The fried dough stick or youtiao is Taiwan’s most ubiquitous snack. Available on almost every street corner, most chefs would say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But tonight we pop into some dough stick stores where they can’t help but play with the recipe. Kaohsiung chef Wang Nan-tsan sells his dough sticks in a special style he discovered in China. And if you think dough sticks are only paired with soy milk or spicy soup, you’ve got surprises in store in Nantou.

A golden dough stick emerges from the fryer but it’s not ready to serve just yet.

The sticks are laid flat and covered in freshly made mochi, then sprinkled with flavorings like the sweet classic combo of sesame and peanut, or the more daring options: tuna and corn or smoked chicken. This creative menu will inspire the most jaded diner.

Wang Nan-tsan
Fried dough stick chef
Our dough sticks and mochi are all made with fresh milk, so they’re not crispy but melt in the mouth.

Everything is made from scratch, from the dough to the toppings. The mochi is steamed in an electric steamer. Every day, diners in Fengshan District vie to get hold of the limited supply. The unique combination of dough stick and mochi was an idea the chef picked up years ago while working in China.

Wang Nan-tsan
Fried dough stick chef
My parents came to visit me there one year. I bought it for them and they loved it. I realized nobody was selling it in Taiwan so that’s why I thought I’d start my own business and give it a try.

But that’s not the only iconoclastic dough stick innovation available. These special dough stick sandwiches are turning heads in Nantou’s Puli Township.

The sticks have a subtle hint of onion. Cut them open to reveal eggs, chicken or tuna fillings. Dough sticks almost never contain surprises inside, and these special sticks are a big hit. If you enjoy a dough stick with soy milk or spicy soup, why not branch out next time and see if you don’t find your new favorite flavor?