What to Serve with Chinese Scallion Pancakes – 10 Tasty Sides

The first time I tasted Chinese scallion pancakes. It was at a small family-owned restaurant in the heart of Chinatown. I was blown away by the crispy texture and the amazing flavor. It simply blew my mind away.

These days, Chinese scallion pancakes( aka Cong Zhua Bing) have become one of my most loved foods. I enjoy making them at home, and I always try to find new and interesting ways to serve them.

One of the great things about scallion pancakes is that they can be served as a side dish or a main course. They are perfect for parties, potlucks, and family gatherings. And they are always a hit with kids!

When you have an epic dish like scallion pancakes, sometimes you need an equally epic side dish to go with it. This guide will teach you what to serve with Chinese scallion pancakes, and how to make sure your meal is complete and satisfying.

Side Dishes For Chinese Scallion Pancakes

1. Sweet and Spicy Dipping Sauce
2. Chinese-Style Braised Pork Belly
3. Plain Jasmine Rice
4. Cabbage and Cucumber Salad
5. Fried Fish Fillet with Chili Sauce
6. Stir-Fried Veggies
7. Braised Beef Noodle Soup
8. Sesame Flavored Beef Fry
9. Hot and Sour Seafood Soup

Sweet and Spicy Dipping Sauce

This is my go-to dipping sauce for scallion pancakes. It is a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and it has the perfect amount of kick.

Having your sweet and spicy dipping sauce is how you can bless your tongue with a myriad of unique flavors that Chinese scallion pancakes help to bring out.

Plus, it is incredibly easy to make. All you need is a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry:

• Soy sauce
• Rice wine vinegar
• Chili sauce
• Honey or sugar
• Fresh garlic cloves
• Toasted sesame oil

Simply mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl and enjoy!

Quick Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Dipping Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sriracha
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Average Cook Time:

5 minutes

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients.
2. Heat over low heat, stirring until honey is dissolved.
3. Remove from heat and let cool. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

Chinese-Style Braised Pork Belly

I love some pork belly. I could probably eat it every day and not get sick of it. And what’s not to love? It is rich, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Pork belly is the perfect partner for scallion pancakes because it has a similar texture. Both are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

I’m such a huge fan of this soup because it comes with both meat and noodles. It is hearty and filling, but it is also light and refreshing.

The broth is what really makes this soup special. It is a delicate balance of sweet and sour, with just a hint of spice. And the noodles are perfectly cooked, so they come correctly with all of the flavors.

This dish is traditionally made with beef, but you can also use chicken or pork. And if you want to make it vegetarian, simply omit the meat and add more veggies.

Quick Recipe: Chinese-Style Braised Pork Belly

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork belly, cut into chunks
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice wine
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
• 2 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick

Average Cook Time:

1 hour

Instructions:

1. In a pot, add pork belly and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add soy sauce, rice wine, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, star anise, and cinnamon stick.
3. Add the parboiled pork belly into the pot.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes, or until pork is tender.
5. Remove pork and set aside. Reduce the sauce until thickened.
6. Serve pork drizzled with the reduced sauce.

Plain Jasmine Rice

One way to eat scallion pancakes is with steamed rice. The rice helps to balance out the richness of the pancake, and it makes for a complete and satisfying meal.

I like to use plain jasmine rice, but you can use whatever type of rice you like. Brown rice, white rice, basmati rice, etc. all work well.

To make steamed rice, simply rinse the desired amount of rice in a fine-mesh strainer and then place it in a pot with the same amount of water.

Bring the pot of water to a boil and then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for a few minutes.

There’s a possibility that you may not like the blandness of plain rice, so you might want to pack in some flavor by adding some broth, ginger, garlic, or scallions.

I’ve had my fair share of rice, so I can say that jasmine rice is the best type of rice to pair with Chinese scallion pancakes. It is quick, easy, and foolproof.

Quick Recipe: Plain Jasmine Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 cup jasmine rice
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Average Cook Time:

18 minutes

Instructions:

1. Rinse jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. In a saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
4. Simmer for 16 minutes or until water is absorbed.
5. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

Cabbage and Cucumber Salad

This salad is a great way to add some freshness and crunch to your meal. The cool cucumbers and crisp cabbage are the perfect contrast to the rich Chinese scallion pancakes.

This is a simple yet delicious salad that is light and refreshing, and it has such an enjoyable crunch.

The secret to making the perfect salad is to use fresh ingredients. The cabbage and cucumbers should be crisp, and the dressing should be light.

Quick Recipe: Cabbage and Cucumber Salad with Sesame Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1/2 head of cabbage, shredded
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Average Cook Time:

15 minutes

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage and sliced cucumber.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to combine.
4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

Fried Fish Fillet with Chili Sauce

This is a dish that my mom used to make for us when we were kids. It is simple, but it is so incredibly delicious.

