Located in Osaka is 551 Horai, a famous location to purchase steamed pork dumplings. Many claim it’s as good as the ones in China and others who say it’s the most delicious dumplings they have ever tried.
There are stores where you can purchase these at 551 Horai restaurants or those that are cold and must be cooked.
The dumplings feature pork and onions and they sell about 150,000 of the butaman per day.
The dumplings are fluffy on the outside and the pork meat is juicy inside and they are quite huge.
They also come with karashi (Japanese mustard), which you should give it a try with it. You may enjoy it!
Source: http://www.551horai.co.jp/
But 551 Horai is so popular that Suntory is starting to experiment selling 551 Horai butaman via vending machines (only in the Kansai area) from March 31st through April 30th.
But while they are delicious, there is one very important thing I must mention to all travelers and that is: DO NOT EAT ON THE SHINKANSEN
In Japan, there is a saying called “豚まんテロ” (pork bun terrorism), it’s considered very bad manners to eat a 551 horai steamed pork bun on the Shinkansen because the smell permeates throughout the whole section.
Not long ago, Momonogi Kana of the group Ebisu Muscats purchased butaman at 551 Horai and badly wanted to eat it. So, she did something that no one should do… She ate her butaman on the shinkansen with a garbage bag over her head in order to prevent the smell from spreading throughout the Shinkansen.
Granted, no matter how delicious they may be, just be mindful of others and eat it before you get on the Shinkansen, not while you’re on it.
And last, after you eat one, you’ll find yourself craving it more and more. That’s how delicious they are!
