Perilla Leaves Dumplings with Pork (Kkaennip-jeon)
This Korean dumpling witThis Korean dumpling with pork uses perilla leaves (kkaennip) as a dumpling wrapper. They are coated with flour and egg, then pan-fried. These savory, fragrant perilla leaf dumplings are moist and delicious!
I found some fresh perilla leaves at Korean store last time I went. With a little bit of ground pork, I made these delicious periila leaves dumpling with pork (Kkaenip Jeon, 깻잎전). These savory Korean pork dumplings are so delicious!
Perilla leaves are filled with pork and vegetables filling, coated with flour and egg, then pan-fried. It is fragrant and tasteful dish that can be served as an appetizer, simple main dish to top over some rice, or as a side dish. You will fall in love at first bite!
Pork and Vegetable Filling for Kkaennip-jeon
Mince the pepper and carrot as fine as you can. Mini food processor comes in handy for this job!
Combine the vegetables, garlic, minced pork, and rice wine; season with salt and pepper.
Mix everythying well.
How to make Perilla Leaves Dumpling with Pork
Coat the front side of perilla leaves (kkaennip) with flour. You want your perilla leaves slightly wet so that the flour can adhere to the leaves.
Depends on the size of the leaf, place a 1/2-1 tablespoonful of pork filling in the center.
Fold in half and press together. It is okay if the leaves won’t stick together completely.
Coat the dumplings all over with flour… It is still okay if your leaf doesn’t seal all the way.
Then coat with beaten egg. The egg will work like a glue to seal the filling to stay inside.
Fry in a hot oil over medium to med-low heat until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes on each side.
Flip and brown the other side. Make sure you cook the filling inside completely.
Wasn’t it easy? Or not?
Like other many savory Korean pancakes and dumplings, you can serve this with a dipping sauce if you want. I added the generous amount of salt in the filling, so I didn’t need a dipping sauce. These dumplings with some rice went to my kid’s school as a lunch box and they loved it.
More Dumpling Recipes
- Mandu (Korean Dumplings)
- Homemade Korean Dumpling Wrappers (Mandu-pi)
- Nude Dumplings, the gluten free pork and cabbage dumplings
- Kimchi Tofu Dumplings (Mandu)
Perilla Leaves Dumplings with Pork (Kkaennip-jeon)
Ingredients
- 15-20 perilla leaves, rinsed
- 1/2 lb minced pork
- 1/4-1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 carrot, diced
- 1/4 cup Asian chives or green onion, finely minced
- 2 cloves garlic , finely minced
- 1 tbsp sweet rice wine (mirim)
- salt and pepper , to taste
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs, well beaten
- grape seed oil , for frying
Equipment
Instructions
- In a mini food processor, process bell pepper and carrot until finely minced.
- In a bowl, combine pork, minced vegetables, Asian chives (or green onion), garlic, rice wine, and season with salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Coat the front side of perilla leaf (the leaf should be just rinsed and slightly wet) with flour lightly. Place 1/2-1 tablespoon of pork filling in the center, fold the leaf to cover the filling and press the edge of the leaf to seal. It is okay if the leaf doesn't seal completely. Coat the dumplings with the flour and then the egg.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the dumpling and fry until golden, about 3 minutes. Flip over and continue to fry another 3 minutes. Add more oil if necessary. Make sure the filling inside is completely cooked. (You can tell by its firmness).
- Serve hot or at room temperature.
This looks so good and easy too! yum yum
lucylovestoeat.com
I love the idea of using leaves for dumpling skins! It’s a great low-carb alternative!
Thanks Joseph. The Perilla leaves worked beautifully as dumpling wrappers.
This looks so interesting and lovely idea to make gluten free dumplings. I love the taste of Perilla leaves too.
its similar to one of irainian food
Interesting!
Wow! These look super cool! I will have to try making these sometime if I can find Perilla leaves
Hope you can find the perilla leaves, Karina! They are delicious.
I love small bites like this. It seems like the filling can be easily customized too.
I like small bites, too. Yes, the filling can be easily replaced with any protein or vegetable choice you like.
Perilla leaves are so wonderful…Great idea for kids’ lunch box. I’m always out of new ideas for their lunch. Thank you!
Yes, it does make a wonderful luchbox. They taste good in both warm and cold.
This look delicious. Do you think I can get perilla leaves in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia? I would like to try this recipe. Thanks, Holly.
Caroline
Yes, you can buy Perilla leaves in many Korean grocery stores in KL.