Bake Off was hit by more Ofcom complaints when angry viewers...

The Great British Bake Off was the subject of Ofcom complaints after some viewers classified the Japanese week as “racist” and “offensive”.

Tuesday’s show was a first for the baking competition with the introduction of Japanese Week, which is designed to celebrate the cuisine of the East Asian nation.

But the show caused a furore online over the “slightly racist crossovers” of Chinese and Japanese food.

Some viewers claimed the show became “generalized Asian food week” after attendees’ steamed buns were identified as being of Chinese origin.

A hopeful baker also adorned her lot as panda bears, which are native to south-central China.

And now The Sun Online reports that Ofcom broadcaster has handled 15 complaints about the show, five of which were “racist”.

During the show, angry viewers vented their feelings on Twitter.

One wrote: “Steam bun is not Japanese, it’s from China, come on #GBBO Available in Japan. ”

Another scolded, “There will be a lot of slightly racist crossovers between China and Japan tonight, aren’t there? #GBBO. “

A third commented, “Pandas are from China #gbbo. “

Torchwood actress Naoko Mori also waded in and wrote, “Oh oh … fact: Steamed buns actually come from China. Chinese stir-fries… fish sauce… coriander… = #NotJapanese Maybe you should have called it “Asian Week” or “Chinese Week”. @ Channel4. “

Naoko, who is from Japan, added, “Dearest @BritishBakeOff@ PaulHollywood@ Channel4 So far, I’ve been a bit baffled (and saddened) why you called tonight #GBBO Japanese week. It’s like saying it’s French week – and then bake Cornish pasties or Welsh cakes or strudel … ”

She went on to claim it was “an insult to us Japanese and our culture, you have probably insulted the Chinese as well, as has the intelligence of many of the viewers.” #gbbo who all knows the difference between the two … ”

It’s not the first time this series has encountered complaints.

Newbie Matt Lucas’ opening sketch, in which he posed as Boris Johnson, received complaints, as did some of his “dirty” jokes.

Meanwhile, Judge Paul Hollywood’s gag over small hands has been rated by some as “insensitive” to people with Poland Syndrome.

And his comment on a candidate’s rainbow-colored bagels and how they remind him of the NHS sparked complaints from those who argued that they represented the LGBT + community more significantly.

Mirror Online has approached Channel 4 for a comment.