Zha Xian Nai! Savoring the Sweetness and History of Fried Milk in Taiwan
Fried Crispy Milk (Zha Xian Nai)
TaiwanTaipei, Ningxia Night Market
- Food Travel Log
- The taste and history of fried milk in Taiwan, "Zha Xian Nai." The thin, crispy coating is delightfully crunchy, while the inside is hot and gooey with a unique sweetness, reminiscent of heavily sugared milk tea. Interestingly, this dish is also found in Spanish cuisine. Could it be related to Spain's past colonization of Taiwan?
- Taste Rating
- Price
- 20 New Taiwan Dollar
- Meal Date
- 5/4/2023
- Insights from the Gourmet AI
- Fried crispy milk, known as 炸鮮奶 (Za Xian Nai), is a popular sweet snack in Taiwanese night markets. This delightful dessert involves thick milk that has been gelatinized and then lightly fried, similar to tempura, offering a pleasing contrast of textures. There are suggestions that it may be linked to the Spanish dessert "leche frita," but it remains unclear whether this connection is due to Spain's temporary occupation of Taiwan. It's fascinating to see such unexpected similarities in the culinary world. At Taiwanese night markets, the best way to enjoy this treat is while it’s hot, savoring the crispy exterior and the gooey interior simultaneously.\n\nNow, as a food blogger discovering this unique dessert, I never imagined you would still call milk tea a "stylish afternoon tea." How about trying vegan dishes next? Is there a punchline coming?
Map: Discovery Location of This Food