Scallion Pancakes (葱油饼)

Instructions

1. 1Mix flour and salt. Slowly pour in hot water, stirring with chopsticks, until it forms shaggy clumps. Knead into a smooth ball. Cover, rest 20 minutes.

   烫面，醒20分钟

   Look for 20 minutes rest

   Visual: Dough comes together into a smooth, elastic ball

   You know it's right when: Dough springs back when poked

2. 2Meanwhile make the oil paste: whisk oil + flour until smooth. Dry the chopped scallions on a paper towel (wet scallions make soggy layers).

   调油酥，擦干葱

   Look for

   Visual: Paste is smooth, pale, and spreadable

   You know it's right when: No flour lumps

3. 3Divide dough into 4 balls. Roll each into a thin rectangle (about 2-3 mm).

   擀薄片

   Look for

   Visual: Rectangle is thin enough to be slightly translucent

   You know it's right when: Can see your hand faintly through it

4. 4Spread oil paste thinly over the dough, sprinkle with scallions. Roll it up tightly into a long log, then coil the log into a spiral. Rest 5 minutes.

   抹油酥卷起，盘成螺旋

   Look for 5 minutes rest

   Visual: Coil holds its shape; layers are visible at the cut edge

   You know it's right when: Coil doesn't unroll on its own

5. 5Roll each coil gently into a flat pancake, about 5-6 mm thick. Don't press hard — you want to preserve the layers.

   轻擀成饼

   Look for

   Visual: Pancake is even thickness, spiral pattern visible

   You know it's right when: Layers still distinct at the edge

6. 6Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium. Fry the pancake 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crisp.

   中小火煎至两面金黄

   Look for Medium heat 2-3 minutes per side

   Visual: Golden-brown patches; pancake puffs slightly and layers separate

   You know it's right when: Edges look flaky and sound crisp when tapped

7. 7Move to a cutting board, rest 1 minute (traps steam = flaky). Cut into wedges. Repeat for remaining pancakes.

   出锅切块

   Look for 1 minute rest

   Visual: Pancake steams slightly as it rests; layers lift when cut

   You know it's right when: Layers visibly peel apart when cut