Most people who are familiar with Chinese cuisine have heard of Baozi. It is a staple of Chinese food, but some people do not realize just how much this food means to the Chinese people. A Baozi is steamed bun that is filled with a variety of different meats, pastes, or even soups. They typically come in two sizes. Da Bao (大包) are typically around 10 cm across and Xiao Bao (小包) are half that size. The invention of the Baozi is credited to Zhuge Liang (181-234), a military strategist from the Three
Kingdoms period (220-280). It is said that he and his troops were on an expedition to south China when his army caught a plague. Zhuge made a bun shaped like a human head from flour, pork and beef which was offered as a sacrifice to the gods and later given to the soldiers to cure their illness.
Baozi are simple to make, but there are so many different types of Baozi, and they can be eaten with many different spices and sauces. However, besides their wonderful taste, Baozi are popular for their convenience and price. Baozi can be found all over Beijing. Walking along the road, it is very common to see people carrying bags full of them. Also, you can eat Baozi for any meal of the day or as a snack. I often go to a Baozi shop down the road in between classes or on my way home. Additionally, Baozi are a cheap option for how filling they are. One of my favorite things about Baozi is that even if you buy them often, you can always try a new filling or style of Baozi.