Manapua

Hawaiian adaptation of Chinese baozi

Manapua

Manapua with shredded char siu filling

Type| Dim sum
Region or state| Hawaii
Serving temperature| Hot, room temperature
Main ingredients| Pork
Variations| Steamed or baked; lap cheong, curry chicken, sweetened red or black bean paste, kalua pig, sweet potato/ube, hot dog,

Manapua is the Hawaiian adaptation of the Chinese bun, baozi, derived specifically from char siu bao. However, in contemporary times, the term is generally applied to a large char siu bao or other steamed, baked, or fried bao variations of different fillings.

These bao would later be known as manapua, said to be a portmanteau of the Hawaiian phrase mea ʻono puaʻa, roughly translated as "pork cake"[1] \- mea ʻono referring to any food item encompassing dessert, cake, pastry, cookie[a] and puaʻa meaning "pork" or "pig".[b][3]

## Background

[edit]

The prospect of financial reward found in the sugar industry caused much Chinese immigration starting in the mid 1800s. The Chinese would bring along with them their foods including baozi, a carbohydrate rich food essential for sustenance against the intense physical labor demanded in sugar production.[4] Some of these Chinese laborers, who would later be known as a "manapua man", would peddle their char siu bao in the plantation fields and to other plantation camps by foot and later by vehicle for additional income.[5]

These traditional char siu bao would eventually grow in size into the modern manapua known today. Bat Moi Kam Mau is credited with retailing the first large char siu bao in the 1940s at her manapua shop "Char Hung Sut".[6] Honolulu restaurant Royal Kitchen claimed to have been one of the first retailers of baked manapua in 1974.[7]

## Description

[edit]

Variety of baked manapuas for sale

While manapua dimensions are not formally regulated, once cooked, many are close to 4-5 inches (~13cm) in diameter and 3-4 inches (~8cm) in height. On the other hand, char siu bao sold in many classic Chinese restaurants still retain their original size and shape and are simply known by its original name rather than manapua.

Char siu remains a staple filling. However, its preparation is sometimes simplified to pork with char siu flavoring rather than being prepared with actual roasted char siu. Other fillings have been introduced, some reflecting the various ethnic groups in Hawaii. Other common meat fillings include: lap cheong and hot dog which uses a full (uncut) sausage, chicken curry, and kalua pork. Vegetarian options include: black bean paste commonly known as "black sugar", azuki similar to anpan, Okinawan purple sweet potato (sometimes mislabeled as ube).[8]

A single bun can be consumed as a "meal in itself" or divided and shared as a snack along with other local style dim sum items. Older standalone manapua shops will also offer a handful of other dim sum items such as fun guo known as "pepeiao", gok jai or "half moon" which are normally steamed, shaomai or "pork hash". Like the manapua, these too, have become twice the size of their original counterparts. Manapua and these other dim sum items are often bought in bulk as omiyage when traveling to the neighbor island or out-of-state, or shared in office meetings or breakrooms akin to donuts.[9][10]

## In popular culture

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### Manapua man

[edit]

In the 1970s, manapua hawkers would trade in their carrying pole for a converted full-size van.[11] These modern hawkers, affectionately known as a "manapua man," would drive their "manapua van" through neighborhoods very much like an ice cream truck playing music to attract customers or are found parked at certain locations like a food truck. They are a beloved sight for neighborhood children and passerby looking for a very affordable quick meal or snack.[12] Some vans are more akin to a convenience store on wheels, sometimes not selling manapua at all. Items sold range from chow mein to candies, burgers to fountain drinks, and at one point, cigarettes and beer.[5]

Exterior side view manapua van

## See also

[edit]

* Food portal
* Hawaii portal

* Cuisine of Hawaii
* Baozi
* Dim sum
* Siopao

* v
* t
* e

Dumplings

List of dumplings

American cuisine|

| North America|

* Apple dumpling
* Chicken and dumplings
* Crab Rangoon
* Knoephla
* Manapua
* Poutine râpée
* Rivels

|

Latin America|

* Bolinho de chuva
* Chapalele
* Corunda
* Empanada
* Hallaca
* Nuegado
* Pamonha
* Pantruca
* Sorrentinos
* Tamale

Caribbean|

* Ducana
* Pasteles

Asian cuisine|

| East Asia|

Chinese
Abacus seeds
Bah-oân
Baozi
Chhau-a-koe
Cha siu bao
Cifantuan
Fun guo
Har gow
Hujiao bing
Jiaozi
Kibi dango
Lo mai gai
Qingtuan
Shengjian mantou

