Foodie Friday: Deep-Fried Ghost

Deep-fried ghost: you zha gui (Cantonese) is basically a long Chinese doughnut

Legend has it that during the Song Dynasty, patriotic hero General Yue Fei was persecuted by the wicked Qin Hui and his wife. The traitorous couple even had the general executed. In anger, a baker decided to make two dough sticks, which represented the cruel husband and wife, and fried them up.

Traditionally, the doughnut is made from two-foot long rolls joined in the middle. Bland by itself, you zha gui is eaten with another food, like congee or soy milk. The doughnuts are slightly salted, but their culinary magic comes from the contrast between the slightly crusty exterior and soft interior. They’re best eaten right out of the oven.

Fun fact: You zha gui was originally human-shaped and two separate long pieces.