3 Easy Korean Recipes for Late Night Comfort: Kimchi Pancake, Cucumber Salad, Fluffy Egg

Hi everyone, this is Sammy!

I always say: I don’t just cook to impress — I cook to live, and live to eat.

After a long day in the kitchen, I still want to eat something satisfying — but I definitely don’t want to spend hours cooking again. Instead of reaching for fast food, I go for quick and clean Korean snacks that make me feel good.

Today, I’m sharing three simple recipes that you can easily make at home:

• Kimchi Pancake (Kimchi Jeon)

• Smacked Cucumber Salad

• Fluffy Steamed Egg (Gyeran-jjim)

These are quick, affordable, and perfect for late-night cravings or rainy-day comfort food.

1. Kimchi Pancake : Kimchi Jeon

Kimchi pancake is a classic Korean snack — crispy, savory, and perfect with a cold drink.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped kimchi

• 1 cup Korean pancake mix (buchim garu)

• Water (enough to make a thick batter)

• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1. Make the batter: Mix kimchi and pancake mix in a 1:1 ratio. Slowly add water until the batter is thick but pourable.

2. Heat the pan: Preheat a large frying pan over high heat. Add enough oil to coat the surface.

3. Cook: Pour the batter into the hot pan, spread evenly, and cook until the edges are crispy. Flip, reduce heat to medium, and cook until golden on both sides.

4. Serve: Slice into wedges and enjoy hot!

Pro Tip: A very hot pan gives you the crispy edges Koreans love.

2. Smacked Cucumber Salad : Oi Muchim

This crunchy, tangy, slightly spicy cucumber salad is the perfect refreshing side dish.

Ingredients

• 2 cucumbers

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 tsp rice vinegar

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1 tsp chili flakes

• 1 tsp sugar (or plum sugar if available)

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Smash the cucumbers: Lightly smash with the flat side of a knife, then chop into bite-sized pieces.

2. Make the sauce: Combine soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, chili flakes, sugar, and sesame oil. Taste and adjust seasoning.

3. Toss & chill: Mix cucumbers with the sauce, garnish with sesame seeds, and refrigerate before serving.

Tip: Chilling the salad before serving makes it extra refreshing.

3. Fluffy Steamed Egg : Gyeran jjim

This dish is like a warm, comforting custard. Soft, savory, and perfect with rice.

Ingredients

• 4–5 eggs

• Water (half the volume of beaten eggs)

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 1 splash fish sauce

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Chopped shallots and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. Mix: Beat eggs, add water, season with salt, pepper, and fish sauce.

2. Prep the pot: Heat sesame oil in a small clay pot (or saucepan).

3. Cook: Pour in the egg mixture and stir constantly over medium heat until it begins to thicken.

4. Steam: Cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and cook until fluffy.

5. Finish: Garnish with shallots, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.

These three dishes make the perfect late-night comfort meal — crispy kimchi pancake, refreshing cucumber salad, and soft, steaming egg. They’re easy enough for beginners and satisfying enough for food lovers.

Try them out, and let me know what you think! And remember — I don’t just cook to impress. I cook to live, live to eat.