JiShan Fried Dough Twists

JiShan Fried Dough Twists

　　JiShan Fried Dough Twists are a traditional snack from Yuncheng. Legend has it that the twist was originally a palace delicacy. When it spread to the public, it took the form of two strands of dough stuck together, a shape still seen in the Hongtong area today. During the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong reign, a merchant from Xiwèi Village in Zhaidian Town brought it back to his hometown, Yuncheng, where he made and sold it, attracting many customers. Later, this merchant continuously improved the production technique, changing the twist from two strands to three, which were then twisted and fried to create a golden-yellow, fine-threaded, patterned appearance. Currently, JiShan Fried Dough Twists are sold in over 10 provinces and cities including Beijing, Shenzhen, and Heilongjiang, and are quite popular.

　　　　Fried dough twists are one type of deep-fried food, shaped like hinges, hence also called “hinge sticks.” They come in sweet and savory flavors. The sweet variety is further divided into those coated with sugar (sprinkled with powdered sugar on the outside) and those without.

　　　　Ingredient formula (for about 168 pieces, weighing approximately 6 kg): 5 kg flour, 0.5 kg powdered sugar, 0.075 kg vegetable oil, 0.175 kg milk powder, 0.105 kg baking soda (0.1 kg in winter), 0.1 kg alum, 1.25 kg vegetable oil used for frying

　　　　For making sweet twisted dough, an additional 0.65 kg of powdered sugar is needed for coating. For the savory version, reduce the powdered sugar and add an appropriate amount of ice egg and salt.

　　　　The earliest renowned fried dough twists from Shanxi’s JiShan, celebrated across the Yellow River Delta in Henan, are a famous traditional Chinese snack. Today, Deng’s Fried Dough Twists from the JiShan Grain Bureau, as well as JiShan BaiChouXiao Fried Dough Twists and Wang Zhibo’s twists from Taiyuan, are highly favored by consumers in 21 provinces and cities across China. From the provincial capital Taiyuan, the nation’s capital Beijing, and cities like Shenzhen, Urumqi, and Dalian, all the way to Harbin in frigid regions, including foreigners from Russia, South Korea, Japan, and other countries and regions, long queues form as people rush to buy JiShan Fried Dough Twists, creating a vibrant urban spectacle. News outlets such as Xinhua Net, China News Service, CCTV, Shanxi Daily, and Shanxi TV have dedicated significant coverage and airtime, orchestrating rounds of promotional features that have shrouded JiShan Fried Dough Twists in an air of mystery.

　　　　Among China’s noodle dishes, Shanxi holds a unique place, and within Shanxi’s noodles, JiShan Fried Dough Twists have their own distinction. They are named after the homeland of Houji, the agricultural ancestor of the Chinese nation who taught people to farm and cultivate the five grains.

　　　　The origin of JiShan Fried Dough Twists is steeped in legend. During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, in the fourth year of the Datong era of the Western Wei Dynasty (538 AD), Wang Si Zheng, the regional inspector of Hedong, petitioned to establish Yubi City. In Chinese history, the famous Yubi City was the site of two major battles. In 542 and 546 AD, Gao Huan’s regime of the Eastern Wei launched two attacks on Yuwen Tai’s Western Wei regime, both ending in Gao Huan’s defeat. The Ming Dynasty censor Song Yi Wang once wrote a poem: “The carriage turns into the city of JiShan, where tales of Yubi Camp still linger by the walls; only war bones remain in barren graves, while the mournful sound rustles with the falling waters.” The area around Yubi City south of the Fen River served as an actual wartime encampment. Due to warfare and famine, although the land was lush with vegetation, it was also teeming with wild beasts and venomous scorpions. Those poisoned had a fifty percent chance of death. To curse the scorpion venom, every household would pull and twist dough into long strips resembling scorpion tails on the second day of the second lunar month, fry them, and eat them—this was called “biting the scorpion tail.” This single-strand, deep-fried scorpion tail evolved into today’s double and triple-stranded JiShan Fried Dough Twists. The ancient twisted dough ropes and the braided hair of young women are also intricately connected to JiShan Fried Dough Twists.

　　　　JiShan Fried Dough Twists were first created during the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty and have a history of several thousand years. As a deep-fried food made with tough dough, carefully selected ingredients, and a unique flavor, they are entirely handmade. Especially notable is the “Pinxiangzhai” twist shop opened by a Mr. Huang on the old street of Zhaidian in JiShan. Their twists are delicate and small, shaped like two dragons coiled together, with a golden, shiny color, a crispy and fragrant taste, and are always bustling with customers. His relative from Xiwèi Village, the Ning family, who traded in Chang’an and Lanzhou, sent people back to learn the craft and established “Pinxiangzhai” JiShan Fried Dough Twist chain stores in Chang’an and Lanzhou, causing a sensation at the time.

　　　　Pei Yaoqing (681–743 AD), a prominent politician and prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, whose courtesy name was Huanzhi and who was from JiShan, was promoted by Emperor Xuanzong in the early Kaiyuan era to be the magistrate of Chang’an, later serving as prefect of Jizhou, Xuanzhou, and Jizhou, then advancing to vice minister of revenue, appointed as the prefect of Jingzhao, attendant minister, and eventually rising to the position of left chancellor of the Department of State Affairs, and was granted the title of Duke of Zhaocheng. While serving as a regional official and in central governance, he never forgot to introduce his hometown’s two famous local specialties—JiShan Fried Dough Twists and JiShan Dates—to the imperial court, helping them become esteemed palace delicacies.

