Thursday, October 10, 2013

Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)


Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)  http://uTry.it

Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancake (蔥油餅) is a savory, non-leavened flatbread dough folded with oil and chopped scallions; then, pan fry to golden brown perfection.  It was originated in China, a very popular snack often sold as street food or in restaurants as appetizers.  It’s definitely one of my favorite Chinese savory snacks to enjoy since I was a little kid.   

Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)  http://uTry.it

The Chinese Scallion Pancake is similar to paratha in Indian cuisine or pajeon in the Korean version.  I love savory pancakes, and they are truly comfort food to me.  Back in my college years, I often gather with good friends on the weekends in one of those tiny Chinese cafés specialized in these pancakes along with other popular street foods from Asia.  I would munch on these crispy and flavorful scallion pancakes along with a cup of hot soy milk as breakfast when catching up (a.k.a. gossiping) with my good friends, as we planned out the activities for the rest of our weekends.  Those were the good old memories.

Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)  http://uTry.it

I don’t live closed by to those cafes anymore and many of my good old friends moved away/back home after college.  But the great news is, these pancakes are quite simple to prepare and they store really well.   On the other hand, although I don’t see my good old friends often, we can always keep in touch with emails, phone calls, or with Facebook these days!  That is much more convenience than the time when I was in college, relying on pagers and landlines (ha…that made me sounded like I was from another era!)   

Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)  http://uTry.it

Follow me to the kitchen and I’ll show you how to make these scrumptious pancakes.

1) In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and salt.
2) With a wooden spoon, make a well in the middle of the flour and pour in the water in a steady stream while continue stirring.
3) Knead the dough a few times and form into a ball.  Cover with a clean towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
4) This would be the good time to chop up those green onions and prepare the dipping sauce. 

Pictorial A-1

5) After 30 minutes of resting, transfer the dough onto a slightly floured board.  Gently press it to form a round disk.
6) With a pastry cutter or a knife, divide the dough into 6 equal portions.
7) With a floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a thin disk, about 1/8-inch thick.  With the back of a spoon, spread 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil on top, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around.
8) Sprinkle the chopped scallions on top in an even layer.  Roll up the filled dough from one end to the other into a log, leaving the seam side down.

Pictorial B-1

9) Pinch the end of the log and roll it into a circle.  Pinch the other end of the log and tuck it underneath the dough.
10) Roll the filled dough with a floured rolling pin into 1/4-inch thick disk.
11) I like to divide each pancake with a piece of parchment paper and stack them all up.
12)  In a large non-stick skillet, heat up 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.  Pan fry the pancakes until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side.  Add more oil as needed in the pan frying process.  Transfer cooked pancakes onto a cooling rack and cut into wedges. Enjoy with the soy-ginger dipping sauce.

Pictorial C-1

Remember step #11 from above?  After rolling out all the dough and separate them with a piece of parchment, you can store them in an air tight container or in a freezer safe ziploc bag until you need them, simply defrost them in the fridge overnight before pan frying.  It’ll be wonderful to double the recipe and keep the extras in the freezer for later. 

Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)  http://uTry.it

For the Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce, I simply grated some fresh ginger and stir with the rest of the ingredients.  The picture below shows you the grater that I use.  It’s one of my favorite kitchen tool because it works wonderfully.  Somehow, the tough fibers from the ginger would mysterious disappear after grating with this grater.  You can find similar products here.

Ginger Grater

To serve these Scallion Pancakes, I like to cut them into wedges, about 6-8 triangles from each cake.  Your kitchen scissors would do a great job with these.  Stack them up and serve.  They would be a wonderful appetizer in parties or afternoon snacks.

Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)  http://uTry.it

Here we go….

Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)  http://uTry.it

Don’t forget the dipping sauce!

Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)  http://uTry.it

The Soy-Ginger Dipping sauce is very earthy and slightly spicy from the ginger.  Yet, a little tangy and sweet at the same time with the rice wine vinegar and sugar.  The complex yet refreshing flavors from the sauce compliment perfectly with these crispy and savory pancakes. 

Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)  http://uTry.it

It’s really impossible to stop eating at just 1, or 10.  And my hubby would agree on that 100%! 

Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)  http://uTry.it









Chinese Scallion Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油):
(Printable Recipe)

Makes: 6 Pancakes

Ingredients for the Chinese Scallion Pancakes:
2 cups all purpose flour, more for rolling
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup water
1 bunch scallion (green onions), around 8 of them (reserve 1 teaspoon for the sauce)
vegetable oil

Ingredients for the Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce:
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
a pinch of red pepper flakes
a pinch of white pepper
1 teaspoon chopped green onions

To make the pancakes:
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and salt. With a wooden spoon, make a well in the middle of the flour and pour in the water in a steady stream while continue stirring. Knead the dough a few times and form into a ball.  Cover with a clean towel and let it rest for 30 minutes. This would be the good time to chop up those green onions and prepare the dipping sauce. 

After 30 minutes of resting, transfer the dough onto a slightly floured board.  Gently press it to form a round disk. With a pastry cutter or a knife, divide the dough into 6 equal portions. With a floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a thin disk, about 1/8-inch thick.  With the back of a spoon, spread 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil on top, leaving a 1/2-inch border all around. Sprinkle the chopped scallions on top in an even layer. 

Roll up the filled dough from one end to the other into a log, leaving the seam side down.  Pinch the end of the log and roll it into a circle.  Pinch the other end of the log and tuck it underneath the dough. Roll the filled dough with a floured rolling pin into 1/4-inch thick disk. I like to divide each pancake with a piece of parchment paper and stack them all up. 

In a large non-stick skillet, heat up 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.  Pan fry the pancakes until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side.  Add more oil as needed in the pan frying process.  Transfer cooked pancakes onto a cooling rack and cut into wedges. Enjoy with the soy-ginger dipping sauce.

To make the Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce:
In a small mixing bowl, stir all the ingredients together until sugar dissolved.  Serve with Scallion Pancakes and enjoy!


Chinese Scallion (Green Onion) Pancakes With Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce (蔥油餅配姜汁醬油)  http://uTry.it

84 comments:

  1. These scallion pancakes are definitely something I want to try sometime soon! They sound amazing!

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    1. Thank you, Ruby. Oh...give them a try. These Scallion Pancakes are so good!

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  2. I miss these green onion pancakes. I love to get them in Chinese restaurant, but I am sure it is much better to make at home. I can't wait to dig my hands in these incredible pancakes! Thanks for sharing, Amy. Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Thank you, My Friends! Glad you love green onion pancakes too. Yes, give these a try. I'm sure you'll love them a lot too. ;) Have a wonderful week ahead.

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  3. Amy I just made some! My pics are in Picasa and I am reday to go.. my daughter's friend had sent me the recipe etc..I will just refer to you:)

    My post will pale..thank goodess.I was just showing a pic and a link..Can I link to your tutorial?:)
    It's basically the same method and I would prefer showing you:)

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    1. What a coincident! :) These pancakes are sure some delicious treats. Feel free to link to my tutorial. I'm sure those who haven't made these yummy pancakes before will love to see the visual picture. And thank you for sharing with your readers. :)

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  4. wow these look divine wish I could grab some now

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    1. Thank you, Rebecca. these are really good and hope you'll give them a try. :) Have a lovely week.

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  5. Hi Amy
    I wanted to make this some time back, keep delaying till I totally forgotten about this. Now that seeing yours, I just got to start making. Love your tutorial pic,

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    1. Thank you, Mel. These are so good I'm sure you're going to make them often after trying them at home. :) Have a wonderful week.

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  6. I love spring onion pancake all the way, especially with spicy dip,....
    btw, instead of vege oil, i like to apply some sesame oil before spread the chopped green onion.....
    well done my friend!

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    1. yum....adding sesame oil before spread the chopped green onion sounds wonderful. Thanks for the tips. ;)

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  7. I love these but never tried to make my own!

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    1. Oh...hope you'll give this a try. They are really really good. ;)

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  8. Wow! I'm ready for a snack! That soy-ginger dipping sauce sounds so very yummy! T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, Tina. Oh yeah, I really love the soy-ginger dipping sauce with these yummy pancakes. ;) Have a wonderful week, Tina.

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  9. Hi Amy, the pancake looks great! I gotta make some one of these days too.

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    1. Thank you, Baby Sumo. Oh yeah...these pancakes are to die for. Hope you like them after trying too. Have a great week.

