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Kimchi Pancake Challenge

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Today, I’m going to share my experience cooking KimchiJeon or Kimchi pancake.  This is my first time trying this recipe and taking photos, so it was a small learning curve. *Cooking experience and videos are at the end of the post.*

Onions, scallions, kimchi, and Korean pancake mix


Kimchi jeon or kimchi pancake main staple ingredients are kimchi, green onions, onions, water, and flour.  Because of the various cooking methods there are different combinations that you can try.  Whether you use Korean pancake mix, flour add cornstarch, egg, meat/seafood or ice cold water will depend on your dietary requirements and taste buds.  

Recipe Reference: Korean Bapsang

Kimchi

Because I have a shellfish allergy I need to use vegan kimchi.  Most kimchi that you find at your local grocery stores contain shrimp and or fish sauce. *Some fish sauces can be seasoned with shellfish*  Because I want to make sure that I don’t have an allergic reaction I use the vegan kimchi made by Pulmuone. *Pulmuone: vegan kimchi contains wheat*

Foodie Challenge

I sent out a cooking challenge to other content creators who have K-pop, K-drama, and mukbangs blogs and video channels.   I feel like it will be nice for everyone to show our unity and show how we enjoy Korean food as non-Koreans.

Related Reading: Korean Cooking Challenge

H-mart Shopping

I went to my local H-mart and picked up the staple  ingredients, and I also bought sesame oil, all purpose soy sauce, sesame seeds, brown rice vinegar, green onions and Korean pancake mix.  I bought the pancake mix because it was on sale 2 for $5, and the sauces because I intended to make the dipping sauce.

However, once I tasted the first kimchi pancake using the pancake mix I realized it really has a lot of flavor, and it didn’t require the dipping sauce.  Previously, I’ve made the dipping sauce to go with the zucchini, chive, and green onion pancakes. You will need these ingredients to make a kimchi pancake.

Ingredients

1 cup Korean pancake mix

1 cup ice cold water

2 scallions/green onions thinly sliced

½ onion thinly sliced    

Cooking oil (extra virgin olive oil)

Substitutions 

1 egg

1 tablespoon of red pepper paste (gochujang)

Instructions

Thinly slice the green onions, onions and kimchi if necessary and set the veggies to the side.  Pulmuone kimchi is already pre-sliced, but some of the pieces can be a little bigger than bit sized.  Cut up the larger or firmer pieces to get a flatter pancake texture.

In a bowl combine the pancake mix, cold water, egg, and red pepper paste until the batter is mixed together.  

Flour, red pepper paste and egg mixture image


Next, gently add the kimchi, onions, and green onions to the mixture.

The instructions for the recipe suggest one tablespoon of cooking oil and to preheat your pan on medium heat.  To cook: coat the pan with oil, set your temperature and wait for the pan to get hot.  Pour the pancake mixture into the pan and cook for three minutes on each side.

kimchi pancake


Enjoy immediately to taste this savory and crunchy pancake.

Notes

Learning Curve: What I learned cooking the kimchi jeon is a deep respect for food bloggers, and vloggers.  A recipe that usually only takes ten minutes is basically tripled because you have to stop at each step to take a photo. Being concerned about the backdrop and your cooking process is a whole new experience.

Pancake Mixture: For the batter mixture, the second time I tried making this recipe I didn’t use the egg or the red pepper paste. I found the pancake still clumps together, with just the right amount of spice and flavor with the pancake mix and vegetables. 

Make It Your Own: If you don’t have a food allergy to wheat/gluten I suggest using the Korean pancake mix.  The mix uses ingredients that include corn starch, garlic powder, onion powder, and baking powder, so it’s really convenient.  If you need alternatives I’ve read suggestions to use gluten-free or rice flour and you can add the dried seasonings to achieve the same result. To make it vegan simply omit the egg or you can use  vegan eggs.

Crunch: I cooked the pancake within the suggested time frame of 2-3 minutes, however, I didn’t find it crispy enough.  The second time I tried this recipe I put a bottle of water in the freezer and waited until it was almost frozen. The kimchi pancakes were crunchier and tasted beter.

Reheat: I’ve read suggestions that you can reheat the pancake on the stove top for 2-3 minutes and it will get the crunchy texture again. However, if you have the time try the oven, at 375º for 10 minutes.

If you like this post or have recipe suggestions please leave them in the comments down below. I can’t wait to read everyone’s insights!

Join Us

If you want to join the kimchi jeon or Korean pancake cooking challenge please read the rules and submit your photos. Rules: K-pop/K-drama, or mukbang content creator, cook the recipe this month, share you recipe photo via contact before September 15, 2023, and tag us on social media at #kimchijeonchallenge and on FB/TW @koreanconven or on IG @koreanconvenience

Challengers

Just like on mukbang challenges they call out creators who they would like to participate and I will be doing the same. I’m calling for Topher reacts on TW @topherreacts; Honey on TW @honeyanddice; Nigerian Korean Lover on Youtube @nigeriankoreanlover. From the many interactions we’ve had via social media I hope you guys will join in on the challenge and make it your own!

Challenge Videos

I dusted off my Youtube channel and I shared my first video of my second attempt to cook kimchi jeon or kimchi pancakes. *Don’t forget to check out the challengers videos included below as well.

He might have been Topher Reacts first time trying kimchi but that didn’t stop him from adding bacon and trying to get the perfect crispy pancake. Check out his submission for the kimchijeonchallenge below.

Check out Honey Sweet Eats challenge as she prepares a gluten-free, sugar-free kimchi pancake and also a BTS fan a non-alcoholic cocktail in honor of the group members solo music video releases.

