KORLENS

Korean Food Guide

Haemul-pajeon (해물파전)

Seafood scallion pancake — crispy edges, chewy center, the rainy-day Korean snack.

Pancake (sharing)KRW 12,000-25,000 (sized to share 2-4 people)Heat:

Haemul-pajeon = scallion pancake with seafood (squid, shrimp, mussels, clams). Pan-fried until edges are golden-crispy. Eaten with makgeolli (rice wine) on rainy days.

Ingredients

  • Scallions
  • Squid
  • Shrimp
  • Mussels
  • Clams
  • Wheat flour
  • Rice flour
  • Egg
  • Cold water
  • Soy-vinegar dip

Origin

Dongnae district, Busan — Joseon Dynasty. Dongnae-pajeon is the original style.

Best paired with

Makgeolli (rice wine). Soju also works.

Where to try Haemul-pajeon

  • 1.Dongnae Halmae Pajeon (Busan) — 80-year-old original
  • 2.Hadongkwan (Seoul) — Seoul-style pajeon
  • 3.Any market on a rainy day

Tips

  • Eat with soy-vinegar dip — never with ketchup or mustard.
  • Best on rainy days — Korean superstition: pajeon-makgeolli combo.
  • Tear with chopsticks, not fork-cut. Eat hot — gets soggy fast.

Frequently asked

Vegetarian?

No — heavy seafood. Order plain pajeon without seafood = scallion only, vegetarian.

Rain-pajeon connection?

Korean folk tradition: rain sounds like pajeon frying = eat pajeon on rainy days.

How big is one pajeon?

Plate-sized (30cm diameter). Serves 2-4 people.