gua bao
In its own language: 割包
Steamed folded bun filled with braised pork belly and condiments
Gua bao is a snack or street food from Fujian, China, made with a folded steamed bun (lotus leaf bread) stuffed with red-cooked pork belly, pickled mustard greens, coriander, and ground peanuts. It is popular in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Japan, and is often enjoyed as a snack, side, or main dish.
- Made with folded steamed lotus leaf bread
- Traditional filling is braised pork belly
- Topped with pickled mustard greens, coriander, and ground peanuts
- Originated in Fujian, China, and popular in Taiwan
- Known as kong bak pau in Singapore and Malaysia
What is gua bao?
Gua bao is a sandwich-like snack made by folding a soft, steamed bun—called lotus leaf bread—around a filling. The classic version holds a thick slice of braised pork belly, which is tender and rich. This is topped with pickled mustard greens, fresh coriander leaves, and ground peanuts. The bun itself is pale, semi-circular, and about the size of a palm, with a fold that opens like a pocket. The mix of savory pork, tangy pickles, and sweet, nutty peanuts gives each bite a blend of flavors and textures.
Where does gua bao come from?
Gua bao comes from the coastal Fujian province in China, especially the cities of Quanzhou and Fuzhou. In Quanzhou, it is sometimes called 'meat between buns' or 'tiger bites lion.' The bun was traditionally eaten by the Hui'an people during wedding celebrations. Fuzhounese immigrants brought the dish to Taiwan, where it became a popular street food. In Taiwan, it is also known as 'tiger bites pig' because of the bun's mouth-like shape. The dish spread throughout East and Southeast Asia with Hokkien and Fuzhounese communities.
How is gua bao made?
To make gua bao, a soft, white dough is steamed into flat, folded buns. The filling is usually pork belly cooked in a soy-based sauce until it is tender and flavorful. Pickled mustard greens are stir-fried and added for a sour note. Fresh coriander and ground peanuts are sprinkled on top. The bun is opened, and the fillings are layered inside before serving. Some versions use other meats or vegetarian fillings, but the pork belly version is traditional.
How and when is gua bao eaten?
Gua bao is eaten hot, often as a snack or light meal. In Taiwan, it is a common street food, especially at night markets, and is sometimes paired with Sishen soup. In Fujian, it may appear at weddings or festivals. People usually eat it by hand, like a sandwich. In other countries, it is served in Chinese restaurants or at food stalls, sometimes as a side dish or part of a larger meal.
Kinds of gua bao
While pork belly is the classic filling, other versions use fried chicken, fish, stewed beef, or eggs. In Jinjiang, a vegetarian version replaces the meat with a peanut paste and uses a clay-oven bread. Modern takes, especially outside China, may include lettuce, kimchi, or other non-traditional ingredients. In Singapore and Malaysia, it is called kong bak pau and is popular among the Hokkien community. In Japan, kakuni manju is a specialty of Nagasaki Chinatown.
What gua bao means
Gua bao holds cultural meaning in its places of origin. In Quanzhou, it is linked to wedding customs. In Taiwan, it became a popular street food in the 1970s and is now a staple at night markets. Its spread to other countries reflects the movement of Chinese communities. In the West, it gained fame through restaurants in New York and London, sometimes under new names like 'bao' or 'hirata bun.' The dish is often associated with celebration and sharing.
Questions people ask about gua bao
What is gua bao made of?
Gua bao is made with a steamed folded bun called lotus leaf bread, filled with braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, coriander, and ground peanuts.
Where does gua bao come from?
Gua bao originated in Fujian province, China, especially in the cities of Quanzhou and Fuzhou, and later became popular in Taiwan and other countries.
Is gua bao always made with pork?
The traditional filling is pork belly, but some versions use fried chicken, fish, stewed beef, eggs, or even vegetarian fillings like peanut paste.
How is gua bao served?
It is served hot, usually as a snack or street food, and is eaten by hand. In Taiwan, it is often found at night markets and sometimes paired with soup.
What does the bun in gua bao look like?
The bun is semi-circular, flat, and white, about 6–8 cm in size, folded to form a pocket for the fillings.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Koah-pau", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
More from China
All the food of China
Pasta
🇮🇹 Italy and 1 moreUnleavened dough shaped and cooked, a staple of Italian cuisine
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
TofuVegan豆腐
🇨🇳 China and 5 moreSoft white blocks made by curdling soy milk and pressing the curds
Main dish
Chuanr串
🇨🇳 ChinaGrilled skewers of meat, seafood or vegetables from northern China
Grill or roast, Dinner, Snacks
Tofu skin roll
🇨🇳 ChinaTofu skin wrapped around a savoury filling, served steamed or fried as dim sum
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Its cousins elsewhere
All street food
KobaVegan
🇲🇬 MadagascarA Malagasy sweet cake of peanuts, sugar and rice flour wrapped in banana leaves
Sweet or dessert, Snacks
Pizza
🇮🇹 Italy and 4 moreFlatbread topped with tomato, cheese and baked at high heat
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner