The Hunt For Jianbing

The Mission

I recently took a trip over to Shanghai, China to visit my last Disney park on my Hood & Cultured worldwide Disney bucket list.

There were three things that I wanted to do while in Shanghai and they were:

1. Go to Shanghai Disneyland
2. Try Jianbing (imagine a breakfast crepe meets a burrito)
3. Try traditional dim sum with the soup inside

Well, I got the first two knocked out and struggled with the third one due to language barriers and failed translation app issues.

Anywho, back to the purpose of this post. I was on a mission to find me some Jianbing one morning as I was heading to the Oriental Pearl Tower in downtown Shanghai. I passed a couple pf places that had Jianbing but no one in the shops or in the lines spoke English and the ingredients looked a little too unfamiliar for me to just go all Willie Nillie and try them.

I was beginning to feel defeated and somewhat deflated but still determined. I ended up grabbing some watermelon from a local produce market because my stomach was growling like a mad dog.

About three blocks after getting the watermelon I rolled up on another shop that prepared Jianbing through a little doorway on the side of the street.

I stood on the sidewalk gazing at the woman making this highly sought after breakfast delicacy for several minutes, trying to see if I could figure out what the ingredients were and how to place an order.

Needless to say, I was not able to tell what the ingredients were that made up these local breakfast heroes. Then, out of nowhere, a lady who was standing in line saw the hunger and anxiety on my face and asked me, (in English!), if I wanted to place an order!

The Saviour

[Insert angels singing] My prayers had been answered and this young lady was a culinary angel sent from Heaven to help sooth my dietary deficiencies. She let me go in front of her, so she can help me with my order and we made it happen!! Yayer!!

She walked me through the ordering process and showed me how to pay. It was a self serve/honor system payment setup. I had never seen that before and I’m positive that I would have screwed it up had she not been there.

After placing the order and getting my change, I offered to pay for her order and she insited on not taking my money. I was so grateful and I really wished she would have taken me up on my offer but that just goes to show that there are amazing people all around this globe.

We said our good byes and I went walking down the sidewalk like a kid that just got the gift that he always wanted for Christmas. I don’t think that I have ever been so excited for a meal before.
There’s something about language barriers and pushing through them to eat that makes you MUCH more appreciative.

The Victory!

I walked a few more blocks to gather my excitement and then I bit into my savory sweet and sour JIanbing. I have to say, it was quite tasty!

If you are ever in China, make sure you find a breakfast place that serves Jianbing. You won’t be disappointed and you can thank me later.