At the table
Break off a small portion and eat with tea. If served in a drink or soup, let the strands soften and the liquid cool first.
Contains wheat and sesame. Some recipes add egg or honey; chicken soup and soy milk are possible serving liquids. Check both the pastry and its accompaniment for dietary needs.
Offer small pieces only if the child can chew the brittle strands. Softening them may help, but check the texture and let any hot liquid cool.
Recipes vary. Ask the restaurant about ingredients and serving before you order.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Shapes and sweet or savory seasoning vary. Some preparations include egg or honey. Tea san may be eaten dry with tea or softened in chicken stock or soy milk.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Toasted wheat and sesame aromas; seasoning may be savory or sweet, depending on the recipe.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Thin, brittle fried strands that break with a crisp bite and soften when soaked.
- How it’s made
- Mix and rest wheat dough with sesame, roll and stretch it into thin strands, then fold or coil the strands and deep-fry until golden.
Shapes and sweet or savory seasoning vary. Some preparations include egg or honey. Tea san may be eaten dry with tea or softened in chicken stock or soy milk.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Jiangsu.
About this regional connection
Jiangsu: Associated with Huai'an; fried san snacks exist elsewhere—not exclusive monopoly.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有淮安茶馓吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A crisp companion to tea
In Huai'an, chasan is a familiar companion to tea, including morning tea-house meals. Its name refers to this pairing, rather than tea as an ingredient. The fried strands can be nibbled dry for their crispness or softened in a drink or soup. Hand shaping gives the bundles their folded, fan-like or decorative forms.