It has its roots deep in history among Polish Jews and has become popular especially in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and in cities with large numbers of Jews. 

The basic ring shape of the bagel allows the dough to be baked evenly. It also has other practical advantages: a string could be threaded through the hole in the middle of the bagel, which facilitated their transport in larger quantities and to display in the shop windows of the sellers.