These pancakes are also known as green onion pancakes or Cong You Bing and are a favorite “breakfast on the run”. It is one of the most famous and traditional Chinese street foods and it makes an ideal Chinese breakfast. These crispy and aroma-packed pancakes are easily available all around China. They are usually topped with a fried egg, finely chopped mustard pickles, scallions, coriander, and a spicy sauce. The traditional recipe is very similar to the way we Indians make Lachha Paratha, using dough. The prepared dough is used to make layered, flaky, crispy pancakes, and is cooked in lard. There are several types of Cong You Bing that you can make but I have liked this batter version the best. All the shops, temples, restaurants, and people on that street made us feel like we were in China. The feel of that street was so colorful and vibrant that it was just amazing. Since we love exploring world cuisine, we stepped into one of the local restaurants to eat. There weren’t many options for vegetarians on the menu, so the server suggested that we try the pancakes that they usually serve for breakfast. Since he highly recommended it, we decided to give it a try. We were extremely satisfied with that order. I made a mental note to myself to recreate this pancake once back home.
These are vegan It’s an instant batter recipe Quick, easy, and simple to make No kneading of dough required Can be served for breakfast or as a snack
Flour - It’s normally made with all-purpose flour. But feel free to experiment with other flours. Chinese Five Spice Powder - This gives it an authentic Chinese flavor. Read notes for substitution options. Scallions give these thin Chinese pancakes a unique flavor. Besides these ingredients, you will need a bowl, a whisk, and a skillet!
It’s a savory and filling breakfast that the entire family can enjoy. Chinese pancakes or Cong You Bing can also be served as a side or as a snack accompanying a bowl of soup or salad. Other ingredients, such as chopped fennel greens and sesame seeds can also be added with the green onions. Add 1-2 tablespoons of sesame oil to the batter to make these thin healthy vegan green onion pancakes crispier.
