10 Times Tastier Than Chuseok Pollack Jeon: Red Cod Fillet Pancakes (Hongmegisal Jeon)｜Why Once You Try It, It's Hard to Go Back to Pollack Jeon
“Of course, pollack jeon is an absolute must for the holidays!”
I used to think that way, too.
Every Chuseok or Lunar New Year, picking up pollack fillets, seasoning them lightly with salt and pepper, dusting them with flour, and pan-frying them in an egg wash until golden brown was just part of the familiar holiday routine.
However, one day, after frying up some fish pancakes using red cod fillets, my perspective completely changed.
Unlike pollack jeon, which tends to break apart into thin flakes, red cod fillets retained a wonderfully thick, moist, and bouncy texture.
In fact, looking at reviews from people who made jeon with Costco red cod fillets, many rave about the thick meat, chewy texture, and minimal fishy taste as major selling points.
So this Chuseok, I'm planning to make red cod fillet jeon instead of the usual pollack jeon.
🍳 Red Cod Fillet Jeon: What Makes It So Different?
The biggest difference is undeniably the thickness and texture of the fish.
| Comparison | Pollack Fillet | Red Cod Fillet |
|---|---|---|
| Meat Feel | Mild and tender | Thick and juicy |
| Mouthfeel | Soft and crumbles easily | Bouncy and chewy |
| When Fried | Thin and light | Hearty and meaty |
| Satiety | Average | Decidedly filling |
※ Actual textures may vary depending on the fish species, processing methods, and how they are thawed.
🐟 Why Red Cod Fillets Stay Uncommonly Moist
The ultimate appeal of red cod fillets is that the meat doesn't dry out or turn chalky when fried.
Pollack fillets can easily lose a ton of moisture during thawing or turn crumbly and dry if you overcook them even a little.
In contrast, red cod fillets are typically processed to be quite thick, making it easy to achieve a golden, crispy exterior while keeping the inside wonderfully moist when coated in egg and cooked gently.
Boneless red cod products specifically prepped for holiday fish pancakes are widely available on the market, coming in convenient sizes like 400g or 1kg packs.
While pollack jeon starts feeling a bit plain after a piece or two,
red cod fillet jeon gives you a satisfying, thick bite of fish with every single chew.
Because of this, it works brilliantly as a side dish for rice and adds a more upscale touch when served alongside other holiday jeon.
💰 Is It More Expensive Than Pollack?
Let's be completely honest about this part.
It's hard to claim that red cod fillets are always cheaper than pollack.
Prices vary significantly depending on the retailer and ongoing promotions.
Looking at current online prices, a 400g pack of red cod usually goes for around 18,000 KRW, while 1kg packs hover around 23,000 to 25,000 KRW, though discounts and coupons can change things.
| Category | Pollack Fillet | Red Cod Fillet |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Relatively budget-friendly | Slightly higher depending on the brand |
| Thickness | Relatively thin | Generally thick |
| Texture | Soft | Bouncy & chewy |
| Holiday Versatility | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
If it were up to me, rather than pinching pennies, if your goal is “making a genuinely better-tasting fish jeon this holiday,” I'd go with red cod fillets every time.
🥚 The Foolproof Recipe for Delicious Red Cod Jeon
Ingredients
- 400g red cod fillets
- 2–3 eggs
- An appropriate amount of pancake mix or all-purpose flour
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of black pepper
- Cooking oil
- Optional: Finely chopped green onions or sliced red chili peppers
① Proper Thawing Is Half the Battle
Instead of rushing frozen red cod fillets in hot water or throwing them in the microwave, thawing them slowly in the fridge is the way to go.
If you're pressed for time, you can thaw them in cold salted water. Rather than letting them soak for too long, make sure to drain the excess moisture immediately once thawed.
② Meticulously Blot Away Moisture
This is where the final quality is really decided.
Even though red cod is naturally moist, leaving water on the surface will stop the egg wash from sticking properly and cause the oil to splatter dangerously in the pan.
Use paper towels to firmly press and absorb all surface moisture from both sides.
③ Keep Salt and Pepper to a Minimum
Red cod fillets don't need heavy seasonings.
Just add a tiny hint of salt and a light dusting of pepper.
Over-seasoning will only mask the clean, naturally savory flavor of the fish.
④ The Flour → Egg Routine
Lightly dust the red cod fillets with flour or pancake mix.
Next, coat them evenly in the beaten egg wash.
Feel free to mix a bit of finely chopped green onion into the egg wash, or place a thin slice of red chili pepper on top for that traditional festive look.
⑤ Cook Over Medium-Low Heat!
This part is super important.
Superheating the pan and frying them quickly over high heat.
This burns the egg coating instantly while leaving the inside of the thick fish undercooked.
Add a generous amount of oil to the pan and cook them slowly over medium-low heat.
Because these fillets are nice and thick, they take a little longer to cook through than standard pollack.
✨ Pro Tips to Take Your Red Cod Jeon to the Next Level
TIP 1. Jazz Up Your Egg Wash
Instead of just adding salt to your eggs, mix in a tiny dash of pepper and some finely chopped green onions for a much deeper flavor profile.
TIP 2. Cut Oversized Pieces in Half
If your red cod pieces are massive, they might break when you flip them or take too long to cook evenly.
Trimming them down to bite-sized or slightly larger portions makes them much easier to flip and prettier to plate.
