View source for Youtiao

{{Short description|Deep-fried pastry of Chinese origin}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = November 2021}}
{{Infobox food
| name             = Youtiao
| image            = Youtiao.jpg
| image_size       = 250px
| caption          = Pieces of youtiao
| alternate_name   = Chinese [[cruller]]
| place_of_origin  = China
| region           = [[Guangdong]]
| associated_cuisine = [[Chinese cuisine|China]], [[Vietnamese cuisine|Vietnam]], [[Cambodian cuisine|Cambodia]], [[Singaporean cuisine|Singapore]], [[Malaysian cuisine|Malaysia]], [[Indonesian cuisine|Indonesia]], [[Filipino cuisine|Philippines]], [[Bruneian cuisine|Brunei]], [[Burmese cuisine|Myanmar]], [[Thai cuisine|Thailand]], [[Hong Kong cuisine|Hong Kong]] and [[Taiwanese cuisine|Taiwan]]
| creator          = 
| course           = [[Breakfast]]
| type             = [[Donut]]
| served           = Fried
| main_ingredient  = [[Dough]]
| variations       = 
| calories         = 
| other            = 
| no_commons       = 
}}
{{Infobox Chinese|
| s = {{linktext|油条}}
| t = {{linktext|油條}}
| w = yu<sup>2</sup>-t'iao<sup>2</sup>
| h = yiu tiao
| y = yàuh tíu
| p = [[wikt:yóutiáo|yóutiáo]]
| j = jau⁴ tiu⁴*²
| wuu = hhieu diau (T3)
| l = oil strip
| altname3 = Guozi
| t3 = 餜子
| s3 = 馃子
| w3 = kuo<sup>3</sup>-tzu<sup>0</sup>
| p3 = guǒzi
| l3 = pastry
| altname = Yu Char Kway
| t2 = 油炸粿/餜/鬼
| s2 = 油炸粿/馃/鬼
| poj2 = iû-chiā-kóe
| h2 = yiu za gui
| j2 = jau⁴ zaa³ gwai²
| w2 = yu<sup>2</sup>-cha<sup>2</sup>-kuo<sup>3</sup>
| p2 = yóuzháguǒ
| y2 = yàuh ja gwái
| l2 = oil-fried pastry (or devil)
| my = အီကြာ‌ကွေး <br> Ee Kyar Kway
| km = ឆាខ្វៃ / យ៉ាវឆាខ្វៃ<br>Chha Khwai / Yav Chha Khwai
| tha = ปาท่องโก๋
| ms = cakoi<br>چاکوي
| rtgs = pathongko
| ind = cakwe
| mi = 
| ci = 
| Pinyin transcription2 = yóuzháguǒ
| Pinyin transcription3 = guǒzi
| c = 
| tgl = bítso-bítso<ref>according to KWF Diksiyonáryo ng Wíkang Filipíno</ref>/bicho-bicho/shakoy
| vie = dầu cháo quẩy / giò cháo quẩy
| lo = ເຂົ້າຫນົມຄູ່ / ຂະໜົມຄູ່ /ຈັບກ້ວຍ <br> Khao nom khu / kha nom khu / chab kuay
| su = cakué<br>ᮎᮊᮥᮆ
| jv = Cahkwé<br>꧋ꦕꦃꦏ꧀ꦮꦺ
}}

'''''Youtiao''''' ({{zh|s=油条|t=油條|p=Yóutiáo|first=t}}), known in Southern China as '''yu char kway''', is a long golden-brown [[deep-fried]] strip of wheat flour [[dough]] of [[Chinese cuisine|Chinese origin]] and (by a variety of other names) also popular in other [[East Asia|East]] and [[Southeast Asia]]n cuisines.

Conventionally, ''youtiao'' are lightly salted and easily separated by hand.<ref>[http://www.chinasichuanfood.com/youtiao-chinese-oil-stick-chinese-cruller/ Youtiao (Chinese Oil Stick)-Chinese Cruller – China Sichuan Food]</ref> ''Youtiao'' are normally eaten at breakfast<ref>[http://www.food.com/recipe/youtiao-chinese-deep-fried-donuts-482664 Youtiao Chinese Deep Fried Donuts) Recipe - Food.com]</ref> as an accompaniment for [[Congee|rice congee]], [[doujiang|soy milk]] or cow's [[milk]] blended with sugar. '''''Youtiao''''' may also be known as a '''Chinese [[cruller]]''',<ref>[http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa100499.htm "Chinese Breakfast"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718153154/http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa100499.htm |date=July 18, 2011 }} at [[About.com]]. Accessed 1 May 2008.</ref> '''Chinese oil stick''',<ref>[https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1077215/healthier-youtiao-chengdu-vendor-finds-breakthrough-recipe Healthier 'youtiao'? Chengdu vendor finds breakthrough recipe | South China Morning Post]</ref> '''Chinese donut [sticks]''', and '''fried breadstick''', among others.

