefully to crisp up the other side. For ultimate crispiness, serve the pancake hot from the pan and cut into wedges.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Pajeon

For a traditional experience, serve your Pajeon with a quick dipping sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, a touch of sesame oil, and a sprinkle of chili flakes or sliced chilies. Garnish with extra green onions or toasted sesame seeds. Pair with Korean BBQ, steamed rice, or enjoy it on its own as a flavorful appetizer alongside your favorite beverage.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about 2 large pancakes, enough to serve 4 as an appetizer or 2 as a main course. Each serving is about 200–250 calories, depending on the amount of oil and dipping sauce used. Pajeon provides a delightful taste of Korea with fresh vegetables and a satisfying crunch.

Crispy Korean Spring Onion Pancake (Pajeon) (Recap)

The combination of fresh spring onions with a gloriously crisp batter makes Pajeon unique, flavorful, and versatile. It’s an impressive yet straightforward recipe that’s perfect for family meals, meal prep, or entertaining guests.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list, with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and seamless meal planning.

Instructions

1. Prepare the batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, rice flour (or cornstarch), and salt. Add the ice-cold water and egg, stirring until just combined. The batter should be pourable and slightly lumpy; if it’s too thick, add a little more cold water.
2. Heat the pan: Place a non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add enough oil to generously coat the bottom.
3. Arrange onions: Add a layer of spring onion segments (and any desired vegetables or seafood) across the skillet in a single layer.
4. Pour the batter: Evenly pour or spoon the batter over the spring onions, gently pressing to ensure full contact. Tilt the pan for even spreading if necessary.
5. Fry until golden and crisp: Cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes or until the bottom is crispy and golden. Carefully flip the pancake (using a spatula or plate method) and cook another 2–3 minutes until the other side is crispy.
6. Drain and slice: Remove the pancake and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Slice into wedges for serving.
7. Mix the dipping sauce: Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar (if using), chili flakes or sliced chili, and sesame seeds in a small bowl.
8. Serve: Enjoy the Pajeon hot, with the dipping sauce on the side.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Pajeon recipe is fantastic for weekly meal prep and meal planning. Save and schedule this recipe on CookifyAI to plan your meals for the week and automatically generate a smart shopping list—so you never miss a key ingredient.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across multiple recipes
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections
• Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten items
• Simplifies weekly meal prep for time-saving convenience

Pro tip: When planning several recipes with overlapping ingredients (like eggs or flour), schedule in advance to streamline your grocery list, reduce food waste, and make the most of every shopping trip!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Enjoy making (and sharing) this crispy, crowd-pleasing Korean Pajeon—and make weeknight meal planning easier than ever!