Yóu tiáo (油条) is a popular Chinese breakfast food: a long, golden-brown, deep-fried dough stick with a crispy exterior and soft, airy interior. The name literally combines 油 (yóu, 'oil') and 条 (tiáo, 'strip' or 'rod'), directly describing both its cooking method (fried in oil) and its shape (a slender, elongated piece). It’s commonly eaten plain, dipped in soy milk, or stuffed into baozi or sandwiches.

This traditional snack has regional variations across China and overseas Chinese communities — sometimes called 'Chinese cruller' or 'fried breadstick' in English. Though simple in ingredients (flour, water, yeast or baking powder, salt), its texture relies on proper fermentation and frying technique. Yóu tiáo is strongly associated with morning markets, street vendors, and home-style breakfasts, often enjoyed alongside soy milk (dòujiāng) or congee (zhōu).