Along both sides of National Highway G202 in Yulin Town, Lanxi County, Suihua City, Heilongjiang Province, numerous Yulin Jinbing (a thin, chewy Chinese pancake) shops stand. Having become a household name locally, the Jinbing was celebrated for the unique appeal of being "thin, chewy, translucent, and fragrant," rightfully earning its status as the signature dish of Yulin Town. Recently, a DDN reporter visited the Yulin Jinbing Cultural Industry Park to uncover the secrets behind this specialty food.
Yulin Town boasts a long history, originally named "Xiaoyushu" (meaning little elm) in the second year of Emperor Qianlong's reign during the Qing Dynasty, with its current name established as times evolved. The origin of the Jinbing is legendary; folklore tells of an ancient village struck by famine, where crops failed, and villagers stretched their dough extremely thin, wrapping it around wild vegetables to stave off hunger—thus forming the earliest version of the Yulin Jinbing. In 2019, the Lanxi Yulin Jinbing was inscribed onto Heilongjiang Province's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Today, streams of traffic from north and south on National Highway G202 are drawn to this economical, delicious, and convenient food. The reputation of Jinbing has spread far and wide, gradually becoming an iconic symbol of the town.
A single Yulin Jinbing, weighing only 3-4 qian (approximately 15-20 grams) and measuring a mere 1-2 millimeters in thickness, embodies the Yulin townspeople's relentless pursuit of culinary perfection. The essence of the Jinbing is encapsulated in four characters: "thin, chewy, translucent, and fragrant."
- Thin: As thin as a sheet of paper. With nimble movements of their rolling pins, masters work the dough into pancakes nearly 2 millimeters thin. This wafer-thin body is the crystallization of years of skilled craftsmanship.
- Chewy: Remarkably elastic. A 17-gram lump of dough can be rolled out to a diameter of 24 centimeters without tearing when pulled. The unique chewiness of the Jinbing is astonishing.
- Translucent: Diaphanous, filmy. Gently lifting the Jinbing, one can almost see the texture of its skin, emitting a faint glow under the light.
- Fragrant: Toasty. The fusion of oil-infused crispy layers and wheat flour, combined with high-heat cooking, offers diners a feast for the taste buds.
In Yulin Town, veteran Jinbing masters steadfastly upholds traditional techniques. Every step, from mixing and proofing the dough to rolling and pan-frying, involves meticulous care. Each jInbing, born from precise measures—17 grams of dough, a 24-centimeter diameter, a griddle temperature of 180-200 degrees Celsius, and a cooking time of 3-5 seconds—carries within it the historical memories and cultural sentiments of Yulin Town. It is an expression of artisan spirit and a continuation of traditional skills, representing high recognition of its craft and cultural value.
The story of the Yulin Jinbing is actually the story of Yulin Town itself. This enduring legacy continues to flourish, its fragrance lingering through time. In the intertwining of hearth-fire and artisan's will, this delicacy has written a satisfying chapter, and it is destined to continue shining with its unique brilliance in the future.
(Reporter & Videographer: Yu Haijiang; Editor: Anna Li; Translator: Zeng Shiwei; English Editor: Darius)
Related News:
Comment