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  10. I've made these before, Amy, because I love them! I can't wait to try this recipe. And when I don't make them I buy them frozen in the Asian grocery. They aren't as good, but they suffice. Landline-pretty funny!

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    1. Thank you, Abbe. I agree, I used to get the frozen ones too....but I definitely love the homemade version cos I can add more green onions in them. That's why I like to double the recipe and freeze some of them for future enjoyment. ;) Wish you a wonderful week, Abbe.

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  11. These looks so delicious Amy.. Need to try them soon!! I know we will love them!

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    1. Thank you. Oh...I hope you'll give them a try soon. These are really really good. ;) Have a lovely week.

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  12. This is one of those things I always order when out. Love the scallions and yours looks so delicious and crispy Amy.
    Parathas are always a welcome things at our place..a great treat.

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    1. Thank you, Asha. I know...I always order this at restaurants...that is until I make my own. :P Have a great week ahead.

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  13. The Asian flavors are so alive and kicking in the pancakes and the dipping sauce is equally amazing. Its definitely my fav and look like you have triggered me to try the same at home.

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    1. Thank you, Navaneetham! I hope you'll give these a try soon. They are really good. :) Have a lovely week ahead.

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  14. I love scallion pancakes and these look so good! After seeing so many wonderful scallion pancake recipes lately, it is definitely inspiring me to try making them at home one day:) And that soy ginger sauce sounds incredible! Great pictures and tutorial, thanks so much for sharing Amy!

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    1. Thank you, Kelly. Oh, I hope you'll give these a try soon. They are really tasty. :) have a wonderful week.

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  15. Looks like you've got some sweet memories of savory pancakes, Amy. I'm very grateful indeed that I've got now got a trusted resource and recipe for these very delectable pancakes.

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    1. Thank you, Dear. Oh yeah...these pancakes brought back so many memories....good old delicious memories. :)

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  16. Love green onion pancakes...used to eat lots of them back to the school time. The ginger dipping sauce sounds fantastic.

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    1. Thank you, Angie. I know...I ate my fair share of green onion pancakes and never get bored of them. :) Have a great week ahead.

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  17. We love asian flavors, so we´ll try to do the pancakes. And the sauce looks delicious too.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Happy weekend

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    1. Thank you, Laurel. Glad you love Asian flavors too. You've gotta give these pancakes a try. They are really amazing. Have a wonderful week ahead.

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    1. Thank you. Glad you love these pancakes too.

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  19. I swear I visit your blog sometimes and think I've just stepped into a restaurant-at-home--I hope your family knows how lucky they are to have such a master chef around! Scallion pancakes may be my favorite Chinese snack food--love making it, thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you, Dear. My Little Boy certainly agree our home is like a restaurant and he love to "place an order" from time to time! hahaha...Glad you love these green onion pancakes too. They are my all time favorite savory snacks.

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  20. They have these at my favorite Chinese restaurant back home, but I've never been able to find them anywhere else. So glad I now know how to make them on my own! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Oh....hope you'll give these a try soon. These are so good. I know...I see less and less restaurants sell them these days. :) have a lovely week.

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  21. Hi Amy , these pancakes looks yummy , thanks for sharing ").

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    1. thank you, Nee. these are really amazing. Hope you'll give them a try. Have a wonderful week.

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  22. Hello Amy, these pancakes are my favourites! I can eat them just like that without dipping into any sauce. Thank you for featuring them on your blog and giving them the publicity that they deserved. :)

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    1. Thank you, mun. Same here, I can eat them without the dipping sauce too. But the sauce is fun to have and adds lots of flavor as well. Yup, these pancakes definitely deserve the spotlights! ;) have a lovely week!

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  23. These pancakes are certainly similar to the Indian paratha and I remember having them as a kid along with a cup of tea and mango pickle. I would love to try these with the soy ginger dip.

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    1. Thank you. yes, these are very similar to paratha. :) sounds wonderful with mango pickle too!

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  24. I have never tasted these pancakes but every time I see them I promise myself I will prepare them. Yours look particularly successful and tempting.

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    1. Thank you, Sissi. Oh...hope you'll give these a try some day. They sounds simple but taste amazing.

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  25. Yay for Chinese scallion pancakes. I've posted them, too a long time ago and they are vegan & low-fat: http://veganmiam.com/recipes/low-fat-taiwanese-scallion-pancakes

    They look delicious and I want some right now!

