🥜 snackRank #9medium

Manapua

Name: Manapua
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast; 1/4 cup sugar; 1 cup warm water; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 cup char siu pork; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 2 tablespoons chopped green onions

Manapua is a popular Hawaiian snack consisting of soft, fluffy steamed buns filled typically with char siu (Chinese-style barbecued pork) or other savory fillings. It reflects the multicultural influences of Hawaii's plantation era, blending Chinese culinary traditions with local tastes.

11 ingredients

savoryumamisweetsoftaromatic

Culinary DNA Preview

Hawaiian70%

Chinese30%

Ingredients

all-purpose flour
3 cups
active dry yeast
2 1/4 teaspoons
sugar
1/4 cup
warm water
1 cup
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons
char siu pork
1 cup
soy sauce
2 tablespoons
hoisin sauce
1 tablespoon
oyster sauce
1 tablespoon
sesame oil
1 teaspoon
green onions
2 tablespoons chopped

Method

Steps not available

Origin Story

Manapua originated from Chinese immigrants who came to Hawaii in the 19th century, adapting their traditional baozi to local ingredients and preferences, becoming a beloved island staple.

Culinary DNA

Ingredient ancestry breakdown

Hawaiian70%

ingredients+techniques

Chinese30%

ingredient_origin

Techniques

steaming kneading rising stuffing

Stories about this dish

No stories tagged here yet — check back soon.

Browse

North Americacuisines →Foodways connections →