Hotteok: Korean stuffed pancake and its homemade recipe

Hotteok is a traditional South Korean dessert. It is a kind of stuffed pancake, commonly found as street food, especially in the cold winter months. This sweet treat is very popular due to its sweet taste and texture, which is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.

It has its roots in Chinese cuisine. It is believed that Chinese immigrants introduced a version of this dish to Korea during the Joseon Dynasty era (1392-1910). Over time, Koreans adapted the recipe to their own tastes, resulting in the hotteok we know today.

Hotteok is usually served hot and freshly made to best enjoy its crunchy texture and melted filling. It is a snack eaten with your hands, and due to its popularity on the streets of Korea, it is common to see it served in a paper wrapper or in small disposable containers for easy consumption on the go.

Although the traditional filling is sweet, many variations of this snack have emerged over time, including versions filled with honey, chocolate, cheese, or even savory ingredients like kimchi or vegetables, demonstrating the versatility and popularity of this snack in modern Korean culture.

How to prepare Homemade Hotteok

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 2 cups of wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the filling:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (you can use walnuts, almonds, or sesame seeds)

Dough preparation:

1. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt and dry yeast.
2. Add the water and oil: Add the warm water and oil to the flour mixture. Mix well until a soft, sticky dough forms.
3. Let the dough rest: Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let the dough rest in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

The filling:

1. Make the filling: While the dough is resting, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped walnuts in a small bowl. Set aside.

Assembly and cooking:

1. Divide the dough: Once the dough has rested, divide the dough into 8-10 equal portions.
2. Fill the hotteok: Take a portion of dough and flatten it with your hands. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center of the dough. Bring the edges of the dough together to enclose the filling and form a ball. Repeat with the remaining portions.
3. Fry the hotteok: Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and add a little oil. Place a filled dumpling into the pan and gently flatten it with a spatula. Cook each hotteok for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy.
4. Serve hot: Once cooked, remove the hotteok from the pan and place on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the sweet, sticky filling.