Bao buns, also known as baozi, are fluffy Chinese steamed buns filled with meat or vegetables. They are a popular street food and snack across China and have spread to become beloved around the world. However, there has been some debate over whether bao buns originated in Japan or Korea.
In this article, we’ll explore the history and origins of bao buns to try to determine if they should be considered Japanese or Korean food. We’ll look at evidence on both sides, like historical records and cultural traditions around bao. By the end, you should have a good understanding of the case for bao buns belonging to each country.
What are Bao Buns?
First, let’s start with a quick overview of what exactly bao buns are.
Bao buns consist of leavened dough that is filled with ingredients like pork, chicken, vegetables, or sweet bean paste. The dough is folded and pleated around the filling into a round or crescent shape. The bao bun is then steamed until the exterior is fluffy and soft.
The dough itself has a light and slightly sweet flavor. It’s soft and pillowy, providing an absorbing contrast to the savory or sweet interior filling. The filling options are extremely versatile, allowing for many different types of bao buns.
Some of the most common fillings are:
- Char siu – Sweet, bbq pork
- Roast pork
- Custard
- Chinese sausage
- Red bean paste
- Vegetables
Bao buns can range in size from small appetizer-sized buns to large buns as big as a person’s palm. They are meant to be picked up and eaten by hand, making them an easy, portable snack.
The gently sweet, soft exterior wrapped around savory or sweet interior fillings makes bao buns a beloved comfort food for many. They have gained popularity not only in China, but also internationally. You can now find bao buns at restaurants and food trucks all over the U.S. and the world.
The Case for Bao Buns Originating in Japan
Now that we understand what bao buns are, let’s look at the argument that they originated in Japan. There are a few pieces of evidence used to support this claim:
Early historical mentions
One of the earliest written accounts of something resembling bao buns comes from Japan in the year 702 AD. A dictionary from the Heian Period called the Wakan Sanzai Zue describes manju, a bun stuffed with minced meat. This is similar to the pork or other meat-filled baozi.
Some scholars argue that this early account indicates the Japanese were the first to conceive bao buns and introduce them to China later on. However, others dispute that manju were the same food as modern baozi, since they lacked defining features like pleats on the exterior wrapping.
Cultural importance
Throughout Japanese history, various forms of stuffed buns and dumplings have played an important role in traditional food culture. Specific regional styles of buns developed over time. For example, nikuman are a soft, round yeast bun stuffed with pork, vegetables, and ginger. Oyaki is a crescent-shaped bun with various fillings that is a specialty of Nagoya.
The presence of these stuffed buns in Japanese culinary tradition for centuries is often cited as further evidence that similar baozi originated in Japan before becoming popular in China as well.
Chinese immigration theory
Some attribute the origins of baozi to Chinese immigration to Japan. In the 7th and 8th centuries, immigrants from China settled into regions of Japan bringing Chinese culture and cuisine with them.
According to this theory, Chinese immigrants living in Japan recreated their traditional baozi, which then spread to become popular throughout Japan. Supporters of this idea believe it’s possible baozi existed in China first before being introduced to Japan through immigration.
The name “nikuman”
Nikuman is the Japanese name for Chinese-style pork buns. The name literally translates to “meat bun” and is composed of niku (meat) and man (bun).
Some argue that if baozi originated in Japan, there would be no reason for the Japanese name to contain “man” referring to the Chinese word for bun (饅). The name itself may suggest the concept was imported from China.
The Case for Bao Buns Originating in China
There are also several compelling arguments supporting China as the original home of bao buns:
Earlier accounts in China
The earliest definitive written mention of baozi comes from texts nearly 300 years before the Japanese account. In the year 414 AD, historical documents from the Liu Song Dynasty in China describe large steamed buns stuffed with minced meat.
This suggests baozi had already been popularized in China before the first known mention in Japan over two centuries later.
Importance in Chinese culture
Baozi and other filled buns have an indisputable importance in Chinese cuisine that has persisted for centuries. Dim sum, a quintessential Chinese dining experience, is closely linked to small dishes like steamed baozi.
Chinese tradition also connects baozi to celebrations like the Spring Festival. Serving them during this holiday symbolizes a wish for prosperity in the New Year. Their long-standing cultural significance to holidays and customs provides evidence of their Chinese origin.
Diffusion theory
Rather than Chinese immigrants bringing baozi to Japan, some argue the opposite occurred. According to the diffusion theory, baozi arose in China and later spread to Japan through cultural exchange.
Supporters believe the concept of stuffed buns was first innovated in China and introduced to Japan through diplomatic missions, traders, monks, and other travelers in the 7th and 8th centuries. This explains the eventual appearance of bao-like buns in Japan after already existing in China.
Use in Chinese language
Linguistic evidence also connects baozi to China. The Chinese word “baozi” translates directly to “bun stuffed with something.” This suggests the name was created to reflect the food’s defining characteristic from the outset. Since baozi are so deeply rooted in Chinese cuisine, it’s likely the word originated there as well.
Comparison of Evidence
To help summarize the main points on both sides, here is a comparison table of the key evidence for the origin of bao buns in Japan vs. China:
| Origin in Japan | Origin in China |
|---|---|
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Conclusion
After examining the evidence, the origins of bao buns likely trace back to China. While various forms of stuffed buns did develop in Japan, records show definitive baozi in China nearly 300 years prior. The cultural significance of baozi in holidays, language, and culinary traditions provides robust support for China as the ancestral home.
The two theories suggesting a spread from China to Japan seem more plausible than the reverse. Chinese immigration or cultural diffusion can logically explain how bao buns spread from their origin point in China to Japan, where they gained their own regional Japanese styles. Linguistic clues also weigh on the side of China, with the name “baozi” meaning “stuffed bun” in Chinese.
Based on current historical knowledge, bao buns most likely were first created in China before becoming beloved in Japan and throughout the dim sum world. However, both countries can share in enjoying the delicious tradition of this fluffy, tasty snack. Whether you call them baozi, nikuman, or gua bao, bao buns are a menu staple that connects these two rich food cultures.