Serves 4 (main course) or 8 (side dish)
- Active Time:45 min
- Start to Finish:2 3/4 hr (includes soaking mung beans)
November 2004
There are many kinds of Korean pancakes, but bindaedok, made with yellow mung beans and whipped eggs, have a light, airy texture. They are very versatile, and work well as an hors d’oeuvre, side dish, or vegetarian main course.
For dipping sauce
-
3
tablespoons
soy sauce
-
2
teaspoons
rice vinegar (not seasoned)
-
1
tablespoon
sesame seeds, toasted (see Tips)
-
1/4
teaspoon
dried hot red pepper flakes
-
1/4
teaspoon
Asian sesame oil
For pancakes
-
1
cup
dried peeled (yellow) mung beans*
-
2
medium carrots
-
1
bunch scallions (white and pale green parts only)
-
1
(5-inch) fresh red chile, thinly sliced crosswise (2 tablespoons), including seeds
-
1
tablespoon
minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
-
1
cup
water
-
2
large eggs
-
2
tablespoons
all-purpose flour
-
1
tablespoon
chopped flat-leaf parsley
-
2
tablespoons
salt
-
4
tablespoons
vegetable oil
Make pancakes:
-
Rinse mung beans in a sieve under cold running water until water runs clear. Cover beans with cold water by 2 inches in a bowl and soak, chilled, at least 2 hours.
-
Cut carrots into thin matchsticks, preferably using slicer. Halve scallions lengthwise and cut into 2-inch pieces. Combine carrots, scallions, chile, and garlic in a large bowl.
-
Drain mung beans and purée with water in a food processor until smooth, about 1 minute. Add eggs, flour, and salt and blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour mixture over vegetables in bowl and stir with a flexible spatula. (Batter will be thick.)
-
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large heavy nonstick skillet (at least 8 inches across bottom) over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then swirl to coat. Stir batter, then ladle 1 cup batter into skillet, pressing down lightly with a large spatula to flatten and evenly distribute vegetables, to make an 8-inch pancake (less than 1/2 inch thick). Cook until edges begin to bubble and turn golden, 1 to 2 minutes, then turn over with spatula and cook until other side is golden, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer pancake to paper towels to drain. Make 3 more pancakes in same manner, stacking them (after draining briefly) if desired. Transfer pancakes, 1 at a time, to a cutting board and cut each into 6 wedges. Serve warm or at room temperature with dipping sauce.
Cooks’ note: Mung beans can be soaked up to 12 hours.
*Available at Asian markets.
**Available at cookware shops and Uwajimaya (800-889-1928).
