Chinese Pancakes (cong you bing)

Cong you bing are a beloved Chinese specialty, also known as scallion pancakes. They are a popular street food in China and feature a crunchy and layered consistency achieved by a special dough-kneading and folding method. The traditional version includes layers of chopped green onions.

Here’s the recipe for this delicacy:

Ingredients

• 300g of wheat flour (plus a little more for dusting)
• About 150ml of boiling water
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
• 6 green onions, finely chopped (scallions)
• Vegetable oil for cooking

Preparation

1. Dough: In a large bowl, pour the flour and salt. Gradually add the boiling water, stirring with a wooden spoon until a dough is formed. When the dough is warm, knead it with your hands until it becomes a smooth ball.
2. Rest: Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
3. Forming the pancakes: Divide the dough into 4 parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into a thin circle.
4. Seasoning: Brush each circle with a bit of sesame oil and evenly distribute a portion of the chopped green onions.
5. Folding: Roll up each circle of dough from the longer side to form a roll, then twist it again into itself to create a sort of spiral.
6. Final Process: Gently flatten the spiral to form the pancakes, taking care not to let the green onions fall out.
7. Cooking: Heat some vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, cook the pancakes one at a time, flipping them a couple of times, until they are golden and crispy on both sides.
8. Serving: Serve the cong you bing hot, preferably freshly made to enjoy their maximum crispiness.

Curiosity

In China, cong you bing are often consumed for breakfast or as a snack during the day. Although they are called “pancakes,” their texture and preparation method make them very different from Western pancakes. Additionally, some variants may include meat or other ingredients to make them a more substantial dish.

For those who like to experiment with an Italian touch, one could try adding typical Italian condiments into the dough, such as grated Parmesan or even prosciutto, for a meeting between Italian and Chinese cuisine.