How to Make Mung Bean Pancake (Traditional & Healthy Version)
Mung Bean Pancake, known in local kopitiam as a fusion breakfast snack, is a delightful blend of Singaporean hawker innovation and Korean culinary influence. In Singapore, our bustling hawker centres and kopitiams are famed for adopting and transforming recipes from around the world, giving them a unique twist while maintaining authentic flavours. The Mung Bean Pancake stands out as a nutritious, vegetarian option that marries the wholesome goodness of mung beans with fresh, locally sourced vegetables and subtle spices. Traditionally enjoyed as a hearty breakfast or a midday bite, this pancake offers a crispy exterior and a soft, flavourful centre. The use of mung beans makes it a protein-rich choice, while the addition of spring onions, carrots, and bean sprouts brings a burst of colour and nutrition. Singaporean foodies love how this dish bridges cultures, reflecting our city’s vibrant fusion culinary scene while delivering on health and taste. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite at your neighbourhood kopitiam or meal prepping for the week, this Mung Bean Pancake is a smart, satisfying, and culturally iconic choice.
Ingredients
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1 · Drain soaked mung beans and blend with water until you achieve a sm...
Drain soaked mung beans and blend with water until you achieve a smooth, thick batter.
Step 2 · Pour the mung bean batter into a large bowl
Pour the mung bean batter into a large bowl. Mix in spring onions, grated carrot, bean sprouts, chopped chilli, and minced garlic.
Step 3 · Season with salt
Season with salt, white pepper, and light soy sauce. Stir to combine evenly.
Step 4 · Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add a little oil and pour half the batter to form a round pancake.
Step 5 · Cook for 3-4 minutes until the edges are golden and the base is firm
Cook for 3-4 minutes until the edges are golden and the base is firm. Flip and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes.
Step 6 · Repeat with remaining batter to make the second pancake
Repeat with remaining batter to make the second pancake.
Step 7 · Slice and serve hot with a side of light soy sauce or homemade chil...
Slice and serve hot with a side of light soy sauce or homemade chilli dip.
Why this recipe is healthy
This dish is a healthy choice because it prioritises whole, unprocessed ingredients, including mung beans and fresh vegetables. It is naturally gluten-free, low in calories, and high in protein, making it ideal for weight management and blood sugar control. Perfect for vegetarians, it can easily be adapted for vegan diets. The absence of refined flour or excessive oil makes it a guilt-free breakfast or snack.
A note on tradition
In Singapore, Mung Bean Pancake is a testament to our multicultural food heritage. It’s often found at fusion hawker stalls and kopitiams, especially in areas like Tanjong Pagar and Bugis, where Korean and local influences merge. This pancake is typically enjoyed as a quick breakfast or light lunch, beloved for its nourishing qualities and its ability to bring together the city’s diverse food traditions. Its popularity has grown with the health-conscious crowd seeking vegetarian hawker fare.