If you have ever wandered the bustling streets of China and fallen in love with the crispy yet tender goodness of savory breakfast crepes, you are going to adore this Jian Bing (Chinese Crepes) Recipe. This delightful street food classic combines a thin, lacy crepe with an egg coating, fresh herbs, a rich tangy sauce, and an irresistible crunch that makes every bite a little celebration. It is surprisingly simple to prepare at home and brings a vibrant flavor and texture experience that feels both comforting and exciting. Let me take you through every step so you can enjoy this authentic treat anytime you want!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Jian Bing (Chinese Crepes) Recipe lies in its humble ingredients that come together to create a perfect harmony of flavor and texture. Each component plays a key role—whether it’s the flours blending to a silky batter, the aromatic greens adding freshness, or the crispy elements delivering that signature crunch.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and tenderness for the crepe base.
- Mung bean flour: Adds a subtle earthiness and helps achieve a delicate texture; can be substituted with more all-purpose flour if needed.
- Water and milk: Combine for a thin, smooth batter that’s easy to spread in the pan.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors within the batter.
- Large eggs: Cooked directly onto the crepe, they add protein and richness.
- Chopped green onions and cilantro: Burst of brightness and herbal freshness that balances the savory elements.
- Hoisin sauce: Sweet and tangy, it brings depth and umami to every bite.
- Chili sauce or Sriracha (optional): For those who like a gentle kick of heat.
- Pickled mustard greens (optional): Adds a pleasantly tart, slightly crunchy contrast.
- Crispy wonton wrappers or Chinese fried crackers (baocui): The essential crunch to complete this dish’s unique texture.
- Vegetable oil: For greasing the pan and crisping the crepe edges beautifully.
How to Make Jian Bing (Chinese Crepes) Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Batter
Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, mung bean flour, water, milk, and salt until you get a smooth, thin batter. The batter’s consistency should be similar to classic crepe batter—light enough to spread evenly but still hold together. This thin layer will cook quickly and become the delicate base for your Jian Bing (Chinese Crepes) Recipe.
Step 2: Cook the Crepe Base
Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease it with vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Pour a thin layer of the batter into the pan, tilting it in a circular motion so it spreads out evenly into a large, thin crepe. This stage is crucial for achieving that iconic delicate yet slightly crispy crepe texture.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Herbs
Immediately after spreading the batter, crack one large egg over the crepe’s surface. Use a spatula to gently spread the egg so it covers the entire crepe, melding into the batter as it cooks. Before the egg sets fully, sprinkle chopped green onions and cilantro over the crepe. These fresh herbs infuse every bite with vibrant flavor and a little crunch.
Step 4: Flip and Cook Briefly
Once the crepe shows signs of setting and edges begin to lift, carefully flip the crepe so the egg side cooks briefly. This flip helps set the egg fully without overcooking, preserving its moist texture.
Step 5: Assemble the Flavors
Flip the crepe back to its original side and brush it generously with hoisin sauce and chili sauce (if using). If you’re including pickled mustard greens, spoon them gently on top now. These savory, sweet, and spicy layers bring the flavors together beautifully.
Step 6: Add Crunch and Fold
Place a crispy wonton wrapper or Chinese fried cracker (baocui) right in the center of your crepe. Then fold the crepe’s edges inward to create a neat square or roll shape, pressing lightly so it holds together. This crunchy surprise inside is what truly sets Jian Bing apart and creates delightful texture contrasts.
How to Serve Jian Bing (Chinese Crepes) Recipe
Garnishes
While the Jian Bing shines on its own, you can add a sprinkle of extra chopped scallions or fresh cilantro on top for an herbaceous finish. A few drops of extra chili sauce can energize spice lovers, adding a colorful and flavorful flourish before serving.
Side Dishes
Complement this savory crepe with light side dishes like pickled vegetables or a crisp cucumber salad. These sides refresh the palate and contrast gently with the warm, saucy crepe. A cup of jasmine tea or hot soy milk rounds out this traditional breakfast-style meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to try something different? Turn your Jian Bing into a handheld wrap for an on-the-go snack or slice it into smaller pieces for a casual appetizer platter. You might also experiment with adding alternative crunchy fillings like lettuce leaves or tortilla chips if you want a twist on tradition. Presentation can make this street snack feel like an elegant treat at home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover Jian Bing (Chinese Crepes) Recipe, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. Though best enjoyed fresh for maximum crispness, leftover crepes can last up to 2 days when properly stored.
