Tianjin Fried Dough Twists (Ma Hua)
Your arm is as thick as it is!? Tianjin's world-class crispy fried confectionery
Description
Among the fried dough twists (Ma Hua) across China, Tianjin's 'Shi Ba Jie' brand is special, counted as one of Tianjin's Three Great Delicacies. Multiple strands of wheat dough are twisted complexly, sandwiching rock sugar, sesame, and Osmanthus syrup, then deep-fried into a giant, crispy sweet.
Restaurants serving Tianjin Fried Dough Twists (Ma Hua)
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Rock sugar
- White/Black sesame
- Walnuts
- Osmanthus jam
- Peanut oil
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- Prepare two doughs: a 'white dough' (flour, water, oil) and a 'black dough' (mixed with black sesame/spices).
- Roll into long strands.
- [Key Feature]: Prepare a filling syrup of crushed rock sugar, walnuts, sesame, candied fruits, and Osmanthus jam.
- Bundle multiple white and black strands, enveloping the filling in the center, and twist them complexly like a rope into one thick Ma Hua.
- Deep-fry slowly in low-temp peanut oil until cooked to the core, golden, and rock-hard.
- Drain and cool completely.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Pure roasted aroma of fried wheat、and deep sweetness of rock sugar and Osmanthus
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Buy 'Tianjin Ma Hua' at JP Chinatowns or Chinese grocery stores
Pairing
Warm Jasmine Tea / Chinese Tea
Trivia
Invented in the Qing Dynasty by a baker in Tianjin's 18th Street. Its miraculous recipe maintains crunch for months even in humid summers, solidifying its status as the ultimate souvenir for visitors to Tianjin.
Eating tips & etiquette
Extremely large and hard; hold with both hands to nibble with front teeth, or snap it by hand. Fried so dry it lasts for months. Biting creates a satisfying 'CRACK!', spreading nut and floral sweetness.
Allergen
Wheat, Sesame, Walnuts, Peanuts