When it comes to classic Chinese breakfast foods, Fan Tuan stands out as a beloved breakfast staple that everyone loves. This chewy and delicious street food, also known as Ci Fan Tuan, is a sweet rice roll made with simple ingredients. Today, I’ll introduce a Fan Tuan recipe for making Fan Tuan at home, including the ingredients and step-by-step rolling instructions. Get ready to add a new go-to dish to your recipe list. Read on for more!

Ingredients

For the rice:

Glutinous rice: It is the base ingredient and is also called sticky rice. The cooked sticky rice holds the filling together and provides a chewy texture.

Water: For cooking the glutinous rice.

Rest of the ingredients:

Roasted sesame seeds: Sesame seeds are a common ingredient in many Chinese dishes, and they add a nutty flavor to the filling. I used black sesame seeds. You can also use white sesame seeds.

Sugar: Sugar adds a hint of sweetness to the roasted sesame seeds. It balances out the savory flavors of the other ingredients.

Green onion: Green onions add a mild fresh onion taste and a pop of color to the fan tuan.

Pork floss: The Chinese name is Rou Song 肉松. They add a savory and meaty flavor to the filling. If you have not had Chinese pork floss before, pork floss is a dried meat product with a fluffy, fibrous texture, commonly used as a topping or filling in various Chinese dishes.

Preserved Chinese vegetables: The Chinese name of this ingredient is Zha Cai 榨菜. It is basically pickled mustard greens. It adds a salty and tangy flavor to the filling. Preserved Chinese vegetables are typically fermented or pickled, providing a unique umami taste.

You Tiao 油条: People also call it “Chinese fried dough sticks” or “Chinese fried cruller.” They have a crispy and doughy texture and are a popular breakfast item in China. It adds crunchiness to the sticky rice filling.

Other equipment you may need

Sheets of plastic wrap: Plastic wrap is used to cover the sushi mat when assembling the fan tuan. It prevents the sticky rice from sticking and makes it easier to roll the fan tuan tightly.

Sushi mat, sushi roller: If you don’t have a sushi mat available, you can also use a clean kitchen towel. To do so, simply lay a clean kitchen towel flat on your work surface. Then, place the plastic wrap on top of the towel. Use the towel to help you roll the fan tuan tightly, applying pressure as you roll.

Detailed rolling instructions

Rinse the glutinous rice until the water runs clear. Drain well. Combine the rice in a rice cooker with water. You can soak the rice if you want; It is optional. Cook it in a rice cooker at a sticky rice setting until the rice is tender and sticky. Set aside and let it cool.

In the meantime, add roasted black sesame seeds and sugar into a grinder and grind until it is powder. (Please feel free to adjust the amount of sugar according to your preference.) Remove it from the grinder and set aside. Chop the green onion into fine pieces and set aside.

Lay out the sushi mat on a clean work surface and place a piece of plastic wrap on the sushi mat. Spread a thin layer of the warm sticky rice over the plastic wrap, leaving space around the edges.

Spread out the black sesame seeds mixture in the center of the rice layer as the first layer. Followed by pork floss and You tiao as the second and the third layer. Sprinkle some preserved Chinese vegetables (Zha cai) and chopped green onions on the top as the top layer.

Using the sushi mat, carefully roll the rice layer into a cylindrical shape, enclosing the fillings. Seal the edges by pressing them together. Twist the ends of the plastic wrap to secure the roll tightly.

Once the rice roll is shaped, slice it into half or your preferred portions. Repeat the same process until you use up all the ingredients. Serve Fan Tuan with or without your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Tips: You can enjoy Fan Tuan at any time of the day. Pair it with warm soy milk, a fried egg, or even a side of rice porridge for a complete meal.

Variations

This Fan Tuan recipe can be customized with various fillings based on personal preferences. Here are some popular variations of the Fan Tuan recipe:

Different fillings: Fan Tuan may include ingredients like rotisserie duck, ground pork, or other type of meat floss.

Different base: For a healthier version, use purple sticky rice or a mixture of grains instead of glutinous rice. Fill the fan tuan with your favorite ingredients, then sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the Fan Tuan.

Dipping sauces: Fan Tuan is often enjoyed on its own due to its flavorful and varied fillings. However, if you’d like to add a dipping sauce, you can use soy sauce, spicy sauce, or sesame oil mixed with a pinch of salt for some extra flavor.

Final thought

The combination of chewy, sticky rice and delicious fillings creates a dish that has become a favorite breakfast choice for many Asian people. Fan Tuan is a perfect breakfast or snack option for anyone looking for a tasty meal. Whether you’re a fan of traditional Chinese cuisine or simply looking to try something new, this Fan Tuan recipe is a must-try. See you next time as I get into more delicious recipes for you to try. Happy cooking!