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    1. yay....I'm glad you're a fan too. These pancakes are so good. I made another batch when my vegan girlfriend visited the other day and I made extra for her to take home. I guess I'll need to make more tomorrow. :P Have a wonderful week!

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  26. LOVE scallion pancakes and that soy ginger sauce is a tasty accompaniment!

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    1. Thank you, Kiran. Oh yeah, I love the soy-ginger dipping sauce with these pancakes.

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  27. I love savory pancakes! These look so good! Love the soy ginger sauce.

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    1. Thank you, Julia. Glad you like savory pancakes too. Have a wonderful week ahead.

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  28. I love these! They have such great flavor, and are so much fun to eat. I haven't made any in quite awhile, and now of course you have me craving them. Good stuff - thanks.

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    1. Thank you, KR. Glad you like these pancakes too. Have a wonderful week.....and same here, I can't wait to make another batch.

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  29. Amy these look absolutely delicious!!

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    1. Thank you, Gloria. Glad you love these green onion pancakes too. Have a wonderful week.

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  30. another one of my taiwanese favorites. you make it look so amazing!

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    1. Thank you. Glad you love these savory pancakes too. Have a wonderful week ahead.

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  31. Me ha encantado Amy están de lujo,abrazos.

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    1. gracias. estos son mis delicias saladas favoritos. alegra que les guste también.

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  32. crisp and perfectly golden brown pancakes with that delicious earthy dipping sauce...addictive and we certainly cannot stop at one :-)

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    1. Thank you, Kumars. I know...I can't stop at one at all. No way! hahaha....have a wonderful week, my friend.

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  33. These look wonderful!! Could sure go for some right about now!

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    1. Thank you, Ashley. Glad you like them too. Have a wonderful week.

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  34. i'm never a big fan of scallion pancakes but after looking at yours, i must try it!! drooling from yours!

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    1. Oh.....I'm the opposite. I'm always a fan. Hope you'll love these after you try. ;)

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  35. I love these pancakes and never miss an opportunity to eat them when visiting a Chinese restaurant. Never made them at home but this recipe and tutorial looks too good not to try. And the dipping sauce sounds amazing too!

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    1. Thank you, Sonali. I agree, I used to get them whenever I go to the Chinese restaurants. But less and less of them offer these pancakes in the States, so I have to make my own. :P

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  36. I never had this type of pancake but I have a feeling that it will be my favorite savory pancake. I have all the ingredients too. Lucky me.

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    1. Hehe....I'm sure you'll love these pancakes. They are my all time favorite savory snacks. :) Take care and have a great week, my Friend!

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  37. This is one of my favourite snacks! If it's on the menu, I'm ordering it. I can't wait to try making them myself! Thank you so much for the super helpful step by step photos. Sometimes when I just read a description, I'm still pretty clueless on how to do it, lol. Your photos of the finished product are so lovely. I love the styling of your photography too!

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    1. Thank you, My Dear. I'm glad that you're a fan for these pancakes too. Enjoy and hope you'll make some at home soon. Have a wonderful week.

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  38. Mmmm, I love scallion pancakes. Yours look perfect!

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    1. Thank you. Glad you like them too, Amy. :)

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  39. Love those beautifully pan fried scallion pan cakes! I am a big fan of this dish since I've eating it my whole life. The ginger dipping sauce is a great addition! Great post!

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    1. Thank you. Glad you love these pancakes too. Yes, the dipping sauce is quite fun with the pancakes too. :) Have a wonderful week.

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  40. My weak spot is all carbs stuff. I can literally eat the entire green onion pancakes I see here. They look so delicious! I buy pre-made ones from Chinese supermarket. Gotta try this one day!

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    1. I used to buy the pre-made ones from the market too. But these are so easy to make so I always make extra and freeze them. ;) Hope you'll give them a try too. Have a great week, Nami!

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  41. I could never ever resist scallion Pancakes or any pancakes in that matter...and you made it so delicious and at this moment tempting because I want this for my breakfast! I am sucker for anything with flour hehe..Great recipe, and simple! I might make it with my kids while they are still on the break! Have a lovely day, Amy!

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    1. Thank you, Sandra. I know....I can't resist these at all. I'm weak with carbs as well. :P Glad I'm not alone. hehehe...have a wonderful week.

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