You Tiao / You Zha Gui - Deep-fried Ghost

‘You Tiao’ or ‘You Zha Gui’ (deep-fried ghost), the Chinese deep-fried breadstick stuck in pairs, is such a common breakfast for hundreds of years. Often eaten with hot soya milk or plain rice porridge (some call it congee) in the morning.

According to folklore, is an act of protest against Song Dynasty official Qin Hui, who is said to have orchestrated the plot to frame the general Yue Fei, an icon of patriotism in Chinese culture. It is said that the food, originally taking the form of two deep-fried human-shaped dough but later evolved two doughs joining in the middle, represents Qin Hui and his wife, both having a hand in collaborating with the enemy to bring about the great general's demise. Thus the ‘you tiao’ is deep fried and eaten as if done to the traitorous couple. In keeping with the legend, ‘you tiao’ are often made as two foot-long rolls of dough joined along the middle, with one roll representing the husband and the other the wife.
Normally, people make their ‘you tiao’ on a wooden table, but my friend – Mr. Chin will do on stainless steel, custom made table – specialize for his business & hygiene concern.

A stall located in front of Hai Yang Restaurant at Malim Jaya, has his 2 ½ years of business there. Prior to get his MBMB license in order to run the business, he had to attend MBMB course & exam. He also needs to take vaccine every 3 years in order to prevent disease or infection.



Working hour : 5.00 am – 2.00 noon
Off day : Every Thursday


They sell 6 differences of food – namely :
1. You Tiao 油条
2. Zhi Ma 芝麻
3. Chai Jian Bing 菜煎饼
4. Dou Sha Jian Bing 豆沙煎饼
5. Nuo Mi Jian Bing 糯米煎饼
6. Wu Xiang Jian Bing 五香煎饼

Do you know that, he is the only to sell ‘Chai Jian Bing’ (菜煎饼) in Melaka. The main ingredients are black fungus, ‘senkuang’ & pepper.
Let us join the progress of making ‘you tiao’..

After roll the flour, need to cut into slices ...


Then, has to double-up the sliced flour to make it looks like a couple..

Then, put into boiled wok.

When Mr. Chin goes for delivery his order, his 2 lovely assistants – his wife and mother-in-law will take place..

How they dispose their oil after frying? Ha…they commit their environment friendly by sending their oil for recycling of soap.

Mr Chin will operate his business in his house compound on every Sunday, located at Melaka Baru, Batu Berendam. He also supplies to others such as Bak Kut Teh, Kopitiam and the market. Normally, church association would order 100 pcs from him when there’s a special function.

Uncle Tony, his regular customer jokes that, if you all wanted for baby boy, take more on ‘you tiao’ , or ‘han ji bing’ to get baby girl.. Are you sure this will work?

For your information, normally people will eat plainly with coffee, tea or porridge. Do you know that, ‘you tiao’ also can eat with mayonnaise, kaya & planta together to make it feel tastier? Do try out to taste in different way.

So, don’t wait. Let’s call 012-6120 817 to order if you need tea break / breakfast / celebration function.