JI DAN BING: CHINESE CHAMPIONSHIP BREAKFAST
Your dumplings, buns, and you tiao are all part of the all-star team regarding Chinese breakfast options. The less well-known but no less significant second string is also worth mentioning: warm soy milk, less common fried dough varieties, and so on.
The Ji Dan Bing breakfast dish is one example. It’s less well-known in the United States but is a popular breakfast option in China.
Even though we included several delicious Chinese breakfast favorites in our prior post about Shanghai Breakfast this summer, I’m extremely happy to share this Ji Dan Bing with you today.
CHINESE STREET BREAKSFASTS
Street corners and back alleys in China provide the key to a satisfying and filling breakfast for many people. Dumplings, tea eggs, and Ji Dan Bing are just a few options available at this restaurant.
CHINESE STREET BREAKFASTS
For many, China’s streets and alleyways hold the key to a hearty and delicious breakfast. Dumplings, tea eggs, and Ji Dan Bing are just a few options available at this restaurant.
This popular Chinese breakfast dish is typically prepared by two people working together. This place is all about efficiency. In this scenario, one person is in charge of griddle management, and the other serves and collects payment. It’s fairly easy to put together…
A thinly rolled out dough is topped with an egg, and the bing (pancake) is flipped over to cook the other side until it is golden and crisp.
On top of that, there are a variety of flavorings like herbs, sweet bean sauce, spicy bean sauce, and chile oil, and the dish is concluded with a garnish of lettuce, which gives a wonderful textural contrast to the dough and spices while also being healthy.
BREAKFAST IS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW!
You may find Jian Bing everywhere, unlike Ji Dan Bing, traditionally offered for breakfast in China. Jian Bing can be found in many stores and cooked to order with various grain batters to pick from.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1¼ of cups all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup of warm water
- vegetable oil
- 4 eggs
- Sweet bean sauce
- Hot chili bean sauce
- Hot chili oil
- Toasted sesame seeds
- 2 scallions (finely chopped)
- 1 handful of cilantro (finely chopped)
- 4 leaves of romaine lettuce (washed and dried)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Then, using a rubber spatula, stir in 1⁄2 cup of warm water, the salt, and the remaining flour until a sticky dough forms, about 2-3 minutes. If it’s too sticky, the dough won’t form a ball. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for at least an hour before slicing into it. Allow one hour of relaxation.
- The filling for the Ji Dan Bing will be prepared once the dough has rested. To prevent the dough from sticking, drizzle additional vegetable oil on it and your hands before dividing it into four equal sections. After resting, the dough will be less sticky, but it should retain a substantial amount of moisture.
- To prevent sticking, lightly oil your rolling surface and pin, but only if necessary. Street vendors can also use a marble or granite countertop or a wooden cutting board, as shown in the video.
- This recipe calls for a regular non-tapered rolling pin, and the dough should be rolled out until it is nearly transparent.
- Over medium-high heat, prepare a large frying pan. Once the oil has thinned and spread out on the skillet, add the remaining 1 teaspoon. However, there should be no smoke coming from the skillet!
- Make a smooth, even layer by lifting the rolled-out dough and placing it in the pan in one steady motion. When the dough sizzles in the pan, you know it’s hot enough.
- Crack an egg into the center of the dough and let it sit for a few seconds before continuing. Spread the egg across the dough with a fork or spatula and lightly beat it with a few strokes. Do not worry if the egg spills over the dough; don’t stress about painstakingly covering every inch of the dough. The dough and egg will merge into one!
- Top your Ji Dan Bing with an additional teaspoon of oil. To cook the egg side, flip it over and let it cook for about 10 seconds before flipping it back. Allow the Ji Dan Bing to cook for one more minute or until golden brown on the outside, then flip it over and place the egg-side up on a cutting board or dish.
- Ji Dan Bing can be topped with various spicy and sweet bean sauces and hot chili oils. Scallions and cilantro can also be sprinkled on top if desired. Roll up the pancake with a large romaine lettuce leaf and eat it right away!