The vegan bao bun is available frozen to foodservice caterers in the UK, helping operators to cater for the growing demand for plant-based dishes.
Gordon Lauder, managing director of Central Foods, said: “These steamed and folded, soft bread buns are usually served warm filled with slow-cooked meat, crunchy salad and pickles, and sticky sauce for delicious, tasty bite-size snacks. They’re really versatile and can actually be served as sweet or savoury options, which makes them a great product for caterers.
“Hand-held, street food-style breads continue to be really popular, as they give foodservice operators new and different ways of serving snacks and light meals to a public that has really embraced the street food trend.
“Japanese flavours and foods are growing in popularity – a trend that strengthened with the Rugby World Cup taking place in Japan last October and the Tokyo Olympics starting in July. Hirata buns are a quick and easy way to capitalise on this interest in Asian food.”
Baozi (bao for short) is Chinese for ‘bun’ but in the UK they are often called ‘hirata buns’. The buns have been around for hundreds of years and they are traditionally eaten by hand according to Lauder.
The bao buns can be filled with barbeque pork, pickled vegetables or sautéed mushrooms. Using frozen hirata buns has benefits including helping to cut waste, reduce costs and ensures a fresh supple of bread is always available.