On Jieshou Road in Nangan, Tianmei Xuan Bakery has been open since 1961 — more than six decades. The third-generation owner still kneads the dough by hand every morning, deep-fries each piece, and coats it in syrup to produce golden, crisp Mazusu pastries one by one. Originally called "Qima Su" (Start-the-March Pastry), this confection was renamed "Mazusu" on the suggestion of diplomat Shen Jianhong in 1964, a name that has stuck ever since — making it the most historically rooted souvenir on Matsu.
What Is Mazusu Pastry
Mazusu Pastry is a traditional Fujianese deep-fried confection made from dough kneaded with flour, eggs, and fat, cut into strips, deep-fried until golden and crisp, and then coated in a layer of syrup and sprinkled with sesame or peanut powder. The result is crunchy and moreish, sweet but not cloying, with three layers of flavor in every bite: wheat, buttery pastry, and syrup. It keeps well at room temperature for several weeks and was the most familiar souvenir among the Matsu garrison soldiers and travelers of earlier eras.
Mazusu Pastry was originally called "Qima Su" (qima meaning "mounting the horse" in the Eastern Fujian dialect — a metaphor for setting out on a journey, suggesting trail food). When diplomat Shen Jianhong visited Matsu in 1964, he suggested renaming it "Mazusu" to strengthen local identity, and the name has been used ever since. The National Cultural Memory Bank records this story and notes that Tianmei Xuan Bakery on Jieshou Road in Nangan, established in 1961, is one of the earliest shops dedicated to this confection — more than six decades of craft passed through three generations, maintained as a handmade process to this day.
How to Eat It Like a Local
Local Know-How
Verified Third-Party Endorsements (Sponsorship Filtered)
- The National Cultural Memory Bank records the renaming of "Qima Su" to "Mazusu" and traces it to diplomat Shen Jianhong's suggestion in 1964.
- Tianmei Xuan Bakery was founded on Jieshou Road in Nangan in 1961 and has been passed down through three generations for over six decades.
- Mazusu Pastry was the signature souvenir for Matsu garrison soldiers and island travelers in earlier eras, carrying the food memories of the military-administration period.
Visiting Tips
- Mazusu is high in sugar and deep-fried; those managing diabetes or sugar intake should eat in moderation.
- High summer temperatures can cause the syrup coating to soften and stick; refrigerate or buy during cooler months.
- Multiple souvenir shops near Nangan Airport and the ferry pier carry Mazusu, but quality varies widely — seek out the established brands.
Data compiled from the Lienchiang County Tourism Bureau, Matsu Distillery, and a large volume of public reviews; sponsored content has been filtered out. Photos will be replaced with the channel's exclusive footage after Dio's on-site shoot.