Li Lian Gui Smoked Meat Pancake | Famous China Snack

Imagine biting into a crispy, layered pancake with smoked pork. The aroma of herbs and smoke fills the air. This is the Li Lian Gui Smoked Meat Pancake, one of Northeast China’s most famous snacks. It’s a must-try for fans of Chinese street food and heritage snacks.

1. Origin & History

The pancake was created in 1842 in Jilin Province by Li Lian Gui. He received a secret Traditional Chinese smoked meat recipe from a doctor. By combining over ten herbs, he perfected the herbal smoked pork flavor. In 1950, the recipe moved to Shenyang, becoming a Chinese culinary icon. Today, it is recognized as a Chinese heritage snack.

2. Cultural Significance

For Northeastern Chinese, this is more than a snack. It blends Manchurian and Central Plains culinary styles. It reflects the “food as medicine” philosophy. Sharing the pancake shows Northeast China’s warm hospitality. Even notable leaders like Deng Xiaoping have tasted it.

3. Key Ingredients

• Smoked Pork: Black pigs from the Songliao Plain, tender and juicy.
• Pancake Dough: High-gluten Northeast wheat, crispy outside, soft inside.
• Spice Mix: Clove, nutmeg, and other herbs provide a subtle medicinal aroma.

Each bite combines smoky, herbal, and savory layers.

4. Cooking Process

The meat simmers in aged broth with spices. It’s smoked with brown sugar until amber-colored. Dough is rolled, layered with oil, folded three times, and pan-fried. The pancake absorbs the pork’s flavor and fat. Result: a crispy, savory, aromatic delight.

5. How to Eat

Tear a warm pancake, add smoked pork, scallions, and bean paste. Roll into a tube and bite—crispy, smoky, sweet, and savory all at once. Pair with millet porridge or pickled vegetables to balance richness. Best eaten within three minutes of cooking for maximum crispiness.

6. Where to Try

• Shenyang Main Store: Zhengyang Street, Shenhe District
• Siping Old Shop: Recipe origin
• Price: ~¥30–50 per person
• Recommended: Smoked Meat Pancake Set with jelly or pickles

7. Easy Home Version

Boil pork with star anise, cinnamon, and peppercorn. Smoke on foil with tea leaves and sugar. Mix flour with oil for dough, roll and fold three times, cook until golden. Not as rich as the original, but it captures most flavors.

8. Why Try It

This Chinese smoked meat pancake tells a century-old culinary story. It combines herbal aroma, crispy layers, and smoky pork. A must-try for anyone exploring authentic Northeast China cuisine.