With a little bit of challenges getting her hands on ingredients all the way from Nigeria the last challenger shares her video of attempting the kimchijeon or kimchi pancake challenge.

Subscribe

If you like this kimchi jeon challenge, or want to receive the latest updates, product guides, and more subscribe to the monthly newsletter and find out what’s happening within the Korean Convenience community!

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Korean Cooking Challenge

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Kimchi Pancake (KimchiJeon) Foodie Edition  


I decided to organize a Korean Cooking Challenge.  I follow several content creators across various social media platforms and decided to reach out to them.  The content creators joining this challenge are spread out over the oceans, and come from different backgrounds, ages, religions, and experiences.   

I’m excited to create this Korean foodie challenge for content creators!  This challenge is going to last until September 15, 2023 and the creators will be sharing their recipes via blog, Youtube, TikTok, etc.

If you would like to join us please feel free to share your recipe, photos, leave a comment or like this post.  Join us as we create our version of kimchi jeon pancake 김치전.  Read more below.

Kimchi Pancake

The ingredients I have seen kimchi jeon made with are fermented kimchi, onions, scallions, flour, water and lastly cooking oil.  Kimchi jeon is usually shared with family or friends and paired with ice cold makgeolli.  Tip: Someone told me to use ice cold water to make the kimchi jeon because it will make the pancake crisper.      

Because of various dietary requirements the ingredients will change depending on the person creating the dish.  This kimchi pancake is the perfect starter to make for beginners.  You don’t need a lot of ingredients, and the cooking time is relatively short.

The recipe I will be referencing is from Korean Bapsang, you can see her recipe, get the ingredients, instructions and video here.

Related Reading: Korean Food: Bloggers And YouTube Resources

Substitutions

Because I’m allergic to shellfish I will be using a vegan kimchi.  Additionally, while I’ve made various sides, soup, and stews in this cooking journey I’ve not made my own batch of Kimchi so I will be using fresh kimchi.  Other participants who will be participating in the challenge may also have their own dietary substitutions.  I will try to highlight our different versions in hopes that it might help someone else out there who also requires dietary accessibility. 

FAQ


How do I enter the challenge?

To enter the challenge, it’s required that you reach out via the contact form or via email at koreanconvenience@gmail.com.  You can also share photos of your own versions of kimchi jeon on Instagram Stories using #kimchijeonchallenge and tagging @koreanconvenience or in our Facebook group @koreanconven.


What is the Korean Convenience Korean Foodie Cooking Challenge?

This Cooking Challenge is a fun way for us to join together, cook, and share recipes! The community gets to see how we enjoy Korean food, the changes we make, ingredients we add, and more. Being a content creator and entrepreneur has its benefits, however, sometimes it can be incredibly lonely. It helps to get in the kitchen, cook, and commune with each other although virtually!  

Shining a spotlight on the content creators who bring you K-pop, and K-drama reaction videos, mukbangs, and who run small businesses.

Warmest wishes,

Erica Dozier

Founder Korean Convenience

erica dozier headshot

If you like this post don’t forget to like, share and subscribe for future updates!

Related Reading:

Allergy Friendly Korean Alcohol Guide

Oo-kook Korean BBQ and Coffee

24 Hours in L.A.’s Koreatown

Korean Convenience Store Lessons

Where To Buy Korean Food

Credit: Image by Jinsoo Jang from Pixabay.

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Alpha Gal Friendly Snacks

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Alpha-Gal Friendly Korean Snacks

The Alpha-gal syndrome is a serious food allergy that is caused from a tick bite. You can read more about the syndrome, tests, what foods to avoid, and preventive steps here. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention they define the Alpha-gal syndrome as:

  • Alpha-gal (galactose-α-1,3-galactose) is a sugar molecule found in most mammals.
  • Alpha-gal is not found in fish, reptiles, birds, or people.
  • Alpha-gal can be found in meat (pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, venison, etc.) and products made from mammals (including gelatin, cow’s milk, and milk products).

The list below has been compiled with the above criteria to exclude any ingredients that contain beef, pork, and milk (dairy) or their by-products. *Please read the “may contain” statements for every product (when available) and always double check the ingredients before consuming any product.*

Click any of the Korean products below to see our Alpha-gal free guide. Each product will provide the brand name, food allergies, ingredients, and nutrition facts. *(when available)

In addition to helping buy Korean snack and grocery products this guide serves as a resource for people with food allergies, celiac disease or other food restrictions. This is in no way an extensive list of Korean products available. There are several companies who are creating new and innovative products everyday.

If you have found an Alpha-gal allergy-friendly Korean snack please share a review on the Korean Convenience app! 

Updated: September 06, 2023

Drinks

Blue Lemonade

Pink Peach Ade

Mogu Mogu, Pineapple

Mogu Mogu, Lychee

On The Green

Sparkling Vitamin C

Secret W, Tea Of The Sun

Oi-Ocha Unsweetened Green Tea

Zero, Peach Iced Tea

Teabling Chamomile and Peach Tea

Teabling Lemongrass and Ginger

Water Apple Jelly

Peach Jelly

Peach Green Tea

Lemon Green Tea

Matcha Of the Sun

McCol

Pine Bud Drink

Grape Bon Bon Juice

Crushed Pear Juice

Sikhye

Coco Palm, Peach Flavor

Pocari Sweat

Almond Breeze Milk

Acapella Americano

Orange Juice

Dongsuh Barley Tea

Dongsuh Corn Tea

Barista Rules Americano

Maxim Top Smoky Black

Chilsung Cider

Brown Rice Green Tea (tea bags)

Maxim Original Black

Maxim Kanu Mild Coffee

Barley Tea (tea bags)

Ice Cream

Ice Cool Grape

Tangerine Bar

Jaws Bar

Lemonade Cool