POTATO PANCAKES WITH ASIAN PEAR COMPOTE (GAMJA JEON)

Coming from North-Central New Jersey and New York City, I’ve been lucky to have had my share of latkes. Traditional Korean potato pancakes are different than Jewish latkes, using a much finer grating of the potatoes, which results in a softer texture. I’ve brought the two versions together in my Korean take on the classic fried potato pancakes with apple purée. My potato pancakes are crispy and have more potato integrity, but I’ve included Korean flavours as well as an Asian pear compote in lieu of applesauce. I think it marries the best of both worlds. I like to use a mixture of russet and Yukon Gold potatoes. The Russets provide crispness, while the Yukons have better potato flavour and lend a golden colour. I don’t peel either type. Feel free to serve with a traditional soy and onion dipping sauce as well, as pictured. 

Ingredients

MAKES ABOUT 10 PANCAKES

Compote

  • 600 g (11⁄4 lb) Asian pears or other firm but ripe pears, peeled, cored and cut into 2.5 cm (1 in) pieces
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 (1 cm/1⁄2 in) knob fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
  • Pinch of sea salt

Pancakes

  • 450 g (1 lb) Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes, or similar, unpeeled (any ratio of the two types)
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 2 tbsp potato starch
  • 1 tbsp crushed sesame seeds
  • 2 tsp gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes)
  • 1 tsp gochujang (Korean chilli paste)
  • 1 tsp sea salt, plus extra to finish
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten Vegetable oil, for frying

 

Method

FOR THE COMPOTE

  1. In a small saucepan, combine all the compote ingredients and 2 tablespoons water and bring to the boil over a medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the fruit mashes easily with the back of a fork, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, discard the ginger and mash the mixture into a chunky sauce. (If you prefer a smooth sauce, purée the mixture in a food processor.) Set aside.

 

FOR THE PANCAKES

  1. In a food processor fitted with the medium grating disc, shred the potatoes and onion quarters, alternating between the two (the onion juices help keep the potatoes from discolor- ing). Alternatively, grate the potatoes and onion on the large holes of a box grater.
  2. Working in batches, take handfuls of the potato- onion mixture and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. (You can also wrap the mixture in kitchen paper and squeeze it out by twisting the ends of the paper, but I’ve always found it more effective and quicker to do it by hand.) Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, add the potato starch, sesame seeds, chilli flakes, chilli paste and salt, and toss together. Add the beaten eggs and mix well. Transfer the mixture to a fine-mesh sieve set over the bowl so any excess liquid can drain.
  3. In a large non-stick frying pan, heat 5 mm (1⁄4 in) of oil over a medium-high heat. Working in batches, put 2 rounded tablespoons of the mixture on a wide spatula and flatten it with your hand to form a 7.5 cm (3 in) wide pancake. Slide the pancake into the oil and cook until golden brown on the base, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook for a further 2–3 minutes until the other side is golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack or kitchen paper-lined plate to drain. Season immediately with a little salt. Repeat with the remaining mixture, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
  4. Serve pancakes hot with your dipping sauce.

 

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@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageThe first in my K-Quick Recipe Series — quick, bold Korean dishes from my newest cookbook!

Small but mighty 🔥💛
Fridge essential alert 🚨

Sweet, spicy, and done in a flash — this quick pickled radish gives you the fiery kick of red kimchi with the tangy crunch of classic pickled radish. 

Julienned for speed. Addictive by nature. 

Put it on rice, fold it into wraps…or eat it straight from the jar (we won’t judge 😉).  

Scroll down for the recipe — and save this fridge hero for later! 💛

💡: @samsunguk 
 🛒: @koreafoodsuk 
 📚: K-Quick — From my latest cookbook, K-Quick — link in bio if you want the full collection!

Ingredients:
175g (6oz) mu (Korean radish) or daikon radish, peeled and julienned 
1 1/2 tbsp rice or distilled white vinegar 
1 1/2 tbsp caster (superfine) sugar 
2 tsp gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes)
1 small garlic clove, grated 
1 spring onion (scallion), thinly sliced 
1 tsp sea or kosher salt 
Roasted sesame seeds (to serve)

Method:
In a large bowl, stir together all the ingredients until the radish is evenly coated in the sauce and the sugar dissolves. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and then serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to eat.

@quartobooksuk @quartobooksus @whitelionpublishing 
#JudyJoo #JudyJooChef #KQuick #QuickPickles #PickledRadish #Musaengchae #KoreanPickles #KoreanRecipes #KoreanSoulFood #SamsungUK #SamsungKitchen #KoreanCooking #Korea #Seoulplaza1 day ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageWhen the former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak @rishisunakmp gives you a shoutout… 😳

A couple years ago, my team and I had the honor of cooking at No. 10 Downing Street during the Korean state visit — we gave British classics a bold Korean makeover with gochujang, ssamjang, and of course, kimchi 🇰🇷🇬🇧

To hear Rishi Sunak mention it at the Asian Leadership Conference — and say his daughters still talk about the food — is beyond humbling. That’s the magic of sharing culture through food.... food diplomacy!

Massive thanks to the incredible team who made it all happen 💛
@chefandrewhales @seoulbirduk @mosimanns  @philipp_mosimann 

🎥: Former PM Rishi Sunak at #ALC2025

#JudyJoo #KoreanFood #BritishKorean #FusionFood #10DowningStreet #AsianLeadershipConference #WomenInFood #CulturalCuisine #ChefLife2 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageEvery time I see a Seoul Bird stand in full swing, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude — and our spot at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was no exception. Serving up Korean fried chicken to thousands of hungry fans during the Beyoncé concert? A total “pinch me” moment. 🍗🐝✨

I used to hide my school lunches in embarrassment, hoping no one would catch a whiff of kimchi. Now? Those same flavors are center stage — devoured by the BeyHive in one of London’s most iconic arenas.

Huge thanks to the incredible @tottenhamhotspurstadium team led by @regionallondonchef and every fan who came hungry — from the stands to Club Renaissance. 💛

And of course, to the unstoppable @seoulbirduk crew and the amazing @chefandrewhales — thank you for bringing the flavor and the Seoul every single day.

#SeoulBirdUK #JudyJoo #JudyJooChef #TottenhamHotspurStadium #Beyonce #BeyHive #KoreanFriedChicken #KoreanSoulFood #StadiumEats #KoreanFood #ChefLife #WomenInFood #FullCircleMoment #Korea #LondonEats5 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageLondon, you really brought the heat this past weekend! 🔥🇰🇷

Had an absolute blast teaching at the K-Food BBQ Cook School at @tasteoflondon — it was such a joy to share the bold and totally addictive flavors of Korean BBQ with so many hungry (and K-BBQ-loving!) Londoners.

I served up one of my all-time favorites: Korean marinated beef short ribs — galbi, of course! 🥩✨

I even had the honor of meeting Korea’s Ambassador to the UK, Yoon Yeocheol — a proud moment made even better by the scent of char grilling meat in the air.

Huge thanks to everyone who came through to cook, taste, and celebrate Korean food with me — and to the brilliant @julian_d_brown_chef for bringing the BBQ magic alongside me! This is what I call BBQ with Seoul. ❤️

Big thanks to our friends at @koreafoodsuk for making it all happen, and to @hexclad_europe and @firemadeuk for keeping the setup sharp and the flames steady 🔥

You can even find the recipe in K-Quick, my latest cookbook 📚@quartobooksuk @quartobooksus @whitelionpublishing1 week ago via Instagram
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