Flours and Powders for Deep Frying (튀김)

There are different ingredients that you can use for batters or dredges. 

• Soft Flour(박력분): If you want to use flour for deep frying, use soft flour like cake flour or a low gluten flour. If you use high-gluten flour, it will get soggy when deep fried. We want to avoid any gluten development for deep frying, so do not over-mix batters and always use cold water.
• Starch (녹말): Starch is a popular powder used for deep frying. You can use a variety of kinds, including potato starch. Potato starch, when used for frying, can make an extra crispy and crunchy texture. It is also a neutral flavored powder, so it is good for delicately flavored ingredients like squid or octopus because it doesn’t overpower the natural flavor.
• Roasted soybean flour (볶은콩가루): Roasted bean powder or curry powder are two powders that can add flavor to your powder mix. These are not used alone. They are added to a powdered dredge mixture or batter mixture for flavor and color. They add a savory depth.
• Curry powder (커리가루): Curry powder can be added in moderation to a powder or batter mixture. Korean curry powder contains a thickening agent, so do not add too much. Curry powder adds a savory curry flavor and color.
• Panko/Tempora/Frying mix powder (튀김가루): Frying mix powder is an easy frying mix that can be used as a dredge, or cold water can be added to make a batter. It makes a golden, crispy outside texture.
• Breadcrumbs (빵가루): You can use breadcrumbs or panko bread crumbs to coat ingredients to give them a flaky appearance and texture. Based on my experience, it is used less in Korean fried dishes. Korean deep-fried dishes are often flour or starch-based.
• Chicken powder (치킨튀김가루): Chicken powder is a seasoned frying mix that can be used as a dredge, or water can be added to it to make a batter. 
• Coarse red pepper flakes (굵은고춧가루): Red pepper flakes can be added to add spice, color, and appearance. Use the coarse version so that you get that red pepper flake look.
• Black pepper (후춧가루): Black pepper is important to add for a savory flavor. It is often added to frying mixes or batter.
• Seasoning salt (맛소금): Adding an artificial seasoning like seasoning salt adds a salty flavor and enhances the flavor. Some restaurants may use msg but not all.
• Mustard powder (겨자가루): Mustard powder can be added when combined with other dry ingredients to make a batter. When you add this to a dry dredge, the spice can be a little overpowering so use it for batters mostly.