Tuna pancake

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!

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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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat and swirl to coat the skillet.
4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Remove from the heat and transfer the tuna pancakes to a plate. Serve with rice.

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