Chen Changyin Mahua

Chen Changyin Mahua is the local brand best known for the Chen-style mahua of Ciqikou old town, its name rising from the fried-on-the-spot dough twists sold along the town's flagstone lanes. Mahua, a common fried wheat snack in the region and across the north, here took on a house flavor that became one of the town's signature treats.

It is among the most recognized mahua names in Ciqikou and was recognized as a Chongqing Time-Honored Brand in 2011. It should be noted this is a municipal-level brand, not a MOFCOM China Time-Honored Brand, yet it has become a familiar taste memory for visitors strolling the old town.

The twists are kneaded from wheat flour, rolled and braided into strands, then fried golden, offered in salt-and-pepper, sweet, and mala flavors, prized for even strands that are crisp and melt-in-the-mouth, embodying the homely craft of the region's fried pastries.

As a Chongqing Time-Honored Brand, Chen Changyin Mahua sustains a traditional fried-twist craft amid the street life of Ciqikou, a footnote to the old town's food culture.