Jianbing

Amidst the bustling streets of China, every morning, vendors busily sell Jianbing (JEH-ahn-bing, 煎饼). This is because Jianbing is a traditional Chinese food widely recognized as one of the most popular street breakfast items. Known as the "original Chinese crepe," today Rimping Supermarket invites you to delve into the story behind this delicious breakfast dish.

What is Jianbing? And its Origin from the Three Kingdoms Period

Jianbing is a type of crepe made from a batter (mostly wheat or millet flour), spread thinly on a large griddle or a special flat pan. An egg is then cracked and spread evenly over the batter, topped with various ingredients such as cilantro, green onions, pickled vegetables, and sometimes meat additions like ham or crispy fried dough (like bàotōng or youtiao). It's seasoned with pepper, hoisin sauce, and mustard sauce, offering a savory, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy flavor with a distinct aroma.

The story of Jianbing began in Shandong Province, northern China, approximately 2,000 years ago during the Three Kingdoms period (220280 AD). Legend has it that this dish was invented by Zhuge Liang, the brilliant military strategist, to provide a quick and nutritious meal for his soldiers when cooking utensils were scarce.

Zhuge Liang instructed his cooks to mix water with wheat flour to make a batter, then spread it thinly onto shields or copper griddles over a fire. Eggs were cracked and spread over the batter, and various ingredients like green onions, cilantro, and pickled vegetables were added. It was cooked until crispy and golden brown, then folded and cut into bite-sized pieces, resulting in the Jianbing we know today.

Originally, Jianbing was known as Mianbing (MEE-an-bing, 面饼), meaning "flour pancake." However, over time, the recipe evolved and became known as Jianbing (煎饼), which literally translates to fried pancake (or a pancake cooked by frying/grilling on a griddle).

Regional Spreads and Variations

Over time, Jianbing spread to various parts of China and was adapted to local tastes and preferences, leading to a diverse range of unique regional variations:

• In Beijing: Jianbing is often served with a crispy fried dough stick called Youtiao (YOH-tee-ow) or a crispy fried cracker called Baocui (Bao-TSWAY), which adds an excellent crunchy texture to the Jianbing.
• In Shanghai: Jianbing tends to be slightly sweet, with mashed red beans and sesame seeds added as ingredients, which is popular among locals.
• In Tianjin: Various grains are often added to the batter, such as corn, millet, and job's tears, giving the Jianbing a different texture and increased nutritional value.

Jianbing as a Popular Street Food and its Global Expansion

Due to its portability and affordability, Jianbing has, in recent years, become a prominent street food staple for busy workers and students. Today, if you visit China, you'll often see Jianbing stalls everywhere in bustling cities, especially in the early morning, with long queues forming for freshly prepared, hot Jianbing.

Currently, Jianbing has gained increasing popularity in many countries worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It's a quick and convenient food that can be easily customized, making it perfect for city dwellers with fast-paced lifestyles. Many new variations have emerged, incorporating diverse ingredients from classic to premium:

Common ingredients: Mustard, hoisin sauce, various chili sauces, ham, bacon.

• Luxury ingredients (often served in high-end restaurants): Such as truffles and caviar.
• Healthy options: There are also vegetarian and gluten-free versions, using gluten-free grain flours and purely vegetable toppings.

Jianbing is more than just a breakfast item; it's a symbol of China's vibrant street food culture that continues to evolve and spread globally. At Rimping Supermarket, we offer a wide array of high-quality ingredients, including flour, eggs, hoisin sauce, and fresh vegetables, ready for you to try making delicious Jianbing at home. Experience the authentic and unique taste of China!