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[Dai Pai Dong] Crullers

The 12-inch long crullers have four names in all. Can you believe that? They are also called deep-fried devils, yau za kuei, and you tiao. This famous snack is often eaten dipped in hot congee. Up in the north, the Chinese would prefer to dip the crullers into either sweet or salty soymilk.

There is a real story behind the crullers: Long, long ago in the Song dynasty, there was a brave and loyal general named Yueh Fei. At that time, he was fighting against the enemies, the Kams. Yueh Fei's army was winning the battle and the lost land could almost be recovered. However, the selfish emperor was afraid for his safety and his throne. What if the Yueh Fei really won the battle? Would the people make him king instead?

So the emperor listened to the advise of a government official called Qin Kui. He accused Yueh Fei of treason and sentenced him to death. So China never recovered the land she had lost before, all because the emperor was afraid for his throne.

The people hated Qin Kui and his wife Wong for it was them that made Yueh Fei die. The crullers actually symbolize Qin Kui and Wong(because the crullers are 2 pieces of dough stuck together), being fried in oil for eternity. It is a severe punishment thought by the Chinese to happen to bad people when they die.

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