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Siopao Bola-Bola

Filipino-style Steamed Buns with meatballs are the ultimate snack or light meal. With soft, fluffy buns and juicy, flavorful minced pork filling, these Siopao Bola-Bola are sure to hit the spot.

Prep Time
35 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Rise
2 hrs 40 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 35 mins
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 469 kcal
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: Filipino

Ingredients

For the Siopao Dough
  • 260 ml warm milk (105 to 115 F)
  • 2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 500 grams all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 100 grams sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • lime
For the Bola-bola Filling
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • ¼ cup shrimp, peeled and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 ½ salted eggs, peeled and quartered
  • 2 Chinese sausages, cut into 1-inch lengths
For Asado Sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  • 2 pieces star anise
  • 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

For the Siopao Dough
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a bowl, combine milk, yeast, the 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt. Stir well until dissolved. Let stand for about 5 to 10 minutes or until the mixture is foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, the 100 grams sugar, baking powder, and vegetable oil. Mix well. Add a few drops of lime juice into the flour mixture.
  3. Add yeast mixture to the flour mixture. Mix together until it forms a dough. Continue to mix and knead until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky.
  4. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until double in size.
  5. Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a clean work surface, and form into a long log. 
  6. With a knife or pastry cutter, slice the dough into 10 equal size pieces and then form each piece into smaller balls. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise for about 30 minutes.
For the Bola-bola filling
  1. In a medium bowl, combine ground pork, chopped shrimp, green onions, green onions, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.  Stir well to combine everything,
  2. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water to make a slurry and add to the pork mixture.
  3. Using a pair of chopsticks or a fork, stir the meat mixture in one direction until well-combined and very sticky. 
  4. Cover with plastic film and refrigerate until ready to use.
To Assemble the Siopao Buns
  1. On a clean working surface, place one piece of dough, and with a rolling pin, roll out into about 5 to 6-inch diameter, making sure to get edges thinner than the center.
  2. Place about a tablespoon of the meat filling in the center. Add a piece of salted egg and Chinese sausage.
  3. Gather the edges of the dough, pleat around the filling, and twist to fully secure. Place bun on a piece of parchment or wax paper. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
  4. Arrange prepared buns in a single layer on a flat baking sheet, cover with a kitchen towel, and allow to rise again for another 10 minutes.
  5. In a steamer, place buns in a single layer, an inch-apart. Add about 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the steaming water (for whiter buns). 
  6. Steam buns on low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes. Keep the lid on for about 3 to 5 minutes to prevent the buns from deflating.
  7. Remove from steamer and serve with the asado sauce.
For the Asado Sauce
  1. In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, star anise, and cornstarch. Stir until well-distributed.
  2. Cook over medium heat, whisking regularly until thickened.
  3. Remove from heat and allow to cool before transferring to an airtight container.

Notes

  • Nutritional info includes the sauce.

Nutrition Information

Calories 469kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 61g (20%) Protein 18g (36%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Cholesterol 93mg (31%) Sodium 807mg (34%) Potassium 359mg (10%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 19g (38%) Vitamin A 119IU (2%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 91mg (9%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 469

% Daily Value*

Calories 469kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 61g 20%
Protein 18g 36%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 93mg 31%
Sodium 807mg 34%
Potassium 359mg 8%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 19g 38%
Vitamin A 119IU 2%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 91mg 9%
Iron 3mg 17%

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