Shou Zhua Bing (Crispy Chinese Pancakes) Recipe

I never imagined I’d make Shou Zhua Bing at home since it’s so easy to buy in China, but once I tried it, I found it surprisingly simple and totally worth it.

Course Breakfast, Side Dish

Cuisine Chinese

Prep Time 40

Cook Time 5

Servings

Calories 2370kcal

Ingredients

Dough:

500 g All-purpose flour
5 g Salt
150 g Boiling water
150 g Room temperature water

Oil Mixture (You Su):

2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
1 tablespoon Salt and pepper seasoning or to taste
4 tablespoons Cooking oil neutral oil such as vegetable oil

Fillings (Optional):

Chopped scallions: as needed
Black sesame seeds: as needed
Luncheon meat slices: as needed
Other side dishes e.g., lettuce, sliced cucumber, fried egg: as needed
Ketchup or any preferred sauce: as needed

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

In a large mixing bowl, combine 500g of all-purpose flour with 5g of salt. Gradually pour in 150g of boiling water while stirring the flour mixture with chopsticks or a spatula. This step helps to partially cook the dough, resulting in a tender texture.
After the boiling water is incorporated, add 150g of room temperature water and mix until the dough starts to come together.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Roll the dough into a long strip, then divide it into 8 equal pieces. Gently roll each piece to lengthen it slightly, and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. This allows the dough to relax and makes it easier to roll out later.

Prepare the Oil Mixture (You Su):

In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour with 1 tablespoon of salt and pepper seasoning.
Gradually add 4 tablespoons of oil and stir until the mixture forms a smooth paste. This oil-flour paste will help create the flaky layers in the Shou Zhua Bing.

Shape and Fill the Pancakes:

Take one dough piece and roll it out into a long rectangle.
Spread a thin layer of the prepared oil mixture evenly over the dough. If you prefer extra flavor, sprinkle chopped scallions and black sesame seeds over the oil mixture.
Fold the dough like a fan or accordion, making multiple folds until it forms a narrow strip. Then roll the strip into a coil, tucking the end underneath.
Gently flatten the coil with your hand and use a rolling pin to roll it out into a thin, round pancake. The pancake should be about 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) in diameter. Repeat with the remaining dough balls.

Cook the Pancakes:

Heat a non-stick skillet or flat griddle over medium heat and add a small amount of oil to the pan.
Place one pancake into the hot pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until both sides are golden brown and crispy. If you like extra crispiness, press down gently on the pancake with a spatula while it cooks.
Continue cooking the rest of the pancakes, adding more oil to the pan as needed.

Serve the Pancakes:

Once the pancakes are cooked, serve them hot. You can enjoy them plain, or fill them with optional ingredients such as luncheon meat slices, fresh vegetables, and a drizzle of ketchup or any preferred sauce.
For a fuller meal, you can wrap your favorite fillings inside the Shou Zhua Bing, like a sandwich or wrap.

Video

Nutrition