Tasting Huaiyang Cuisine along the Canal in Huai'an: Crispy Huai'an Chasan Offers a Unique Flavor

Chasan, a traditional snack in Huai'an with a history of over one hundred years, is popular among people of all ages. It is usually eaten with tea, and that's how it got its name, as "cha" means "tea" in Chinese. 

Huai'an Chasan [Photo by Zhu Feng]

Chasan tastes crispy, offering a unique flavor. When making Chasan, people usually mix refined white flour with sesame oil, fine salt and soft white sugar, and then pull thin threads out of the mixture. The next step is to wrap the threads around hands to form a loop of about five inches in length and one inch in width. The loops will be made into different shapes, such as combs, chrysanthemums, fans, gourds, and pagodas. And then fry them in sesame oil. 

Huai'an Chasan [Photo by Zhu Feng]

Chasan can not only be enjoyed as a snack, but also to eat with soup. It will be ready to eat within a few minutes after you put it into boiled soup or water. It's advised to add some vegetables to the soup, which makes the dish taste better.