In other Asian countries, they may also be called ''bicho, you char kway, cakwe, cakoi, kueh, kuay, shakoy'' or ''pathongko'', among other names.

==Culinary applications and variants==
At breakfast, ''youtiao'' can be stuffed inside ''[[shāobǐng]]'' ({{zh|links=no|t=燒餅|s=烧饼|l=roasted flatbread|first=t}}) to make a [[sandwich]] known as '''''shāobǐng yóutiáo''''' ({{zh|links=no|t=燒餅油條|s=烧饼油条|first=t}}). Youtiao wrapped in a [[rice noodle roll]] is known as ''[[zháliǎng]]''. In [[Yunnan]], a roasted rice flour pancake usually wrapped around a ''youtiao'' is known as ''[[erkuai]]'' ({{zh|links=no|t=燒餌塊|s=烧饵块|first=t}}). Yet another name for a sandwich variant is [[Jianbing guozi|''jianbingguǒzi'']] ({{zh|links=no|t=煎餅果子|s=煎饼果子|first=t|l=youtiao and fried bread}}).

''Youtiao'' is occasionally dipped into various liquids, for example the soup ''[[xidoufen]]'', soy milk (sweet or salty), and soy sauce.

Youtiao is also an important ingredient of the food ''[[cífàn tuán]]'' in [[Shanghai cuisine]].

''Tánggāo'' ({{zh|links=no|t=糖糕}}), or "sugar cake", is a sweet, fried food item similar in appearance to youtiao but shorter in length.

In Thailand, ''youtiao'' or ''pathongko'' ({{lang|ta|ปาท่องโก๋}}) in Thai are eaten for breakfast with [[soy milk]] or [[porridge]].

==Names==
===Cambodia===
In [[Cambodia]], it is called ''cha kway'' ({{langx|km|ឆាខ្វៃ}}) and usually dipped in ''[[kuy teav]]'', [[Congee#Cambodia|congee]] or coffee. Some [[Chinese Cambodians|Chinese Cambodian]] immigrants in [[Australia]] sometimes call it '''chopstick cake''' because of its resemblance to a pair of [[chopsticks]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.theworldofstreetfood.com/2023/09/cha-kway-or-donut-sticks-and-sesame.html |title= 
Cha Kway, or Fried Donut Sticks in Phnom Penh, Cambodia |author=  <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->  |date= September 1, 2023 |publisher= theworldofstreetfood.com |access-date=October 24, 2025 |url-status=live
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20251024105751/https://www.theworldofstreetfood.com/2023/09/cha-kway-or-donut-sticks-and-sesame.html |archive-date=October 24, 2025 }}</ref>

===China===
Although generally known as ''yóutiáo'' in Standard Mandarin, the dish is also known as ''guǒzi'' (餜子) in [[northern and southern China|northern China]]. In [[Min Nan]]-speaking areas, such as [[Taiwan]], it is known as ''iû-chiā-kóe'' ({{lang|nan-Hant|油炸粿}}),<ref name="Taiwanese">許極燉. 《常用漢字台語詞典》. 台北市: 自立晚報社文化出版部, 1992. (''A Taiwanese dictionary with frequently used Chinese characters''. Taipei: [[Independence Evening Post]], 1992.) {{in lang|zh}}</ref> where ''kóe'' (粿/餜) means cake or pastry, hence "oil-fried cake/pastry". In [[Cantonese]]-speaking areas this is rendered as ''yàuh ja gwái'' (油炸鬼), where literally means "Oil-fried devil".{{efn|Similarly, the dish known as [[char koay teow|''chhá-koé-tiâu'']] (炒粿條) in Minnan, ''kóe-tiâu'' being the Minnan name for [[Shahe fen|flat rice noodles]] (literally "(rice) cake strips"), is on Cantonese menus rendered as 炒貴刁 (''ja gwai dìu'') where the characters 貴刁 (''gwai dìu'', literally expensive (Surname)) are equally meaningless. See [[Char koay teow#Etymology|Char koay teow: Etymology]] for more information.}}

