We tried this made-to-order Tianjin-style jianbing inside a Chinese supermarket

Picture this: your stomach is growling between meals, and you need a mid-day snack (or anytime, really) to make it stop. There’s only one problem— you’re sick and tired of the same-old local snacks. How about venturing into Eastern culture and trying out piping-hot Chinese crepes (jianbing) from Kun Hai Shop instead?

I was exploring level 4 of The Clementi Mall when I chanced upon this tiny Chinese-regional grocery stall. My knowledge of native Chinese supermarket brands is probably limited to Scarlett Supermarket, which seems to be gradually popping up in almost every mall in Singapore.

There are a total of 3 Kun Hai Shops around Singapore: Clementi, People’s Park Complex and Tampines 1. With the exception of the Tampines outlet, the other 2 locations sell Chinese crepes.

To get your hands on a jianbing, simply look at the menu at the crepe station, then head to the cashier and place your order.

For those who don’t understand simplified Chinese, let me translate the menu for you:

• With grilled sausage— S$6.50

• Without grilled sausage— S$5

Additional Ingredients

• Egg— S$0.50

• Grilled sausage— S$1.50

• Seaweed— S$0.50

• Pork floss— S$0.50

• Salad sauce— S$0.50

• Grilled cold noodles— S$6.50

I ordered the S$6.50 one with grilled sausage. I watched as the Chinese lady poured the crepe mixture on the griddle before adding beaten egg and sprinkled black sesame seeds. She then flips the whole thing over like a pro.

Next, she spread a thin layer of reddish-orange sauce, which immediately emanated a robust cumin fragrance that dominated the whole shop. Chopped coriander, a quarter piece of you tiao, and a thin piece of fried dough or beancurd skin is then placed on top.

She then proceeded to add lettuce and 2 halves of a grilled sausage before she spooned dollops of chilli paste all around. Finally, she wraps the whole thing up like a mini pillow.

First impressions, it resembled a chunky version of a Taiwanese crepe roll that’s typically eaten for breakfast.

The nuttiness of the sesame seeds took centre stage as I had my first bite of the soft, eggy crepe. The sausage, veggies and other ingredients added a multitude of textures, while gently introducing a numbing spice at the back of my palate.

Thankfully, nothing dripped out after the first bite. So even if you’re wearing a white shirt, I promise, no disaster will happen.

If you’re around Clementi or Chinatown and seeking something to fill you up, why not swing by Kun Hai Shop for a taste of their jianbing?

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