Shou Zhua Bing: Flaky Scallion Pancake

The story

Shou zhua bing means “hand-grab pancake”, named for the way you eat it by tearing off flaky layers with your fingers. Though marketed as a Taiwanese creation, it draws from a long Chinese tradition of layered flatbreads. It became a nationwide street food phenomenon in the 2010s, with vendors appearing on virtually every commercial street in China.

What to expect

A golden, round pancake is cooked on a flat griddle until the layers separate and crisp. The vendor uses two spatulas to scrunch and fluff it, and the pancake takes on an almost croissant-like layering effect. It’s then topped with your choice of additions (a fried egg, a slice of ham, lettuce, sauce) and folded into a paper sleeve. Pull it apart with your hands to reveal dozens of flaky, buttery layers.

Tips

The base pancake alone is good, but adding an egg and sauce makes it a proper snack. These are sold from morning until late night at street stalls. The frozen pre-made version is sold in every Chinese supermarket: look for it in the freezer aisle if you want to recreate it at home.