Crispy Bottom Korean Pasta Fusion (Printable)

Pan-fried pasta with a golden crunchy base, Korean-inspired flavors, scallions, and sesame for rich, crisp texture.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 350 grams spaghetti or linguine
02 - 1.5 liters water
03 - 1 tablespoon salt

→ Sauce & Aromatics

04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 scallion, finely sliced
08 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
09 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Crispy Layer

11 - 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken stock
12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
13 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

# Directions:

01 - Boil 1.5 liters of water with 1 tablespoon of salt. Add pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 1 minute less than package directions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
03 - Add the drained pasta to the skillet, spreading it evenly. Pour in the reserved pasta water, soy sauce, and half of the sliced scallions. Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with black pepper.
04 - Gently press the pasta into the skillet. Pour the vegetable or chicken stock around the edges of the skillet. Add the remaining butter and olive oil around the sides. Evenly sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta, if using.
05 - Reduce heat to medium, cover the skillet, and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until the bottom achieves a deep golden crust and most of the liquid has evaporated.
06 - Remove the lid and increase heat to medium-high. Continue cooking for 2–3 minutes to further crisp the bottom. Loosen the edges with a spatula. Carefully invert the pasta onto a large platter or slide it out, presenting the crispy side upwards.
07 - Top with the remaining sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Slice into wedges and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 40 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses pantry staples you likely already have
  • Creates an impressive presentation with minimal effort
  • Delivers a delightful textural surprise your guests won't expect
02 -
  • Perfect for impressing dinner guests with minimal effort
  • Creates two distinct textures in one dish crispy bottom and tender top
  • Can be customized with protein additions like shrimp or chicken
  • Transforms leftover pasta into something extraordinary
03 -
  • The perfect crispy bottom pasta relies on patience more than technique. Allow the full cooking time without disturbance for best results.
  • Use a heavy bottomed pan for even heat distribution and superior crust formation.
  • For maximum visual impact serve directly from the pan by bringing it to the table on a heatproof trivet and revealing the golden bottom with a dramatic flip at the table. Your guests will be talking about it for weeks.

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