Roudanbao

Photo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5hjXBVax0o
Rou Dan Bao means literally Meat Egg Burger. But it's assembled in a frying mold and the 'bun' is actually a liquid batter you pour into the mold. Thus: it's pancake. It's found in Dongbei and served as a breakfast food!
First an egg is fried in a mold, and then liquid batter is poured around it. Ground beef or pork is added and then further batter is added. It's flipped in the pan mold, sealing it in batter - like a savory, flat Aebleskiver!
Then sauce and spices are added to the outside!

Street Food-Style Roudanbao Recipe (Savory Egg and Meat Pancake)
Ingredients (Makes 4–6 Roudanbao)
- Ground pork – 1 cup (about 225 g)
- Green onions – 3 stalks, finely chopped
- Soy sauce – 2 tablespoons
- Shao Xing wine – 1 tablespoon (optional)
- Sesame oil – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- White pepper – ¼ teaspoon
- Eggs – 4 large (plus 1 extra for the batter)
- All-purpose flour – 1 cup
- Water – 1 cup (adjust for a thin batter)
- Cooking oil – 3–4 tablespoons (for frying)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
- In a medium bowl, mix together the ground pork, chopped green onions, soy sauce, Shao Xing wine (if using), sesame oil, salt, and white pepper until well combined.
- Divide the pork mixture into 4–6 equal portions and shape each into a small patty, about 3 inches (7–8 cm) in diameter.
Step 2: Make the Batter
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, water, and 1 egg until smooth. The batter should be thin enough to pour easily, similar to crepe batter. Adjust with more water if needed.
Step 3: Cook the Roudanbao
- Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Place a pork patty in the pan and sear for 1–2 minutes per side until lightly browned but not fully cooked.
- Push the patty to the center of the pan, pour a small ladle of batter around it to form a thin pancake base, and immediately crack an egg over the top of the patty.
- Use a spatula to gently spread the egg white over the pancake surface, keeping the yolk intact in the middle.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and the pork is fully cooked.
- Fold the pancake in half (like a taco) for easy eating, or serve flat. Repeat with the remaining patties, batter, and eggs.
Serving Suggestions
This street food–style Roudanbao is perfect for eating on the go. Serve with:
- Chili crisp or hot sauce: For a bold, spicy flavor.
- Hoisin or sweet bean sauce: For a touch of sweetness.
- Pickled vegetables: To balance the richness.
- Fresh cilantro or lettuce: For freshness and crunch.
Name_ | Roudanbao |
---|---|
Origin_ | 🇩🇰 China |
Morphology_ | ⊞ mold |
Flavor_ | savory |
Filling_ | fried egg, ground beef or pork |
Topping_ | sauces |
Recipe_ | Roudanbao Recipe |
« All Pancakes_ |