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Classic Scallion Pancakes (Cong You Bing)

Streamlined Recipe

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This recipe gives you everything you need to cook this dish successfully! It is focused on the essentials so you can get started fast. The full version with detailed tips and techniques is coming soon.

Classic Scallion Pancakes (Cong You Bing)

Crispy, flaky Chinese scallion pancakes with layers of green onions throughout. These savory flatbreads are pan-fried until golden and served as an appetizer or side dish.

Total Time 50 min
Servings 4
Difficulty Easy

Prep: 30 min Cook: 20 min

This recipe was automatically generated and is waiting for our culinary review. The instructions and ingredients are complete and ready to use, but we have not reviewed or tested it yet. Try it out and tell us what you think. Your feedback will help us make it even better!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup boiling water
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil (plus more for frying)
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1 cup scallions, finely chopped (about 6 to 8 scallions)
  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
  • Extra salt for sprinkling

Before you start

Equipment You'll Need

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Rolling pin
  • Pastry brush
  • Large skillet or flat griddle
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife or pizza cutter

Safety Tips & Important Notes

Follow these for best results and safety.

  1. The boiling water creates a more tender, pliable dough that's easier to work with.
  2. Don't skip the resting time as it allows the gluten to relax and makes rolling easier.
  3. Roll the dough as thin as possible for more layers and better texture.
  4. Keep the oil-scallion mixture generous for maximum flavor and flakiness.
  5. Work with one pancake at a time and keep others covered to prevent drying.
  6. Adjust heat if pancakes brown too quickly before cooking through.

Instructions

  1. Place flour in a large mixing bowl and add the boiling water, stirring with chopsticks or a wooden spoon until shaggy clumps form.

  2. Add the cold water gradually and knead the dough in the bowl until it comes together into a rough ball.

  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.

  4. Cover the dough with a damp towel and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.

  5. While dough rests, combine the vegetable oil and sesame oil in a small bowl and set aside.

  6. Divide the rested dough into 4 equal pieces and cover the pieces you're not working with.

  7. Roll one piece of dough into a thin rectangle about 8 by 12 inches.

  8. Brush the surface generously with the oil mixture, then sprinkle with salt, white pepper, and a quarter of the chopped scallions.

  9. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a long cylinder, like a jelly roll.

  10. Coil the cylinder into a tight spiral, tucking the end underneath, then flatten gently with your palm.

  11. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes, then roll out the coil into a round pancake about 7 to 8 inches in diameter.

  12. Repeat with remaining dough pieces.

  13. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.

  14. Place one pancake in the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown spots appear on the bottom.

  15. Flip and cook the other side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and crispy.

  16. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into wedges while hot.

  17. Repeat with remaining pancakes, adding more oil to the pan as needed.

  18. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Chef's notes

Serve with a dipping sauce of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili oil.

These are best eaten immediately while crispy, but can be reheated in a dry skillet.

Uncooked rolled pancakes can be frozen between parchment paper for up to 3 months.

For extra crispy pancakes, use slightly more oil when frying.

Green onions and scallions are the same ingredient.

noadscooking.com — Classic Scallion Pancakes (Cong You Bing)

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