History

Scallion pancake originated in Shandong province but is now ubiquitous across Taipei breakfast counters and street stalls. The lamination technique (oil between flour layers) produces the signature flaky-chewy crumb. Most of Taipei's best versions are sold from tiny breakfast shops in Yongkang Street and Ximending, often as a wrap with fried egg and pork floss inside.

Common allergens: Gluten

Make it at home

Yield Makes 4 pancakesHands-on 30 minTotal 1 hr 30 minDifficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 300g plain flour
  • 200ml hot water (80C)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 60ml sesame oil (for layering)
  • 100g spring onions, sliced thin
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • Salt, to season

Method

  1. Mix flour and hot water with chopsticks. Knead 8 minutes until smooth; rest covered 30 minutes.
  2. Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into a thin oval (about 20cm long).
  3. Brush with sesame oil, sprinkle salt and spring onion across the surface.
  4. Roll up into a long log, then coil the log into a flat spiral. Rest 10 minutes.
  5. Press each spiral flat with a rolling pin into a 15cm pancake.
  6. Heat 30ml vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry each pancake 3 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp.
  7. Cut into 6 wedges. Serve hot.

Tip from the editors. Don't roll too thin; the layers need room. The pan-fry must be done in oil, not dry; sesame oil between layers gives the flake.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat cong you bing scallion pancake

Cong you bing scallion pancake in Taipei

Fuhang Soy Milk ★ 4.6

Classic Taiwanese breakfastNT$35 to NT$120zhongzhengTue to Sun 05:30 to 12:30, closed MondaysWalk-in only

Fuhang Soy Milk is the queue Taiwanese breakfast counter near Shandao Temple in Taipei. Fresh-ground soy milk, youtiao, sesame shaobing. Bib Gourmand listed.

Order: Salty soy milk with youtiao soaked in, plus a sesame shaobing.

Tip: Closed Mondays. Cash only; queue from 06:00 weekends.

2F, No. 108, Section 1, Zhongxiao East Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100

More cities are in research. Want cong you bing scallion pancake covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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