Today I’m sharing one of my classic recipes that I’ve been making for decades: Korean-style tuna pancakes! You can make a tasty side dish in just 7 minutes with one can of tuna and only a few ingredients. It’s super easy to make but more importantly it’s absolutely delicious.
Finely chopped onion and egg are mixed in, so the patties stay moist and tender. The pancakes go perfectly with plain rice, and you won’t even need any soup or other dishes to enjoy your meal. That’s also why they’re so perfect for picnics or lunchboxes. Take one bite, and enjoy the savory, juicy, and meaty texture that will have you coming back for more.
I originally posted this recipe a long time ago, but I’ve adjusted and updated it here, especially by reducing the amount of salt. I used Korean canned tuna, but if that’s hard to find, regular canned tuna from your local grocery store works just fine.
Enjoy the recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 (5-ounce: 142 grams) can of Korean tuna
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (or up to 2 tablespoons if using non-Korean tuna)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil (or any cooking oil)
Directions
- Drain the tuna from the can into a strainer. Lightly press down on the tuna with the back of a spoon to press out any extra liquid, then transfer it to a bowl.
- Add the onion, garlic, salt, pepper, egg, sesame oil, and flour. Mix well with a spoon until well incorporated. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions in the bowl with the spoon.
- Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat and swirl to coat the skillet.
- Scoop up 1 portion of the tuna mixture with a spoon. Press it down slightly and round the edges with the spoon to make a 2-inch disk. Repeat with the rest of the tuna mixture.
- Cook for 2 minutes, until the bottom turns golden brown and a little crispy. Turn and cook for another 2 minutes, until both sides are golden brown.
- Remove from the heat and transfer the tuna pancakes to a plate. Serve with rice.
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a couple days ago, i made lunch for a few friends and made chamchijeon (which came out delicious :) ) but the only thing was, that as soon i announced i was going to make korean tuna pancake, everyone looked a bit disgusted until i said it was more of a tuna-FRIKADELLE than pancake. then they were definitely more eager to try them.
i know this seems silly, but perhaps the name should be adjusted?
“Jeon” is the korean word common to all the “korean pancakes” there is. Hobakjeon, chamchijeon, deongtaejeon, gochujeon, kimchijeon etc. Since it’s made with eggs and flour, it is indeed a pancake… Changing the name would mean changing the meaning of “jeon”
At least that’s what I think?
Brought these to lunch today at my Korean in-laws house… they liked them, but they looked at them oddly, and said “in Korea, they do not make pancakes with tuna”. They’re from Seoul. Are these a regional thing?
I know you posted this in July but I will share with you my experience cooking these…I made them and posted a photo on my facebook and my friend from Gwangju told me her mom makes these too. Shortly afterwards my friend from Guri which is next to Seoul told me she loves these and makes them all the time…it might depends on the family I guess…but two people from different parts of the country do eat them…maybe your in laws left before canned tuna became popular?
What did you put in the sauce?
hiya i made this in 5 minutes today!
http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnm2tsCLdn1qg2a59o1_500.jpg
wow, it looks delicious!
Such a fantastic recipe… though I have to say I enjoy it so much more if I add 1 tbsp of spicy chilli flakes to it!! Then goes even better with tomato and cucumber!!!
ooh~ u love spicy food!
I was a little dubious because I’m not too fond of canned tuna but these pancakes are fantastic! Making them was quick and easy and such a great addition to my doshirak stash! It was hard not to eat them all up! I froze 6 slightly smaller pancakes and will heat them up in a toaster-oven at work. Can’t wait!
You are right. I don’t like canned tuna either, but this pancake is very tasty especially as a side dish in a lunchbox.
Trying this dish to go along with my japchae tonite! Thanks maangchi!
I came home from work today and sat down at my computer to watch some Youtube videos and relax. I saw a lot of NextUp videos had been uploaded and one of the first ones I watched was JoshSunquist’s NextUp rap! He says a line about you teaching us how to cook Korean food. I had no idea someone like you existed on Youtube!! I wish I knew about your channel a long time ago but I am here now and I am ready to enjoy your recipes.
I watched your video for Tuna Pancakes and I had to try them. So I jotted down the recipe and went straight to my kitchen. They are very simple and very delicious! I would have made a boring dinner if I hadn’t found your channel today. So I thank you for being amazing and sharing these recipes. I can’t wait to try more!
So, easy and delicious. I made mine with summer salad rather then with rice! I will be making these again.
Check it out here:
http://ikkin-bot.blogspot.com/2011/05/cooking-korean-chamchijeon-tuna.html
ya these were bomb maangchi!
yeah, I made lunchbox for you when I visited you in Boston and this chamchijoen was one of the side dishes. I still remember you really enjoyed the lunchbox! https://www.maangchi.com/blog/leaving-for-costa-rica The photos didn’t turn out good because we took them in the hotel room.
So you made this! I am sure you thought about me!
I made these today! Turned out great and they taste so good!!! Usually I can’t really cook lol but I was able to successfully make these ^_^ thanks for the easy recipe! there are pictures of them on by blog =] http://shinyprettythings9.blogspot.com/2011/05/tuna-pancakes.html
awesome, looks perfect!
i cooked this today! awesome and very simple dish! *thumbs up
I saw the photo! It will be featured on my website soon. https://www.maangchi.com/photos/upload
maangchi….i very very say thanks with you….and next time i doing for my family …and i show my teacher maangchi see and i look you doing very easy thanks alot..muazhzhhz
It sounds like your tuna pancake turned out delicious! Good news!
