Tang Hulu, literally "sugar‑coated fruit on a stick," is a traditional Chinese street‑food snack that dates back to the Qing dynasty, where candied fruits were a popular treat for festivals and celebrations.

In northern China, Tang Hulu often uses hawthorn or watermelon rind, while southern regions favor strawberries, grapes, and orange slices, each coated with a clear sugar glaze or a caramel‑like amber syrup.

Tang Hulu is commonly displayed on bamboo skewers at temple fairs, Lunar New Year markets, and wedding banquets, where the glossy candy coating symbolizes sweetness and good fortune for the coming year.

Traditional Tang Hulu uses plain granulated sugar, water, and sometimes a touch of maltose or honey. Modern recipes may add corn syrup or lemon juice to prevent crystallization, but the core ingredients remain the same.

Tang Hulu pairs nicely with other sweet street foods such as candied lotus seeds, sesame balls (Jian Dui), and fried dough twists (You Tiao) for a balanced snack platter.

While the basic technique of sugar‑coating fruit remains unchanged, contemporary vendors experiment with flavored syrups—like matcha, yuzu, or coffee—to appeal to modern palates, expanding the snack’s popularity beyond traditional markets.

Common errors include stirring the syrup, which creates sugar crystals, and dipping the fruit after the syrup has cooled too much, resulting in a dull coating. Also, failing to dry the strawberries leads to splattering and uneven glaze.

Stirring introduces crystals that disrupt the smooth, glossy texture of the glaze. Allowing the syrup to boil undisturbed lets the sugar dissolve uniformly, creating a clear, candy‑like coating.

Yes, you can prepare the syrup ahead and keep it warm, then coat the strawberries shortly before serving. Store the finished coated strawberries in a single layer on parchment, loosely covered, in the refrigerator for up to two days.

The YouTube channel Lilac Diaries specializes in easy‑to‑follow home cooking tutorials that blend classic Asian flavors with modern presentation, focusing on quick snacks, desserts, and comforting meals.

Lilac Diaries emphasizes simple, ingredient‑driven recipes, clear visual steps, and a relaxed, friendly tone, encouraging home cooks to experiment with traditional dishes while keeping the process approachable.