10 Popular Chinese Breads and Buns

Mantou is usually made from flour, water, and yeast and can be savory or sweet.

The buns are steamed in a special steamer and served with a dipping sauce.

Mantou is a staple food in China and is often eaten for breakfast or as a snack. In recent years, mantou has become increasingly popular in other countries.

Chun Bing is a traditional Chinese dish that dates back to the Ming Dynasty.

It consists of pancakes made from wheat flour and water, filled with slices of roast duck, scallions, and hoisin sauce.

While the Chun Bing is often associated with Beijing, it is well-known throughout China and other parts of Asia.

Youtiao is a type of fried bread, kind of like a Chinese version of a donut.

The dough is flour, water, and yeast and rolled into long, thin strips before being deep-fried.

They are served with soy milk or porridge for breakfast.

It is rumored that Youtiao was invented by a Chinese general during the Han Dynasty.

Cong You Bing is a Chinese pancake usually square or round and varies in thickness from paper-thin to thick and doughy.

The flavor of the pancakes is savory and slightly sweet, with the green onions providing a subtle onion flavor.

The outside of the pancake should be crispy while the inside is still soft and moist.

Shao Bing is a Chinese sesame flatbread made with wheat flour, water, and sesame oil.

The dough is rolled out into a thin sheet and pan-fried in oil until it is golden brown and crispy.

Shao bing is typically eaten for breakfast or as a snack.

Baozi is a type of Chinese dim sum filled with minced pork. Baozi gets steamed in bamboo baskets, which gives them their characteristic round shape.

It is thought that the steamed bun was introduced to China by Middle Eastern traders who came to Chang'an.

Over time, the Chinese developed their version of the steamed bun.

Nai Wong Bao is a Chinese pastry filled with sweet egg custard. The buns get steamed, which gives them a soft and fluffy texture.

Nai Wong Bao originated in the Guangdong province of China.

In addition to the traditional egg custard filling, nai wong bao can also get filled with chocolate or fruit.

Check out other Chinese desserts if you like these pastries!

Fusion Gua Bao consists of steamed buns filled with several fillings, including braised pork belly, peanuts, and cilantro.

Fusion Gua Bao is the perfect meal for any time of day, and it's also a great option if you're looking for something different than your typical sandwich.

Dòushā Guō Bing is made by steaming a dough of flour, water, and salt, then flattening it into a thin pancake.

Once cooked, it gets filled with ingredients, such as meats, vegetables, or tofu.

Dòushā Guō Bing is typically served with a dipping sauce and can be eaten either as a main meal or as a snack.

Cong Mianbao is a traditional breakfast dish in Northern China.

The bread is made by layering yeast-leavened dough with green onion-infused oil, then steaming it. The result is a soft and fluffy bread with a savory filling.

While cong mianbao is eaten plain, it can also be served with several toppings like pickled vegetables or chili paste.