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Crispy Korean Potato Dish Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 148 reviews

This Crispy Korean Potato Dish features small waxy potatoes seasoned with garlic powder, Korean chili powder, and vegan butter, then smashed and roasted or air-fried until golden and crunchy. Served with a flavorful vegan mayo-based sauce infused with gochujang, lime juice, shallots, and fresh herbs, this dish delivers a spicy, tangy, and crispy treat perfect as a snack or side.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes and Seasoning

  • 500 g small, waxy potatoes
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 tablespoon melted plant-based butter or plain vegetable oil
  • ½ teaspoon powdered garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Korean chili powder (gochugaru) or crushed red chili flakes

Sauce and Garnishes

  • 2 small shallots, finely chopped and peeled
  • Juice from half a lime
  • 8 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise (e.g., vegan Kewpie or any store-bought version)
  • 1–2 tablespoons Korean chili paste (gochujang)
  • 2 teaspoons plant-based fish sauce substitute
  • A handful of fresh cilantro leaves, roughly broken apart
  • A small handful of fresh chives, finely sliced
  • 1 teaspoon toasted black sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat: Set your oven to 200°C with the fan on, or preheat the air fryer to 180°C.
  2. Boil Potatoes: Rinse the potatoes and place them in a pot of boiling water with 1 teaspoon of salt. Simmer for about 10 minutes until just soft enough to pierce with a fork. Drain well and transfer to a medium mixing bowl.
  3. Season Potatoes: Add melted vegan butter, garlic powder, Korean chili powder, and a pinch more salt to the potatoes. Toss gently to evenly coat the potatoes with the seasoning.
  4. Smash Potatoes: Lay the seasoned potatoes on a baking tray. Use the flat base of a jar or glass to press down each potato until mostly smashed but still holding shape.
  5. Cook Potatoes: For the oven method, roast the potatoes for about 20 minutes until golden and crispy. For the air fryer method, cook them in the basket at 180°C for approximately 20 minutes until crisp on the outside.
  6. Prepare Shallot-Lime Mixture: While potatoes cook, mix the finely chopped shallots with lime juice in a small bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes to create a mild pickled flavor.
  7. Make the Sauce: Stir vegan mayonnaise, Korean chili paste, plant-based fish sauce substitute, and cilantro into the shallot-lime mixture. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
  8. Cool Potatoes: Allow the cooked potatoes to cool slightly for about 5 minutes before plating.
  9. Assemble and Serve: Transfer the cooled potatoes to a serving dish, drizzle about half the sauce over the potatoes, and sprinkle with chopped chives and toasted black sesame seeds if using. Serve remaining sauce on the side.

Notes

  • You can use either an oven or an air fryer; both methods yield crispy, flavorful potatoes.
  • Adjust the amount of Korean chili paste in the sauce to your preferred spice level.
  • Use plant-based butter or vegetable oil based on preference or dietary needs.
  • For best flavor, let the sauce sit for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
  • To make this dish gluten free, ensure your vegan mayonnaise and fish sauce substitute are certified gluten free.

Keywords: Korean potatoes, crispy potatoes, vegan Korean recipe, gochujang potatoes, vegan side dish, air fryer Korean potatoes