At the table
Break off small pieces and eat while warm, once the freshly baked center has cooled enough.
This pastry contains wheat, sesame and duck fat; some recipes also use an egg wash. Check the actual ingredients if you have dietary restrictions.
The crisp layers can be broken into small shareable pieces, and the savory version has scallion with pepper-salt; let the freshly baked center cool before sharing.
Recipes vary. Ask the restaurant about ingredients and serving before you order.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Long savory and round sweet styles are described in Nanjing breakfast culture. The home preparation uses an oven; filling, size and layering differ between preparations.
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Rich roasted duck-fat aroma with scallion and pepper-salt; sesame on the crust.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Crisp sesame crust with tender, flaky layers inside.
- How it’s made
- Make a soft dough with flour, water, a little duck fat and yeast; rub more duck fat into flour for the pastry paste; wrap, roll, fold, add scallion and pepper-salt, egg-wash, sesame, then bake.
Long savory and round sweet styles are described in Nanjing breakfast culture. The home preparation uses an oven; filling, size and layering differ between preparations.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Jiangsu.
About this regional connection
Jiangsu: Associated with Nanjing breakfast baking in Jiangsu; not an exclusive trademark claim.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有鸭油酥烧饼吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A Nanjing pastry for breakfast and guests
Duck-fat shaobing is part of Nanjing’s breakfast and snack traditions. Duck fat is mixed with flour and wrapped in dough, then rolled and folded to create flaky layers. Savory versions often contain scallion and pepper-salt; sweet ones may have sugar filling. The sesame-topped pastry is eaten with soup or porridge, and it has also been a treat offered to visitors in the homes around old Gongyuan Street.