Is it possible to make these without egg? My son is allergic to egg.
yes, you can skip egg. It will still be delicious!
Meneer Reinier – your video is amazing and your Korean culinary skills are equally impressive. so where were you the past 3 years when we lived in Rotterdam (Kop van Zuid area) We had many LEKKER Korean dinner parties as my wife is quite the Korean chef – her repertoire is awesome, and surely we would’ve invited you if we had known about you and your passion for Korean food. I assume you shop at the KTDC on Varseweg? I miss Rotterdam very much.
well…beste wensen en fijn dag!
Thanks! I live in Katendrecht… so that was a 5 minute walk! Where are you now? It would have been nice to meet you. Yes KTDC is awesome. Greets from sunny Rotterdam!
Hi Reinier
Great to see you with Maanchi!
Sylvia
Thank you Sylvia, it was a pleasure cooking with her :)
Hello Maangchi!.I’m Jason, and I’m a male college student. Thank you a lot for the tuna pancake recipe! I cooked it for my family tonight and they liked it a lot. I feel happy when I cook for my family. There was only one problem: it wasn’t enough!!! Haha. I guess one can of tuna is not enough for four hungry people!! Thanks again. You’re video was good too. It is not boring, and is fun to watch!!
I also added chili peppers..
hi! Maangchi…i’ve been reading your recipes for now 3 months…and i love you for all those recipes..and thank you as well…i love foods and cooking….it’s been few months that i’ve gain interest in korean food…ever since u’ve uploaded tuna pancake recipe..i’ve cooked it 4times..and me and my family love it…Thankyou so much for sharing it!!..xoxo…
i just made a batch that was supposed to be for my bf, but i ate almost everything myself..so right now, im doing a second one haha :D
its sooooooooo delicious and easy to make! this is definitely one of my favorites now that i need to cook at least once a weak!
thank you so much maangchi!!!
Hi.Maangchi:
Is there print-friendly version of all your recipes? Maybe just recipes and pictures only? or just recipes?
hi maangchi! i’m a long time reader, currently in south korea ^^ i love your recipes–thank you for all the work you put in your site and videos!!
i do have a question please: in the chamchijeon recipe, can i substitute corn flour for the regular flour??
thsnk you again!!
Yes, corn flour will work well! : )
Maangchi!! You and Rienier make a good cooking combo :)!
I have followed your blog for a long time and finally registered so I could comment ^_^. I tried making the tuna pancake today it was delicious! I think next time I might try cooking the onion first before putting it in the tuna mix because I don’t like the raw taste of onions, but otherwise, great recipe!!! I love all your recipes!
I would cook longer over lower heat instead of cooking onion first. If you fry onion, the mixture will fall apart easily.
your video is really great & funny & interesting … i laughed so much :-) & Reinier’s video is great too
I can do anything for my readers to make them laugh. No I shouldn’t say that. : ) lol
I made these as appetizers tonight and they were so good! I ran to get my camera in the next room and my family had demolished them and were smacking their chops when I returned. Yum, I’ll have the camera close by next time lol.
lol, next time!
Made this yesterday with my kids. Easy and delicious.
Cooking with your family is great! Your children will always remember cooking together when they grow up!
Awwwwwwww another Maangchi video with Reinier…always nice to see! :D Thanks for the lovely recipe, Maangchi unni,it will be a great banchan for dinner tonight. *^.~*
” *^.~*” Does it mean you are smiling? : )
It’s a winking smiley. The Chamchijeon turned out delicious by the way! *^.^*
Do these keep well in the fridge? And should they be then eaten cold or reheated? I can’t wait to try these!
Yes, you can keep it in the fridge for a couple of days but you will have to reheat it before eating.You can reheat it in the microwave oven, or pan fry.
Hello Maangchi :D
I can’t seem to find sesame oil anywhere.
Can i use something else?
– lots of love from Denmark! :D
I found 6 Korean grocery stores in Denmark submitted by my readers. Check this out and see if one of these is near your area. Sesame oil is sold at an Asian market, too. https://www.maangchi.com/shopping/denmark
Hooray!! Gonna make this for pot luck lunch on this Tuesday.
Was scratching my head hard.. Thanks for idea:))
I am SOOOO going to try making this recipe! By the way, Mangchi, I can’t WAIT to make Korean food when I am living and working in Korea! No more problems finding ingredients and I really really want to make my own soondubu jjigae! ^__^
Yes, that’s so cool! You won’t have to worry about Korean ingredients anymore! I imagine that you are busy teaching English to Korean students and also learning and cooking Korean food in Korea. I’m very happy for you!
Looks wonderful! I’m going to make it later today! It was good to see Reinier too! The chewing scene at the end was so serious!
Kerri
yummy! I will post your tuna pancake photo soon!
I love this video! You put the bloopers at the end that I really wanted to see and it did make me laugh! I am going to make this dish as soon as possible. You are Reinier are excellent onscreen together :) Thanks as always Maangchi :)
Yes, I kept laughing loudly while editing the video! Reinier emailed me yesterday to say he was crying because it was so funny! : )
Yes, the bloopers where amazing! i laughed soooo much!
Maangchi! I absolutely love that little animation in the beginning of this video! How cute!!!
Thanks! chop chop chop! : )
This was soooooooooo fun to watch, i laughed so much. Thank you Maangchi for the great time and recipe!!
Totally agreed,Reinier..You & Maangchi are both really fun to watch.
Cheers Reinier and Ina!
Boong boong! What a fun and easy recipe :D
You remembered the word! yummy yummy boong boong!