Gamja jorim is a popular Korean potato side dish. Cubed potato pieces are simmered in a slightly sweetened soy sauce. With only a few ingredients you can make this delicious potato side dish very quickly.
If you like potatoes, this Korean potato side dish called “gamja jorim, 감자조림” would be something you should try. I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like this gamja jorim once they tried.
Plus, this would be the one of the easiest Korean side dishes (banchan, 반찬) you can make. It is quick to make with only a few ingredients and tastes great.
Potato are cut into cubes and simmered in a slightly sweetened soy sauce. Adding a piece of dried sea kelp is a key ingredient to make this side dish even more delicious and flavorful.
Gamja jorim was one of my favorite side dish when I was a kid, and I still love it. I bet you will love it, too.
Ingredients for Korean potato Side Dish
- potato: I recommend Yukon or russet potato
- dried sea kelp (dashima): It adds depth to the flavor
- soy sauce
- corn syrup: It brings luster to the dish
- water
- toasted sesame seeds
How to make Korean Potato Side Dish (Gamja Jorim)
You will need to soak the cubed potato in the water to get rid of some of its starch.
Mix soy sauce, rice syrup (or corn syrup), and water.
Combine the potato, sauce, and a piece of dried sea kelp. Bring to a gentle boil and cook. You will need to remove the sea kelp after 2 minutes.
The dried sea kelp will add the very nice flavor to the dish.
Reduce the heat to med-low and continue to simmer to soften the potato and thicken the sauce, about 5-7 minutes. I added a fresh green chili to give a little spicy kick to my potato side dish. You don’t need to.
When the sauce is thickened and the potatoes are tender, it is done. Don’t overcook the potatoes. It will get mushy and break easily if you overcook them.
Remove from the heat and sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds.
Here we go, the Korean potato side dish, gamja jorim! This lovely Korean banchan(반찬) is surely pleasing to anyone who enjoys Korean food. If you like all sorts of Korean side dishes, you should try this gamja jorim.
Storage Tips
Keep Korean potato side dish in the refrigerator at all times. It will last up to 1 week. Freezing is not recommended.
Other Korean Side Dishes You Should Try
- Korean Zucchini Side Dish
- Broccoli Rabe Salad with Soybean Paste
- Steamed Soft Tofu with Soy Chili Sauce
- Soy Braised Onion
Korean Potato Side Dish (Gamja Jorim)
Ingredients
- 1 lb yukon potato peeled
- 1 dried sea kelp (dashima)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2-3 tbsp corn syrup
- 6 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cube the potato into 1/2-inch and soak them in the cold water for 10 minutes
- In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, syrup, and water; Mix well.
- Drain the potato and combine with the sauce in a skillet. Add the dried sea kelp and bring them to boil. Stir occasionally. Remove the sea kelp after 2 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to med-low and continue to simmer to thicken the sauce, about 5-7 minutes. Once the sauce is thicken and potatoes are tender, remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the sesame seeds. Serve warm, cooled or chilled. Store in the fridge up to one week.
Who doesn’t like potatoes? And I, for one, can always use another recipe for a potato side. This looks terrific — super flavor. Thanks!
Hi, if we do not have either rice or corn syrup, can we just normal sugar as a replacement?
Yes, of course. Reduce the amount, though. About by half.
What a beautiful dish, love potatoes and you have made them very special here.
This is my 6-year old favorite Korean side dish. Every time we go to a Korean restaurants, she would ask for “refill” for Gamja Jorim 😀 I will definitely try to make this at home soon !!
Love the simplicity of this fabulous potato recipe! And so much flavor too!
This was my favorite dish as a baby and child and I thought that gamja meant “soft fries” well into adulthood. I cut my teeth on this dish my mom would mash for me and my babies did as well. This is a wonderful dish!
My kids loved this side dish just like you did. They are grown-up now and still love it. Thanks for your comment.
Yum! I love this dish
These were easier and turned out prettier than any other recipe I’ve seen so far for this dish. I always love these and also ask for doubles when I am out eating. It is a nice diet friendly snack to have at home now that I know how to make them.