Freezing
Freezing Jian Bing isn’t usually recommended because it can affect the delicate crepe texture and the crispness of the filling. However, you can freeze the batter separately for up to one month and cook fresh crepes as you want them. This workaround allows you to enjoy homemade Jian Bing at a moment’s notice.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the crepe in a nonstick skillet over low heat to revive some of the crispness. Microwaving tends to make the crepe soggy, so stovetop warming is the better method for preserving flavors and textures.
FAQs
Can I substitute the mung bean flour with something else?
Yes! If mung bean flour is hard to find, simply use more all-purpose flour. Mung bean flour adds a subtle flavor and lighter texture, but the recipe works well with just all-purpose flour too.
What can I use if I don’t have crispy wonton wrappers?
Great question! You can substitute crispy crackers, tortilla chips, or even fresh lettuce leaves for crunch. Each will give a different texture, but the essential idea is to have a crispy element inside the crepe.
Is Jian Bing suitable for vegetarians?
Absolutely! This Jian Bing (Chinese Crepes) Recipe is naturally vegetarian as it contains no meat. Just be sure the sauces and pickled greens you use don’t contain animal products if you are strictly vegetarian.
How thin should I spread the batter in the pan?
You want a very thin, even layer—just like you would for classic French crepes. The batter should spread easily when you tilt the pan, forming a large circle about 8-10 inches in diameter. Thinness is key for the right texture.
Can I prepare Jian Bing without chili sauce?
Definitely! The chili sauce is optional and can be adjusted to your spice preference. You can omit it entirely or replace it with a milder sauce if desired—the crepe still tastes fantastic either way.
Final Thoughts
I hope this Jian Bing (Chinese Crepes) Recipe inspires you to bring the vibrant flavors and textures of Chinese street food right into your kitchen. It’s a wonderful combination of crispy, savory, fresh, and tangy elements that feels both nostalgic and new. Once you master this recipe, you might find yourself craving it often and sharing it with friends as one of your favorite breakfast or snack discoveries.
Print
Jian Bing (Chinese Crepes) Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Jian Bing is a popular Chinese street food featuring thin, savory crepes filled with egg, fresh herbs, and flavorful sauces. This recipe creates a deliciously crispy yet soft crepe with the perfect balance of savory, spicy, and tangy flavors, making it an ideal breakfast or snack option.
Ingredients
For the Batter:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup mung bean flour (or substitute with more all-purpose flour)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce or Sriracha (optional)
- 1/4 cup pickled mustard greens (optional)
- 2 crispy wonton wrappers or Chinese fried crackers (baocui)
For Cooking:
- Vegetable oil
- Nonstick skillet or griddle
Instructions
- Prepare the batter: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, mung bean flour (or additional all-purpose flour), water, milk, and salt until you achieve a smooth, thin batter with a consistency similar to crepe batter.
- Heat the skillet: Lightly grease a nonstick skillet or griddle with vegetable oil and heat over medium heat until hot but not smoking.
- Cook the crepe base: Pour a thin layer of the batter into the skillet and tilt the pan to spread the batter evenly into a thin circle.
- Add the egg: Immediately crack one egg over the crepe and gently spread it across the surface with a spatula to cover the entire crepe.
- Add fresh herbs: Sprinkle chopped green onions and cilantro evenly over the egg-covered crepe while it cooks.
- Flip the crepe: Once the crepe begins to set and edges lift easily, carefully flip it over to briefly cook the egg side.
- Flip back and add sauces: Flip it back again to the batter side, then brush the surface with hoisin sauce and optional chili sauce or Sriracha for flavor.
- Add optional pickled mustard greens: Spoon the pickled mustard greens over the crepe if using, distributing evenly.
- Add crunch and fold: Place a crispy wonton wrapper or Chinese fried cracker in the center of the crepe, then fold the sides over to form a square or roll. Press lightly to seal the crepe.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve hot immediately to enjoy the maximum crispiness. Repeat the process for the second crepe.
Notes
- You can substitute the crispy wonton wrapper or cracker with lettuce or tortilla chips to add crunch if preferred.
- It is best to serve Jian Bing fresh and immediately after cooking to maintain its crispy texture.
- If mung bean flour is not available, you can use all-purpose flour instead, though the texture will be slightly different.
- Adjust chili sauce quantity to your preferred spice level.
