Empty inside…

We call this mantao…

…though actually, it is technically just the the skin of the steamed pao (bun) minus the filling – in other words, it is empty inside.

These came from the bakery directly opposite the school where I was teaching before I retired…

…and yes, I do recall walking across the road to buy the lovely cupcakes that I did enjoy a lot. I think I did buy their steamed paos too but I can’t really put my finger on it. I don’t think my missus got these from there though – she probably got them from one of the shops in the next lane from my house. A lot of bakeries and small home-based businesses would leave their products there for sale so it is very convenient for us to just hop over and grab whatever we want.

I do enjoy eating them with just butter, Golden Churn no less, steaming hot. The butter would melt in the heat and trickle down your fingers as you enjoy each bite. Of course, you can add peanut butter or kaya (coconut jam) or fruit jam, if you so desire or you may choose to fill it with whatever your heart desires, the same way as you would make a sandwich with sliced bread or a burger with a bun.

Well, that day, I took one and added two lettuce leaves…

Oopsss!!! I forgot to butter it first – that would be nice, I think. I bet that would bring the taste to a whole new level.

We did not have any stewed pork in the house but we did have some left over sliced pork belly cooked with salted fish and dried chili so I took a few pieces and placed them in the bun…

…and lastly, I added a slice of tomato…

Yes, it…

…was very nice and I enjoyed it very much.

I don’t know of places selling these mantao stuffed with stewed pork except this one here and I’ve seen alluring photographs of the ones here on Facebook. The latter sure look good but I’ve not gone to try – at this point in time, even though we have gone into Phase 3, I am in no hurry to go out at all. Best to just #staysafe #staywell #stayhome! That, I’m afraid will just have to wait. There was another one but it did not last very long and has since called it a day.

Other than those aforementioned places, you may be able to eat this at some restaurant where they will serve you these buns with a plate of stewed pork or dong po rou (东坡肉) like the lovely one here but unfortunately, both of these places have since closed down as well so if anyone is looking for this, he or she will have to look elsewhere.