Crispy Gajuk Namul Jangtteok (Pan Fried Toona Shoot Pancakes)
A spring delicacy of savory pancakes made with aromatic Chinese toon shoots and chewy squid, seasoned with doenjang and gochujang and pan-fried until crispy.
Translated from Korean by AI and not yet checked by a native speaker. Amounts and numbers are taken directly from the original recipe. Read the Korean original →
This pancake combines the distinctive flavor and texture of Chinese toon shoots with a batter seasoned with doenjang and gochujang, pan-fried until golden brown. Chewy squid adds a fun bite, and the savory seasoning makes it perfect as a snack or drink accompaniment.
- Servings
- about 2 servingsOriginal: 2 pancakes, 20 cm across
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Spiciness
- Mildly spicy
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Gajuk-namul (Chinese toon shoots)150 g
- Squid tentacles1 cup (sliced)
Batter
- Korean pancake mix (buchim-garu) (or deep-fried food (twigim))1 1/3 cups
- Anchovy broth (or water)1 1/3 cups
- Gochujang (Korean red chili paste)1 tbsp
- Doenjang (Korean soybean paste)1/2 tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)1 tbsp
- If you try snapping the stems and they just bend rather than snapping cleanly, they are tough and hard, so trim them away.
- Finely chopped dried shrimp is also very delicious instead of squid.
Steps
Prepare the Chinese toon shoots
I trimmed off only the bottom ends and used everything else.
If you try snapping the stems and they just bend rather than snapping cleanly, they are tough and hard, so trim them away.
Wash them clean in water several times and drain them in a strainer.
They were small enough to leave whole, but I cut them roughly into pieces.
Make the batter
In a bowl, add 1 1/3 cups Korean pancake mix (buchim-garu), 1 1/3 cups anchovy broth or water, 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste), 1/2 tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste), and 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes).
Mix well so the gochujang, doenjang, and flour dissolve smoothly.
Add the Chinese toon shoots and sliced squid, and coat them evenly with the batter.
As I was mixing, the color looked light, so I added gochugaru at this point, but it is better to add it to the batter early so the red color develops nicely.
Finely chopped dried shrimp is also very delicious instead of squid.
Pan-fry
Grease a pan generously with cooking oil over high heat, spoon in the batter, adjust the heat to medium-high, and pan-fry until crispy.
Finish
Tear and eat the freshly cooked pancake right away.
I also had a glass of makgeolli with it that day.
The aroma of Chinese toon shoots before cooking can feel off-putting, but when prepared as a side dish, kimchi, or a pancake like this, it is not as bad as you might think and will subtly make you crave more.
The remaining pancake is also delicious sliced and eaten the next day.
The bold aroma of Chinese toon shoots holds its ground even against the high heat and rich doenjang flavor. Enjoy it jangtteok-style.
Ppunwife's tips
- It is better to add the gochugaru to the batter early so the red color develops nicely.
- Grease a pan generously with cooking oil over high heat, spoon in the batter, adjust the heat to medium-high, and pan-fry until crispy.
FAQ
Can I use another ingredient instead of squid?
Finely chopped dried shrimp is a great substitute that brings wonderful umami flavor.
How do I trim tough stem sections?
When bending the stems, cut away and discard any tough parts that merely bend instead of snapping cleanly, along with the bottom ends.
How do I adjust the heat to make them crispy?
Generously oil a skillet heated over high heat, add the batter, and then adjust the heat down to medium-high to pan-fry until crispy.
