Vegetables buns are sometimes referred to as Pig Cage Ban because they look similar as bamboo cages used to hold pigs. This kind of bun is filled with chopped mushrooms, mock meat or radishes wrapped in a glutinous rice bun. Those radishes are often planted after harvests of rice. They act as another important ingredient in Hakka cuisines, especially the shredded fillings found in vegetable buns.

Typically, vegetable buns are made during Chinese New Year and Tomb Sweeping Day to pay tribute to Hakka deities and ancestors. In recent years, buns have been dyed in pumpkin, yam, Chinese mugwort, or beetroot juice to produce different colors. With brand-new appearances and delicious stuffings, vegetable buns have become one of the most beloved snacks as well as souvenirs for those visiting Hakka communities.