Dish of Korean Zucchini Pancakes
(click to enlarge)

Zucchini Pancakes


Korea   -   Hobak Buchim

Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  
1.4 #
***
1 hr
Yes
A very popular item in Korean home cooking. Simple to make, for appetizer, snack, side dish, or breakfast. Easy and outstandingly tasty. Make 3 large (8 inch) or 6 small (4 inch).

14
1
4
2
--------
1
2
the
--------
ar


4
2
2
2/3
1/8
1/8

oz
t
oz

---
c
lrg

---



T
T
T
t
t
t

Zucchini (1)
Salt
Onion
Chili, Green (2)
-- Batter
Buchim Garu (3)
Eggs
Zucchini Water
-------------------
Oil (4)

Dipping Sauce
Soy Sauce
Rice Vinegar
Water
Sugar
Pepper, Black
Chili Flake (5)

Prep   -   (40 min)
  1. Make Dipping Sauce. Just mix all ingredients together.
  2. Cut ZUCCHINI into lengths depending on size of your pancakes, 1 inch for small, 2 inches for large. Cut these into matchsticks about 1/8 inch on a side. Place in a bowl and tumble with 1 t Salt until well mixed. Let sit for at least 10 minutes until wilted.
  3. Cut ONION in half lengthwise. Set one half flat on the cutting board and slice lengthwise as you would for chopping fine, tilting the knife so the edge points to the centerline where the onion touches the board. Cut off the root end to free the slices. If your Onion is large, and pancakes small, cut the slices in half. Separate all the layers.
  4. Cap and core Chilis, remove the veins to reduce heat - or leave them in if you want heat. Cut lengthwise into thin strips, then cut strips in half and mix with Onions.
  5. Squeeze Zucchini hard to remove as much water as you can, reserving all the water. Add to the Onions and toss to distribute evenly.
  6. Make Batter:   In a large mixing bowl, beat Eggs moderately. Mix with Buchim Garu, then the reserved Zucchini Water. Work out any lumps.
  7. Stir Zucchini mix into the Batter until even. It may be a little stiff at first, but should become more liquid in a few minutes. If still stiff, add tablespoon or so of Water until it is right.
Run   -   (7 min per batch)
  1. In a seasoned iron skillet or similar device (see Note-7), heat 2 T Oil to about 375°F/190°C. Avoid letting it get over 400°F/200°C while you work.
  2. Ladle in enough Batter mix for the size pancake you want to make. Spread it out fairly thin and keep over fairly high heat. I cover the skillet with a lid from a sauté pan to encourage the top to set.
  3. When the Pancake is set sufficiently, lift it with a thin turner to let oil run underneath for even cooking.
  4. When the Pancake is set sufficiently and the edges are lightly browned, use the thin turner to flip it over, controlling it with a wooden spatula. Pour a little more oil around it and fry until the top side is set and has browned spots. Add Oil as needed and repeat until all batter is used.
  5. Keep Pancakes warmed until you get them all done. Cut into convenient sizes and serve warm with Dip. They are also just fine eaten at room temperature, and they reheat easily.
NOTES:
  1. Zucchini:

      Use young green Zucchini, about 7 ounces each. In Korea this recipe may be made with Aehobak, which looks much like a Zucchini but is a different kind of squash with a somewhat different flavor.
  2. Chili Green:

      I use Jalapño Chilis, since Korean Chilis are of uncertain availability, even here in Southern California. Cored and veins removed they contribute little heat.
  3. Buchim Garu:

      This is the universal Korean pancake mix and batter base for pan frying. It is widely available commercially, in Korean markets or on-line, but it takes only about 5 minutes to make by our recipe BuChim Powder.
  4. Oil:

      Use a high temperature oil. I like Olive Pomace Oil for frying, but Pure Olive Oil (not Virgin) will work well enough. For details see our Cooking Oils page.
  5. Chili Flake:

      Korean Chili Flake is usually quite mild, so the amount given here shouldn't cause problems for anyone.
  6. Frying:

      a 10 inch iron skillet is fine for making 8 inch pancakes, or 2ea 4 inch if made a little oval. A 12 inch iron skillet will allow 3ea 4 inch pancakes, or 4ea if made a bit oval. On the other hand, the oil is never deep, so most griddles will work fine too.
  7. Comments:

      This recipe will consume a fair amount of oil. Fortunately, the Low Fat Diet has been thoroughly discredited, and you can compensate with lower calorie foods before and after.
  8. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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