Nanqiao Buns

Nanqiao Buns

　　Nanqiao Village is located 15 kilometers north of the central urban area of Jingmen. It gets its name from a 500-year-old stone arch bridge situated to the south of the town. Nanqiao Buns are named after the town where they are produced.

　　“Nanqiao Buns — regret eating them, but also regret not eating them.” This is a widely circulated folk saying in Jingmen. Whenever this vivid expression is passed down orally and becomes part of our daily lives to describe a “dilemma” or “no-win situation,” it naturally evolves into a popular saying. Looking back at Nanqiao Buns today, they represent a significant cultural legacy left by our ancestors, and the folk food culture behind them is well worth exploring.

　　According to *Dongbao Literary History Collection*, Nanqiao Buns were already very famous locally during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (1796–1820). Moreover, Nanqiao has long been a junction of seven ancient provinces, a necessary passageway from the plains into the mountainous regions, as well as a strategic transportation hub and relay station on the ancient Xiang-Jing trade route. The area saw heavy foot traffic and active commercial exchanges. As one of the most common and affordable staple foods in people’s daily diet, Nanqiao Buns have enjoyed lasting popularity and widespread fame.

　　Source: Dongbao District Government