Siopao Bola-Bola (Steamed Pork Buns)

User Reviews

5

54 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    30 mins

  • Cook Time

    15 mins

  • Rising Time

    30 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr 15 mins

  • Servings

    10

  • Calories

    377 kcal

  • Course

    Appetizer, Snacks

  • Cuisine

    Asian, Filipino

Siopao Bola-Bola (Steamed Pork Buns)

Siopao Bola-Bola are Filipino steamed pork buns filled with a seasoned mixture of ground pork, shrimp, onion, and seasonings, wrapped in a soft yeasted dough. The dough is enriched with milk and shortening for tenderness, while the filling combines savory oyster sauce, sesame oil, and salted eggs or Chinese sausage for distinctive flavor. Steaming creates pillowy buns with a moist, flavorful meatball inside, perfect as a snack or light meal.

Description

Siopao Bola-Bola is a traditional Filipino snack or meal feature consisting of steamed buns filled with a flavorful pork and shrimp meatball mixture. The dough is made by blending all-purpose flour, sugar, instant yeast, and double-acting baking powder, moistened with lukewarm milk and water and enriched with shortening for extra softness. After kneading and initial rising, the dough is portioned and prepared for filling.

The filling comprises ground pork mixed with finely chopped onion, shrimp, sesame oil, oyster sauce, garlic powder, black pepper, and flour for binding. Salted eggs and Chinese sausage pieces are incorporated for added savory depth. Each dough ball is flattened and filled with this meat mixture then sealed and steamed. The result is a soft, fluffy bun with a juicy, savory bola-bola meatball center.

These buns are commonly served warm as street food or a snack and can be enjoyed at any time of day. They showcase a textured dough that complements the savory, aromatic pork filling. The inclusion of seafood and salted eggs imparts traditional Filipino flavors, while steaming locks in moisture to keep the buns tender and satisfying.

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Ingredients

Servings

Siopao Dough:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • cup sugar
  • ½ tablespoon instant yeast
  • ½ tablespoon baking powder double-acting
  • cup milk lukewarm
  • cup water lukewarm
  • 3 tablespoon shortening

Filling:

  • 250 grams ground pork
  • 1 medium onion chopped finely
  • ¼ cup Shrimp chopped
  • 1 small egg
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 1-2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
  • salt if needed
  • 2 egg salted
  • 1 piece Chinese sausage

Instructions

MAKE THE DOUGH:

  1. Combine flour, sugar, yeast, and baking powder in a large bowl. Pour in milk and water and mix several times just to moisten the dry ingredients. Cut in the shortening and mix until a dough forms.
  2. Tip the dough into a flat surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Usually takes about 10-12 minutes by hand or 8-10 with mixer.
  3. Rest the dough for 20-30 minutes or until it has risen to just almost double the original size. (Meanwhile, prepare the filling)
  4. Turn it to a lightly floured surface and roll into a log. Divide into two. Return half back to the bowl and place in the fridge. This will slow down the rising.
  5. Divide the other half into 5 equal parts. Fold each piece to its center several times until no longer puffy and sooth before forming it into a ball. 

HOW TO MAKE THE BOLA-BOLA FILLING?

  1. Add all the ingredients for the bola-bola (meatball) in a bowl, except for the salted eggs and Chinese sausage. Mix until well combined.
  2. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for a few minutes or until the dough is ready.
  3. Cut a piece of salted egg into half and then each half into quarters giving you 8 in total each egg. You can also just cut a piece into 4 if desired. Set aside.
  4. Cut the Chinese sausage into pieces about half-inch thick. Set aside.

To assemble:

  1. Take a piece of a dough ball and flatten it, using your palm and a rolling pin, into about 4-5 inch circle leaving a small bulge in the middle.
  2. Scoop a tablespoon of filling and place it in the middle. Add a portion of salted egg and sausage on top of the filling. Gather the ends towards the middle from one side until you reach the other end closing the filling in. Pinch and twist to seal the ends together o top. Repeat with the remaining dough balls. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes.
  3. Before steaming, put a piece of parchment or wax paper at the bottom of each bun. Place the buns in the steamer leaving at least an each apart as they will rise and spread while steaming. Steam for 15 minutes at low heat.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 377kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 93mg (31%) Sodium 402mg (17%) Potassium 232mg (5%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 170IU (3%) Vitamin C 1.2mg (1%) Calcium 69mg (7%) Iron 2.7mg (15%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 377 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 377kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 93mg 31%
Sodium 402mg 17%
Potassium 232mg 5%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 170IU 3%
Vitamin C 1.2mg 1%
Calcium 69mg 7%
Iron 2.7mg 15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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54 reviews
Excellent

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