Mafa is a Chinese confectionery that originated in Shaanxi Province, China. It is made by kneading wheat flour into dough and deep-frying it in oil.
In Japan, it is sometimes compared to karinto, a traditional deep-fried sweet made from flour dough. However, Mafa has a milder sweetness. It is also generally larger and harder than karinto.
Fried to a golden-brown color, Mafa has a fragrant aroma and a crisp, crunchy texture, together with a pleasant sweetness. Its firm bite and distinctive shape make it an appealing treat to enjoy while exploring Yokohama Chinatown.
Mafa is also known by several other names, including Yori-yori, Tojin-maki, Mafa-maki, and Nejirinbo. These names are used for this traditional twisted Chinese fried pastry.