General Information

Manapua is the Hawaiian word for the Northern Chinese delicacy called charsiu bao, in English, prosaically known as BBQ Pork Buns.

Many people think the word "manapua" came from the Hawaiian words "mea 'ono" meaning "delicious thing", and "pua'a" meaning "pig". "Mea 'ono" alone can also mean cake, so "delicious pork cake" might be a good descriptive analogy for manapua!