A bulkie roll is a sandwich bun that is commonly found throughout New England. It is characterized by its petaled, rose-shape design. Although some people may confuse these sandwich buns with kaiser rolls, bulkies are not as sweet as them, and kaiser rolls are more commonly sprinkled with poppy seeds on top.
The word
bulkie is derived from the Polish
bulki, referring to a thick sandwich bun brought to the New England area by Polish immigrants in the early 20th century. Today, bulkie rolls are commonly used in sandwiches filled with roast beef, seafood cakes, ham, cheese, and vegetables, but they are also ideal as buns for hamburgers.