Youtiao

Youtiao () is a Chinese fried bread stick, or long doughnut. It is golden brown, slightly salted and also created as a pair which can be torn lengthwise in two.

In the south of China, they are generally called oil-fried ghosts (油炸鬼; Cantonese: yau ja guai, pinyin: yóu zhá gǔi). Legend has it that the term originated as an act of protest against Song Dynasty official Qin Kuai (油炸檜), who is said to have orchestated the plot to frame the general Yue Fei.

Quite often, these bread sticks are consumed with rice congee or soy milk as a breakfast food.

It is also commonly found wrapped in a white rice flour sheet, and known as zhaliang (Chinese: 炸兩; pinyin: zháliǎng; Cantonese: ja leung); it is then served cut into pieces with soy sauce sprinkled over it as a dim sum or breakfast dish.

There is a similar breadstick that takes an elliptical shape, called cow tongue pastry (牛脷酥). It is sweetened rather than salted, and is also a popular breakfast dish.