Chef Bob Chung · Buk Jang Do Ga Korean Cuisine
LANGLEY MAY seem like a long way to go for Korean food, but the opening of an H-Mart Asian grocery store in this city shows how the Korean population is growing in Surrey and Langley. Buk Jang Do Ga, which means “an assembly of Korean drums,” is known for its homestyle cooking, especially such dishes as its catfish sautéed in kimchi and bean sprouts.
Savoury pancakes, loaded with hearty ingredients, are a classic Korean home-cooked meal. Churning mung beans into a smooth paste at home is easier than you think. Buy skinned, split mung beans in 400-gram packages, which are readily available in most Asian grocery stores.
1 pkg (400 g) skinned split dry mung beans
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
½ carrot, julienned
3 green onions, white and green parts, julienned + 2 tsp chopped green onions
2 oz ground pork (optional)
½ cup kimchi, julienned
¼ cup bean sprouts, blanched and roughly chopped
2 Tbsp salt
6 Tbsp vegetable oil
3 Tbsp light soy sauce
IN A MEDIUM saucepan, cover mung beans with 3 to 4 cups cold water, or enough to cover the beans by ½ inch, and allow to soak for 1 hour.
Transfer beans and their soaking water to a food processor. Blend on low for 3 minutes, then increase the speed to high and blend for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the mixture becomes a smooth paste.
In a medium bowl, combine onions, carrots, julienned green onions, pork, kimchi and bean sprouts. Using a spatula, fold in mung bean paste. Add salt and 2 Tbsp water and mix well.
In a nonstick pan, heat 1 Tbsp of the vegetable oil on medium-high. Using a ladle, drop about ! cup batter into the pan and swirl it to create an even 5- to 6-inch pancake about ¼ inch thick. Cook for about 90 seconds, then turn pancake over and cook for another 90 seconds, or until golden brown. Transfer to a platter, cover with a tea towel to keep warm and set aside. Add a few drops of oil to the pan, then repeat with the remaining batter. You should have about 8 to 10 pancakes.
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce and chopped green onions.
Serve pancakes on a platter and pass the dipping sauce.