10 Asian Breads to Brighten Your Day

Bread is among humanity’s oldest foods. In ancient China, as soon as they started growing wheat and adapted the stone mill, the first mantou and baos were created. However, baking as we know it actually came to Asia much later around the 15th to 17th Century, via the Silk Road and European seafarers; spreading the bread all the way to Southeast Asia. Since then, Asians have reinvented and refined their own bread-making methods that cater to their unique tastes – some may not even require an oven.

Furthermore, because rice and noodles came first, and remain the staple Asian carb foods, bread has become more of a convenient breakfast food, popular comfort food, and beloved street snack. Often with a softer texture and mild pleasant taste compared to their European counterparts. Some may even include fillings or fruity flavouring.

But enough preamble, come enliven your day with a bite of these unique Asian breads – made to pleasure your taste-buds!

Shokupan

When you think of a bread loaf, does it have a crusty texture? If so, then it’s time you meet the Shokupan Japanese milk bread. Made with the Yudane method, this loaf has a nicely baked ‘skin’ instead of a crust, fluffy to chew with a subtle sweet flavour. Slice and have it with butter, spread it with jam, or make extra yummy sandwiches with anything you like!

Kopitiam Bread

Kopitiam are Malaysian Chinese coffee shops that double as diners with a selection of foods. But the quintessential Kopitiam breakfast is this tender white bread with a light, neutral flavour; paired with half-boiled eggs and a hot coffee, milk tea or hot cocoa. The soft bread soaks up the butter and kaya spread, as well as the eggs; giving you a full-bodied, robust-flavoured boost in the morning!

Malaysian Coffee Bun

Asian buns are fluffy too! This Malaysian special has a firm yet tender bread with a rich coffee flavour, and a buttery sweet filling that melts in your mouth. Come grab the recipe!

Hong Kong Sausage Bun

Upgrade your hot dog game with this umami wonder that wraps the sausage in a soft, savoury bun. First made from the ovens of Hong Kong bakeries, and spread to the global Chinese diaspora. The sausage bun is a fave snack sold at Asian bakeries and night markets. Make yours fresh with our authentic recipe!

Melon Pan

The Japanese Melon Bread actually has no melons, but resembles the shape of a local melon, and thus the name. Fluffy sweet with a thin layer of crispy crust, it is Japan’s historic and most popular sweet bun – first baked during the Meiji Era.

Pan Fried Beef Buns

As mentioned, some Asian breads aren’t made in ovens, such as the Chinese flat-bread/pancake Cong You Bing. Another is this awesome pan-fried indulgence: fluffy buns with a sumptuous beef mince filling. Once tasted, you’re sure to crave.

Roti Canai

Speaking of pan-fried breads, the Malaysian/Singaporean Roti Canai is a South Indian-style flat bread made with a dough enriched with ghee. Soft and chewy with a mild savoury flavour. Perfect to pair with stews and curries. A popular breakfast and afternoon snack.

Thai Fried Bread

Evolved from the Chinese Youtiao, the Thai Pa Tong Ko are deep-fried bread dough sticks. Tender to chew with a subtle savoury aftertaste. A common snack at street markets, enjoyed with Thai coconut custard. You can also savour it with a sweet dip like honey or sweetened condensed milk.

Korean Egg Bread

The Korean street snack darling Gyeran-ppang is like a bun-muffin hybrid, each a fluffy bread baked with an egg. Sweet-savoury and lovely to taste.

Bahn Mi

Did you know Vietnamese baguettes are much yummier than French-style baguettes? In fact, the Vietnamese bread has a thin, flaky crust and is soft in the middle, while the French bread is harder and chewier. So go grab some Vietnamese baguette from your friendly Asian grocer and make the iconic Bahn Mi sandwich with our authentic recipe!

The Wonders of Asian Pastries

Breads are but a ‘subset’ of Asian pastries. And ever since Asians have adopted modern baking, a plethora of yummy, joyful goodies have become household faves and bakery specials. Come discover more lovely delights you can make, and experience the allure of Asian bakeries.