Siopao facts for kids
Top: Asado siopao; Bottom: A dessert siopao with chocolate filling
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| Type | Baozi |
|---|---|
| Course | Snack |
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Variations | Siopao asado, Siopao bola bola, Toasted siopao, Fried siopao, Paowaw, other dessert variants |
| 330 kcal (1382 kJ) | |
| Similar dishes | Baozi (China), Char siu bao (China), Siu pao (Marshall Islands), Salapao (Thailand), Manapua (Hawaii), Keke Pua'a (Samoa & American Samoa) |
Siopao (pronounced "show-pow") is a yummy Filipino steamed bun. It has different tasty fillings inside. This popular snack came from a Chinese bun called baozi. Chinese immigrants brought it to the Philippines a long time ago, during the Spanish colonial period. You can often find siopao sold in bakeries and restaurants all over the Philippines.
Contents
What is Siopao?
Siopao is a special kind of steamed bun. It was inspired by the baozi from Fujian, China. Hokkien Chinese immigrants brought this idea to the Philippines. This happened during the time when Spain ruled the Philippines. The name "siopao" comes from the Hokkien Chinese words "sio-pau," which means "hot bun."
In the early 1900s, a famous chef named Ma Mon Luk made very popular siopao buns in Manila.
How Siopao is Different
Siopao is usually bigger than the Chinese baozi. You can hold it in your hands and eat it like a sandwich. It also has different kinds of traditional fillings.
The most common fillings are:
- Asado: This is a sweet and savory pork filling. It's a Filipino version of a Chinese dish called char siu.
- Bola-bola: This means "meatball." It's a mix of different meats like pork, chicken, or beef. Sometimes it also has shrimp or a piece of salted duck egg.
Most siopao buns are steamed. They are made with wheat flour that has been made light and fluffy. There are also other ways to make siopao:
- Toasted siopao: This version is baked in an oven instead of being steamed.
- Fried siopao: After steaming, the bottom of the bun is fried in a pan.
Another similar food is the asado roll. This uses regular bread dough and is baked like a bread roll.
Siopao Sauce
Traditional siopao often comes with a special sweet and sour sauce. This "siopao sauce" is made from ingredients like cornstarch, soy sauce, sugar, and garlic. You can pour it inside the bun or spread it on the filling before you eat. Some people also like to use plain ketchup (either tomato or banana ketchup) with their siopao. This is different from baozi, which is often dipped in soy sauce or vinegar.
Paowaw: A Sweet Treat
From Siargao Island in the Philippines, there's a unique type of siopao called paowaw. This is a dessert bun with a sweet filling. The filling is made from bukayo, which is sweetened shredded coconut meat.
Siopao in Other Countries
Siopao also traveled to other places! It was brought to Guam when Guam was part of the Philippines. From Guam, it spread even further to the Marshall Islands. There, it is known as siu pao.
Similar Steamed Buns
There are many steamed buns around the world that are similar to siopao.
- In Thai cuisine, there is a dish called salapao (Thai: ซาลาเปา). Sometimes, it has a sweet filling and is eaten as a dessert.
- In Hawaii, a similar bun is called manapua.
- In Samoa and American Samoa, it is known as keke pua'a.
See also
In Spanish: Siópao para niños
