One of the most popular items in Chinese breakfast cuisine is the Shaobing, also known as a huoshao. Due to the Shaobing versatility and delicious taste and flavors, it has gained popularity even outside the Chinese culture too. If you’re interested in learning more about the Shaobing, including its history, taste, and how it’s prepared, keep reading.
What is a Chinese bing?
A Chinese bing is a disk-shaped Chinese food prepared with wheat flour that looks like pancakes or flatbreads. A shaobing is a kind of Chinese bing commonly eaten during breakfast with tea or soy milk. Chinese Shaobing is usually stuffed with fillings like tofu, pork, steamed eggs, stir-fried mung beans, red bean paste, or black sesame paste.
Shao bing history
When was Shao bing invented?
Shao bing was invented during the Han Dynasty between 206 B.C. and 220 AD and was initially referred to as “hubing.” Shao bing exists in three varieties; magao Shao bing, huangqiao Shao bing, and zhoucun Shao bing. During this time, it was believed that Shao bing is popular in northern China than in southern China.
Who invented Shao bing?
According to Chinese legends, Shao bing was introduced by General Ban Chao during the Han Dynasty. Historians believe that Chinese Shao bing is closely related to the naan from Central Asia and Persian.
How to make Shao bing
To prepare Shao bing, you require the following ingredients;
For the dough;
- Light soy sauce (for brushing)
- Sesame oil
- 2 cups of all-purpose wheat flour
- 1 cup of warm water
- Toasted sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons of yeast
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
For the sauce;
- A pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorn
- 2 tablespoons sesame paste
- 1 ½ tablespoon sesame oil
Directions:
- To prepare, mix the flour and salt until perfectly combined.
- Mix the sugar and yeast with warm water, then combine the mixture with the salted flour. Proceed to knead the flour until it’s smooth. Let the dough rise.
- Under the lowest heat possible, toast the Sichuan peppercorn, then after letting them cool, ground them.
- Spread sesame oil on the operating board and roll a bit of the dough into a rectangular shape, then add Sichuan peppercorn powder and the mixed sauce.
- Roll the dough into round balls.
- Brush each bun with soy sauce, then lightly but firmly press the Shao bing into a bowl of sesame seeds.
- Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celcius and toss the Shao bing into the oven for about 15-20 minutes.
What does a Shao bing taste like?
Shao bings are sweet, salty, and crispy, with a strong sesame flavor. The oval shao bings are typically the most preferred as they don’t have as much sugar, whereas the small round shao bings are the sweetest. Also, note that the flavor will also vary depending on the type of filling your Shao bing has.
Shaobing VS pizza
Both shaobing and pizza are globally beloved and widely consumed. Shaobing is a common type of Chinese flatbread that can be stuffed with anything from meat and vegetables to sweet bean paste and other ingredients. Conversely, pizza is a savory Italian dish that features a round, flat dough base topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and a variety of toppings.
You can have shaobing for any meal of the day. It’s versatile enough to be stuffed with anything from savory ingredients like minced pork and scallions to sweet ones like red bean paste and taro. As with many other Chinese street foods, shaobing is commonly sold by mobile vendors in China.
Pizza is a worldwide favorite that has gained popularity in recent years. Pizza can be topped with a wide variety of ingredients beyond the standard cheese, tomato sauce, and pepperoni. Pizzas can have thin or thick crusts, and they taste best when cooked in a wood-fired oven.
Shaobing and pizza couldn’t be more dissimilar in terms of flavor and consistency. Typically, shaobing is chewy and dense, with a satisfying crunch on the outside. It’s common practice to serve it immediately after preparation, while it’s still hot and the filling is steaming. Pizza, on the other hand, has a creamier consistency and a medley of flavors that meld harmoniously in the mouth.
Conclusion
Shao bings are a versatile and delicious breakfast item, loved for their taste and flavor. They are typically bread but with a twist of fillings and sesame seed coating. Thanks to the Chinese people during the Han Dynasty, the world can now indulge in this food/snack.
