List of Chinese bakery products facts for kids
Chinese bakery products are yummy treats like pastries, cakes, and snacks that come from China. Some of these are traditional Chinese recipes, while others have been inspired by Western baking styles. You might know some of the most popular ones, like mooncakes, egg tarts, and wife cakes.
You can find Chinese bakeries in many countries, especially where there are lots of Chinese people. They are very common in areas called Chinatowns. These bakeries often sell tea, coffee, and other drinks too!
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Types of Chinese Bakeries
Bakeries in different cities have their own special touches. This is true in places like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila. The fillings for pastries might even be influenced by local flavors from countries like Indonesia or the Philippines. In North America, big Chinatowns in cities like San Francisco and Vancouver have a huge variety. They even mix in ideas from French, Italian, Japanese, and Mexican baking!
Hong Kong vs. Taiwan Bakeries
There are two main types of Chinese bakeries: Hong Kong style and Taiwan style. They share many similar treats, but also have their own unique items. For example, pineapple cakes are famous in Taiwan. On the other hand, the cocktail bun and pineapple bun are popular in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong bakeries have more Western influences. This is because Hong Kong was under British rule for many years. Taiwan-style bakeries might show more influences from American, Japanese, or Korean baking.
Bakeries in Mainland China
Bakeries in mainland China are also very diverse. This is because China is a huge country with many different cultures. For instance, Furu bing (a type of cookie) is sold in the Chaoshan region. In contrast, nang (a flatbread) is popular in Xinjiang. Bakeries in Shanghai have been greatly influenced by European baking, especially French and German styles.
Some Chinese bakeries also offer small snacks that are usually part of dim sum meals. These categories often overlap quite a bit!
Eastern-Origin Pastries
Many traditional Chinese pastries are either steamed or baked. Sometimes, different buns look very similar, making it hard to guess what's inside! To help, bakers often use small marks. This could be a colored dot or a few sesame seeds on top to show the filling.
Most of the foods listed below are baked. However, some are steamed, boiled, deep-fried, or don't need cooking at all.
- Almond biscuit – A golden, delicate cookie with a light almond taste.
- Bakpia – A round, flat bun with different fillings. It can be flaky or soft.
- Baozi – A general name for a steamed bun made with yeast. It can have many types of fillings.
- Cha siu bao – A steamed or baked bun filled with sweet roast pork. It sometimes has a red dot on top.
- Chicken bun – A steamed or baked bun usually filled with shredded chicken and mushrooms.
- Cocktail bun – This bun is usually filled with a sweet shredded coconut paste.
- Egg tart – A delicate pastry tart with a lightly sweet golden egg custard filling.
- Jin deui or zi ma qiu – A deep-fried hollow ball of glutinous rice. It's coated with sesame seeds and can have a sweet red bean or savory meat filling.
- Lotus seed bun – A steamed bun filled with sweet lotus seed paste.
- Mantou – Plain, slightly sweet, steamed buns made from wheat flour. They are usually unfilled.
- Mooncake – A traditional pastry often filled with heavy lotus seed paste. It sometimes has one or two egg yolks inside. These are especially popular during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
- Nuomici – A sweet glutinous rice dumpling with different fillings. These can include sweet red bean paste, black sesame paste, mango, or peanuts.
- Paper wrapped cake – A light and spongy chiffon cake wrapped in paper. It's sometimes just called "sponge cake."
- Pineapple bun – This bun does not contain pineapples! It gets its name from the criss-crossed pattern on top, which looks like a pineapple. The top is a sweet, crispy crust. It can be filled with custard or red bean paste.
- Pineapple cake – A round or rectangular pastry filled with pineapple jam.
- Rousong bun or "pork fu" bun – A bun filled with dried, fluffy meat fibers. Sometimes whipped cream is added.
- Sausage bun – Also called a "hot dog bun." It's a steamed or baked bun that always includes a piece of sausage or hot dog.
- Sachima – A sweet Manchu pastry made from flour, butter, and rock sugar. It's made of crispy, fluffy fried strands.
- Wife cake – A round, flaky pastry with a clear white winter melon paste in the center.
- Youtiao – Also known as "Chinese cruller." These are deep-fried dough strips.
- Zongzi – Sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo or lotus leaves. They are often filled with savory meat, red bean paste, or peanuts.
Western-Influenced Pastries
Some Western-influenced baked goods in Chinese bakeries are very similar to their Western versions. Others are a bit different, for example, they might be less sweet. Here are some you might find:
- Almond cake – A light cupcake covered with whipped cream and then rolled in thin almond chips.
- Cream bun – An oval-shaped bun filled with whipped cream or butter. It's often sprinkled with shredded dried coconut.
- Cream horn – A long, cone-shaped puff pastry filled with whipped cream, and sometimes fruit or jam.
- Eclair – Very similar to the French original.
- Napoleon – Layers of puff pastry with a creamy filling or jam.
- Swiss roll – A rolled cake with a creamy filling. The filling can be sweetened cream, chocolate, or fruit paste.
Drinks You Can Find
Chinese bakeries often serve a variety of drinks to go with their treats:
- Bubble tea (boba) – A popular drink with large tapioca pearls served in tea with milk.
- Milk tea – Black tea sweetened with evaporated milk.
- Soy milk – A plant-based drink made from soybeans.
- Tea – A warm, aromatic drink made from tea leaves.
- Yuanyang – A special blend of tea and coffee, very popular in Hong Kong.
See also
In Spanish: Repostería de China para niños
