🍽️ changfen

Rice noodle rolls are a must-try delicacy in Chaoshan, and every local can't live without them.

Shantou rice noodle rolls, or changfen, are an almost indispensable breakfast across the Chaoshan region. A thin, translucent sheet of rice batter is steamed with fillings such as minced pork, egg, fresh shrimp, lettuce or oysters inside, cooked quickly over high steam, then finished at the counter with a savory-sweet soy or master sauce and a few drops of sesame oil. The roll skin slips across the tongue like silk and nearly melts, while the filling stays juicy and aromatic, and the seasoning lifts rather than overwhelms the flavor. Shantou stalls pride themselves on freshly ground rice milk, thin sheets and generous fillings; the rolls are fast and affordable, making them a staple for office workers and students in the morning. They are also enjoyed late at night with a bowl of congee, and stand as one of the most everyday, approachable tastes of Chaoshan food culture.