Gamjajeon (감자전)
Korea
Thin, crispy potato pancakes fried to a golden crust and served with a simple soy sauce. If desired, onion and garlic chives are added to the batter, preserving the light color of the potatoes and adding aroma.
Ingredients
- 700 g potato
- 0.25 pcs onion
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 60 g garlic chives
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp water
- 0.5 tsp sugar
- 1 pinch black pepper
Steps
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If using onion, grate it on a coarse grater (about 2‑3 tbsp) and transfer to a large bowl.
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Peel the potatoes and grate them on a coarse grater, collecting the released juice.
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Transfer the grated potatoes to a bowl lined with a colander and drain the juice, setting it aside in a separate container.
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Immediately combine the grated potatoes with the grated onion, mix well – this prevents the potatoes from darkening.
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Let the collected juice stand for about 10 minutes. The starch will settle at the bottom, then carefully pour off the water, leaving the settled starch.
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Add the settled starch to the grated potatoes, along with salt and, if using, garlic chives. Mix thoroughly to obtain a homogeneous batter.
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Heat a skillet over medium heat and pour in 2 tbsp of vegetable oil.
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Pour half of the batter onto the skillet, spreading it into a round patty. Reduce the heat to medium‑low and fry until a light golden crust forms on the bottom, about 2‑3 minutes, then flip and fry the other side for the same time.
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Repeat the process with the remaining batter, adding more oil if necessary.
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While the pancakes are cooking, prepare the sauce: in a small bowl, mix soy sauce, vinegar, water, sugar, and a pinch of black pepper until the sugar dissolves.
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Serve the hot pancakes with the prepared sauce.
FAQ
What is Gamjajeon (감자전)?
Gamjajeon (감자전) are thin, crispy Korean potato pancakes, often served as a savory snack or side dish with a soy dipping sauce.
How do you pronounce Gamjajeon (감자전)?
Gamjajeon is pronounced 'gahm-jah-jeon'. The Korean characters are 감자전.
Can Gamjajeon be made vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, this Gamjajeon recipe is naturally vegetarian. To make it vegan, ensure your soy sauce and any optional additions are plant-based.
What ingredients are needed for Gamjajeon?
The main ingredients for Gamjajeon are potatoes, onion, salt, garlic chives, and vegetable oil. A simple dipping sauce uses soy sauce, vinegar, water, sugar, and black pepper.
How long does it take to make Gamjajeon?
This Gamjajeon recipe takes approximately 47 minutes from start to finish.