[Recipe] Korean Potato Pancake [감자전]

Korean Potato Pancake is one delicious dish that I really really like!  Gonna learn how to cook it!



Ingredients:
1 pound peeled potato
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup water
¼ cup chopped Asian chives
vegetable oil

Garnish:
red and hellow bell pepper, slice into 1 inch strips

Dipping sauce:
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of white vinegar
a pinch of roasted sesame seeds

Preparation Direction:
1. Cut the peeled potato into small chunks and add to a food processor
2. Add water, chopped chives, and salt. Blend it well until creamy puree
3. Put the mixture in a strainer over a bowl to strain. Press it down with a spoon gently so that the starch water will go through the strainer.
4. Put the strained potato mixture in a bowl
5. Wait for 1 minute for the starch to sink in the bowl
6. Pour out the water to get the starch. Add the starch to the potato mixture and stir with a spoon.

Cooking:
1. Heat up a non-stick pan over medium heat
2. Add a few drops of vegetable oil and spoon the mixture and place it on the pan. Spread it nicely to make about 2 inch disks. Repeat this to fill it your pan depending on your pan size.
3. When the bottom part starts a little light brown, turn it over.
4. And add the garnish strips and press it in with a spatular. Cook about 1 minute until the bottom part turns golden brown.
5. Turn it over and cook 10 seconds so that the top part won't brown.
6. Transfer it to a serving plate. Repeat it. You will get about 10 pancakes

Serving:
Combine soy sauce, vinegar and sprinkle sesame seeds in a small bowl.
Serve hot with the dipping sauce

[Korean Food] The Pajeon (파전) Drink - Makgeolli (막걸리)

Each country has it's own beverage.  For Korea, there are 2 very popular alcoholic beverages - Soju (소주) and Makgeolli (막걸리).  Let's talk more about Makgeolli.  It is an ancient alcoholic drink that dates back a few thousand years ago.  It is made from a mixture of fermented wheat and rice, native to Korea.  It's alcohol content is about 6% to 8%.  The drink is available off-the-shelve (in can or bottle form) and at the restaurant (in a bowl). 

When consumed at the restaurant, the service staff may ask if you would like makgeolli or saeng makgeolli.  The difference is that saeng makgeolli does not go through the heat sterilization process and thus, the micro-organisms in the drink isn't eliminated and as such, carbonic acid retains in the drink.  The shelf-life is much shorter compared to sterilized (salgyun) makgeolli which typically last for about 6 months.

The taste of makgeolli is quite mild and goes down well quite easily with any food.  Nonetheless, the alcohol content is still higher than beer, and for those who seldom, it is best to savour the drink slowly and enjoy the slight tint of rice taste.  For the Koreans, it is common to see them drink makgeolli while eating pajeon (fried pancake).

How is it served in the restaurants?  Makgeolli is served in a big bowl and they are scooped into the smaller cups for drinking, using the wooden scoop.  The serving portion is about the size of 1 plastic bottle at approx. 750ml.

At more casual restaurants, the drink can be served in metal bowls.

It is said that makgeolli is a beneficial drink.  It contains good bacteria that is similar to yogurt.  According to the owner of Jeju Makgeolli, Mr Koh Sang Hoo, one bottle of makgeolli is equivalent to 100 small containers of yogurt. It is rich in vitamin B and is high in fiber.

If you happen to be in Jeonju, you may even get to see live demonstration on the makgeolli making process at the Jeonju Korean Traditional Wine Museum, which takes place on the 3rd Saturday of each month, at 2pm to 4pm.  Details is available here (in English) and here (in Korean). ^^

In Singapore, Makgeolli is available at most Korean supermarkets and occasionally at local supermarkets.


[This post can also be found on The Korea Blog]

Seoul Yummy

For supporters of Meridian Hotel Food Court Korean Food, you'd be happy to know that Seoul Yummy, located at Square 2, is an expansion of Kim Dae Mun.
 

Seoul Yummy

10 Sinaran Drive

#03-68, Square 2 (next to Novena Square)

Singapore 307506

Tel: (65) 6397 6939
 

However, you might be disappointed with the food quality as many who has tried still prefer the meridien's food. But there is a reason to dine at Seoul Yummy - the dessert - PatBingSu, yogurt ice cream with shaved ice and fruits.
 

For a group of 2 and more, the set meal will save you a couple of bucks. It includes the side dishes (which aren't served if you order ala carte), main dish Bibimbap, fried glass noodles or fried udon, fried potato pancake or kimchi mandu (dumpling).
 

Side dishes - 5 in total. My fav is the cold tofu.
 

Fried Udon with seafood.

Fried Glass Noodles.


Bibimbap.

Fried Potato Pancake.

Kimchi Mandu (dumplings)

For the set meal, it comes with a drink and a mini bingsu.

The bingsu below is regular size. It is garnished with strawberry, kiwi, watermelon and red bean. The bingsu dessert is a must-try!

There is a promotion with HSBC currently but does not apply if you order the set meal.

O Dae Yang Korean Seafood Restaurant - New Location

O Dae Yang has finally re-opened.... it is now located at 76 Peck Seah Street S (079331) [Tel : 63965356]. Easily accessible by Tanjong Pagar MRT, just 3 mins walk when you reach the street level.

The new place is much much smaller compared to its old location. But again, this is just amt the normal size of a Korean Restaurant found in town area.
 

On the right side are 2 private rooms that can sit up to a max of 8 pax (a little squeeze). 6 pax wld be just comfortable...

 

The beautiful thing about a Korean meal... lots of appetizers to whet your taste buds before the main courses are served. The ikan bilis & peanuts are to die for... they are really good. But it is not a common side dish. Perhaps they are adapting to the local taste buds.
 

Here comes the main course - Korean Glass Noodles with Vegetables.

Dak Bulkogi - BBQ Chicken.

Stir Fried Pork Belly.... pork slices were a little too thick for a non-regular pork eater like me.

Seafood Soondubu Chigae (Stew).

Seafood Pancake.

Our drinks - Hite beer.... my, my... the beer costs so much more here...

Dessert - Watermelon and pineapple

Fruits - pineapple, rock melon + pear. The rock melon is very very sweet and fragrant... Special skills are needed to cut the pear, can u see it?

Generally, the restaurant ambience is really good, just like how it was @ the old location, except that the place is way smaller now.

 

 

Related Posts:

Hyang To Gol Korean Restaurant (click)
Hansang Korean Restaurant (click)

 



Kim Dae Mun Korean Cuisine

Located at the food court below Le Meridien Hotel, it is not difficult to spot the stall because it has a never-ending line of queue during lunch and dinner.

This is my all-time favourite - BBQ Chicken set ($6.50). Besides chicken, there is also BBQ pork and BBQ beef available. Note that the BBQs are cooked in water and not oil. Something for the health-conscious to note.

Potato-pancake ($3.50). Some people may not find this dish special but I like it. It becomes rather tasty when dip into the soy sauce.

Korean Fried Glass Noodles ($4.50)... another yummy dish cooked using thick vermicelli with pork, carrot, spring onion, cabbage and egg. The ingredients are simple and I suspect the secret to this dish is the cooking sauce used, which I am not sure what they are.

Kimchi Fried Rice ($4.50)...needless to say, it is rice fried with kimchi. Though it is a simple dish, the right type of kimchi has to be used for this dish to be yummy. I'd say, Kim Dae Mun's one is quite appetising. You may just ask for me after finishing this one big plate....

Reasonably-priced yummy dishes. Great value for money...