Jeon is a type of South Korean savory vegetable pancake made with flour, cabbage and often vegetables, kimchi and sometimes seafood.
While it’s commonly eaten as an appetizer or side dish, Jeon can also serve as a main course when paired with a bowl of rice and kimchi.
Origin & Cultural Significance
Jeon’s roots can be traced to the royal courts of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), where it was prepared as a special dish for royal banquets and celebrations. Over time, the dish evolved to become a popular home-cooked meal in South Korea.
Jeon is commonly served during holidays such as Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) and at family gatherings, it is often prepared in large quantities for feasting.
Different regions in Korea have their own jeon recipe, featuring unique ingredients and flavors. For instance, in the Gangwon Province, Bindaetteok is a popular variation of jeon, containing ground mung beans, kimchi and vegetables.
Similar dishes can be found in other parts of the world; such as Okonomiyaki, Japanese savoury pancakes made with cabbage and meat or seafood.
South Korean Jeon Recipe
Jeon is a type of savory pancake from South Korea, made with vegetables, kimchi and sometimes seafood.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour - 1 cup
- Water - 1 cup
- Eggs - 2
- Salt - 1/2 tsp
- Vegetable oil - 2 tbsp
- Green onions (chopped) - 1/2 cup
- Kimchi (chopped) - 1/2 cup
- Zucchini (thinly sliced) - 1/2 cup
- Carrots (chopped) - 1/2 cup
- Seafood i.e. shrimp or squid (optional) - 1/2 cup
- Soy sauce for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, water, eggs, and salt. Whisk until you have a smooth batter.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add a bit of vegetable oil.
- Pour a ladleful of the batter into the skillet to create a thin pancake. Swirl the batter to evenly distribute it.
- Quickly add your choice of toppings (green onions, kimchi, zucchini, carrots, and seafood) to the pancake while the batter is still wet.
- Cook until the bottom is golden brown and crispy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Flip the Jeon and cook the other side until it's golden brown and the toppings are cooked through.
- Repeat the process to make more Jeon, adding oil to the skillet as needed.
- Serve hot, cut into slices, and dip in soy sauce if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 552Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 270mgSodium: 1576mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 5gSugar: 4gProtein: 31g
Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.