Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

ChineseAuthentic Cuisine

Chinese Flatbread 2

Serves 4 to 6 Bread vegan, Breads & Pastry

Chinese Flatbread 2

Chinese Flatbread 2 is a staple in many Chinese home kitchens, where recipes are passed down through generations by feel and taste rather than precise measurements. This version captures the heart of those family traditions, with salt judged by hand and fat used generously to create a flatbread that's perfect for sharing. It's a dish that doesn't adhere to the rigidity of a formal occasion, but rather fits seamlessly into everyday meals, enjoyed casually around a family table.

The bread emerges from the oven with a subtly crisp exterior and a soft, chewy interior. Its flavor carries the gentle warmth of olive oil, with a hint of salt that enhances the natural sweetness of the yeast. It's meant to be torn and shared, a comforting presence that complements a variety of dishes or stands strong on its own, embodying the simplicity and satisfaction of home-cooked Chinese meals.

Ingredients

  • 500 gbread flour
  • 7 gdry yeast
  • 300 mlwarm water
  • 1 tspfine sea salt
  • 1 tbspolive oil

Method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 500 g bread flour and 1 tsp fine sea salt. Make a well in the center and add 7 g dry yeast. Pour 300 ml warm water into the well, ensuring the water is warm to the touch but not hot, as this will activate the yeast without killing it. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a shaggy dough.
  2. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough by pressing it with the heel of your hand, folding it over, and rotating it slightly. Continue kneading for about 10 minutes, adding a little flour if necessary, until the dough is smooth and elastic. The dough should spring back when pressed lightly with a finger.
  3. Lightly oil a large bowl with 1 tbsp olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it to coat with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size. This usually takes about 1 to 2 hours, and you'll know it's ready when an indentation remains after you gently press the dough with your finger.
  4. Preheat your oven to 220°C (428°F). Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to remove excess air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round loaf, being careful not to deflate it too much. Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Bake the flatbread in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. The aroma will be nutty and fragrant, indicating it's ready. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack.
  6. Allow the flatbread to cool on the rack for at least 10 minutes. This cooling period helps set the crumb and makes slicing easier. The bread should feel firm yet springy to the touch.
  7. Serve the flatbread warm, slicing it into wedges or tearing it by hand. It pairs well with a variety of dishes and is perfect for sharing at the table.
Cover of Authentic Chinese Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Chinese Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Chinese Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Chinese volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

Explore Chinese cuisine