Braised baby potatoes

Algamja-jorim 알감자조림

Today I’m showing you how to make a Korean side dish made of braised baby potatoes, called algamja-jorim in Korean. Gamja is Korean for potatoes, jorim means braised and al means egg, which refers to how small these potatoes are, like quail eggs.

When these baby potatoes are braised in soy sauce and rice syrup, they become an irresistible, easy-to-eat, sweet, salty, banchan (side dish) that goes well with rice. The secret to making perfect algamja-jorim is to get the potato skins crunchy and chewy at the same time and to keep the inside moist yet fluffy.

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Well made algamja-jorim can go for hours without getting soggy, or losing their shine, which makes them a perfect dish for a Korean doshirak (lunchbox). You can make it in the morning, and by lunchtime it’ll still be perfect!

It’s also a good mitbanchan – something you can make ahead and keep in the fridge for days. Make this, and I guarantee you will be making it again, it’s so delicious, sweet, and savory. Have fun and let me know how yours turns out!

알감자조림 (braise baby potatoes)

Ingredients

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algamja (baby potatoes: 알감자)

Directions

  1. Trim any rotten spots or broken edges from the potatoes. Wash and rinse in cold water to remove any dirt. Strain.
  2. Add the cooking oil to a 10 to 12 inch thick skillet, over medium heat. Add the potatoes.
    알감자 (baby potatoes)
  3. Cover and cook for 20 minutes until fully cooked. Shake and move the skillet every 5 minute so that the potatoes cook evenly and don’t burn.
    알감자조림 (braise baby potatoes)
  4. Turn down the heat to low and add the soy sauce, rice syrup, and garlic. Stir it all together with a wooden spoon.
  5. Turn up the heat to medium. Keep stirring and cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes until the sauce is reduced and the potatoes look shiny and wrinkly.
    알감자조림 (braise baby potatoes)
  6. Remove from the heat and mix with the sesame oil. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over top.
  7. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve with rice. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 4 days.

알감자조림 (braise baby potatoes)

Posted on Monday, March 30th, 2015 at 6:22 pm. Last updated on July 29, 2021.
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27 Comments:

  1. Mavs Philippines joined 6/20 & has 1 comment
    Posted June 21st, 2020 at 9:22 am | or create a profile.

    I made this tonight to go with our homemade samgyupsal dinner. :) My friends said they loved it and that it was as good as the one served in the Korean barbecue restaurants! :) Thanks so mich for making me look cooler Maangchi! Keep rocking!


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  2. Madhu1010 USA joined 11/19 & has 3 comments
    Posted November 23rd, 2019 at 2:21 pm | or create a profile.

    Just tried this today and I’m so proud of my handsome wrinkly old men


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  3. JeonGoyangi Space joined 2/19 & has 1 comment
    Posted February 2nd, 2019 at 6:27 pm | or create a profile.

    Hi maangchi! I made this dish and it turned out super delicious! I do not have rice syrup so I instead used brown sugar and it still came out so good. I love your recipes!


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  4. bertman4 Seattle, WA joined 10/17 & has 9 comments
    Posted October 13th, 2017 at 1:10 am | or create a profile.

    It takes awhile to cook but the dish was very popular with my friends.


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  5. Kraysha India joined 10/17 & has 1 comment
    Posted September 30th, 2017 at 8:56 pm | or create a profile.

    Dear Maangchi,
    I tried this recipe yesterday and it came out really well. It was hard to find rice syrup(i am from INDIA) and so I used honey 5 mins after cooking as it is not healthy to heat honey. But the potatoes got really wrinkled outside and cooked inside.. as an Indian this was a different recipe for me. Loved it totally. But few among my family found the potato skin a little unusual and bitter. Thanks for the recipe. Love you


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  6. makionyx Missouri joined 5/17 & has 3 comments
    Posted May 13th, 2017 at 4:09 pm | or create a profile.

    I made this side dish with my husband in mind. He really loves potatoes and any dish really that incorporates them into it. When I saw this video, I instantly thought of him and how he would enjoy the dish. Turns out two of our boys also enjoyed the dish and he ended being raided by a one and three year old every chance they got. It was cute to watch. Thank you for the wonderful recipe as it gave my family a wonderful memory!

