bao

/baʊ/

Other forms: baos

A bao is a soft steamed bun with a savory filling. If you order dim sum at a Chinese restaurant, you'll probably get to taste several kinds of bao.

Bao, or "bun," comes from Cantonese, and it's a specialty of Cantonese cuisine. Bao is different from other dumplings because it's steamed, rather than boiled or fried, and made with yeast. The result is a pillowy case for fillings like barbecued pork or pickled vegetables. Some bao is pinched into a round ball, while others are open, encasing the filling like a taco. You can also call these delicious treats baozi, or "filled buns."

Definitions of bao

1. noun

   a steamed Chinese bread roll filled with meat or vegetables