Tangbao facts for kids
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| Type | Baozi |
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| Place of origin | China |
| Region or state | Various |
| Tangbao | |||||||||||
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| Simplified Chinese | 汤包 | ||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 湯包 | ||||||||||
| Literal meaning | "soup buns" | ||||||||||
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Imagine a delicious bun filled with hot, savory soup! That's what Tangbao (pronounced "tang-bow") is. These are special steamed buns from China. People also call them soup buns or guantang bao. They are unique because they have a liquid soup inside. To make them, chefs put a special jelly-like filling into dough. When the bun is steamed, this jelly melts into a yummy soup. You can find different kinds of Tangbao all over China.
Contents
Types of Tangbao
There are several kinds of Tangbao, each with its own special features. Here are some popular examples:
Kaifeng Tangbao
In the city of Kaifeng, located in Henan province, there's a traditional Tangbao. This bun is quite large, much like other baozi. Originally, you would bite a small hole in it. Then, you would use a spoon to drink the soup inside. However, this old way of eating has mostly changed. Today, most places in Kaifeng serve a style of Tangbao similar to those from Jiangsu. With these, you drink the soup using a straw.
Jiangsu Tangbao
This type of Tangbao is popular in places like Yangzhou and Jingjiang in Jiangsu province. You'll find it all over the Jiangnan region. These large steamed buns often come in their own steaming basket. The soup inside is usually made with pork jelly. Sometimes, it also includes crab roe, which adds a rich flavor. Just like the newer Kaifeng style, you drink the soup with a straw. After enjoying the soup, you can eat the rest of the bun. People often serve Jiangsu Tangbao with slices of ginger and vinegar.
Shanghai Xiaolongbao
From Shanghai and other parts of Jiangsu province comes the Xiaolongbao. This is a smaller version of Tangbao. It's usually made with dough that hasn't been leavened (meaning it doesn't rise much). Each little bun is picked up carefully. Then, you bite into it to get to the delicious pork and soup filling.
Wuhan Xiaolong Tangbao
In the city of Wuhan, you can find Xiaolong Tangbao. These buns look similar to the Shanghai Xiaolongbao in shape. However, they are made with leavened dough. This means the dough rises, giving them a slightly different texture.
See also
In Spanish: Tang bao para niños
