Fan Tuan (Taiwanese Sticky Rice Roll with Fried Dough Stick)
Local name: 飯糰
In short: Fan tuan is a Taiwanese breakfast roll of warm steamed sticky rice wrapped around a crisp fried dough stick, pork floss, egg and pickled greens. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 490 kcal
Fan tuan is a Taiwanese breakfast you can hold in one hand. Warm, chewy glutinous rice is pressed around a crunchy fried dough stick, savory pork floss, a strip of egg and salty pickled greens, then squeezed into a firm roll. The contrast of soft rice and crisp filling is the point, so crisp the dough stick just before rolling.
Instructions
- Rinse the rice until the water runs fairly clear. Cover with cold water and soak for 4 hours or overnight, then drain for 15 minutes.
- Spread the rice in a steamer lined with a damp cloth and poke a few holes through it. Steam over boiling water for 25 to 30 minutes, until translucent, tender and chewy all the way through.
- Tip the hot rice into a bowl and fold in the oil, salt, sugar and pepper. Cover with a damp cloth to keep it warm and soft while you prepare the filling.
- Heat 1 tsp oil in a small pan and stir-fry the pickled greens with a pinch of sugar for 2 to 3 minutes until fairly dry. Cook the egg as a thin omelet for 1 minute per side until fully set, then cut into 4 strips.
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Warm the youtiao on a tray for 5 minutes until crisp, then cut into lengths that fit across the roll, about 10 cm (4 in).
- Lay a 30 cm (12 in) sheet of plastic wrap on the counter and wet your hands. Press a quarter of the warm rice into a 12 by 15 cm (5 by 6 in) rectangle on the wrap. Lay a strip of egg, pork floss, pickles and dough stick down the center.
- Lift the wrap and roll the rice up around the filling, then twist the ends and squeeze gently into a firm roll. Rest for 2 minutes, peel the wrap back halfway and eat while warm.
Tips
- Keep the rice hot and covered while you work. Sticky rice stiffens as it cools and becomes hard to shape.
- Wet your hands with water or a little oil before pressing the rice, so it does not stick to your fingers or to the wrap.
Questions and answers
What is fan tuan?
Fan tuan is a Taiwanese breakfast roll made from steamed sticky rice wrapped around a crisp fried dough stick, pork floss, egg and pickled vegetables. It is sold by stalls and breakfast shops and eaten by hand.
Can I cook the rice without a steamer?
Yes. Use a rice cooker with the soaked, drained rice and water just level with the rice. Fluff it as soon as it finishes and fold in the oil and seasonings while it is still hot.
Can I make fan tuan ahead?
Yes. Wrap the rolls tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in a microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until steaming hot, and add freshly crisped dough stick if you want the crunch.
How long does it take to make Fan Tuan (Taiwanese Sticky Rice Roll with Fried Dough Stick)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fan Tuan (Taiwanese Sticky Rice Roll with Fried Dough Stick)?
About 490 kcal per serving, with 14 g of protein, 76 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 490 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 76 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
