Today, I will share with you How I make my Kimchi Waffles. Those waffles are Cooked in a waffle maker, these savory delights offer a larger, more satisfying bite – crispy outside, fluffy inside. Infused with the bold tanginess of kimchi, they’re perfected with a spicy garlic mayo sauce.
My mother regularly serves Korean pancakes (jeon) as an appetizer. A chewier departure from their American flapjack cousin, Korean pancakes typically feature a blend of meat or vegetables. Sometimes these pancakes feature green onions (pajeon). Occasionally, my mother will throw in chopped imitation crab or squid (haemul pajeon). Although thesavory combinations are endless, my favorite Korean pancake will always be the kimchi pancake (kimchi jeon); frying these babies on the griddle results in a spicy, chewy pancake sprinkled with bites of crispy and caramelized kimchi.
Served with a seasoned soy sauce, you can enjoyjeonas an appetizer or as a side dish (banchan) with your meal.
I freaking love kimchi pancakes. They stand alone, a beacon of Korean kimchi delight. The only way to make them better is to help my tongue taste more of it — by increasing its surface area. That’s right, I’m evolving the pancake to the next level: the waffle.
Furthermore, as much as I love the traditional dipping sauce that accompanies the kimchi pancake, the soy sauce-based sauce can turn an otherwise delightful pancake into a soggy (but still delicious) experience. I experimented with a thicker, mayonnaise-based sauce that coats the kimchi waffle to create a spicy, garlicky bite that pairs perfectly with a cold beer.
The gluten in the Korean pancake mix will not produce a crispy waffle. It will create a chewy, unctuous medium to carry crispy, caramelized kimchi to your mouth. Serve it as an appetizer or add bacon or another form of protein to whip up a quick and easy
Kimchi Waffles Ingredients
Waffle Sauce
- 1/4cupmayonnaise
- 1Tbspsriracha
- 4cloves garlicminced
Kimchi Waffles
- 1-1/2cupKorean pancake mix* see notes
- 1cupcold water
- 1/2cupkimchi juice
- 1/2white onionthinly sliced
- 6-8green onionsthinly sliced
- 1/2cupkimchidiced
- 1/2tspsalt
- black pepper to taste
- cooking spray
Kimchi Waffles Instructions
Waffle Sauce
- Mix mayonnaise, sriracha, and minced garlic in a small bowl.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour before using it as a condiment for your kimchi waffles, burgers, fries, pizza, or anything else you can think of!
Kimchi Waffles
- In a mixing bowl, combine Korean pancake mix, cold water, and kimchi juice. Mix until a batter forms, being careful not to over-mix.
- Fold in the white onion, green onions, diced kimchi, salt, and pepper into the batter until just combined.
- Preheat a waffle maker and spray it with cooking spray.
- Scoop 1/2 cup of batter into the waffle maker at a time. Cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Waffles should take about 4 minutes to cook fully, but cooking time may vary.
- The recipe yields 4 large Belgian-style waffles. Enjoy with waffle sauce.
Notes
You can find kimchi pancake mix (or buchimgaru) at your local Korean or Asian supermarket or online.
Spicy Chicken Kimchi Waffles: Top your kimchi waffles with spicy grilled chicken slices. Drizzle with a spicy mayo sauce for an extra kick.
Kimchi and Cheese Waffles: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese on the waffle batter before cooking. The melted cheese adds a savory twist to the kimchi flavor.
Vegetarian Kimchi Waffles: Replace the traditional waffle sauce with a tangy yogurt sauce. Add extra veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach to the batter.
Kimchi Waffle Sliders: Make mini kimchi waffles and use them as a base for sliders. Add a small beef or veggie patty, lettuce, and a dollop of waffle sauce.
Korean BBQ Pulled Pork Waffles: Top your kimchi waffles with succulent Korean BBQ pulled pork. Finish with a drizzle of hoisin sauce and a sprinkle of green onions.
Sesame-Soy Glazed Kimchi Waffles: Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of honey. Brush this glaze on the waffles for a sweet and savory flavor. Serve with sesame seeds on top.
Feel free to get creative with these variations, adding your favorite ingredients to customize your kimchi waffles to suit your taste preferences.
Can I use a regular pancake mix instead of a Korean pancake mix for Kimchi Waffles?
- While a Korean pancake mix is recommended for an authentic taste, you can experiment with a regular pancake mix, adjusting the flavors to match your preferences.
Is kimchi juice essential for the Kimchi Waffles batter?
- Yes, kimchi juice adds a distinctive flavor to the waffles. If you don’t have it, you can try substituting it with a mix of water and a small amount of extra kimchi for flavor.
Can I make the Waffle Sauce without refrigerating it for an hour?
- Refrigerating the Waffle Sauce for at least an hour enhances the flavors, but if you’re short on time, you can use it immediately. However, the flavors may intensify after refrigeration.
How do I prevent the waffle batter from becoming too dense?
- Be cautious not to over-mix the batter. Mix until just combined to maintain the desired light and fluffy texture of the waffles.
Can I freeze Kimchi Waffles for later consumption?
- Yes, you can freeze Kimchi Waffles. Once cooled, place them in a sealed bag or container with layers of parchment paper in between. Reheat in a toaster or oven when ready to enjoy.
Where can I find Korean pancake mix (buchimgaru) for this recipe?
- Korean pancake mix is available at local Korean or Asian supermarkets and online. You can also make your own by combining flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in specific ratios.
Kimchi Waffles
Recipe by Wasian CookeryCourse: Appetizer, SnacksCuisine: KoreanDifficulty: Medium
Servings
4
Waffles
Cooking time
15
minutes
Calories
250
kcal
Total time
20
minutes
Cook your Korean kimchi pancakes in a waffle maker for a bigger, savory bite, and enjoy with a spicy garlic mayo sauce!
Ingredients
- Waffle Sauce
1Tbspsriracha
1/4cupmayonnaise
4cloves garlicminced- Kimchi Waffles
1-1/2 cup Korean pancake mix * see notes
1 cup cold water
1/2 cup kimchi juice
1/2 white onion thinly sliced
6-8 green onions thinly sliced
1/2 cup kimchi diced
1/2 tsp salt
black pepper to taste
cooking spray
Directions
- Waffle Sauce
- Mix mayonnaise, sriracha, and minced garlic in a small bowl.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour before using it as a condiment for your kimchi waffles, burgers, fries, pizza, or anything else you can think of!
- Kimchi Waffles
- In a mixing bowl, combine Korean pancake mix, cold water, and kimchi juice. Mix until a batter forms, being careful not to over-mix.
- Fold in the white onion, green onions, diced kimchi, salt, and pepper into the batter until just combined.
- Preheat a waffle maker and spray it with cooking spray.
- Scoop 1/2 cup of batter into the waffle maker at a time. Cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Waffles should take about 4 minutes to cook fully, but cooking time may vary.
- The recipe yields 4 large Belgian-style waffles. Enjoy with waffle sauce.
Notes
- You can find kimchi pancake mix (or buchimgaru) at your local Korean or Asian supermarket or online.
