GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Shapes and recipes vary; this is the Beijing sweet sesame version, not every regional snack called sanzi.
Typical ingredients
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Toasted sesame and gentle brown-sugar sweetness.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Crisp, brittle strands.
- How it’s made
- Wheat dough with brown sugar, sweetened osmanthus and a little culinary alkali is coated in sesame, stretched and folded into loops, then deep-fried.
Shapes and recipes vary; this is the Beijing sweet sesame version, not every regional snack called sanzi.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Beijing.
About this regional connection
Beijing: Beijing sweet sesame folded-loop version.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有馓子麻花吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
Folded strands, Beijing snack tradition
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
Sanzi mahua belongs to Beijing’s Hui snack tradition. Stretching and folding the dough gives the fritter its joined loops and crisp strands.