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Mantou - The bun with a history?
Jun 7, 2006 10:38
  • DREAMCATCHER
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I have been eating mantou as long as I can remember. It is those sweet white buns that does not have any kind of meat fillings. Just plain buns. It taste great and goes well with tea or coffee.

Recently I heard that there are some historical background on why China invented or eat these buns. Any idea?
Jun 7, 2006 12:00
#1  
  • LOVECHINA2
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Dreamcatcher,
The story I have about Mantou is "In the Three Kingdoms Period when Zhuge Liang led the Shu army against a barbarian king,Meng Huo in the southern lands(Yunnan).After winning the battle he headed home but come to a swift running river that he could not cross.Zhuge Liang was told if he sacrifice 50 men and throw their heads in the river that it would please the river god and he would be allowed to cross.Zhuge Liang did not want to shed anymore blood so he ordered Mantou buns to be made in the shape of heads and thrown in the river instead."
Jun 7, 2006 19:50
#2  
  • MAY001
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Very interesting story, lovechina2. I also heard this before.
Jun 8, 2006 07:15
#3  
  • LEMONCACTUS
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I love mantou.

From the market near my home I can buy 4 mantou for 1 RMB. I am always buying them for breakfast or as a snack during the day. There are many, many different kinds & shapes, and some with different fillings such as beans or sugar!! So cheap and delicious :)
Jun 8, 2006 20:49
#4  
  • CALIFORNIA
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I don't like Mantou,

Actually,I don't think it is creative:-)
Jun 8, 2006 21:03
#5  
  • PINETREE
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It is almost the same as bread - more to merely satisfy our basic need. Not fanciful but useful.
Jun 8, 2006 21:50
#6  
  • CONNY129
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I've taken Mantou as my breakfast for the last two monthes ( of course dipped with different sauce), I think I cann't eat any more in the future :(

Now I eat bread every morning , are there many differences between Mantou and bread ? lol~~~ but I don't like plain Mantou or bread
Jun 8, 2006 21:53
#7  
  • CALIFORNIA
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In fact,I only like russian bread:-)It is called Dalieba in chinese!
Jun 8, 2006 21:58
#8  
  • LOVECHINA2
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Conny,
Make French Toast out of your bread:)) Don't know how French toast would be made with Mantou?? Might have to try that someday.
Jun 8, 2006 22:02
#9  
  • MAY001
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I do feel that Mantou in north tastes better than in south. If u have ever come to visit southern China, u may find the differences.
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