Why did wheat consumption of East Asia take the form of noodles and steamed bread, while in west Asia and Europe it was consumed as baked bread?

Question

Why did wheat consumption of East Asia take the form of noodles and steamed bread, while in west Asia and Europe it was consumed as baked bread?

In: Other

Answer 1

Northern China does produce and consume wheat

Historically though southern China has been more of a rice and millet society.

As others have said, wheat consumption tends to manifest more as buns and pancakes than baked bread. Partially this is a preference for steam cooking and also partially that the traditional wheat varieties there were lower gluten.