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Korean Style Tuna Cake Recipe

Korean Style Tuna Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 16 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Korean Style Tuna Cakes bring a quick, tasty solution to your weeknight dinner challenge. Packed with zesty flavors and simple ingredients, these crispy patties deliver a delicious meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 2 (5 ounces / 140 grams) cans tuna in water, drained
  • 2 large eggs

Vegetables:

  • ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup carrot, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup green onion, finely chopped

Binding and Seasoning:

  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ⅔ tablespoons neutral oil, for frying

Optional Garnishes:

  • Sesame seeds
  • Chopped green onion or parsley
  • Soy-vinegar dipping sauce

Instructions

  1. Meticulously chop ¼ cup onion, ¼ cup carrot, and ¼ cup green onion into fine, uniform pieces. Thoroughly drain two 5-oz cans of tuna, ensuring no excess water remains.
  2. Combine drained tuna, finely chopped vegetables, 2 large eggs, ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp sesame oil, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper in a mixing bowl. Blend ingredients until they form a cohesive mixture.
  3. Gently form the mixture into 2-inch round patties using your hands. Press carefully to ensure each cake holds together without crumbling.
  4. Heat 2-3 tbsp neutral oil in a skillet over medium heat (375°F). Carefully place patties into the hot pan, leaving space between each cake.
  5. Cook patties for 2-3 minutes per side, watching for a golden-brown crust. Flip only once to maintain crispy exterior.
  6. Transfer cooked tuna cakes to paper towels, allowing excess oil to drain. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions as a fresh garnish.
  7. Serve immediately alongside soy-vinegar dipping sauce while the cakes remain hot and crisp.

Notes

  • Drain tuna completely to prevent soggy cakes that won’t hold together well during cooking.
  • Chop vegetables super fine so they blend seamlessly into the patty mixture and cook evenly.
  • Use a light touch when forming patties to keep them tender and prevent dense, tough texture.
  • Sesame oil adds authentic Korean flavor, but can be swapped with neutral oil if unavailable.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Category: Tuna
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 210 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 350 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 16 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg