It's a snack that is so well-known in China that most people would barely give it a second glance: the famous "Jianbing", or roadside pancake that you can grab on the go.
Until recently, these popular cheap eats were entirely unknown in New York City. But that's starting to change.
Batter mung bean and rice flour, add an egg, then scallions, sauce, paste, and cilantro. Flip it, then add hoisin sauce, chili paste, cilantro... and don't forget the crispy wontons!
But, what is this? Barbecued pork?
Mr. Bing's is one of the first Jianbing stands in Manhattan, serving the delicacy with an American twist. Its owner studied Mandarin in the Chinese capital.
"Every morning before school, I'd wake up and I was hungry. What do you eat for breakfast? The only thing outside the school was this little bicycle cart with an old lady on the back of it making Jianbing, so that's what we ate. It was the most common, traditional breakfast to eat," said Brian Goldberg, founder and CEO of Mr. Bing.
He resolved to bring it back to his hometown, where, at 10 US dollars a crepe, it seems to be a hit.
"Perhaps what New Yorkers value most in their food is convenience and portability. So Jianbing really hits the spot - it doesn't take too long to make, so you can get yours in seconds, and then you can carry it with you to your next appointment," said CGTN reporter.
The city now has a choice of places offering the snack, including this bright yellow food truck. The Flying Pig was founded by Dolkar Tsering, a finance student from Sichuan Province, and her business partner from Beijing, who both just wanted to get their favorite food in New York.
"We start off at Columbia, first off, with all Chinese students. Because you cannot get Jianbing in Manhattan before we started, over one year, and they are so exciting. And also it tastes good, and they come back, and the news spread," said Tsering.
And that business model still seems to be working.
"I wanted to come here because my friends came here and they've been talking about it for a long time…."
"It's Chinese food I used to eat when I got out of school, so it tastes of home."
Whether it's a new experience or reminds them of home, it seems this humble Chinese street food is fast becoming the Big Apple's next snack sensation.
