Pan-fried Meat and Tofu Patties
Minced meat and tofu are shaped into flat circles and coated with egg before being pan-fried. The outside is crispy and golden brown, while the inside is moist and savory. It is typically enjoyed with vinegared soy sauce and is a traditional dish served during holiday ceremonies.
Cultural background
Dong-greong-ttaeng is a traditional dish made during holidays like Seollal and Chuseok, where families gather to cook together. It is offered on the ceremonial table, and the process of making it with family during the holidays is important.
Origin & history
Pan-fried Meat and Tofu Patties is a type of jeon, a pan-fried fritter, made by shaping minced meat like a small meatball, pressing it flat, and frying it. Older names such as “완자전” (wanja-jeon, meatball jeon) and “돈저냐” (donjeonya, coin-shaped jeon) were also used. One explanation says “돈” (don, coin/money) refers to its round shape, like an old yeopjeon coin.
The Pan-fried Meat and Tofu Patties commonly made today is a home-style version softened with tofu and vegetables. Because it stretches a modest amount of meat while making enough for several people to share, it became a standard holiday dish.
Regional & modern variations
- Wanjajeon — This version is made by shaping the meat mixture a little thicker before pan-frying it. It belongs to almost the same family as Pan-fried Meat and Tofu Patties, though the size and thickness vary from household to household.
- Tuna Pan-fried Meat and Tofu Patties — A home-style variation made with canned tuna instead of minced meat. The flavor is lighter than the meat version, and it often appears as a lunchbox side dish.
How Koreans eat it
During holidays, families often fry a large batch at once and stack the pieces on a big plate. The freshly cooked ones go to the table first, while leftovers are refrigerated and reheated later as a side dish. In Korea, Pan-fried Meat and Tofu Patties is also familiar as the kind of jeon that keeps showing up for several days after a holiday.
Taste & how to choose
Pan-fried Meat and Tofu Patties looks like a tiny hamburger patty, but the texture is softer. Tofu keeps the inside moist, and the egg coating gives the outside a nutty, savory flavor. A good Pan-fried Meat and Tofu Patties is not too firm, does not smell heavily of oil, and is cooked evenly all the way through.
Similar dishes
Meat Dumplings
고기만두 · gogi-mandu
Dumplings made by wrapping meat and vegetable filling in a flour dough, characterized by chewy dumpling skin and juicy filling.
Pan-fried Battered Tofu
두부전 · dubu-jeon
A pancake dish made by cutting tofu into bite-sized pieces, coating them with flour and egg, and frying them in a pan until golden brown. Crispy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside.
Goon Mandu
군만두 · gun-mandu
A crispy dumpling filled with meat and vegetables wrapped in a flour crust, enjoyed with soy sauce as a Korean-style dumpling.
Pan-fried Tofu
두부부침 · dubu-buchim
A dish made by slicing tofu thinly, coating it with flour and egg batter, and frying until golden brown.
King Dumpling
왕만두 · wang-mandu
A large dumpling with a filling of meat and vegetables wrapped in a flour dough, characterized by its chewy skin and rich juiciness.
Jjamppong
짬뽕 · jjamppong
A Korean-style Chinese noodle dish made with seafood and vegetables boiled in spicy broth.
Bindaetteok
빈대떡 · bindaetteok
A savory pancake made by grinding soaked mung beans and frying it thickly, adding pork, bean sprouts, and kimchi for more flavor. The outside is golden and crispy while the inside is moist and rich. It is enjoyed dipped in vinegared soy sauce, and pairs well with Makgeolli as a snack.
Ingredients
How it's made
- 1Mix minced meat and tofu well to make a dough.
- 2Finely chop onion and green onion, then add to the dough and mix.
- 3Shape the dough into flat circles and coat with flour and egg.
- 4Heat oil in a pan and fry until golden brown.
Nutrition
* Estimated values per serving.
Allergens
Not vegetarian as it contains meat.
How to order
동그랑땡 주세요
Dong-geu-rang-ddaeng ju-se-yo
Please give me Dong-greong-ttaeng
Customize your order
Traveler tips
How to eat it
Frequently asked questions
- Are Pan-fried Meat and Tofu Patties and wanjajeon different dishes?
- Broadly speaking, they belong to the same family of meat jeon. Pan-fried Meat and Tofu Patties usually refers to a flatter, rounder shape, while wanjajeon more strongly suggests pan-fried meat mixture shaped like wanja, or meatballs.
- Why is it always made round and flat?
- The shape makes each piece easy to pick up in one bite and helps the center cook quickly in a pan. People also explain the round form by linking it to older names, since it looks like a coin.
- Do people eat Pan-fried Meat and Tofu Patties after it has cooled?
- Yes. Once the oil firms up, though, the flavor can feel heavy, so people usually reheat it in a pan or microwave before eating.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-07