Haemul Pajeon (Seafood and Spring Onion Pancake)

Haemul pajeon is a Korean savoury pancake where spring onions and seafood are held together in a thin, lightly starchy batter rather than hidden inside it. The best versions are crisp and well browned at the edges, with a tender centre and pieces of seafood cooked just until opaque. Served cut into wedges with a soy, rice vinegar and sesame dipping sauce, it has the salty, umami-rich character that makes it satisfying as a shared starter, light dinner or pan-fried side dish. Cold water in the batter and enough oil in the pan help give the pancake its recognisable crunch.
Cuisine style Korean home cooking
Spice level Mild
Cooking style Crowd-friendly • Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Crisp edges: Potato starch and cold water help the batter fry up lighter, with a delicate crunch around the edges.
  • Savoury depth: Seafood brings umami while spring onions soften in the pan, adding sweetness and aroma.
  • Bright dipping sauce: Soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil balance saltiness, acidity and nuttiness without overpowering the pancake.

Get the most out of this recipe

Texture tips

  • For crisper edges: Keep the batter cold and add a little extra oil around the edge of the pancake as it cooks.
  • Avoid excess moisture: Pat the seafood dry before cooking so the batter stays light rather than watery.

Common mistakes

  • Heat control matters: Medium-high heat gives colour and crispness, but lower it slightly if the pancake browns before the centre has set.
  • Check the seafood: Cook until the seafood is opaque and piping hot, especially when serving people who need extra food safety care.

Ingredient notes

  • Spring onions: Cut the spring onions to fit the pan so they form an even layer and help hold the pancake together.
  • Starch substitution: Cornflour can replace potato starch, though the final texture may be slightly different.

Serving ideas

  • Serve with dipping sauce: The soy, vinegar and sesame sauce is the key finishing element, cutting through the fried batter and seafood.
  • Serve immediately: Cut into wedges and serve straight from the pan while the edges are still crisp.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Make the dipping sauce by mixing the soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil in a small bowl. Stir in the gochugaru if you like a little heat, then set aside.
  2. Trim the spring onions and cut them into lengths that will fit your frying pan. If the seafood mix is wet, pat it dry so the batter stays light.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the plain flour, potato starch and fine sea salt. Whisk in the egg, then gradually whisk in the cold water until you have a smooth, pourable batter.
  4. Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tbsp of the vegetable oil. Arrange half the spring onions in the pan in a neat layer, scatter over half the seafood, then pour over half the batter to just cover and bind everything.
  5. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the underside is deep golden and crisp at the edges. Flip carefully and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more until the seafood is opaque and the pancake is crisp, adding a little more oil around the edges if it looks dry.
  6. Slide the pancake onto a board and repeat with the remaining oil, spring onions, seafood and batter. Cut into wedges and serve straight away with the dipping sauce.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the water cold for a lighter batter and crisper edges.
  • If the pancake is browning too quickly before it sets, lower the heat slightly and give it an extra minute or two so the centre cooks through.
  • Food safety: if serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, make sure the egg is fully set and the seafood is cooked through until opaque and piping hot.

Substitutions

  • Replace potato starch with cornflour for a similar light, crisp finish.
  • Replace rice vinegar with white wine vinegar for a slightly sharper dipping sauce.
  • Replace vegetable oil with canola oil for frying.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool, then refrigerate the pancakes and dipping sauce separately in sealed containers. Reheat the pancakes in a lightly oiled frying pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side until hot and crisp; the sauce is best served at room temperature.

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Haemul Pajeon (Seafood and Spring Onion Pancake)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 3 servings
  • Total time: 40min (35min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Korean
  • Allergens:
    Eggs Gluten Sesame Soybeans
Beginner friendly Kid friendly

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