These Korean Tuna Pancakes are quick & easy to make, yet make for an incredibly satisfying meal that’s full of scrumptious flavor. Made with simple ingredients from the pantry, these savory pancakes come together in just 15 minutes, to be served over hot rice or added to your burger.
What are Korean Tuna Pancakes?
Chamchijeon (참치전), which translated to tuna pancakes, is a popular side dish (banchan/반찬) in Korea that is often found in picnics or lunch boxes due to its versatility and succulent taste.
These savory pancakes carry a lot of sentimental value that traces back to my childhood, as it was one of my favorite dishes that my mom would make to take to my school lunches when I was little.
I still think back to opening up my lunch box to find these little gems and being overwhelmed with excitement, and saving them for last as I wanted the experience to last just a bit longer. The little joys in life!
The recipe I’m sharing with you today is inspired by my mother’s recipe that’s super easy to prepare and has incredible flavors that pair perfectly with a bowl of freshly steamed rice. It also has a special ingredient that truly elevates these pancakes to the next level!
These scrumptious pancakes have a mouthwatering texture that’s crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside, to be served over a hot bowl of rice dipped into some ketchup (which is my personal favorite way) or to be added as a patty in your sandwiches or burgers.
They are truly versatile, so please feel free to be creative with them in incorporating them in any dish that you prefer!
What do I need to make Korean Tuna Pancakes?
This recipe calls for basic ingredients from your pantry and fridge, to make the best ever tuna pancakes in the comfort of your home. It calls for a simple two-step process of mixing everything together in a bowl, then pan-frying them until golden.
Here is a list of ingredients you will need:
- Canned tuna: to be drained of oil or water. A little goes a long way, as the pancakes will be filled with diced veggies to make 6 small pancakes with just a single can of tuna!
- You can also adjust the serving size in the recipe card below if you are making a bigger portion.
- Onion, green onion, carrot, and garlic: to be diced and added to the mixture. These aromatic vegetables will ensure that the pancakes are tender and full of delicious flavor. Feel free to substitute the carrot for zucchini or bell pepper as desired!
- You can definitely be creative with this, and it’s a great way to use up the leftover veggies from the fridge.
- Eggs + flour: to bind the mixture together into golden, creamy goodness! Unlike other Korean pancakes, this recipe doesn’t have a separate batter. Eggs and all-purpose flour are all you need!
- Salt + black pepper: to season the pancakes.
- Shredded cheese: this is the “secret” ingredient my mom uses which truly makes all the difference in the flavors and texture.
- The shredded cheese incorporated into the mixture melts into the pancakes during the pan-frying process, which results in that perfect crispy exterior and not to mention, that delicious hint of cheesy goodness that makes it so mouthwatering.
- I am using grated marble cheddar cheese in this recipe, but please feel free to use any cheeses that you prefer.
- If you don’t have any fresh cheese at hand, another option is to use a slice of Kraft singles and tearing it into small pieces to add to the batter. This is a shortcut that my mom and I often use, and it totally works!
And that’s it! All that’s needed to make the perfect golden tuna pancakes in just a matter of minutes.
It is so seamless to make with such incredible flavors, it makes for the perfect weekday lunch, as a side dish, or even for your weekly meal prep as it is highly nutritious and stores very well in the fridge.
I hope you enjoy this delicious recipe as much as it holds a lot of personal meaning to me. Please feel free to leave a comment below or message me on Instagram for any questions!
Other easy Korean recipes you may like:
Other easy - Easy Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)
- Dubu Jorim (Korean Braised Tofu)
- Stir-Fried Bulgogi Udon Noodles
- Mayak Eggs (Korean Marinated Eggs)
- Soondubu Jjigae (Korean Soft Tofu Stew)
- Korean Seafood Pancake (Haemul Pajeon)
Korean Tuna Pancakes (Chamchijeon)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or any cooking oil, for frying
- 1 (7 oz) can tuna drained
- 1/4 medium onion finely diced
- 1 green onion chopped
- 30 g carrot bell pepper, or other vegetables, diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste
- 2 tbsp shredded cheddar cheese optional but highly recommended
- ketchup or soy sauce to serve, optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients (with the exception of vegetable oil) in a medium bowl.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and spoon about 3 tbsp of the mixture onto the pan. Round the edges with a spoon, and fry each side for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown, flattening them slightly to ensure even cooking.
- Remove from the pan and repeat again, adding more oil in between the batches as needed. Serve by dipping into ketchup or soy sauce over a bowl of rice, or add them to a burger. Enjoy!
Notes
♥ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a 5-star rating or leave a comment below to share your experience, or tag @cookerru on Instagram to showcase your creations!
Nutrition
11 comments
Loved how easy these were to make and how flavorful they are!!! Will be on our weekly rotation. Thanks for the recipe!
Amazing! So glad you enjoyed them Janice! 🙂
Absolutely delicious. Served with some soy sauce over rice and it was a very satisfying meal. Thank you for your wonderful recipes 🙂
The pleasure’s all mine! Thank you for sharing your experience! x
A good way to make cheap canned tuna (which resembles cat food) palatable. I agree that the cheese in an important ingredient. I added a little cayenne.
We made these for dinner last night – they turned out yummy and were a big hit! Love the recipe, how easy it is, how you’ve written it, added your memories to it. Delicious! Thank you!
This has become my favourite go to lunch recipe. I love how adaptable the recipe is – so today I had leftover rainbow coleslaw (shredded carrot, broccoli and beetroot) and it worked so good! I usually just use carrot. I also use wholemeal flour to make it that little healthier, but it’s a great little recipe it’s hard not to eat them all.
I love tuna so I decided to try these. They were great! Thanks for sharing this recipe, it’s definitely going to go on my meal rotation since it’s so easy and fast. O just had ketchup this time but I can’t wait to try with rice and soy sauce.
This is one of the easiest and most delicious recipes I have ever tried! Will definitely be making these regularly.
I’m not a fan of tuna but surprisingly this dish was very good and quick to make. I added some nutmeg, chili peppers and paprika to add some flavor.Next time I will add a bit more cheese. I will definitely make this dish again.
Love these pancakes. Make sure you use only solid albacore tuna otherwise the pancakes turn out mushy. Easy peasy recipe and is great for those days you just don’t know what to make.