Jeon (Korean Pancakes) Types of Jeon and How to Make It

eon (Korean Pancakes) and Their Varieties

“Jeon (煎)” is a traditional Korean dish made by mixing flour or starch with various ingredients and pan-frying it in oil. It is similar to pancakes, fritters, or crepes and is commonly served during holidays, celebrations, and ancestral rites.

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Types of Jeon

Jeon comes in many varieties depending on the ingredients used. Some of the most popular types include:

Pajeon (Scallion Pancake) – Made with plenty of green onions; seafood pajeon is especially famous.
Kimchi Jeon (Kimchi Pancake) – Made by mixing finely chopped kimchi with flour batter, giving it a spicy flavor.
Gamja Jeon (Potato Pancake) – Made from grated potatoes, resulting in a chewy texture.
Hobak Jeon (Zucchini Pancake) – Thinly sliced zucchini is pan-fried.
Gochoo Jeon (Stuffed Chili Pancake) – Green chili peppers are stuffed with minced meat and pan-fried.
Dongtae Jeon (Frozen Pollack Pancake) – A common holiday dish where fish is thinly sliced, coated with flour and egg, then pan-fried.
Yuk Jeon (Beef Pancake) – Thinly sliced beef is coated in batter and pan-fried for a tender texture.
Donggeurangttaeng (Meat Patty Pancake) – A round-shaped pancake made from ground meat mixed with vegetables.

Jeon in Korean Culture

Jeon is an essential dish for Korean holidays, especially Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving).
Making jeon is often a family activity where people gather to cook and chat together.
It is commonly enjoyed with makgeolli (Korean rice wine), especially on rainy days, reflecting a beloved Korean tradition.

Jeon is not only delicious but also carries a sense of tradition and sentiment in Korean culture. Which type of jeon do you like the most? 😊

How to Make Jeon (Korean Pancakes)

Jeon (煎) comes in many varieties depending on the ingredients, but the basic cooking method remains the same. Below is a general guide on how to make jeon.

📌 Basic Ingredients

✅ Main Ingredients: Pancake flour (or all-purpose flour), water
✅ Additional Ingredients: Eggs, salt, pepper
✅ Optional Ingredients: Main filling (scallions, kimchi, potatoes, fish, meat, etc.)
✅ Oil: Cooking oil

🥄 Cooking Steps

1️⃣ Prepare Ingredients

Cut the ingredients (vegetables, meat, seafood, etc.) into bite-sized pieces.
For certain jeon, such as potato pancakes, grate the ingredients instead of chopping them.

2️⃣ Make the Batter

Mix flour (or pancake mix) and water in a 2:1 ratio to create a thick batter.
Add salt and pepper for seasoning.
For kimchi pancakes, adding kimchi juice enhances the flavor.

3️⃣ Mix the Ingredients with the Batter

Combine the chopped ingredients with the batter.
For fish or meat jeon, coat them separately with flour and egg before frying.

4️⃣ Pan-Fry the Jeon

Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add oil.
Pour a ladleful of batter onto the pan and spread it into a thin, round shape.
Cook each side for about 2–3 minutes until golden brown.

5️⃣ Enjoy Your Jeon!

Place the cooked jeon on a paper towel to remove excess oil.
Serve with a dipping sauce (soy sauce + vinegar + sugar + sesame oil) for extra flavor.

💡 Tips for a Tastier Jeon

✔ Adding eggs to the batter makes the texture softer.
✔ Using enough oil creates a crispy outside and a moist inside.
✔ Jeon pairs perfectly with makgeolli (Korean rice wine)! 🍶

Which type of jeon would you like to try making? 😊