City-Piercing Pancake

Chuancheng Pancake

The Chuancheng pancake is an intangible cultural heritage of Suqian City.

　　Northern Jiangsu pancakes come in a wide variety, with numerous names—there are the hard and crispy pole cakes, the holey water cakes, the savory ones with oil and scallions, the patterned floral cakes... Whether soft or hard, salty or decorative, they are generally only one or two inches thick. However, the Chuancheng pancake from Sishui County is truly unique. It is four to five inches thick, weighs seven to eight pounds, is fully cooked inside yet not burnt outside, fluffy throughout, elastic in texture, sweet to the taste, and fragrant to the nose—truly one of a kind.

　　The origins of the Chuancheng pancake can be traced back to the Sui and Tang dynasties. One day, Cheng Yaojin led a group of rebel forces to the Chuancheng area, driving away government troops who had come down to loot, and reclaiming the people's belongings. The local residents, deeply grateful, were determined to reward their lifesaving heroes. Cheng Yaojin and the other leaders repeatedly declined, refusing to accept anything. Xu Maogong mediated twice, suggesting they only accept a single pancake from each household as rations for the journey. After some discussion among the elders, it was decided that every family would prepare large pots, knead the dough vigorously, make the pancakes as thick as possible, and bake them slowly over a low fire—resulting in these uniquely large pancakes. Since then, the big, thick, fragrant, and sweet Chuancheng pancake has remained famous to this day.