# Spicy Beef Bao Buns, 10 OZ

> Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop.

## Snapshot

- **Brand:** Laoban Dumplings
- **Retailer listed:** Whole Foods
- **Category:** frozen-foods/frozen-entrees-appetizers
- **Listed price:** $9.89
- **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/laoban-dumplings-spicy-beef-bao-buns-10-oz
- **Slug:** `laoban-dumplings-spicy-beef-bao-buns-10-oz`

## NOVA classification

**NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods

Although the core ingredients are recognizable (beef, flour, soy sauce), the product contains industrial additives (sorbitan monostearate in yeast, chemical leaveners), processed oils and is a ready-to-heat manufactured bun — features typical of ultra-processed foods.

## Review

You'd spot these spicy beef bao buns in the frozen or refrigerated Asian dumpling section — an easy grab for a quick weekend snack or late-night craving. They feel indulgent and comforting with a spicy kick, but the soft pillowy texture and long ingredient list (including emulsifiers, chemical leaveners and processed oils) signal industrial manufacturing and convenience-style processing.

## Diet flags

- Dairy-free

## Nutrition

- **Serving size:** 1 BUN
- **Servings per container:** 4
- **Calories:** 180
- **Total fat:** 7g (9% DV)
- **Saturated fat:** 2.5g (13% DV)
- **Trans fat:** 0g
- **Cholesterol:** 15mg (5% DV)
- **Sodium:** 390mg (17% DV)
- **Total carbs:** 20g (7% DV)
- **Dietary fiber:** 1g (4% DV)
- **Total sugars:** 3g
- **Protein:** 8g

## Ingredients

GROUND BEEF UNBLEACHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, IRON, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID) WATER SOY SAUCE (WATER, SOYBEANS, WHEAT, SALT) SUGAR RICE WINE (WATER, RICE, WHEAT, SALT) CORN STARCH CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: (PALM OIL, CUMIN, GARLIC, YEAST (YEAST, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, ASCORBIC ACID), GINGER, SESAME OIL, BAKING POWDER (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, CORN STARCH AND MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE), RED CHILI FLAKES, ONION, SALT, GREEN ONIONS).

## Flagged ingredients

- **palm oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids
- **sorbitan monostearate** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier

## Context tags

- **Occasions:** movie-night, game-day-prep, weekend-brunch
- **Vibes:** indulgent, convenient, comforting, adventurous

## FAQ

### Is the Spicy Beef Bao Bun healthy?

The Spicy Beef Bao Bun can be a fun addition to your meal rotation, especially if you're looking for something quick and tasty. It contains 180 calories per bun, with a decent amount of protein at 8 grams, but it's a bit higher in sodium at 390 mg. So, it really depends on your dietary needs and how it fits into your overall meal plan!

### Is it vegan?

Nope, the Spicy Beef Bao Bun is not vegan. It contains ground beef, which is a no-go for anyone following a plant-based diet. But if you're a meat lover, these buns might just hit the spot!

### Is it gluten-free?

Unfortunately, the Spicy Beef Bao Bun isn't gluten-free either. It contains unbleached wheat flour and soy sauce, both of which have gluten. So, if you're avoiding gluten, you'll want to look for a different snack option.

### Does it contain seed oils?

Yes, the Spicy Beef Bao Bun includes palm oil, which is technically a seed oil. While palm oil has been a bit of a hot topic in health discussions, it's worth noting that it's commonly used in many processed foods for its stability. In moderation, it’s generally considered fine, but if you're watching your oil intake, it's something to keep in mind.

### Does it contain artificial sweeteners?

Nope, no artificial sweeteners here! The Spicy Beef Bao Bun has a touch of sugar, but that's the only sweetener in the mix. So you can enjoy it without worrying about any sneaky sweeteners.

### Is it high in sugar?

Not at all! The Spicy Beef Bao Bun has only 3 grams of total sugars per bun, which is pretty low. So if you're watching your sugar intake, this bun won't be a guilty pleasure.

### What are healthier alternatives?

If you're looking for healthier alternatives, you might consider homemade bao buns with lean meats or plant-based fillings. Alternatively, you could try veggie dumplings if you're aiming for a lighter option. It’s all about balance, so find what works for you!

### Can kids eat it?

Absolutely! The Spicy Beef Bao Bun can be a fun treat for kids, especially if they enjoy a bit of spice. Just keep an eye on the sodium content, and pair it with some veggies or a side salad for a more balanced meal.

### Is it good for weight loss?

The Spicy Beef Bao Bun can fit into a weight loss plan if enjoyed in moderation and balanced with other nutritious foods. With 180 calories per bun, it's not overly heavy, but be mindful of how many you consume and what else is on your plate. It's all about the bigger picture!

### Is it ultra-processed?

While the Spicy Beef Bao Bun isn't made from whole food ingredients, it doesn't fall into the 'ultra-processed' category like some snacks packed with artificial additives and preservatives. It does contain a mix of processed ingredients, but it’s still a relatively straightforward option compared to many other frozen foods.

## Related products

- [Chicken, Bean & Cheese Burrito, 5 OZ](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/feel-good-foods-chicken-bean-cheese-burrito-5-oz-3) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/feel-good-foods-chicken-bean-cheese-burrito-5-oz-3
- [365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Straight Cut Fries, 16 Ounce](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/365-by-organic-straight-cut-fries-16-ounce-3) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/365-by-organic-straight-cut-fries-16-ounce-3
- [Sesame Chicken Bao Buns, 10 OZ](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/laoban-dumplings-sesame-chicken-bao-buns-10-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/laoban-dumplings-sesame-chicken-bao-buns-10-oz
- [365 Everyday Value, Organic Brown Rice Whole Grain, 20 oz, (Frozen)](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/365-everyday-value-organic-brown-rice-whole-grain-20-oz-frozen-3) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/365-everyday-value-organic-brown-rice-whole-grain-20-oz-frozen-3
- [Pinto Bean & Cheese Burrito, 5 OZ](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/feel-good-foods-pinto-bean-cheese-burrito-5-oz-3) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/feel-good-foods-pinto-bean-cheese-burrito-5-oz-3
- [Chicken Chili Verde Burrito, 5 OZ](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/feel-good-foods-chicken-chili-verde-burrito-5-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/feel-good-foods-chicken-chili-verde-burrito-5-oz
- [Hibachi Fried Rice, 20 OZ](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/grain-trust-hibachi-fried-rice-20-oz-3) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/grain-trust-hibachi-fried-rice-20-oz-3
- [365 by Whole Foods Market, Tater Puffs, 32 Ounce](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/365-by-tater-puffs-32-ounce-3) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/365-by-tater-puffs-32-ounce-3

## For agents

Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. Full API access and search: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/skill.md