Manapua

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title: "Manapua" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["chinese-breads", "chinese-fusion-cuisine", "dim-sum", "dumplings", "hawaiian-fusion-cuisine", "pork-dishes", "steamed-buns", "stuffed-dishes", "street-food"] description: "Hawaiian adaptation of Chinese baozi" topic_path: "geography/china" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manapua" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Hawaiian adaptation of Chinese baozi ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox food"]

Field	Value
name	Manapua
image	[[Image:Mnpa.jpg
image_size	250px
caption	Manapua with shredded char siu filling
region	Hawaii
type	Dim sum
served	Hot, room temperature
main_ingredient	Pork
variations	Steamed or baked; lap cheong, curry chicken, sweetened red or black bean paste, kalua pig, sweet potato/ube, hot dog,
::

| name = Manapua | image = [[Image:Mnpa.jpg|250px]] | image_size = 250px | caption = Manapua with shredded char siu filling | country = | region = Hawaii | creator = | course = | type = Dim sum | served = Hot, room temperature | main_ingredient = Pork | variations = Steamed or baked; lap cheong, curry chicken, sweetened red or black bean paste, kalua pig, sweet potato/ube, hot dog, | other = 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 ono puaa, roughly translated as "pork cake" - mea ono referring to any food item encompassing dessert, cake, pastry, cookie and puaa meaning "pork" or "pig".

Background

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. 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.

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". Honolulu restaurant Royal Kitchen claimed to have been one of the first retailers of baked manapua in 1974.

Description

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/Bakedmnp.jpg" caption="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).

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.

In popular culture

Manapua man

In the 1970s, manapua hawkers would trade in their carrying pole for a converted full-size van. 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. 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. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Mnpmn.png" caption="Exterior side view manapua van"] ::

References

References

1. (14 May 2016). "Hawaiian Word of the Day: Mea ono puaa".
2. "mea ʻono". Ulukau.
3. "puaʻa". Ulukau.
4. (1 November 2009). "Manapua".
5. (18 October 2018). "Searching for a Hawai'i Icon: The Manapua Man".
6. (20 April 2003). "Tireless work led to big, tasty manapuas".
7. "About Us".
8. "LET'S EAT!".
9. (26 July 2023). "36 O'ahu Foodie Omiyage to Take to Neighbor Islands and Beyond".
10. (13 October 2013). "Hawaii Grindz Omiyage Gift Guide".
11. (13 October 2022). "Manapua man of old Hawaii still going strong on Oahu".
12. (31 October 2019). "A Eulogy For Kalihi's Manapua Man: Thank You For Your Service".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::