Beijing Style Jian Bing - Chinese Savory Pancake Wrap
Experience the culinary delight of Jian Bing, a beloved Beijing street food. This Chinese breakfast burrito incorporates a thin, crepe-like pancake wrapped around crispy Chinese crullers (You Tiao) and a vibrant mix of sauces and fresh herbs. This simplified version, suitable for home cooking, produces smaller, perfectly sized Jian Bings ideal for breakfast or a snack. Enjoy the fusion of flavors from the hoisin and chili sauces married with the savory egg and aromatic green onions. Discover the tastes of Beijing right in your kitchen with this easy-to-follow recipe!
N/A
Servings
400
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups
oil
1 1/2 tablespoons
milk
1/2 cup
water
1/2 cup
small green onions
4 (sliced thin)
cilantro
8 teaspoons (chopped)
hoisin sauce
1/2 cup
mild Chinese chili sauce
1/2 cup
sweet bean paste (tian mian jiang)
1/2 cup (optional)
eggs
4 (small or medium)
water
1 cup
crispy bread crackers (You Tiao or Chinese Crullers)
2
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, 1 tablespoon of oil, milk, and 1/2 cup of water. Whisk until smooth to create a crepe batter.
2
In a small frying pan over medium heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of oil. Once heated, add sliced green onions and sauté for 30 seconds. Stir in the hoisin sauce and chili sauce, cooking for 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup of water and mix well. Set this sauce aside until needed.
3
Prepare your cooking surface by lightly oiling a large skillet or hot plate with 1/2 teaspoon of oil using a folded paper towel. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat.
4
Once heated, stir the crepe batter, then pour 1/4 cup into the skillet. Use a large rectangular spatula to spread it into a thin rectangle approximately 8 inches by 12 inches. Cook for about 30 seconds, or until the edges begin to lift.
5
Beat one egg in a small bowl and pour it over the partially cooked crepe. Use the back of a spoon to evenly distribute the egg across the entire surface. Cook for an additional minute until the egg starts to solidify and the crepe is golden brown on the bottom.
6
Carefully flip the crepe to cook the egg side for about 1 minute until it begins to brown, then flip to place the egg side up.
7
Spread 1/4 of the prepared sauce evenly over the egg surface, followed by 2 teaspoons of chopped cilantro.
8
Place half of a square Chinese cruller (You Tiao) in the center of the crepe. Fold the sides of the crepe over the cruller, then crease in the center with a spatula and fold in half.
9
For an enjoyable eating experience, clasp the Jian Bing with a folded paper towel and savor the delicious flavors.
10
Repeat steps 4-9 for the remaining three Jian Bings.
Nutrition Information
17.5
Fat
45
Carbs
12.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jian Bing?
Jian Bing is a popular Beijing street food consisting of a thin, crepe-like savory pancake wrap.
Where does this recipe originate from?
This recipe is a Beijing-style preparation of the classic Chinese savory pancake.
What are the main ingredients in a Jian Bing?
The main components include a thin pancake made from flour and milk, eggs, crispy Chinese crullers (You Tiao), and various savory sauces.
How many Jian Bings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to make four individual Jian Bings.
What is the calorie count for one Beijing Style Jian Bing?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
What are the ingredients for the crepe batter?
The batter consists of 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of oil, 1/2 cup of milk, and 1/2 cup of water.
How is the Jian Bing sauce prepared?
Sauté thin-sliced green onions in oil, then stir in hoisin sauce and chili sauce before thinning with water.
What kind of sauces are used inside the wrap?
The recipe uses hoisin sauce and mild Chinese chili sauce, with sweet bean paste (tian mian jiang) as an optional addition.
What are 'You Tiao'?
You Tiao are crispy Chinese crullers or bread crackers that provide a crunchy texture inside the pancake.
Is milk used in the traditional batter?
This home-cooking version uses 1/2 cup of milk in the batter to create a smooth crepe.
How large should I spread the crepe batter?
You should spread the batter into a thin rectangle approximately 8 inches by 12 inches.
What tool should I use to spread the batter?
A large rectangular spatula is recommended for spreading the batter thinly on the skillet.
How many eggs are needed per Jian Bing?
The recipe uses one egg per pancake, for a total of four eggs.
When do I add the egg to the pancake?
Pour the beaten egg over the partially cooked crepe after it has cooked for about 30 seconds.
How do I distribute the egg over the crepe?
Use the back of a spoon to evenly distribute the beaten egg across the entire surface of the crepe.
How do I know when to flip the crepe for the first time?
Flip the crepe once the egg starts to solidify and the bottom of the crepe is golden brown.
How much cilantro is used in each wrap?
Each Jian Bing should be topped with approximately 2 teaspoons of chopped cilantro.
How is the Jian Bing folded?
Fold the sides over the cruller, then crease the center with a spatula and fold the entire wrap in half.
What is the recommended way to eat Jian Bing?
For the best experience, hold the wrap with a folded paper towel to enjoy the layers of flavors and textures.
Can I make this recipe for a snack?
Yes, this simplified version produces smaller portions that are ideal for either breakfast or a snack.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 17.5 grams of fat.
How much protein is in one Jian Bing?
There are 12.5 grams of protein per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count for this recipe?
Each serving has 45 grams of carbohydrates.
What kind of green onions should I use?
The recipe calls for 4 small green onions, sliced thin.
How do I prepare the skillet for cooking?
Lightly oil a large skillet or hot plate using a folded paper towel and heat over medium-high heat.
Is this recipe suitable for home kitchens?
Yes, this is a simplified version of the street food classic specifically adapted for home cooking.
How long does it take to cook the egg side?
The egg side should cook for about 1 minute until it begins to brown.
What flavor profile can I expect from Jian Bing?
Expect a fusion of savory egg, aromatic herbs, sweet and salty hoisin, and a touch of heat from the chili sauce.
What is tian mian jiang?
Tian mian jiang is sweet bean paste, which can be added to the sauce for extra depth of flavor.
Can I substitute the You Tiao?
The recipe suggests crispy bread crackers as a suitable alternative if traditional You Tiao is unavailable.