All you need to know - Latiao (The Controversial Chinese Snack)

Chinese La Tiao

The spicy strip sparked some spicy debates! If you've seen rural Chinese shop videos on TikTok or Rednote, Latiao is something you would've come across. Just like how many of us are curious to know whether Kimchi is Korean or Chinese, I was quite curious to learn about this strange snack, La Tiao (辣条), the vegan spicy gluten strips.

This article includes:

1. History and Origins of Latiao

2. Where things went wrong for La Tiao

3. What is Latiao made of?

4. Is Latiao Vegan?

5. Is Latiao Halal?

6. Is Weilong La Tiao safe to eat?

7. Why is Latiao Unhealthy?

8. How to make Latiao at Home?

9. How to eat Latiao?

10. Best place to find La Tiao

History & Origins of Latiao

Latiao is an authentic Chinese snack, known also as Chinese gluten strips, believed to have originated in the Hunan province. Although the exact period is unknown, research shows that it's pretty recent. As recent as 1985. However, the snack earned its glory during the 1998 flood in Hunan province that brought famine to thousands of people.

Trying to cook fresh food and distribute it among flood victims was as futile as attempting to light a fire underwater. Not even a Zongzi could've saved the situation. In response to the lack of staples, local instant food manufacturers decided to step in and come up with a solution.

They processed gluten and added delicious flavours to create a snack that could fill one's tummy and provide the much-needed energy to survive those tough days. All thanks to the Chinese gluten snack - Latiao.

What went wrong with La Tiao?

Who would've thought that this survival snack - Latiao, would rise to be one of China's beloved and most hated treats? The story becomes more intriguing when this binge bite starts making people seriously ill, and it is not just one illness.

Can you believe that in 2016, La Tiao had sales accounting of almost USD 8.8 billion in China? It was super famous, but it all came to an abrupt halt in 2019 when several illnesses were reported after consuming this delicious Chinese gluten strip. Some had severe diarrhoea, gastrointestinal issues and allergies.

When authorities investigated one of the major La Tiao producers in Henan called Weilong, they were shocked to discover the complete absence of any standards or policies. It was revealed that the company had been sourcing cheap ingredients and cooking the strips in an unhygienic environment. To double the issue, they also used sorbic acid and dehydroacetic acid, which do not sit well with wheat flour, making matters even worse. 

Soon, production around the country halted abruptly until food standards were put in place, but the controversy surrounding La Tiao still spreads among Chinese locals.

What is Chinese Latiao made of?

Weilong La Tiao

La Tiao is a spicy, chewy strip made of wheat flour, spicy oil, salt, sugar, flavour additives and preservatives. These strips are pure gluten and taste like preserved, pulled beef. It has a texture somewhat similar to that of chewy churros, but the taste is quite different. Unique - one would say.

In Chinese, 'La' means Spicy, and 'Tiao' means Strip. It's a pretty straightforward term for a gluten snack. So the meaning of La Tiao (辣 条) is Spicy Strip.

La Tiao wasn't just a snack; the famous Chinese gluten strip became a lifesaver for those who couldn't afford meat. No matter what dish they paired it with, it added a delightful burst of flavour, making every bite delicious.

La Tiao can be made with wheat flour or rice flour. As it is commercially produced using wheat flour, the ones you will find in stores are not gluten-free. If you're allergic to gluten, you can specifically look for rice flour La Tiao, which might be challenging outside mainland China.

Is Latiao Vegan?

Yes, La Tiao is generally a Vegan snack as it only contains wheat flour, water, sugar and spicy oils, which are made of palm oil and chillies. However, in some cases, manufacturers add meat flavours to enhance the taste of the strip. It would merely be identical flavours; however, just check the ingredients on the back of the package.

To be on the safer side, pick Wei Long's spicy La Tiao, which is purely vegetarian.

Is La Tiao Halal?

Store-bought La Tiao is not Halal. Weilong La Tiao, to be specific, does not have a halal certification (they are the biggest manufacturers). However, if you really want to try this Chinese gluten snack, you can look for a vegetarian option. Or you can try making it at home, but the right spice ratio is a little difficult to achieve. But do give it a try with our homemade Latiao recipe.

Is Weilong Latiao Safe to Eat?

Despite the accusations received a decade back, Weilong Latiao has come a long way by 2025. They have standardised their manufacturing and received various certifications as well. I tried Weilong Latiao and had no unpleasant experience. But many redditors from China had mentioned that they're still under scrutiny, and local Chinese altogether avoid eating mass-produced Latiao. Recent research shows that small vendors in China have resorted to making and selling fresh La Tiao, especially near schools. Some millennials are making La Tiao at home for the nostalgic punch.