  7. Jo228 Boston joined 4/17 & has 1 comment
    Posted April 27th, 2017 at 8:00 pm | or create a profile.

    Thank you for the recipe! I made it a couple times now and it’s great to go with rice and also so good as a little snack to keep in the fridge!


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  8. drgonridngfaerywitch joined 11/15 & has 1 comment
    Posted November 8th, 2015 at 10:20 pm | or create a profile.

    I’ve made this a few times since seeing the video, but a few weeks ago I tried it with carrots. Just cutting them into chunks and cooking them the same way. They turned out delicious! My mother-in-law says that she wants to use the recipe on chicken next. Can’t wait to try this with so many different things!

  9. Inunah joined 5/15 & has 1 comment
    Posted November 5th, 2015 at 8:05 pm | or create a profile.

    I just made some of these and they are absolutely delicious, but my mom thinks they need some spicing up… If I picked up some gochujang, would that work? Or maybe some garlic salt?

  10. rocknchick Rockford, IL joined 12/14 & has 11 comments
    Posted August 17th, 2015 at 1:56 pm | or create a profile.

    I made these potatoes last night and they didn’t turn out exactly right, but were ok. I think the potatoes were too big. I couldn’t find ones as tiny as quail eggs, the ones I got were golfball-sized. I had to cook them longer and the sauce basically burned (turned black and tasted burned). If I can’t find the small potatoes, would fingerling potatoes work? Or should I microwave the potatoes to cook completely before putting them in the sauce?

  11. annapaek joined 7/15 & has 4 comments
    Posted August 6th, 2015 at 10:00 pm | or create a profile.

    Thank you for the recipe Mangchi!my family enjoyed it!


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  12. Jaysondavid joined 4/15 & has 2 comments
    Posted April 8th, 2015 at 3:38 am | or create a profile.

    I can’t wait to make these! I moved out of state in the beginning of last month, and I’m homesick for home-cooked meals. There aren’t as many Korean stores or restaurants in Las Vegas as there were in the Chicago suburbs, so I’m glad I found you when I did, and I paid attention to my Korean side as much as I have. Hopefully with your help, and years of watching Eoma, I’ll make both of you proud.

  13. zbaerenlovesme joined 4/15 & has 1 comment
    Posted April 3rd, 2015 at 4:01 am | or create a profile.

    I have three kids and zero creativity in the kitchen. Ever since I saw your video on Korean fried Chicken a few months ago I’ve started cooking up a storm! My family has enjoyed korean fried chicken, fried rice, and steamed buns. I made these potatoes tonight and it was another hit! You’ve made cooking so easy and fun for me and I can’t wait to do more. Thank you!

  14. S.Blacksmith Beirut, Lebanon joined 3/15 & has 3 comments
    Posted April 1st, 2015 at 5:15 pm | or create a profile.

    I just bought baby potatoes, gonna try this recipe tomorrow. But I’m afraid I won’t find the syrup. What can I use as substitute?

  15. pp_123 Hong Kong joined 12/14 & has 9 comments
    Posted March 30th, 2015 at 9:15 pm | or create a profile.

    Maangchi Maangchi I have two questions regarding the recipe haha~

    (1) I have Korean corn syrup at home but I don’t have rice syrup. Can I use corn syrup for the recipe? Or will honey and sugar be better substitutes of rice syrup?

    (2) Um… I don’t feel comfortable eating potato skin. Is it possible to cook the potatoes with their skin peeled? I am scared the potatoes will be out of shape (i.e. to mash with one another lol) without their skin on though…

    Thanks!!

    • junkka South Korea joined 3/15 & has 8 comments
      Posted March 30th, 2015 at 9:52 pm | or create a profile.

      I never tried this without skin, but I assume it will go soggy without them. Also the skin isn’t as thick as full grown potatoes and actually taste good when cooked this way. You might give it a try

    • Maangchi New York City joined 8/08 & has 12,049 comments
      Posted March 31st, 2015 at 10:00 am | or create a profile.

      I would choose corn syrup if it’s available. The syrup will make the potatoes shiny. The potatoes are so tiny like a quail egg size that it will be pain for you to peel them. Besides the skins are very delicious and nutritious. Now it’s time for you to change to try out potato skins. : )

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