Sheng Jian Bao: Pan-fried pork buns (生煎包)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Rest
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Servings
20 buns
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Calories
406 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
Sheng Jian Bao: Pan-fried pork buns (生煎包)
Description
These Sheng Jian Bao involve preparing a dough from flour, sugar, instant yeast, and lukewarm water, kneading to a smooth texture and allowing it to double in size. The pork filling is mixed with seasoning including soy sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, ginger, spring onion, sesame oil, Sichuan peppercorn or five spice, salt, and water or chicken stock to produce a juicy, flavorful meat mixture.
The dough is divided and rolled into wrappers, filled with pork mixture, and carefully pleated to seal. The buns are pan-fried in oil until the bottoms brown, then water is added and covered to steam and cook through, creating buns with a crispy bottom and tender top. Once cooked, they are garnished with toasted sesame seeds and spring onions.
These buns offer a textural contrast between the golden, crisp fry-bottom and soft fluffy dough with juicy filling inside. The use of water or stock in the filling and during cooking helps maintain moisture and flavor.
The recipe notes cover ingredient variations, dough preparation methods including machine mixing, pan size considerations, and frying orientation for best results and to prevent juice leakage.
Ingredients
For the wrappers
- 250 g all-purpose flour about 2 cups (see note 1)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast see note 2, dried
- 140 ml water about 9 tbsp, lukewarm
For the filling
- 250 g pork 9oz, minced
- 2 tablespoon spring onion finely chopped
- ½ tablespoon ginger minced
- 2 teaspoon soy sauce light
- ½ teaspoon Shaoxing rice wine
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch Sichuan peppercorn or Chinese five-spice powder, ground
- 5 tablespoon water or chicken stock
For frying
- 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
- 240 ml water about 1 cup
For garnishing
- sesame seeds toasted
- spring onion finely chopped
Instructions
Prepare the dough
- In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast and sugar. Pour in water little by little while stirring with a pair of chopsticks (or a fork).
- Then knead with your hand until a smooth, elastic dough forms (see note 3). Cover the bowl with a wet kitchen towel.
- Leave to rise in a warm place until double in size. It will take between 40 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the room temperature.
Mix the filling
- Put all the ingredients for the filling (except for water/stock) into a large bowl.
- Swirl constantly in the same direction while gradually adding water/stock spoon by spoon into the mixture.
Shape the buns
- Knead the dough on a floured work surface until it goes back to its original size.
- Divide it into 20 equal portions. Roll each piece into a disk-like wrapper.
- Hold the wrapper in the palm of one hand. Place some filling in the middle. Use the other hand to fold the edge anticlockwise by pinching with thumb and index finger until the bun is completely sealed (please refer to the images above).
- Leave to rest for 15 minutes before frying.
Fry the buns
- Heat up oil in a frying pan over a high heat. Place in the buns (see note 4 & 5).
- When the bottom part becomes golden brown, pour in water then cover with a lid.
- Uncover when the water evaporates completely. Sprinkle sesame seeds and spring onion over.
- Cook another 30 seconds or so to crisp up.
Notes
- The flour-to-water ratio may vary slightly by flour brand and measuring method; weight measurement improves accuracy.
- Instant dried yeast is used; other yeast types can be substituted following their instructions.
- A stand mixer or bread maker can be used to knead the dough, saving manual effort.
- Use a pan about 28cm/11 inches to fit 20 buns; smaller pans require batch cooking and ingredient adjustments.
- When frying, buns can be placed folded side up or down; folding side down requires careful sealing to prevent juice leaks.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 20buns
Amount Per Serving
Calories 406 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 5buns | |
| Calories | 406kcal | 20% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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