Have you ever had a scallion pancake? Scallions, the key ingredient, are also known as green onions.
Have you ever had a scallion pancake? In Mandarin, it’s known as cong you bing. If you come from a Chinese or Taiwanese background, your parents might make these crispy treats from time to time. What are scallions? Scallions are also known as green onions, Essentially, a scallion pancake a type of flatbread that has been folded over several times and grilled or fried in oil and mixed with a generous helping of these green onions. But when did these tasty pancakes first appear?
The Origins
The scallion pancake has been around for so long, that like many other foods, its origins have passed into myth, folklore, and guesswork. It’s hard to tell where it was first created, but many of these tales point to Shanghai in northeastern China; at least, this is the most commonly accepted theory behind its creation. But why is this hypothesis so plausible? Shanghai has a large and diverse population, mainly of people who aren’t Chinese, such as the Indians. The scallion pancake greatly resembles an Indian flatbread known as paratha.
Common Ingredients
Many different recipes are going to have unique ingredients. But even so, to make a batch of scallion pancakes, try using these common elements:
- Flatbread dough, often rolled up as if they are about to be made into dumplings before be rolled flat again.
- Minced scallions
- Plenty of oil
Popular Cooking Methods
Now that you’ve got the ingredients you need, you also have to know how to cook them properly. Start by scattering the scallions into the dough. Next, you need to add the oil. Instead of dropping the batter into the oil, you should use the cooking oil to coat the dough instead. Then, it’s time to fry it. You’ll know it’s ready when it turns golden brown but is still tender.
If you like, you can use sesame oil to fry the pancakes, and then add any leftover scallions into the next batch, or several other dishes too.
How Is It Eaten?
Once your scallion pancakes are ready, you can serve them when they’re still fresh and hot, or let them cool off first. Either way, you can cut them into pizza-shaped wedges and share them with your friends by eating the slices with your hands, dipping them in soy sauce.
Did You Know?
Here’s a fun fact about the scallion pancake: according to legend, Marco Polo loved these pancakes. When he returned home to Italy, he had some chefs make a different type of pancake so he could have some more. But what he got was the ancestor of another dish we all know and love her in modern day America: pizza.
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FAQs
The Origins
What is the history of scallions in Chinese pancake? ›
Some have speculated that cong you bin may have been inspired by paratha, the Indian flatbread with a visibly similar construction; chopped scallions, a typical Chinese garnish, were possibly added to the dough along the way. By that theory, a busy international port city like Shanghai may have birthed them.
What is the origin of Chinese pancakes? ›
The 3rd Century Origins Of Chinese Pancakes
The snack, similar to what is known in China as “Jianbing,” traces its roots all the way back to the Shandong Province during the Three Kingdoms Period (220 – 280 AD).
What are Chinese scallion pancakes made of? ›
Ingredients. All you need are some basic pantry ingredients to make great scallion pancakes – all-purpose flour, water, salt, vegetable oil, and green onion. To further boost the taste, you could add some ground Sichuan peppercorns to the filling, but it's totally OK to skip them.
What is scallion pancake in Chinese translation? ›
Cong you bing (cōngyóubǐng) (Chinese: 蔥油餅; pinyin: cōngyóubǐng; Wade–Giles: Ts'ung1-yu2-ping3; lit. 'scallion oil pancake'; Mandarin pronunciation [tsʰʊ́ŋjǒʊpìŋ]), also known as scallion pancake or "green onion pancake", is a Chinese savory, unleavened flatbread folded with oil and minced scallions (green onions).
What is the history of scallions? ›
Cultivated since 3,500 B.C. and native to Asia, scallions were one of the earliest cultivated crops. While their versatility in cooking has long been appreciated, they've also been valued medicinally and are often mentioned in ancient Chinese herbals.
What is a fun fact about scallion pancakes? ›
Here's a fun fact about the scallion pancake: according to legend, Marco Polo loved these pancakes. When he returned home to Italy, he had some chefs make a different type of pancake so he could have some more. But what he got was the ancestor of another dish we all know and love her in modern day America: pizza.
How are you supposed to eat scallion pancakes? ›
They're served with a sweet soy-ginger-Sriracha dipping sauce and paired with a lightly dressed red cabbage-cucumber salad for a classic Chinese treat you won't be able to get enough of.
Why are my scallion pancakes not flaky? ›
On the other hand, keep the heat too low, and the pancake sits there slowly soaking up oil until it's totally saturated, turning heavy and greasy instead of light and crisp. Moderate heat with a good amount of oil and constant swirling is the best way to get even browning and discrete, flaky layers.
What is scallion in Chinese? ›
SCALLIONS OR GREEN ONIONS (香葱, Xiāng cōng)
In Chinese, scallions (AKA green onions) are often simply referred to as, cōng (葱).
Scallion pancakes, also known as Chinese pizza, is one of my favorite foods. In mandarin it is 蔥油餅 which directly translates to: onion oil cake. Not only are the ingredients simple, but also the texture is flaky and crispy. I added cheese for a twist and because it makes everything better.
What is a scallion in English? ›
(skæljən ) Word forms: plural scallions. countable noun. A scallion is a small onion with long green leaves.
What is scallion pancake Wikipedia? ›
A scallion pancake is a Chinese pancake or unleavened flatbread prepared using scallion as a primary ingredient. It is typically prepared using a dough, although some are prepared from a batter.
Where did green onion cakes originate? ›
Origin of the Green Onion Cake
Chang-Yen Phillip's research led him to discover that the dish was popularized in the 1980s, thanks to chef Siu To. Siu To came from northern China and began his restaurant career in 1978. His green onion cakes were an immediate hit, with no other restaurants in Edmonton selling them.
What is the difference between scallion pancakes and Korean pancakes? ›
If you have a lot of extra scallions laying around, make Korean pajeon since it uses the whole scallion. On the other hand, when you're craving a flaky and chewy texture, Chinese scallion pancakes are the way to go.
What are scallions in Chinese cooking? ›
Chinese cooking uses scallions in stir-frying, braising, grilling, boiling, and marinating. Compared to a green onion, a scallion holds its shape better during cooking and releases more flavor. It's often called for in dishes that involve long periods of braising, such as braised duck leg and beef stew.
