National Bao Day

National Bao Day is a holiday dedicated to the popular Chinese food known as baozi, or simply bao. These soft, yeast-leavened buns can be filled with a wide range of savory or sweet ingredients, which has helped make them popular far beyond China.

History of National Bao Day

National Bao Day was established in 2017 by Wow Bao. The company chose August 22 because it marked the anniversary of the opening of its first bao-focused restaurant in Chicago in 2003.

While the holiday itself is recent, bao has a much longer history. Bao is a traditional Chinese filled bun with roots that go back many centuries. Over time, it became a familiar part of Chinese cuisine and later gained wider recognition in other countries as well.

Today, National Bao Day celebrates both the popularity of bao in the United States and the broader culinary tradition behind this classic dish.

Interesting Facts About National Bao Day

National Bao Day is also a good opportunity to learn more about bao and why it remains such a popular food.

1. Bao is a type of yeast-leavened filled bun that is usually steamed.
2. It is closely related to mantou, which is the plain steamed bun without filling.
3. Bao can be made with many different fillings, including pork, vegetables, custard, or red bean paste.
4. A well-known Chinese legend links the early history of filled buns to Zhuge Liang, although the story is part of traditional folklore.

Its soft texture and wide variety of fillings are some of the reasons bao continues to appeal to so many people.

How to Take Part in National Bao Day

There are several easy and enjoyable ways to take part in National Bao Day.

• Visit a Chinese restaurant or bao shop and try different kinds of bao.
• Make bao at home and experiment with both savory and sweet fillings.
• Invite friends or family to share a meal and compare favorite varieties.
• Learn more about the history of bao and other traditional Chinese dishes.
• Share your meal or homemade recipe on social media.

Whether you order them fresh from a restaurant or prepare them in your own kitchen, National Bao Day is a good excuse to appreciate a dish with a long culinary history.

When Is National Bao Day in 2026?

National Bao Day is observed on August 22 each year.

Observations