Jiaoquan (Crispy Dough Rings)

Jiaoquan are a traditional old-Beijing deep-fried snack: golden, bracelet-shaped rings with a crunchy bite, the classic companion to douzhir and other breakfast drinks.

Long established in Beijing and born alongside douzhir, jiaoquan are among the most common fried items at neighborhood breakfast stalls — full of the flavor of the hutong.

Made from leavened dough shaped into rings and fried until golden and crisp, jiaoquan are eaten with douzhir or tucked into a sesame flatbread as a staple — crunchy, fragrant and at home with both savory and sweet.

Everything is in the word jiao, the crisp char: fried just right, the ring stays crunchy without being hard and keeps its crispness for days. The humble loop shows off the Beijing fryer's command of heat.