Description
A national staple loved in Northern Chinese breakfast stalls alongside Mantou and Baozi. Dough kneaded with boiling water (Tang Mian) heavily encases a pork/beef and scallion filling. Flattened into a disc, it is pan-fried in generous oil until both sides are fragrant and crispy. Larger than dumplings with a flakier crust.
Restaurants serving Chinese Meat Pie (Xian Bing)
Researching
We are researching restaurants that serve this dish.
On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Minced pork(or beef)
- Scallion
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- White pepper
- Veg oil
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- (Dough) Mix hot boiling water into flour with chopsticks, then add cold water and knead smooth (Tang Mian method). Rest for
- mins. *Hot water ensures it stays chewy, not hard, after frying.
- Mix minced pork (or beef) with soy, sesame oil, salt, white pepper, ginger water, and massive minced scallion.
- Divide dough slightly larger than ping-pong balls; roll flat.
- Add massive filling, pleat like Xiaolongbao to seal completely.
- Place seam-down and gently press flat into a disc with your palm.
- Heat generous oil in a pan; shallow-fry on medium-low until both sides are a beautiful golden brown and cooked to the core.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Roasted aroma of pan-fried wheat and intense meat juices trapped inside、中に閉じ込められた強烈な肉汁
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Knead JP all-purpose flour with boiling water, stuff with pork/scallion, pan-fry
Pairing
Porridge (Millet porridge etc.) / Soy Milk / Black Vinegar
Trivia
Compared to dumplings or buns, flattening it against the griddle creates a massive surface area of fragrant 'char', condensing the umami. 'Beef and Scallion Xian Bing' is also massively popular in Hui (Muslim) diners.
Eating tips & etiquette
Hold the hot pastry by hand and bite in. The crust is 'crispy and chewy'. Biting it detonates scalding meat juices and scallion aroma. The Northern style is eating it with black vinegar, being careful not to burn your mouth.
Allergen
Wheat, Pork, Soybeans, Sesame