Korean Seafood Pancakes (Chidimi)

Servings: 4

Ingredients

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup rice flour
1 large egg, beaten
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons seltzer or sparkling water
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Salt
1/2 cup kimchi—drained, pressed dry and chopped
4 ounces medium shrimp—shelled, deveined and split horizontally
4 ounces baby squid, bodies cut into 1/4-inch rings, tentacles halved
4 large scallions, thinly sliced
Vegetable oil, for frying
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour and the rice flour with the egg, seltzer, toasted sesame oil and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Add the kimchi, shrimp, squid and scallions to the batter.

In 2 medium nonstick skillets, heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil. Spoon 2 mounds of the batter into each skillet and gently spread them into 4- to 5-inch rounds; be sure to evenly distribute the seafood in the pancakes. Cook over moderately high heat until the pancakes are golden and crisp on the bottom, 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip and cook over moderate heat until the pancakes are golden and crisp and the batter is cooked through, about 3 minutes longer. Using a slotted spatula, transfer the pancakes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce and rice vinegar. Cut the seafood pancakes into wedges and serve them with the dipping sauce.