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Easy 15-Minute Green Onion Pajeon Recipe

4.6 from 80 reviews

This Easy 15-minute Pajeon recipe delivers a crispy, savory Korean green onion pancake perfect for a quick snack or appetizer. Combining a simple batter with fresh green onions and a flavorful dipping sauce, this dish is pan-fried to golden perfection for a delightful texture and taste.

Ingredients

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Pajeon Batter and Pancake

  • 5 tbsp vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
  • 5 green onions
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup potato starch (or cornstarch)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 cup very cold water

Dipping Sauce

  • 2 tbsp regular soy sauce (or light soy sauce)
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp green onion (finely chopped)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Green Onions: Wash the green onions and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Trim off the roots, split each stalk vertically down the middle, and chop them into 2-inch pieces. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Make the Batter: Add all remaining batter ingredients—flour, potato starch, baking powder, salt, chicken bouillon powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and very cold water—to the bowl with green onions. Stir gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the batter light and airy.
  3. Heat Oil: In a large non-stick pan, heat 2 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Swirl the oil to coat the pan evenly.
  4. Cook the Pancake Base: Spread the green onions evenly in the pan first, then pour the batter over them to fill any gaps. Reduce the heat to medium and fry the pancake until the bottom is crispy and golden with slight charring, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  5. Flip and Fry Other Side: Carefully flip the pancake with a large spatula. Pour the remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons of oil along the pan edges, swirl the pancake to coat it with oil, and press down occasionally to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
  6. Slice and Serve: Transfer the cooked pancake to a cutting board and slice into bite-sized pieces with a sharp knife.
  7. Prepare Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and finely chopped green onion. Serve the sauce alongside the pajeon for dipping.

Notes

  • Use very cold water for the batter to ensure a crisp texture.
  • Potato starch can be substituted with cornstarch if unavailable.
  • Chicken bouillon powder adds umami but can be omitted for a vegetarian version.
  • Cook on medium heat to prevent burning while achieving crispiness.
  • Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

Keywords: Pajeon, Korean pancake, green onion pancake, savory pancake, quick Korean recipe, appetizer, pan-fried pancake