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South Korea · Food

Nokdu-jeon (Mung Bean Pancake)

45 min
770 kcal
2 servings

By eatmundo · July 12, 2026

Nokdu-jeon (Mung Bean Pancake)🇰🇷by Tales of an LA Addict (Abby) at Flickr · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Same ingredients, elsewhere in the world

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Dishes from other countries' kitchens, made from the same core ingredients as Nokdu-jeon (Mung Bean Pancake). The percentage is the share of ingredients the two recipes have in common.

Same technique: Fritter74 recipes from 19 countries

A classic savory pancake made from ground mung beans, packed with tangy kimchi and crisp bean sprouts. These golden, crispy cakes are a staple of Korean street markets.

According to eatmundo's ingredient comparison, the closest dish to Nokdu-jeon from another cuisine is Classic Pork Adobo (Philippines): the two share 50% of their ingredients.

Ingredients

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Adapt this recipe:
2 servings

How to Make It

  • 1

    Soak 200g of dried mung beans in water for at least 4 hours until they soften, then drain well.

  • 2

    Blend the soaked beans with 100ml of water in a food processor until a thick, textured batter forms.

  • 3

    Chop 150g of well-fermented kimchi and 100g of thinly sliced pork belly into small pieces.

  • 4

    Combine the batter with 50g of bean sprouts, the chopped kimchi, and pork belly in a large mixing bowl.

  • 5

    Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat until it shimmers.

  • 6

    Pour a ladle of the batter into the pan, flattening it slightly with a spatula to form a pancake about 1cm thick.

  • 7

    Cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side, pressing down occasionally, until the edges are deep golden brown and crispy.

  • 8

    Serve hot immediately with a small dipping bowl of soy sauce mixed with a drop of vinegar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nokdu-jeon?

Nokdu-jeon is a Korean savory pancake made primarily from ground mung beans, pork belly, kimchi, and bean sprouts. It is typically fried in vegetable oil and served as a side dish or snack, often accompanied by a soy sauce and vinegar dipping sauce.

Do I need to peel the beans?

Traditional recipes often use peeled mung beans to keep the color bright yellow, but whole beans work perfectly well.

How do I make it extra crispy?

Use enough oil and ensure the pan is hot before adding the batter to get that characteristic crust.

Can I use canned bean sprouts?

Fresh sprouts are much better; canned ones are too soft and will turn the pancake mushy.

What's the trick to flipping?

Wait until the bottom is thoroughly cooked and firm; if you flip too early, it will crumble.

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