Gansu La Tiao (辣条 — Spicy Gluten Strips)
I
Origin
Luohe, Henan Province — 1990s origin, now nationally ubiquitous
II
Description
Spicy fermented wheat gluten strips — one of China's most popular snack foods, ubiquitous in convenience stores nationwide. Made by washing starch from wheat dough to isolate gluten, then seasoning with chilli, soy, five-spice, MSG. Originated in Luohe, Henan province when dried tofu manufacturers pivoted due to flooding. Now a 70-billion-yuan industry.
III
The Thread
—Japanese natto in fermented food snack culture
—Korean spicy rice cakes (tteokbokki)
—Indian masala papad snack culture
IV
Flavour Context
Spicy-salty-umami with distinctive chewy wheat gluten texture; the embodiment of Chinese MSG-forward snack culture
Pillars V — VII
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