Suixi Gaomo

Last updated 2026-11-10 — Gaomo is a food from northern Anhui, similar to but distinct from Chinese pancakes. It is made from unleavened flour kneaded into a soft dough, then rolled out with a rolling pin to a thickness of about 0.1 cm and a diameter of around 30 cm. It is cooked on a slightly raised circular iron plate—this type of plate is commonly called an “ao.” Gaomo has a chewy, springy texture and is satisfying to bite into. It helps stave off hunger and is also good for dental health. Children sometimes roll it up with white sugar, which tastes quite delicious. There’s also a local habit of wrapping sanzi (crispy fried dough twists) in it—the inside is crispy while the outside remains soft, making for a very tasty treat. Later on, variations such as shuigao mo (steamed gaomo) and cai hezi (stuffed gaomo) were developed. Shuigao mo is made similarly but is steamed in a pot instead. Cai hezi consists of two pieces of gaomo sandwiching fillings such as Chinese chives, eggs, salt, and oil, which are then cooked again before eating. This version is so flavorful that it doesn’t require any additional side dishes.