Bindaetteok (빈대떡) – Mung Bean Pancakes

Ingredients

Pancake Mix:

• 200g (1 cup) Mung Beans, dried
• 120g (about 1 cup) Simple Cabbage Kimchi (막김치 - Mak Kimchi), squeezed and chopped
• 3 medium Scallions, chopped diagonally
• 75g (¾-cup) Mung Bean Sprouts
• 100g (about 1 cup) Fernbrake, cooked
• 450g (about 1 cup) Pork Belly, chopped
• 5g (1t) Sesame Oil
• 4g (1½t) Garlic, minced
• 1½g (½t) Kosher Salt
• 1g (½t) Black pepper, ground
• 118ml (½-cup) Water
• 60g (¼-cup) Kimchi Liquid

Dipping Sauce:

• 32g (2T) Soy Sauce
• 8g (½T) Rice Vinegar, or more to taste
• Dash of Sesame Seeds
• Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes

Procedure

• Soak the dried beans in water for 6-8 hours, or overnight. After they have been soaked, drain and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the chopped kimchi, scallions, and sprouts. Cut the fernbrake into 2-inch pieces, and add to the bowl. Mix and set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the chopped pork, sesame oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix and set aside.
• In a food processor or blender, grind the soaked beans and water together.
• Pour the ground mung beans and pork mixture into the vegetable bowl. Add the kimchi liquid. Mix until combined. Set aside for 10 minutes.
• In a large fry pan (stainless steel/non-stick/griddle), add about 15g (1T) of vegetable oil and heat on medium flame. Give the mixture a quick stir. Take a ½-cup measuring cup or a 4oz ladle and scoop until level. Pour onto the pan and spread the batter to 4-5 inches. Fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Place on a wire rack or plates lined with paper towels.
• Mix the dipping sauce ingredients together. Enjoy them hot!

*Bunny Wisdom*

• Try and find mung beans that are already shelled in their dry form. If you can't source mung beans that have been peeled, soak and peel the beans before using.
• Reserve the kimchi liquid that gets squeezed out of the kimchi so that you don't waste it. Use it to go toward the liquid you need later.
• If you don't want to use kimchi in this recipe, blanch, squeeze, and chop the equivalent amount of napa cabbage to create the same bulk.
• You can buy kimchi at any Asian grocery; I've also seen some in local supermarkets.
• When washing the mung bean sprouts, remove the green peels that float to the top, and any parts that look brown or mushy.
• You can find fernbrake/bracken fern/royal fern at your local Korean grocery store. It is sold in a sealed bag, already cooked and soaked in water. If you're lucky and can source dried fernbrake, boil for 10-15 minutes and then soak 6-8 hours, or overnight.
• Pork belly is the best choice, but you are welcome to use any cut of pork. Or take the pork out of the recipe and go veggie!
• Don't over-grind the soaked beans. Check out the photo below for reference.
• Use up to 60g of kimchi liquid, but try not to add more. The pancakes will turn very orange. Conversely, add just half the amount of kimchi liquid suggested, and top it up with water for a less spicy pancake.
• Be liberal with your frying oil. You want a nice and crispy pancake!
• I didn't have any issues frying up these pancakes without a starch (e.g. rice flour, all-purpose flour); however, if you feel the need for a binder, use 15-35g (2T-¼-cup) of flour.