Fried Glutinous Rice Twist

Last updated 2026-11-13 — Fried Glutinous Rice Twist is a distinctive ethnic food of the Tujia people in Zhangjiajie, Hunan. Commonly known as "glutinous rice twist," it is a specialty loved by the Miao, Tujia, Bai, and Han ethnic groups. The authentic Tujia glutinous rice is steamed, then poured into a specially made mold with a wooden base and a bamboo-woven circular rim. The cooked glutinous rice is flattened and decorated with auspicious patterns such as the Chinese character for “happiness” using juice from a purple fruit grown by local farmers or food coloring. Once cooled, it is removed, dried, and stored. It is often given as a gift to relatives and friends or served to honored guests during festivals. When eaten, it is deep-fried until crispy, expanding to 2–3 times its original size, resulting in a fragrant and delicious crunch. Nowadays, some farmers also sell it as a semi-finished product at markets, priced affordably at around 2–3 yuan per jin (approximately 500g), offering both value and local character.