The fish is crispy and flaky, and the chili sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. This dish is best served with steamed rice.

There are a few steps involved in making this dish, but it is definitely worth the effort. The end result is a crispy, flaky fish fillet that is coated in a sweet and spicy chili sauce.

Quick Recipe: Fried Fish Fillet with Chili Sauce

Ingredients:

• 4 fish fillets
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup chili sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

Average Cook Time:

20 minutes

Instructions:

1. Season fish fillets with salt and pepper.
2. Dredge each fillet in flour.
3. Heat oil in a pan and fry the fillets until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
4. In a separate bowl, mix chili sauce, garlic, soy sauce, and lime juice.
5. Serve the fried fish fillets with the chili sauce.

Stir-Fried Veggies

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Stir-fried veggies are not a side dish, they are the main event. But hear me out.

Chinese Scallion pancakes are the perfect vessel for delivering stir-fried veggies to your mouth. They are like little flavor bombs that are bursting with goodness.

Plus, stir-fried veggies are a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. They are packed with nutrients and they are super healthy for you.

Quick Recipe: Stir-Fried Veggies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, broccoli)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Average Cook Time:

15 minutes

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes.
4. Add soy sauce and sesame oil, and stir well.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Braised Beef Noodle Soup

This soup is my absolute favorite. It is hearty and filling, and the beef is so incredibly tender.

The soup has a rich and flavorful broth, and the noodles are cooked to perfection. This dish is best served with a side of steamed rice.

I love it because it is the perfect comfort food. It is warm and comforting, and it always hits the spot.

Quick Recipe: Braised Beef Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef chuck, cut into chunks
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 star anise
• 4 oz rice noodles
• Green onions for garnish

Average Cook Time:

2 hours

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sear beef chunks until browned.
2. Add beef broth, water, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and star anise.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1.5 hours.
4. Cook rice noodles according to package instructions.
5. Serve beef and broth over noodles, garnished with green onions.

Beef

Whenever you are eating scallion pancakes, you should always have beef on the side. The beef is there to balance out the richness of the pancake, and it makes for a complete and satisfying meal.

There are a few different ways that you can cook beef, but my favorite way is to simply pan fry it. I like to use sirloin steak because it is lean and it cooks quickly.

It has a deep, rich flavor that pairs well with the chinese scallion pancakes.

Sesame Flavored Beef Fry

Another delicious beef dish that goes great with chinese scallion pancakes is sesame-flavored beef fry. This dish is made by marinating beef in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, chicken broth and sesame oil.

The beef is then pan-fried until it is crispy and caramelized. It is absolutely delicious, and it pairs perfectly with chinese scallion pancakes.

Quick Recipe: Sesame Flavored Beef Fry

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef strips
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped

Average Cook Time:

15 minutes

Instructions:

1. Marinate beef strips in soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add beef and cook until browned.
4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

Hot and Sour Seafood Soup

I only found out about this soup a few years ago, but it has quickly become one of my favorite dishes.

The soup is made with a variety of seafood, and it is flavored with vinegar, ginger, soy sauce, and pepper. It’s the perfect blend of sour and spicy, and it’s absolutely fantastic.

This soup is best served with steamed rice.

Quick Recipe: Hot and Sour Seafood Soup

Ingredients:

• 4 cups chicken or seafood broth
• 1 cup mixed seafood (shrimp, squid, etc.)
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1/4 cup bamboo shoots, sliced

Average Cook Time:

30 minutes

Instructions:

1. In a pot, bring broth to a boil.
2. Add mixed seafood, rice vinegar, soy sauce, chili flakes, ginger, and garlic.
3. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Add mushrooms and bamboo shoots, simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you eat with Taiwanese pancakes?

There are a few different ways that you can enjoy Taiwanese pancakes. One way is to eat them with a savory filling, such as beef or vegetables. Another way is to eat them with a sweet filling, such as honey or sugar.

What ethnicity are scallion pancakes?

Scallion pancakes are a type of Chinese pancake that is made with scallions, or green onions. They are typically served as a side dish or appetizer.

What goes well with pancakes?

One option is to top them with fruit and yogurt. Another option is to serve them with bacon and eggs. Lastly, you can also serve them with a variety of dipping sauces.

Conclusion

Scallion pancakes are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and they can be served with a variety of side dishes.

For the best results, pair scallion pancakes with a side of steamed rice, stir-fried veggies, braised beef noodle soup, or hot and sour seafood soup.

And don’t forget the beef! Beef is an essential component of any Chinese scallion pancake meal.

So there you have it! A complete guide to what to serve with scallion pancakes. I hope you found this article helpful, and I hope you enjoy your scallion pancakes!