Guifaxiang Shibajie

Guifaxiang was established in 1927. Because its early shop stood near Tianjin's Shiba Jie (Eighteenth Street), its twists became known across the city as "Shibajie mahua."

Crisp, fragrant and slow to go stale, the Shibajie twist is one of Tianjin's "Three Wonders" and the city's most iconic edible souvenir.

The twist tucks an assorted sweet filling — candied fruit threads, melon strips and osmanthus among them — between strands of dough, which are coiled and braided before frying to give the layered, brittle bite for which it is known.