San Zi Ma Hua (Hui Muslim Fried Dough Twist)
Peppercorns smell!? Chinese Muslim Crunchy Twisted Fried Candy
Description
A traditional fried pastry made by Chinese Hui Muslims. Wheat dough is stretched, twisted together, and deep-fried until shatteringly crisp. The ultimate defining feature is the addition of 'Sichuan pepper water' into the dough, providing a faint, refreshing spice aroma hidden within the sweetness.
Restaurants serving San Zi Ma Hua (Hui Muslim Fried Dough Twist)
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The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Wheat flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Sesame
- Sichuan pepper(for brewing)
- Veg oil
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- (Sichuan Pepper Water) Boil Sichuan peppercorns in water, let cool, and strain.
- (Dough) Knead wheat flour with a pinch of salt, sugar, black sesame, oil, and the prepared Sichuan pepper water.
- (Shaping) Roll the dough into long, thin ropes. Take
- (or
- ropes, twist them together tightly, and pinch the ends to form a 'Ma Hua' (twisted dough shape).
- (Frying) Gently drop into 160°C (320°F) oil.
- Fry slowly, rolling constantly with chopsticks until all internal moisture evaporates and it turns a beautiful golden brown.
- Drain and cool to achieve a violently crunchy, rock-crisp texture.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Faint Sichuan pepper aroma and roasted wheat fragrance、焦げた小麦粉の香ばしさ
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
(Substitute texture with Japanese Karinto or hard donuts)
Pairing
Ba Bao Cha (Hui herbal tea) / Chinese Tea
Trivia
[Trivia] While 'Ma Hua' exists all over China, the Halal version is unique for its hidden Sichuan pepper flavor. It is an auspicious sweet, absolutely mandatory on the dining table during Eid al-Fitr (celebrating the end of Ramadan).
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Because it is extremely hard and crispy, snap it into pieces by hand before crunching on it. Perfect with tea; dunking it briefly into hot tea to soften it is a style deeply loved by locals.
Allergen
Wheat, Sesame