Pajeon (scallion pancakes)
해물파전 Haemulpajeon
A pan-fried pancake of green onions and seafood, dipped in soy sauce and often shared with makgeolli rice wine.
- Seafood and Green Onion Pancake
- Spice: Not spicy
- Contains seafood
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Green onions, mixed seafood (often squid and shrimp), flour batter |
| How it's served | A large round pancake served hot on a plate, with a small bowl of soy dipping sauce |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Diet | Contains seafood — Fish, shellfish, fish sauce, salted seafood (jeotgal) or anchovy stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Wheat · Egg · Mollusc shellfish · Crustacean shellfish · Soy |
| Ask about | The seafood mix varies; oysters and mussels are common, and the dipping sauce is soy-based. |
| On the menu | 해물파전 (Haemulpajeon) |
| Also called | haemul pajeon · seafood pancake |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Seafood and Green Onion Pancake
Tear off a piece
Use chopsticks to pull off a bite-size piece. Some places cut it into wedges for you.
Dip it in the sauce
Dip each piece lightly in the soy dipping sauce. Eat it while it is still hot and crisp.
Sip makgeolli between bites
Makgeolli, a milky rice wine, is a common partner, especially on rainy days. Water or tea works too.
How to order it
Order it as 해물파전. One pancake is large and usually shared by two or more, though one person can order it.
- On the menu: 해물파전
- Usually sold: 1 large pancake
Where it comes from
Pajeon, the green onion pancake, is not found in Joseon-era records but appears in later cookbooks. Seafood such as clams, oysters and shrimp goes especially well with it. Dongnae, in Busan, is known for it, with green onions, water parsley and seafood close by. Dongnae pajeon stands out for a batter of wheat and rice flour mixed with anchovy broth.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Questions about Seafood and Green Onion Pancake
Is haemulpajeon vegetarian?
No. Seafood is a standard ingredient. A vegetable pancake is often on the same menu, but ask the restaurant what goes in it.
How spicy is haemulpajeon?
Not spicy. The pancake has no chili heat. The dipping sauce sometimes has chili flakes, so taste it first.
What is the difference between pajeon and haemulpajeon?
Seafood. Pajeon is the basic green onion pancake, and haemulpajeon adds seafood such as squid and shrimp.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 10, 2026