What started as one hotel receptionist's quest for a beloved Chinese candy has turned into an international sensation. Karem, who works at a hotel in Milan, Italy, became enamored with the unique texture and flavor of Hsu Fu Chi's "Crisp Candy" after trying it from a Chinese tourist. Unable to find the treat locally, Karem began earnestly asking every Chinese visitor who stayed at the hotel if they could bring him some on their next trip.
The candy that captured Karem's heart is the black sesame flavor of Hsu Fu Chi's "Crisp Candy" series. It has paper-thin flaky layers on the outside and a crumbly sesame filling inside—crisp, yet somehow melting on the tongue; a truly unique texture. Hsu Fu Chi hails from Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, and was founded in the 1990s. With decades of history, the brand has become one of China's most well-known candy names, especially during festive seasons.
Karem's heartfelt pleas soon went viral on Chinese social media, sparking an outpouring of support from netizens eager to "feed" the overseas candy lover. The story even reached the international stage, with Hsu Fu Chi's Crisp Candy starting to feature in TikTok influencers' taste-test videos across the globe.
Reporter | Xie Maishi
Video | Guo Hongda
Poster | Lai Meiying
Wang Ziyi (Intern) also contributed to the story.
