Gamja jorim (Korean braised potatoes) is a delicious Korean side dish that can be served alongside various Korean main dishes. The potatoes are braised in a sweet soy-based sauce and finished with aromatic sesame oil, turning them into a truly addictive side dish that will disappear quickly once served!
If you've been to a Korean restaurant before, then you may have tried gamja jorim (Korean braised potatoes) which is typically served as a side dish (called "banchan").
The potatoes are braised in a sweet soy-based sauce that turns them into a slightly sweet and umam-rich side dish that is simply delicious! The great thing is that gamja jorim is super easy to make at home with a few very simple ingredients.
Serve these Korean braised potatoes alongside fluffy white rice, delicious main dishes like ground beef bulgogi, and other side dishes like kongnamul muchim (Korean bean sprout side dish) or oi muchim (Korean cucumber salad) for a tasty homemade Korean meal at home!
Gamja Jorim Ingredients
To make gamja jorim, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Potatoes: The best potatoes for making gamja jorim are waxy types of potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes or baby potatoes are great options! I like to use Yukon Gold if I decide to cut the potatoes into cubes. If I want to use them whole and skin-on, I like to use baby potatoes. You can also use red potatoes. Just make sure that you don't use starchy types like Russet potatoes as they don't hold their shape well.
- Aromatics: You'll need garlic and onion for this recipe. Usually, white onions are great in this recipe as they are sweeter than yellow onions. If you can't find white onions, just use yellow onions.
- Soy sauce: Soy sauce is one of the key ingredients for the sauce that is used to braise the potatoes. I recommend using Japanese soy sauce or Korean soy sauce for this recipe.
- Honey: Honey is used to sweeten and thicken the sauce. Plus, it adds a beautiful shine to the glazed potatoes. If you want to replace the honey, I recommend using another type of sweet syrup that is rather neutral in taste. One option is using Korean cornstarch syrup which can often be found in Asian grocery stores.
- Sesame oil: Sesame oil is another typical ingredient that is used to make gamja jorim and other Korean (side) dishes. It really makes these braised potatoes taste amazing! I recommend using toasted sesame oil that is golden in color for a lighter flavor.
- Sesame seeds: You'll also need sesame seeds. They add texture and make this side dish extra special! If you don't have any on hand, you can make this recipe without sesame seeds.
How to make gamja jorim
Prepare the potatoes. First, peel and cut the potatoes into bite-sized cubes. Place them in a bowl filled with water and let them sit for about 10 minutes to remove any excess starch. Then drain and pat the potatoes dry.
Pan-fry the potatoes. Preheat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the cubed potatoes and pan-fry them until they are lightly browned.
Add the aromatics. Next, add the onion and garlic to the pan. Continue to sauté until the onion turns translucent.
Braise. Now add the water, soy sauce, and honey to the pan. Stir until combined. Cover the pan and let the potatoes braise until they are tender and the sauce has thickened.
Finish. Add the sesame oil and sesame seeds to the pan. Toss until combined. Serve the braised potatoes and enjoy!
Tips & Notes
- Make sure that you use a waxy type of potato for this gamja jorim recipe. Yellow potatoes like Yukon Gold or Fingerling potatoes are great! Starchy types like Russet potatoes turn crumbly and don't hold their shape, so you will end up with rather mushy potatoes.
- If you want to use less oil or save time, you can skip the pan-frying and braise the potatoes immediately. Both are valid options, so you can decide for yourself if you want to pan-fry the potatoes first. I like to pan-fry them (and many other people do too) but it's totally up to you.
- Add more water if needed. Usually, the potatoes are tender by the time the sauce has thickened. If the potatoes aren't cooked through by then, add more water and let them braise until they are done.
Variations
- Use baby potatoes to make these Korean braised potatoes. If you want to make this recipe with baby potatoes, just boil them for 10-15 minutes without soaking them first. Then pan-fry them and follow the recipe as described. It's another way to make gamja jorim that is super delicious!
- Add some gochugaru or gochujang to the sauce. This adds a bit of spice to your potatoes. It's another delicious way to prepare gamja jorim, especially when you feel like switching things up!
- Pan-fry and braise other vegetables with your potatoes. Red bell peppers and carrots are super delicious options for doing this!
- Sprinkle with sliced green onions for garnish. They taste great and add a little bit of color to your dish.
How to serve gamja jorim
- Serve them as a snack. These braised potatoes are so delicious, they taste really great by themselves! You could add vegetables as described before to turn this recipe into a filling snack that is both sweet and savory.
- Serve gamja jorim as a side dish to your main dish. Gamja jorim tastes really great with dishes that use pan-fried meat which is why I love to serve it with ground beef bulgogi or spicy ground turkey.
- Prepare other side dishes for your meal. White rice is a must when making a Korean homemade meal for dinner. You could also make other side dishes like kongnamul muchim (Korean bean sprout side dish) and oi muchim (Korean cucumber salad). And don't forget to serve some kimchi with your meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
Gamja jorim is a Korean side dish that is often served as part of a Korean meal. It's cubed potatoes or baby potatoes that are braised in a sweet soy sauce-based sauce. The final dish is super delicious and the perfect combination of sweet and savory!
Yes, it is. I just adjusted the ratios to make this gamja jorim taste similar to the ones I love to eat at my favorite Korean restaurants.
Sure! You just have to replace the honey with a vegan liquid sweetener that tastes rather neutral. Cornstarch syrup is one option that is often used in Korean cooking.
White rice, a Korean main dish, and kimchi are great for enjoying gamja jorim as part of a full meal. I love to serve gamja jorim with beef bulgogi as the main dish. You could also serve it as a snack (in that case maybe go for baby potatoes) with vegetables that are pan-fried. You can check out the post for more information.
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days. Generally, I'd recommend enjoying this dish immediately as it tastes best when it is freshly cooked.
More easy and delicious Korean recipes
If you are looking for more Korean recipes that are both delicious and easy to make, I recommend checking out the following recipes. They are super easy to make and taste amazing!
- Rabokki (Korean Tteokbokki with Ramen)
- Haemul Pajeon (Korean Seafood Scallion Pancake)
- Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew)
- Dubu Jorim (Korean Braised Tofu)
- Kimchi Jeon (Kimchi Pancake)
Gamja Jorim (Korean Braised Potatoes)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pound yellow potatoes like Yukon Gold, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ medium-sized white or yellow onion finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ cup water more if needed
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- First, peel and cut the potatoes into cubes. Then place them in a bowl filled with water. Let them sit for 10 minutes to remove the starch. Then drain and pat the potatoes dry.1 ½ pound yellow potatoes
- Preheat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the potatoes and pan-fry until lightly browned.2 tablespoons olive oil
- Now add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion turns translucent.½ medium-sized white or yellow onion, 2 garlic cloves
- Add the water, soy sauce, honey, and braise the potatoes until the sauce has thickened and the potatoes are cooked through. Cover the pan to make the potatoes cook faster.3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, ½ cup water
- Add the sesame oil and sesame seeds. Toss until combined. Serve and enjoy!1 teaspoon sesame oil, ½ tablespoon sesame seeds
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