Why is La Tiao Unhealthy?

Simply put, La Tiao is high in sodium, sugar and fat, and has no nutritional benefits.15g of La Tiao carries 65 calories, plus the suspicious food additives might cause cancer if eaten frequently. The Hubei Food and Drug Administration declared that most Latiao brands use sorbic acid or dehydroacetic acid, which are not fit for human consumption. If you really want to try, make sure the brand you choose doesn't have these deadly ingredients.

Tong Xin Bang La Tiao

How to make La Tiao at Home?

If you're not quite satisfied with store-bought Latiao, you can make it at home easily in about 1 hour. The tricky part is sourcing all the spices and oils. You can hit the Asian store for this. Here's a simple recipe to make La Tiao at home. This recipe will create 20 strips.

Ingredients

For the Dough

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (high gluten content)

• ½ tsp salt

• 2 cups water

• Bamboo skewers or chopsticks to wrap the dough

  
  

For the Spicy Oil (you can avoid this step by using store-bought chilli oil)

• ¼ onion, cut into wedges

• 2 star anises

• 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 2 green onions

• 3 garlic cloves, sliced

• ½ cup vegetable oil

Seasoning Mix

• 3 tbsp red chilli flakes

• 3 tbsp Sichuan red chilli powder

• 3 tbsp roasted sesame seeds

• 1 tsp chicken bouillon (Skip this if you're a vegan or vegetarian)

• 1 tbsp sugar

• ½ tsp salt

Method

1. Mix the dough ingredients in a bowl by hand until a dough forms. Knead for about 5 minutes until smooth.

2. Squeeze the dough to remove any water. Discard the liquid, then knead again until no more water comes out.

3. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature. This allows the gluten to relax and become more elastic.

4. Flatten the rested dough into a thin sheet with your hands. You can use a nonstick mat for this. Slice it into 1-inch-wide strips. Stretch each one gently into a thinner noodle-like shape.

5. Wrap each strip tightly around a bamboo skewer, leaving no gaps. Brush lightly with oil to prevent sticking. Place in a steamer and steam over boiling water for about 20 minutes. Make sure no dough is touching the other.

6. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan. Add onions, garlic, and green onions. Let them sizzle for 2–3 minutes. Add the spices, stir, and let them infuse for another 2–3 minutes. Remove all solids from the oil.

7. With the heat on low, stir all the powdered seasonings into the hot oil. Mix well and turn off the heat. Let it sit while the latiao finishes cooking.

8. Once steamed, let the latiao cool slightly. Slide them off the skewers and dip them in the spicy oil. For a stronger punch, you can leave it soaked in the oil for about 20 minutes before removing it.

9. Your La Tiao is now good to eat. Make sure you store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

You can keep homemade Latiao up to 3 days. If you've used store-bought chilli oil, you can keep it up to a week or more in the fridge.

Difference between homemade Latiao and store-bought Latiao

While homemade Latiao is not healthy, it's still better than store-bought Latiao, which comes with heaps of preservatives and potentially reused oil.

How to Eat La Tiao?

You can enjoy it as a snack, just like a bag of Cheetos, or as a side dish with your Buldak Ramen, rice, or even bao buns. It's quite versatile. Just remember to eat it in moderation, as further studies are yet to be done on the dangers of Latiao.

Is Latiao Smelly?

No. But it does have a strong Mala spice smell similar to hotpot. It might not sit well with some people at first, but you may later like it.

Is La Tiao Tasty?

We gave it a couple of tries. I'd give Latiao a 5/10 rank for the taste. Some even say it tastes like a sponge soaked in oil and spice. The texture of La Tiao is similar to soggy churros or fries. It's an ideal 'try-out-once' snack because you may never find a similar delicacy anywhere else in the world.

If you don't like authentic Chinese food or Mala spice flavours, you may not like that odd, pungent smell.

Where can I find Latiao near me?

While Latiao is readily accessible in China, it can be challenging to find in other countries. Now, of course, with Rednote making waves, Chinese snacks like Latiao are bound to appear in Supermarkets soon.

If you happen to have a Chinatown nearby, it's worth a visit to inquire about La Tiao. Alternatively, you can try your luck at the nearest Asian store and ask for this unique snack.

If none of the above methods work for you, you can place your La Tiao order online.

In Conclusion;

La Tiao stands as a testament to the uniqueness and diversity of Chinese cuisine. From its origins as a survival snack during a devastating flood to its rise as a beloved treat enjoyed even during the Mid-Autumn Festival, it's one that truly got me hooked.

If you've tried La Tiao before, tell us what you think about it in the comments!