2000 Year Old Chinese Sandwich 肉夹馍

TL;DR

In this episode, the host explores the history and definition of the "Road-Jianbing" sandwich, delving into its origins and unique ingredients.

Transcript

welcome back to the sandwich series where I'm on a mission to find the best sandwiches from around the world and craft every single element from scratch all in my very own kitchen so you can learn the way of the sandwich and today on episode 8 we've got to go on a bit of a journey because a bunch of you were recommending a certain sandwich on my In... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫥 The "Road-Jianbing" blurs the line between a traditional sandwich and a pancake, leading to debate over its classification.
• 🍞 Traditional sandwiches typically consist of meat and other fillings between two slices of bread, whereas the "Road-Jianbing" uses a pancake as the bread component.
• 🥪 The term "sandwich" can have legal implications, as seen in a case involving a dispute between Panera Bread and another sandwich company over the definition of a sandwich.
• 🥪 The history of the sandwich is complex, with potential origins in China long before John Montague popularized it in England.
• 👻 The host explores an updated version of the "Road-Jianbing" at Vanessa's Dumplings, which features a sesame pancake with meat and hoisin sauce.
• 🤎 The process of making the pancake involves proofing the dough, frying it in oil until golden brown, and finishing it in the oven.
• 👻 The host also provides a recipe for homemade hoisin sauce, which is a common condiment used in Asian cuisine.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is a "Road-Jianbing" sandwich?

The "Road-Jianbing" is a Chinese pancake sandwich stuffed with spiced stewed meat, usually pork belly. It is a popular street food in China.

Q: How does the "Road-Jianbing" differ from traditional sandwiches?

Unlike traditional sandwiches, the "Road-Jianbing" uses a pancake as the bread component. It is also filled with a heavily spiced stewed meat instead of deli meats or other typical fillings.

Q: Why is there debate over whether the "Road-Jianbing" is a sandwich?

Some argue that the pancake-based "Road-Jianbing" does not fit the traditional definition of a sandwich, which typically involves two slices of bread with fillings in between. However, others believe that the broad definition of a sandwich allows for variations like the "Road-Jianbing."

Q: What is the history of the sandwich?

The sandwich is commonly believed to have been invented by John Montague, the fourth Earl of Sandwich in England, who requested meat between two slices of bread for a convenient meal. However, there are claims that the concept of a sandwich dates back to 200 BC in China.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The host seeks to determine what exactly constitutes a sandwich, using the "Road-Jianbing" as a case study.

• The "Road-Jianbing" is a Chinese pancake-style sandwich filled with heavily spiced stewed meat, typically pork belly.

• The host also discovers a similar sandwich at Vanessa's Dumplings, and decides to put a modern spin on the traditional "Road-Jianbing."