If you’ve spent any time in China, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered the well-known breakfast pancake known as jianbing (煎饼 jiānbǐng). But have you tried any of China’s other varieties of bings (饼 bǐng)? The term bing encompasses a wide range of foods, including everything from pancakes to flatbreads. Here, we’ll explore some of the most recognized variations, along with other types of Chinese flatbreads that share characteristics with bings.
**Shaobing (烧饼 shāobing)**
Shaobing is a type of bread made by baking flattened dough against the inner walls of a clay oven. This process produces a golden flatbread that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Often, shaobing is topped with sesame seeds and can be enjoyed plain or stuffed with various sweet or savory fillings such as braised beef or red bean paste.
**Scallion Pancake (葱油饼 cōngyóubǐng)**
Scallion pancakes, or congyoubing, feature distinct layers. The dough is rolled out, brushed with oil, sprinkled with salt and scallions, then spiraled and pressed again prior to frying. When expertly made, they result in a crispy yet chewy golden wheel that is absolutely addictive.
**Shouzhuabing (手抓饼 shǒuzhuā bǐng)**
The term shouzhuabing translates to “hand-grab pancake” and is a popular street food that originated in Taiwan, inspired by congyoubing. It is crafted from a dough that is rolled, oiled, and folded to create thin, flaky layers, followed by pan-frying. Vendors often brush it with sauces and fill it with ingredients like egg, lettuce, ham, or spicy chicken, then fold it into a convenient wrap.
**Spring Pancake (春饼 chūnbǐng)**
Spring pancakes, known as chunbing, are the soft, paper-thin pancakes often served with Peking duck. Traditionally, they are also consumed during spring in northern households to celebrate Lichun, the first of the 24 Chinese solar terms. For this occasion, they are commonly filled with stir-fried vegetables, strips of pork, or tofu. Unlike many other bings, chunbing is not considered a street snack but more of a family-style meal, serving as a DIY wrap that emphasizes sharing and seasonality.
**Qiangbing (羌饼 qiāng bǐng)**
A traditional breakfast bing from Shanghai, qiangbing is a leavened, thick pancake cooked on a griddle. Flavored with scallions, it shares a similar taste profile with congyoubing and is often dotted with sesame seeds. With its golden, slightly smoky appearance, its chewy texture and nutty wheat aroma make it an excellent accompaniment to both vegetables and meat.
**Jiangxiangbing (酱香饼 jiàngxiāngbǐng)**
Jiangxiangbing is another well-loved street food, literally translating to “sauce-fragrant pancake.” It is generally made by rolling out dough, applying a paste or sauce like sweet bean or chili, layering it, and then pan-frying it until crispy.
**Baijimo (白吉馍 báijímó)**
Baijimo is essentially the bread used for the famous Shaanxi snack roujiamo (肉夹馍 ròujiāmó), often referred to as the “Chinese hamburger.” This round yeasted flatbread is crunchy on the outside yet soft within, akin to the Mediterranean pita. Traditionally, it was baked in a clay oven, but it is now frequently made in a frying pan.
**Guokui (锅盔 guōkuī)**
Hailing from Shaanxi province, guokui is typically a large, round flatbread recognized for its crispy texture and resilience. The term guokui literally means “pot helmet,” believed to stem from stories of soldiers baking dough within their helmets over a fire. In addition to the traditional Shaanxi version, there are various styles of guokui, like the Jingzhou variant, which is filled with an assortment of ingredients such as minced meat or bean paste.
**Nang (馕 náng)**
Nang is the Xinjiang version of naan bread and is a staple in China’s northwest region. This dough is traditionally sprinkled with sesame or cumin and slapped onto the extremely hot surfaces of a tandoor oven. It is often enjoyed alongside lamb stew, yogurt, or simply on its own.
The next time you’re looking for a bing, consider stepping outside your comfort zone and trying a different kind instead of the familiar jianbing.
There are various types of bings beyond the classic jianbing!