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!

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Vegan Kimchi Pancakes (Korean Kimchijeon Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

Why isn t my kimchi pancake crispy? ›

Make sure to add about 2mm / 0.08 inches of oil to ensure crispiness. Don't be shy on adding oil (Note 3). Once the oil is hot, reduce the heat to medium. Ladle about 1/3 of your batter into the pan, quickly spreading it into a thin, even layer using the back of the ladle.

What is kimchi pancake made of? ›

In a bowl, place 1 cup of chopped kimchi, 3 tbs of kimchi juice, 2 tbs chopped onion, ½ ts kosher salt, ½ ts sugar, ½ cup flour (all purpose flour), and ¼ cup of water and mix it well with a spoon. Heat up a 12 inch non-stick pan over medium high heat and drizzle about 2 tbs grape seed oil.

Why is my kimchi pancake sticky? ›

This is a very thick, and sticky, batter. Preheat your pan before adding the oil. You don't want the oil to smoke and get bitter, plus you want a hot pan so the kimchi pancake gets nice and crispy. I add more oil when I lift the pancake to flip it, and still more oil while the other side is cooking.

What is the Korean name for Korean pancake? ›

Buchimgae (부침개), or Korean pancake, refers broadly to any type of pan-fried ingredients soaked in egg or a batter mixed with other ingredients. More specifically, it is a dish made by pan-frying a thick batter mixed with egg and other ingredients until a thin flat pancake-shaped fritter is formed.

Why is my kimchi not crunchy anymore? ›

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.

Should kimchi be soft or crunchy? ›

As kimchi is made with cabbage, the texture should be crunchy, with a tangy, spicy, sour flavour.

Is it OK to eat kimchi everyday? ›

Cabbage and radish kimchi, a popular fermented vegetable dish, in particular were effective in reducing the risk of obesity and abdominal obesity in both men and women.

Is kimchi pancake good for you? ›

It's safe to say we're a fan. In fact, we love most fermented foods, not only because they're delicious but because they are a powerhouse when it comes to the beneficial bacteria for your gut. These pancakes are full of veggies and are the perfect fridge raid meal.

What is a substitute for Korean pancake flour? ›

Flour Options

You'd think that Asian pancakes use rice flour but they don't. Like Chinese scallion pancakes (see below for recipes at VWK), Korean pajeon uses wheat flour. In test driving Kim's recipe, I used both regular all-purpose and a gluten-free flour blend that contains rice.

What to eat with Korean kimchi pancake? ›

Kimchi Pancakes can be served in many ways! It can be an appetizer to your Korean BBQ, a side dish in your bento box, a snack on its own, or simply served with a bowl of freshly steamed rice. It can go with a soy-based dipping sauce or mayonnaise, or if seasoned well, it can be good on its own!

Why are my vegan pancakes gooey? ›

Over-mixing, not resting the batter, cooking too quickly, not making the pancake batter thick enough and not using a good recipe could all be reasons your vegan pancakes come out gummy.

Is slimy kimchi OK to eat? ›

If any fermentation gets soft and slimy, then it is a sign of spoilage.

Why is my Korean pancake not crispy? ›

one of the most important factors is actually the temperature of the oil. so you want make sure you have it hot enough to get it crispy. i cooked it for about 2min on medium heat. also you want to make sure that you're making the pancakes on the smaller side.

What is Korean pancake flour made of? ›

Unique Texture of Korean Pancake

Cake flour is wheat flour that has a lower viscosity and protein content. My Korean friend suggested using it instead of regular flour, and the result was like the restaurants'. By using cake flour, the texture is crispier and lighter than using all-purpose flour.

What is the difference between Jeon and Pajeon? ›

Pajeon (Korean: 파전, Korean pronunciation: [pʰa. dʑʌn]) is a variety of jeon with scallion as its prominent ingredient, as pa (파) means scallion. It is a Korean dish made from a batter of eggs, wheat flour, rice flour, scallions, and often other ingredients depending on the variety.

Why is my pancake not crispy? ›

Overmixed Pancake Batter

When you overmix the batter to “make sure there are no lumps left” you are activating the gluten (a protein found in flour). While you won't notice it in batter form, overmixed pancake batter will yield a gummy or rubbery pancake texture.

Why is my kimchi 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.

How to keep kimchi crunchy? ›

By storing your kimchi in the refrigerator, you will slow down the fermentation process, and help keep the flavor and texture consistent for months or even up to a year. It's also important to keep air out of the container.

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