====Folk etymology====
The [[Cantonese]] name 油炸鬼 ({{zh|cy=yàuh ja gwái}}) is, according to folklore,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheung |first=Corrine |title=Hidden Hong Kong: A history of the youtiao (Chinese crullers) |url=https://www.localiiz.com/post/history-youtiao-chinese-crullers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302021515/https://www.localiiz.com/post/history-youtiao-chinese-crullers |archive-date=2025-03-02 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Localiiz |language=en}}</ref> an act of protest against [[Song dynasty]] official [[Qin Hui (Song dynasty)|Qin Hui]], who is said to have orchestrated the plot to frame the general [[Yue Fei]], an icon of [[patriotism]] in [[Culture of China|Chinese culture]]. It is said that the food, originally in the shape of two human-shaped pieces of dough but later evolved into two pieces joined in the middle, represents Qin Hui and his wife, both having a hand in collaborating with the enemy to bring about the great general's demise. Thus the youtiao is deep fried and eaten as if done to the traitorous couple. In Mandarin, the name 油炸燴 ({{zh|p=yóuzháhuì}}) from folklore literally means "oil-fried Hui" in protest of his actions. The Cantonese pronunciation ''yàuh ja gwái'' rhymes with this Mandarin pronunciation.

In keeping with the legend, youtiao are often made as two foot-long rolls of dough joined along the middle, with one roll representing the husband and the other the wife.<ref>West Lake, a Collection of Folktales ({{ISBN|9620400542}}) page 181.</ref> The Cantonese name may derive from [[Guangzhou]] being the last resistance front before the Song dynasty collapsed.

=== Indonesia ===
[[File:Cakwe dari Solo.jpg|thumb|In Indonesia, the fried dough is known as ''cakwe'' and is commonly chopped or thinly sliced and then eaten for breakfast.]]

In Indonesia, the fried dough is known as ''cakwe'' ({{IPA|ms|tʃakwe|pron}}). It is commonly chopped or thinly sliced and then eaten for breakfast with ''[[bubur ayam]]'' (chicken congee) or eaten as snacks with dipping of local version of chilli vinaigrette or peanut / satay sauce.

In [[Java]], cakwe is usually sold as a street snack at [[Street food of Indonesia|kaki lima]], usually at the same stalls that sell ''[[bolang-baling]]'' or ''[[roti goreng]]'' (sweet fried dough) and ''[[untir-untir]]'' ([[Javanese language|Javanese]] version of ''[[Mahua (snack)|mahua]]''). This snack is sometime served with spicy sweet salty sauce (optional). Savory cakwe, sweet bolang-baling and crunchy untir-untir are to be considered to compliment each other in a snack mix.

===Laos===
In [[Laos]], youtiao is generally called ''kao nom kou'' or ''patongko'' (''cf.'' Thai ''[[#Thailand|patongko]]'') or "chao quay", and is commonly eaten with coffee at breakfast in place of a [[baguette]] (''khao jee falang'').<ref>[http://www.cpamedia.com/food/lao_food/ "Laos: Food and Drink."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616025317/http://www.cpamedia.com/food/lao_food/ |date=June 16, 2008 }} at CPAMedia. Accessed 30 May 2008.</ref> It is also eaten as an accompaniment to "khao piek sen" (chicken noodle soup) or "jok" (congee).{{Citation needed|date=June 2008}}

===Malaysia===
It is rendered in [[Malay language]] as ''cakoi'', an alteration of the Minnan term, ''char kway''. The name ''pathongko'' (see [[#Thailand|Thailand]]) is more common in the northern states of [[Kedah]], [[Perlis]] and [[Penang]],<ref>[https://says.com/my/lifestyle/kuih-muih-local-malaysian-snacks-and-their-alternative-names 15 Local Types Of Food That Have Totally Different Names Across Malaysia]</ref> ''kayu khamak'' or ''kuduh'' in [[Terengganu]], ''kocok'' in [[Pahang]] and [[Perak]] and ''cakuwe'' in [[Kelantan]]. ''Cakoi'' is usually sold in morning street markets or [[pasar malam|night markets]] and commonly eaten with coffee or soy milk for breakfast or at tea time.

