Hotteok
Photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotteok#/media/File:Hotteok.jpg
Hotteok is a popular Korean street food, especially enjoyed during the colder months. These pancakes are made from a dough that’s typically a mix of flour, yeast, and a little bit of sugar, which gives them a slightly sweet taste. What sets hotteok apart is the filling, usually a mix of brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts, that melts and caramelizes as the pancakes are cooked on a hot griddle.
As they cook, hotteok develops a crispy exterior while staying soft and chewy inside, with the warm, gooey filling creating a perfect balance of textures. The combination of the slightly crunchy outside and the sweet, nutty filling is irresistible, making hotteok a beloved snack in Korea. You’ll often find vendors selling hotteok in bustling markets or along busy streets, where people line up to enjoy this comforting treat fresh off the griddle.
While the traditional filling is a sweet mixture, modern variations of hotteok can include everything from savory fillings like cheese and vegetables to more unique options like green tea or red bean paste.
Hotteok Recipe (Korean Sweet Pancakes)
Ingredients (Makes about 6 Pancakes)
For the Dough:
- All-purpose flour – 2 cups
- Milk – ½ cup (warm)
- Water – ¼ cup (warm)
- Dry yeast – 1 teaspoon
- Sugar – 1 tablespoon
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- Vegetable oil – 2 tablespoons
For the Filling:
- Brown sugar – ½ cup
- Chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts, peanuts) – ¼ cup
- Cinnamon powder – 1 teaspoon
For Cooking:
- Vegetable oil – For frying
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a small bowl, mix the warm milk, warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and vegetable oil, and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 5 minutes until smooth. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, chopped nuts, and cinnamon powder. Set aside.
Step 3: Assemble the Hotteok
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
- Flatten each dough ball into a disk. Place 1-2 tablespoons of the filling in the center, then pinch the edges together to seal, forming a filled ball.
- Gently flatten the filled ball into a thick pancake shape, being careful not to tear the dough.
Step 4: Cook the Hotteok
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a generous amount of vegetable oil.
- Place the pancakes seam-side down in the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the bottom is golden brown.
- Flip the pancake and gently press it down with a spatula. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until both sides are golden and the filling is melted.
- Repeat with the remaining pancakes, adding more oil as needed.
Serving Suggestions
Hotteok is best served warm, with the gooey filling oozing out. Enjoy it as a sweet snack or dessert with:
- Hot tea or coffee
- A dusting of powdered sugar
| Name_ | Hotteok |
|---|---|
| Origin_ | 🇰🇷 South Korea |
| Morphology_ | ☰ flat |
| Flavor_ | sweet |
| Filling_ | sugar, spices, nuts |
| Topping_ | none |
| Recipe_ | Hotteok Recipe |
| « All Pancakes_ | |