TIP 3. Whip Up a Special Dipping Sauce
While soy sauce with a splash of vinegar is fine, I strongly recommend trying this mix for holiday jeon:
Soy sauce 2 + Vinegar 1 + Water 1 + A spoonful of minced green onion + Sesame seeds
Since red cod is naturally mild and juicy, dipping it into a tangy, savory sauce cuts through any greasiness seamlessly.
TIP 4. Let Them Cool Slightly Before Tasting
This is a surprisingly crucial point.
When they're piping hot, all you really taste is the richness of the cooked egg.
Letting them cool for just a minute allows the chewy and moist texture of the red cod to truly shine.
🐟 Are Red Cod Fillets Healthy?
Red cod fillets share the great baseline advantage of being a lean white-fish protein source.
However, there's one thing to keep in mind here.
It's misleading to make blanket claims like “red cod contains X times more of specific nutrients.”
Because red cod products come from various origins and processing backgrounds—ranging from frozen industrial blocks to hand-trimmed fillets—their nutritional profiles vary.
So, rather than treating red cod like some miracle superfood, it's best to view it simply as a clean, low-fat fish protein ingredient.
- Found the dry texture of traditional pollack jeon underwhelming
- Love thick, hearty fish pancakes
- Are looking for boneless fish options that kids can enjoy safely
- Want to switch things up this Chuseok
- Care about nailing both visual presentation and texture for holiday meals
🛒 Where's the Best Place to Buy Red Cod Fillets?
First, check Costco.
Red cod is well-known as a seasonal holiday item at Costco, typically sold in 1kg packages. Stock and availability vary by location and season, so it's smart to check ahead.
Second, try Coupang.
You can find everything from repackaged Costco items to dedicated pre-trimmed holiday red cod fillets.
A quick online look shows that a 400g pack of bone-removed red cod fillets runs around 18,000 KRW with discounts applied, and bulk bundles (like 400g x 5 packs for 2kg) are also available. Prices fluctuate based on sellers, active coupons, and timing.
※ The prices above are examples found via online searches at the time of writing, and actual prices, stock levels, and shipping fees may vary.
동방 수제손질 홍메기살 슬라이스 - 간편가공생선 | 쿠팡
쿠팡에서 동방 수제손질 홍메기살 슬라이스 구매하고 더 많은 혜택을 받으세요! 지금 할인중인 다른 간편가공생선 제품도 바로 쿠팡에서 확인할 수 있습니다.
www.coupang.com
이 포스팅은 쿠팡 파트너스 활동의 일환으로, 이에 따른 일정액의 수수료를 제공받습니다.
💡 Key Checklist When Buying Red Cod Fillets
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Origin | Country of origin (e.g., deep-sea catch) can differ by brand. |
| Bone Removal | Fully boneless options save massive amounts of prep time during the holidays. |
| Fillet Thickness | Moderately thick cuts work much better for frying than paper-thin ones. |
| Price per Weight | Packages vary (400g, 800g, 1kg), so always check the unit price rather than the sticker price. |
🍽️ So, Should You Swap Pollack for Red Cod This Year?
If it were up to me, I'd definitely choose red cod fillet jeon this Chuseok.
That's not to say pollack jeon is bad.
Pollack has its own mild, nostalgic charm. It's budget-friendly and has earned its spot as a holiday staple for a reason.
However, red cod offers a completely different experience.
When you bite into it, instead of crumbling flakes, you get a satisfying, bouncy, and thick bite of fish.
Honestly, the first time I tried it, it felt upscale enough to make me think, “Is this really fish jeon?”
Must holiday jeon always be pollack fillets?
Try switching things up this time around.
Pollack Jeon → Red Cod Fillet Jeon
Crispy and golden on the outside, moist on the inside,
with an incredible bounce in every bite.
“Why didn't I try this sooner?” You just might find yourself asking that.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Red Cod Jeon
Q. Are red cod fillets unconditionally better than pollack?
Not necessarily, since everyone has different preferences. However, if you love thick, moist, and bouncy fish jeon, red cod is far more likely to hit the spot.
Q. Is the fishy odor strong?
Many reviewers note that red cod has a very mild scent, though variations exist based on the brand and thawing process. Blotting the moisture thoroughly, giving it a light salt-and-pepper dusting, and frying over medium-low heat keeps it tasting super clean.
Q. How should I thaw frozen red cod fillets?
The safest and most reliable method is letting them thaw slowly overnight in the fridge. Make sure to pat them dry with paper towels before coating and frying.
Q. Can I use this for ancestral memorial (Charye) tables?
Red cod is a great option for fish jeon. However, ritual traditions vary widely by family, clan, and region, so always defer to your family's specific customs when preparing memorial food.
🎯 Conclusion｜Give Red Cod Jeon a Try This Chuseok
Holiday dishes don't need to be made with exorbitantly expensive ingredients to taste amazing.
Sometimes, swapping out just one familiar ingredient can entirely transform your dining table.
Because of its thickness, juiciness, and springy texture, red cod shines brilliantly when made into fish jeon.
Calling it "10 times tastier than pollack jeon" is just a playful way of expressing how much I personally loved it, but once you fry up a batch yourself, you'll immediately see why people recommend it.
This Chuseok, swap out your usual pack of pollack for red cod.
A light dusting of flour, a generous egg coat, and slow-fried over medium-low heat.
Then take a bite of a freshly made red cod pancake.
Savory and crisp on the outside, moist on the inside, with an amazing bounce.
Trust me, after tasting this, you'll be reaching for red cod every single holiday.
※ Prices in this post reflect online searches from 2026 and may vary depending on retailers, ongoing events, coupons, and shipping fees. Nutritional content can also differ based on origin and processing, so be sure to check the product labeling before buying.
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