=== Myanmar ===
[[File:Mini youtiao.JPG|thumb|The youtiao is a popular breakfast food in [[Myanmar]], where it is called ''e kya kway''.]]

The youtiao is also a popular breakfast food in [[Myanmar]] (Burma) where it is called ''e kya kway'' (အီကြာကွေး [ì tʒà ku̯éː]). It is usually eaten with steamed yellow beans (with salt and oil) or dipped into coffee or tea, or with [[condensed milk]](နို့ဆီ). E kya kway is also eaten with rice porridge, or cut into small rings and used as a condiment for [[mohinga]]. Tea culture is prevalent in Myanmar, and almost every shop will serve e kya kway for breakfast.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

Some shops stuff meat into the youtiao and deep fry it over again. It is called ''e kya kway asar thoot'' – stuffed e kya kway.

=== Philippines ===
{{Main|Shakoy}}
{{Multiple image
| align = 
| direction = 
| total_width = 350
| image1 = Bicho-Bicho.jpg
| alt1 = 
| caption1 = Shakoy/Bicho from the [[Philippines]]
| image2 = Bicho-bicho.jpg
| caption2 = Bicho-Bicho from the [[Philippines]]
}}

In the [[Philippines]], it is either known as ''Bicho'' / ''Bicho-Bicho'' ([[Hokkien]]: 米棗 [[Pe̍h-ōe-jī]]: bí-tsó) or ''[[Shakoy]]'' / ''Siyakoy'' ([[Hokkien]]: 炸粿 [[Pe̍h-ōe-jī]]: tsia̍h-kué) / ''Pinisi'' / ''lubid-lubid.'' They are usually deep-fried, in the case of Bicho-Bicho, or deep-fried and twisted, in the case of Shakoy. Dry, smaller and crunchy versions are called ''[[pilipit]]''.

===Singapore===
In [[Singapore]], it is known as ''yu char kway'', which is the transliteration of its [[Southern Min|Hokkien]] (Minnan) name (油炸粿 ''iû-tsiā-kué''). Apart from the plain version, the Singaporean take on Youtiao also comes with various fillings which are either sweet, such as red bean paste or savory ([[ham chim peng]], 鹹煎餅), such as sardines in tomato sauce. The plain version is often eaten with sweet chili sauce or coconut and egg jam called ''[[Kaya (jam)|kaya]]'', or served with [[bak kut teh]] (肉骨茶), porridge or rice [[congee]], sliced thinly to be dipped into the broth or congee and eaten.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Penelope |title=Food Picks Podcast: Red-and-white youtiao and lychee sorbet as tribute to Singapore {{!}} The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/food-picks-podcast-red-and-white-youtiao-and-lychee-sorbet-as-tribute-to-singapore |website=www.straitstimes.com |access-date=3 February 2022 |language=en |date=19 August 2020|url-status=live
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20251024110409/https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/food-picks-podcast-red-and-white-youtiao-and-lychee-sorbet-as-tribute-to-singapore |archive-date=October 24, 2025}}</ref>

===Taiwan===
[[File:Food 普里鹹油條, 埔里鹹油條, 荷包蛋鹹油條, 泡菜鹹油條, 台北, 台灣, Taipei, Taiwan (40426240243).jpg|thumb|Fried egg sandwiched in youtiao]]

In [[Taiwan]], Youtiao is often known by its [[Southern Min|Hokkien]] name (油炸粿 ''iû-tsiā-kué'') and is a popular breakfast item throughout Taiwan. Youtiao are usually sandwiched into [[shaobing]]s or cut into sections and wrapped in [[rice ball]]s, or eaten with [[almond milk]], [[soy milk]], and [[douhua]] for breakfast. It is also an essential ingredient for [[Tainan]]-style [[congee]] and salty soy milk, and it is also an indispensable ingredient for Tainan beef soup and as a side for Taiwanese-style spicy [[hot pot]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeAeth |first1=Duncan |title=Family-owned youtiao shop in southern Taiwan closes after 122 years in business |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4872138 |website=www.taiwannews.com |access-date=28 June 2023 |language=en |date=23 April 2023}}</ref>

===Thailand===
[[File:Pathongko.jpg|thumb|left|Thai youtiao]]

