What Is a Bao Bun?

Gua bao, also known as pork belly buns, ambiguously, bao, or erroneously as the bao bun is a type of lotus leaf bun originating from Fujian cuisine. It is also a popular street food in Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Nagasaki Chinatown in Japan.

What are bao buns made from?

Bao Buns (pronounced “bow”), but also known as a 'steamed buns' or 'baozi' 包子, are a delicious, warm, fluffy treat of stuffing wrapped inside a sweet, white dough. Made with a mix of flour, yeast, sugar, baking powder, milk and oil, the bao is a tad sweeter than its closely related cousin, the dumpling.

What does a bao bun taste like?

Without any fillings, bao buns are like a blank canvas. Bao buns without any filling are called “mantou.” They have a chewy texture and smell and taste like fresh bread.