素卷圈Ultimate Guide to Tianjin Su Juan Quan: A Must-Try Vegetarian Snack for Spring
On a crisp morning in Tianjin, when you hear the cheerful “zila-zila” sizzle and smell the irresistible aroma of soy mixed with sesame oil—you’ve found the vegetarian king of Tianjin breakfasts: Su Juan Quan (Tianjin Vegetarian Spring Roll)! These golden, deep-fried rolls are so flavorful that even meat lovers can’t resist this vegetarian masterpiece.
🕰️ Origins: Wisdom Born from Buddhist Temples
At the end of the Qing Dynasty, vegetarian chefs at Tianjin’s Buddhist temples invented this snack to serve worshippers. They wrapped leftover ingredients in delicate bean curd sheets and deep-fried them. With their bead-like shape and crisp sound reminiscent of chanting, the rolls earned the name Su Juan Quan. From temple kitchens, the recipe spread to city streets, becoming one of Tianjin’s most beloved breakfast foods—a true example of “waste not, want not” ingenuity.
🌟 Cultural Significance: A Vegetarian Revolution in Tianjin Breakfast
For locals, Su Juan Quan is more than food—it’s a lifestyle. Older generations enjoy it as a ritual vegetarian meal on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month, while younger Tianjiners embrace it as a light and healthy breakfast. It reflects Tianjin’s evolving food culture: vegetarian but never bland, fried yet never greasy. A true breakfast all-rounder!
🌯 Key Ingredients: Simple Made Extraordinary
- Crispy Wrapper: Ultra-thin tofu skin (bean curd sheets, unbroken)
- Flavorful Filling: Mung bean sprouts, spiced tofu, sweet potato noodles, and cilantro
- Secret Seasoning: Sesame paste, fermented tofu, pepper oil
- Finishing Touch: White sesame and spice powder
👨🍳 How It’s Made: A Ballet of Frying
- Prepare Filling: Shred multiple ingredients into fine strips, season with sauce
- Wrap: Carefully roll the filling in tofu skin into neat cylinders
- Seal: Brush with flour paste to keep them intact while frying
- Fry: Gently deep-fry at 160°C until golden and crisp
In the hands of a skilled vendor, each roll is uniform—lined up like little golden soldiers!
😋 Flavor Profile: A Symphony of Spring on the Tongue
The first bite delivers crackling crispness, the second brings the refreshing crunch of bean sprouts, and finally the nutty sesame aroma blooms in your mouth. Crunchy and tender, savory yet fresh, oily but light—it’s hard to believe this is vegetarian!
🍽️ How to Eat Like a Local
- Eat Hot: Best enjoyed within 3 minutes for peak crispiness
- With Flatbread: Stuffed inside a hot sesame flatbread for the ultimate Tianjin combo
- Dip in Soy Milk: Soak in warm soy milk for a comforting twist
- With Porridge: Pair with millet congee to balance richness
📍 Where to Try Tianjin Su Juan Quan
- Legendary Market Stall: Xibeijiao Breakfast Market (30+ years, always a long queue)
- Trendy New Spot: Su Jiang Fang (opened 2024, offering creative new flavors)
- Temple Classic: Dabei Temple Vegetarian Hall (authentic Buddhist recipe)
- Price Guide: 2–3 RMB per roll; 2–3 rolls make a satisfying meal
- Local Order Phrase: “来俩素卷圈，现炸的” (lái liǎ sù juànquān, xiàn zhá de — Two freshly fried rolls, please)
🧳 Tips for Travelers
- English Name: Tianjin Vegetarian Spring Roll
- Spice Option: Ask for chili sauce or keep it original
- Best Time: 6–8 a.m. (catch the first fresh batch)
- Caution: Rolls are piping hot—take small bites first!
🏠 DIY Version at Home
Try a simple homemade version by using wonton wrappers instead of tofu skin, filling them with bean sprouts and carrot strips, then deep-frying until golden. It won’t match the masterful touch of Tianjin street vendors, but it’s a fun way to bring this snack to your kitchen.
When you stand at a Tianjin breakfast stall, watching rolls dance joyfully in bubbling oil, then bite into that crispy “ka-cha” sound—you’ll understand why locals say: “A bite of Su Juan Quan brings the energy of spring.”
This deceptively simple snack embodies Tianjin’s down-to-earth food philosophy: taking the humblest ingredients and transforming them into unforgettable flavors.
On your 2025 trip to China, make sure this “singing vegetarian roll” is on your must-eat list. Just follow the Tianjin aunties with their market baskets—you’ll find some of the most surprising vegetarian bites you’ve ever had!
