Korean Scallion Pancakes

The pajeon represents the pinnacle of Korean savory pancake craftsmanship, where the humble green onion is transformed into a crispy, savory delight that's equally beloved as street food and restaurant fare. Korean Scallion Pancakes, whose name combines "pa" (green onion) with "jeon" (pancake), has long been a favorite rainy-day food in Korea, with the sizzling sound of the batter hitting the pan echoing the sound of rainfall.

What makes pajeon particularly special is its perfect contrast of textures, where crispy edges give way to a chewy interior studded with fresh green onions. Korean Scallion Pancakes showcases the Korean culinary principle of achieving the perfect balance between ingredients and texture, where the ratio of batter to vegetables creates that characteristic crispy yet chewy consistency.

In modern Korean dining, pajeon continues to be a popular choice for everything from casual snacks to drinking food (anju). Whether enjoyed at a street food stall during a rainy evening or prepared at home for family meals, pajeon's appeal lies in its simplicity and satisfying combination of crispy texture and savory flavor.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Crispy, savory texture

• Perfect rainy day food

• Better than restaurant version

• Simple ingredients

• Great for sharing

• Versatile serving options

What is Pajeon?

Pajeon (파전) is a savory Korean pancake made primarily with green onions (scallions) in a crispy batter. Unlike sweet breakfast pancakes, this is a savory dish enjoyed at any time, particularly popular as a snack or appetizer with Korean drinks.

My Essential Korean Pantry contains several of these ingredients, specifically:

• Sempio Soy Sauce
• Kadoya Sesame Oil
• Marukan Rice Vinegar
• Shirakiku Roasted Sesame Seeds
• Taekyung Korean Chili Flakes
• O’Food Mild Gochujang

Need help with what ingredients to stock? Check out My Essential Korean Pantry article. This article describes each essential ingredient with links to where you can buy them easily!