　　　　Yao Tianfu, an imperial censor from the Yuan Dynasty and a native of Nanyang in JiShan, was promoted to minister of justice and later served as the governor of Yangzhou. Upon tasting the small JiShan Fried Dough Twists from his hometown, he praised them endlessly and strongly recommended them to Kublai Khan, the Yuan Dynasty’s founding emperor, winning favor among the imperial family. Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty once stationed and trained troops around Foyukou in JiShan, and even after ascending the throne, never forgot the famous twists from the JiShan area, frequently enjoying them.

　　　　Ji Yunlan, a grand scholar and literary giant of the Qing Dynasty, made historic contributions to promoting JiShan Fried Dough Twists. Ji Yunlan’s father-in-law, Ma Yongtu, bestowed with the title of Confucian Scholar, had served as magistrate of Jiangjin in Sichuan, JiShan in Shanxi, Chengwu in Shandong, and as an inner cabinet scribe. Ma Yongtu had four daughters, the second of whom married Ji Yunlan. Ji Yunlan often enjoyed the JiShan Fried Dough Twists and Dates brought by his father-in-law, savoring them and gaining much insight, leading him to write in their praise. When Emperor Qianlong toured the south, Ji Yunlan introduced the local delicacy JiShan Fried Dough Twists to the emperor, who tasted them personally and declared: “Shaped like a rope’s end, fragrant and crisp, outstanding and uniquely flavored.” As a result, JiShan Fried Dough Twists were included in the imperial court’s menu, with annual tributes sent from the region. The fame of JiShan Fried Dough Twists soared, passing into legend.

　　　　JiShan Fried Dough Twists hold vast potential for development

　　　　JiShan Fried Dough Twists are exquisitely made, using premium ingredients, with a golden hue, smooth and translucent appearance, a crisp and delicious taste when eaten, oily yet not greasy, leaving no residue after chewing, endlessly enjoyable, with a lasting fragrance that resists moisture. Within thousands of years of Chinese culinary culture, JiShan Fried Dough Twists have become the birthplace of Chinese twists, a traditional ethnic food beloved by descendants of Yan and Huang, rich in regional character.

　　　　JiShan Fried Dough Twists not only inherit traditional techniques and methods but also integrate modern technology into their production. As a result, JiShan Fried Dough Twists exhibit several defining features: first, they offer leading quality advantages, reflecting unique formulations and processing techniques; second, they boast significant brand advantages, becoming a renowned Chinese delicacy; third, they appeal to a broad consumer base; fourth, they maintain competitive pricing advantages through large-scale production and intensive operations. At the same time, JiShan Fried Dough Twists have achieved two major breakthroughs: evolving from a limited product range to dozens of new series varieties and designs, and extending shelf life from short-term to up to three quarters.

　　　　Today, Deng’s Fried Dough Twists lead the market. As a third-generation, heritage-branded “time-honored” business and holder of a nationally registered trademark under the name JiShan Zhigui Fried Dough Twists, it carries forward the original characteristics while incorporating modern ingredients and premium packaging, earning widespread fame. Deng’s Twists come in both savory and sweet varieties, offering over ten types including crispy, chocolate, spiced, and unusual-flavored twists, with annual sales reaching over 10,000 boxes. Deng’s Fried Dough Twists have won numerous national and provincial awards for quality snacks, becoming a “unique marvel of China.”

　　　　On June 19, 1985, [redacted] visited JiShan, personally tasting the JiShan Fried Dough Twists and Dates, and praised the crispy, savory twists as “crisp, delicious, suitable for all ages.” In the early 21st century, famous singers like Song Zuying, actors and sketch comedians like Pan Changjiang, and Yu Opera performer Xiao Xiangyu performed in JiShan and developed a special fondness for the twists during meals, showering them with praise. In recent years, at venues such as the Yellow River Kyoto Hotel in the capital, Taiyuan Yingze Hotel, Yuncheng Hotel, and JiShan Honglou Hotel, JiShan Fried Dough Twists have become an essential local delicacy for entertaining domestic and international guests.

　　　　In 1999, JiShan BaiChouXiao Fried Dough Twists advanced into the provincial capital Taiyuan, setting up headquarters on Taoyuan First Lane with branches spread across three key areas. By early November 2002, the twists became a huge hit, selling up to 500 kg per day at peak times, with long lines of buyers—sometimes over a hundred, sometimes twenty or thirty—forming a notable scene in Taiyuan. The twists captivated consumers and became a must-have market item.

　　　　The JiShan County government has made efforts to develop the twist industry by establishing the JiShan Fried Dough Twist Association and registering its trademark. This has played a significant role in helping JiShan Fried Dough Twists capture the provincial capital market and expand across the Great Wall, throughout the country, and become a nationally recognized brand.

　　　　In earlier times, when refined flour and cooking oil were not everyday staples for ordinary families, JiShan Fried Dough Twists were only occasionally enjoyed during northern festive banquets, family visits, or holiday gatherings. In today’s reform and opening era, JiShan Fried Dough Twists have transitioned from imperial court delicacies to everyday meals, from small workshops to big markets, from small towns to metropolises, and from China to the world.

　　　　JiShan Fried Dough Twists have captured the market with surprising success and immense influence. First, consumer purchasing power has steadily increased, and the brand has gained wide recognition. Second, the supply capabilities of JiShan Fried Dough Twist producers have continuously improved, making the famous product widely favored. The secret lies in solving the challenge of how “supply” can stimulate demand and drive consumption. The rise of JiShan Fried Dough Twists—from obscurity to popularity, from small-scale to large, and from the north to national strength—stems from high-level expansion that adapts to market supply elasticity, and high-level operations that showcase the charm of specialty products, building the JiShan Fried Dough Twist brand.