'We Try It' is a regular series where we try the latest off-beat food and beverage offerings.
Changfen: those delightful rice wraps that look kind of like flaccid dolphin penises and are an essential part of any self-respecting Guangzhouer’s morning meal.
Dong joke aside, we are big fans of the dim sum dish and have made a concerted effort to try every variety available, from egg- and vegetable-filled changfen to eloquently prepared rolls stuffed with pork, chicken, shrimp and even melon.
So, when we heard 7-11 stores are selling microwaveable versions of the popular dish, we hopped on the nearest Mobike and cruised on down to give it a try.
What we found may surprise you…
Pork Changfen
Unlike the questionable egg-salad sandwiches it shares a shelf with, this heat-it-and-eat-it changfen is edible and tasty. We devoured all three of the rolls, which are filled with a generous amount of ground pork, even though they regrettably lack that ‘special sauce’ changfen are so famously served with.
Our only complaint? The rice wrapping is a little tougher than you’d normally get at a restaurant, but we reckon that’s to be expected of a pre-packaged microwavable meal.
Chicken, Bamboo Shoot and Corn Changfen
While still palatable, this variety of 7-11 changfen is unquestionably the weaker of the two. Seemingly filled with more corn than meat, the wraps lack the savory flavor that make the pork changfen such a succulent snack.
In a word: forgettable. But still a notch or two up from the bizarre sushi-esque rice rolls sold on the shelf above.
While we initially envisioned this article using a reference to puking up the colors of 7-11’s logo, we have to admit we were pleasantly surprised by the microwavable dish’s flavor and quality.
At RMB7 a pop (two for RMB12), and with a two-minute cooking time, this 7-11 dim sum dish is both affordable and easy to prepare. Consider it the next time you need a speedy breakfast before catching a train to Hong Kong or maybe even as a light lunch.
Our verdict:
Pork Changfen: 4/5
Chicken, Bamboo Shoot and Corn Changfen: 2/5
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