Facts About Siopao
Siopao, literally meaning "hot bun", is the Philippine cuisine indigenized version of the Cantonese steamed bun called cha siu bao.
Description
It is a popular snack sold mostly by bakeries and vendors and in many Chinese restaurants and eateries in the Philippines. There are different varieties based on the filling: pork asado or bola-bola (a combination of pork, chicken, beef, shrimp or salted duck egg). There is also a variety of ways to bake.
A unique variant from Siargao Island is the paowaw, a dessert bun which has a filling of bukayo (sweetened shredded coconut meat).
An old urban legend or canard alleges that siopao is made from cat meat, due to the relative cheapness of siopao and Sinophobia.
In other countries
There is a similar derivative in Thai cuisine called salapao (Thai: ซาลาเปา). Salapao are sometimes made with a sweet filling for a dessert. It is also a favorite in Hawaii where it is called manapua.