Soon kueh
Shumai
Suanla chaoshou
Tangbao
Tangyuan
Taro dumpling
Wonton
Xiaolongbao
Yau gok
Zhaliang
Zongzi
Japanese
Akashiyaki
Chimaki
Daifuku
Dango
Gyōza
Hōtō
Kibi dango (millet dumpling)
Kibi dango (Okayama)
Mitarashi dango
Nikuman
Oyaki
Shūmai
Suiton
Takoyaki
Korean
Bukkumi
Eo-mandu
Gamja-ongsimi
Gyeongdan
Hoppang
Jjinppang
Mandu
Mandu-guk
Mandu-gwa
Pyeonsu
Sujebi
Songpyeon
Mongolian
Bansh
Buuz
Khuushuur

|

Southeast Asia|

Burmese
Mont baung
Mont lone yay baw
Mont phet htok
Filipino
Bibingka
Binaki
Empanada
Mache
Masi
Moche
Pancit Molo
Paowaw
Pinsec frito
Samosa
Shumai
Siopao
Indonesian
Arem-arem
Bakcang
Bakpau
Batagor
Burasa
Chai kue
Cilok
Jalangkote
Karipap
Klepon
Kue kochi
Kue putu
Kue putu mangkok
Lemang
Lemper
Lepet
Nagasari
Panada
Pangsit
Pastel
Risoles
Roti oliebol
Semar mendem
Siomay
Timphan
Thailand
Cho muang
Vietnamese
Bánh bao
Bánh bao bánh vạc
Bánh bột lọc
Other
Curry puff

South Asia|

* Ada
* Aushak
* Fish patty
* Gujhia
* Gulha
* Hoentay
* Kozhukkatta
* Lukhmi
* Modak
* Momo
* Nevryo
* Munthiri kothu
* Samosa
* Yomari

Central Asia|

* Chuchvara
* Manti
* Orama
* Samsa

West Asia|

* Gondi
* Gürzə
* Hingel
* Khinkali
* Kubbeh
* Qatayef
* Sambusak
* Shishbarak
* Tatar böreği

North Asia|

* Pelmeni
* Pyanse

European cuisine|

| Eastern Europe|

* Borș de burechiușe
* Chebureki
* Colțunași
* Halušky
* Kalduny (Kundumy)
* Knish
* Kreplach
* Mataz
* Matzah ball
* Pelmeni
* Pirozhki
* Scovardă
* Uszka
* Varenyky

|

Southern Europe|

* Agnolotti
* Pavese
* Piedmontese
* Cappelletti
* Casoncelli
* Casunziei
* Cjarsons
* Gnocchi
* Gnudi
* Mezzelune
* Ravioli
* Sacchettoni
* Tortellini
* Tortelloni

Central Europe|

* Black dumplings
* Bryndzové halušky
* Capuns
* Dampfnudel
* Germknödel
* Halušky
* Idrijski žlikrofi
* Kluski
* Knedle
* Knödel
* Kopytka
* Maultasche
* Mohnnudel
* Pampuchy
* Pickert
* Pierogi
* Pyzy
* Marillenknödel
* Schlutzkrapfen
* Schupfnudel
* Shlishkes
* Silesian dumplings
* Strapačky
* Uszka

Western Europe|

* Barbajuan
* Rissole

Northern Europe|

* Bedfordshire clanger
* Cepelinai
* Kroppkaka
* Palt
* Pitepalt
* Raspeball

African cuisine|

* Kenkey
* Sambusa

Oceanian cuisine|

* Dim sim

## References

[edit]

1. ^ lit. "delicious thing"[2]
2. ^ Hawaiian does not differentiate animals in their living and meat forms unlike English influenced by French.

1. ^ "Hawaiian Word of the Day: Mea ono puaa". Hawaii News Now. 14 May 2016.
2. ^ "mea ʻono". Nā Puke Wehewehe. Ulukau.
3. ^ "puaʻa". Nā Puke Wehewehe. Ulukau.
4. ^ "Manapua". Aloha Hawaii. 1 November 2009.
5. ^ a b Allen, Kevin (18 October 2018). "Searching for a Hawai'i Icon: The Manapua Man". Honolulu Magazine.
6. ^ Altonn, Helen (20 April 2003). "Tireless work led to big, tasty manapuas". archives.starbulletin.com.
7. ^ "About Us". Royal Kitchen.
8. ^ "LET'S EAT!". Chun Wah Kam Noodle Factory.
9. ^ "36 O'ahu Foodie Omiyage to Take to Neighbor Islands and Beyond". Honolulu Magazine. 26 July 2023.
10. ^ "Hawaii Grindz Omiyage Gift Guide". Tasty Island Hawaii. 13 October 2013.
11. ^ Consillio, Kristen (13 October 2022). "Manapua man of old Hawaii still going strong on Oahu". KITV Island News.
12. ^ Aki, Jacob Bryan (31 October 2019). "A Eulogy For Kalihi's Manapua Man: Thank You For Your Service". Honolulu Civil Beat.

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