In [[Thailand]], youtiao is generally called ''pathongko'' ({{langx|th|ปาท่องโก๋}}, {{IPA|th|paːtʰɔ̂ŋkǒː|pron}}) due to a confusion with a different kind of dessert. ''Pathongko'' is a loanword adapted from either [[Teochew dialect|Teochew]] [[Southern Min|Minnan]] ''beh teung guai'' (白糖粿; Mandarin: ''bái tángguǒ'') or [[Standard Cantonese|Cantonese]] of ''baahktònggòu'' (白糖糕; Mandarin: bái tánggāo). However, both possible original names referred to a different dessert, the [[white sugar sponge cake]]. It was previously sold together with youtiao by [[hawker (trade)|street vendors]] who normally walked around and shouted both names out loud. However, Thai customers often mistakenly thought that the more popular youtiao was "''pathongko''". Eventually, the real ''pathongko'' disappeared from the market because of its unpopularity. The disappearance of real "''pathongko''" left the youtiao labeled under the former's name, while the latter's real name is generally unknown amongst the Thais. The original white sugar sponge cake can still be easily found in [[Trang Province]] in [[Southern Thailand]] under its original name while youtiao is still called "''chakoi''" or "''chiakoi''" by some Southerners.

In Thailand, ''pathongko'' is often dipped in condensed milk or, in the southern regions, served with [[Coconut jam|kaya]]. In certain provinces, such as [[Chanthaburi Province|Chanthaburi]] and [[Kanchanaburi Province|Kanchanaburi]], it is enjoyed with a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce, which is considered a local delicacy.<ref>{{cite web|language=thai|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esj4MgWrHlQ|work=via YouTube|author=[[Channel 8 (Thailand)|Channel 8]]|accessdate=2024-08-19|date=2022-09-22|title=ปาท่องโก๋จันทบุรี มีดีที่น้ำจิ้ม}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|language=thai|date=2021-03-16|accessdate=2024-08-19|work=[[Facebook]]|title=ปาท่องโก๋เมืองกาญจน์บวกน้ำจิ้ม...|url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2811327135799512|author=ร้อยเรื่อง เมืองกาญจน์}}</ref>

===Vietnam===
[[File:Quẩy.jpg|thumb|left|''Quẩy'']]
[[File:Bánh_canh_cua_(Vietnamese_thick_noodle_with_crab_soup).jpg|thumb|right|''Bánh canh cua'' with cut ''quẩy'' as side topping]]

In [[Vietnamese cuisine]], it is known by a name that is a pronunciation similar to the Cantonese pronunciation, as ''dầu cháo quẩy'', ''giò cháo quẩy'' or simply ''quẩy''. 油 ("dầu/giò"), 鬼 ("quỷ/quẩy") coming from the approximate Cantonese pronunciation. In Vietnam, ''giò cháo quẩy'' is eaten typically with congee or ''[[phở]]'' in Hanoi,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thai |first=Trong |date=2020-07-13 |title=Vì sao người Hà Nội ăn quẩy cùng với phở? |trans-title=Why do Hanoians eat fried breadsticks with pho? |url=https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-nguoi-ha-noi-an-quay-cung-voi-pho-185964578.htm |access-date=2025-11-03 |website=Báo Thanh Niên |language=vi}}</ref> and sometimes with [[wonton noodle]] (''mì hoành thánh'' or ''mì vằn thắn''). In Southern Vietnam, quẩy is often enjoyed with ''[[bánh canh|bánh canh cua]]'', or dipped in hot soymilk as a quick breakfast.

==See also==
{{Portal|Food|Asia|China}}
* [[Fried dough foods]]
* [[List of Chinese dishes]]
* [[List of doughnut varieties]]
* [[List of deep fried foods]]
* [[List of snack foods]]
* [[List of street foods]]
* [[Zhaliang]]
* [[Ci fan tuan]]

===Other Chinese fried dough dishes===
* [[Ham chim peng]]
* [[Ox-tongue pastry]]
* [[Shuangbaotai]]

== Explanatory notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Shanghai cuisine}}
{{Filipino cuisine}}
{{Indonesian cuisine}}
{{Malaysian cuisine}}
{{Singaporean cuisine}}
{{Taiwanese cuisine}}
{{Thai cuisine}}
{{Doughnuts}}
[[Category:Chinese cuisine]]
[[Category:Chinese doughnuts]]
[[Category:Deep fried foods]]
[[Category:Dim sum]]
[[Category:Singaporean cuisine]]
[[Category:Taiwanese cuisine]]
[[Category:Thai desserts and snacks]]