Traditional Korean Street Food - Hotteok

Hotteok is a popular Korean street food that has a long history and is enjoyed by many people both in Korea and around the world. The sweet and savory snack is a type of filled Korean pancake.

The origins of hotteok can be traced back to the late 19th century during the late Joseon Dynasty in Korea. It is believed that hotteok was inspired by a Chinese pancake called "yóutiáo," which is a deep-fried dough stick. The Korean version, however, evolved to become a sweet, filled pancake.


Hotteok is typically made with a batter of glutinous rice flour, regular wheat flour, sugar, milk, and water. The batter is filled with a mixture of brown sugar, honey, chopped peanuts, and sometimes cinnamon. Some variations also include ingredients like seeds, sweet red bean paste, or other nuts. The filling gives hotteok its distinctive flavor and makes it a delicious treat.


Traditionally, hotteok was cooked on a griddle or skillet over an open flame. Street vendors and food stalls became popular places to find hotteok, especially during the cold winter months when the warm, sweet pancakes provided a comforting and satisfying snack.


Over time, hotteok has become a beloved snack, not just during the winter but throughout the year. While the traditional recipe remains popular, there are also modern variations and adaptations, including different fillings and cooking methods.

Today, hotteok is widely available in Korea, and its popularity has spread to other countries. It is not only a popular street food but is also made at home for special occasions or as a delicious dessert. The history of hotteok reflects the rich culinary heritage of Korea and its ability to adapt and innovate over time.

Hotteok Recipe;

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup glutinous rice flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast

For the filling:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Instructions:

• Prepare the Yeast Mixture:
  • In a small bowl, combine the lukewarm water and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
  • Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the water and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

• Make the Dough:
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, glutinous rice flour, and salt.
  • Pour the activated yeast mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well to form a dough.
  • Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise for about 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

• Prepare the Filling:
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the brown sugar, honey, chopped peanuts, and cinnamon if using.

• Forming the Hotteok:
  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air.
  • Divide the dough into golf ball-sized portions.
  • Take one ball of dough, flatten it with your hands, and place a spoonful of the filling in the center.
  • Seal the edges of the dough, making a ball with the filling enclosed.

• Cooking:
  • Heat a pan or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with oil.
  • Place the filled dough on the pan and flatten it gently with a spatula.
  • Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

• Serve:
  • Hotteok is best enjoyed warm. Serve it immediately and be careful as the filling can be hot.

Feel free to experiment with the filling ingredients and adjust the sweetness according to your taste. Enjoy your homemade hotteok!

I recommend you to watch recipe videos below;

3 Hotteok Recipes;

 Korean Style Sweet Pancakes (Hotteok) Recipe;

Hotteok (Sweet Korean Pancake) Recipe;

Hotteok Filled with Vegetables & Noodles;

Homemade Hotteok Recipe;

References;

1.  (in Korean) 호떡, 가난한 쿨리의 가장 먹기 편한 음식, The Hankyoreh, 2012-04-27. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
2. Krishna, Priya (4 February 2022). "The Warm, Sticky-Sweet Resurgence of Hotteok". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 February 2022. The origin of Hotteok is Chinese traditional folk snack-sugar cake (different regions in China have different types of sugar cake)and it was brought to the country by Chinese immigrants in the late 19th century, as an adaptation of bing.
3. Snack mix popularity on the rise, Yonhap News, 2010-01-07. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
4. Hotteok, Kyunghyang News, 2003-11-20. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
5. Maangchi. "Hotteok filled with vegetables & noodles (Yachae-hotteok: 야채호떡) recipe by Maangchi". www.maangchi.com. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
6. Winter snacks, Kukinews, 2007-01-07.

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