The gruesome history of yau char kwai

The gruesome history of yau char kwai

FMT NEWS - Lifestyle·2020-10-12 07:30

Yau char kwai or youtiao are often eaten as a snack or for breakfast. (Wikipedia pic)

Some people know it by its Mandarin name of “youtiao”. Cantonese speakers call it “yau char kwai” and in Malay, it’s simply “cakoi”.

Whatever it is called, there is no denying that this fried pastry is beloved by many as a teatime snack on their own or dunked in strong local coffee for breakfast.

They have a light, airy and chewy texture and they are often served with congee and bak kut teh, alongside the steaming bowls of broth.

Interestingly, yau char kway is not exclusive to Malaysia, it is found in China and other Southeast Asian countries.

The Cantonese yau char kwai literally translates into “oil-fried devil”, and this is not a random name. According to legend, the dish dates back to the Song Dynasty (960AD-1279).

The Cantonese Yau char kwai, means oil-fried devil in English. (Pinterest pic)

In 1126, the Song were forced to relocate to southern China when the northern half was seized by the invading Jin Dynasty.

Leading the wars against the Jin was a general named Yue Fei, a patriot then and a folk hero today, who fought many successful campaigns.

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