Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

User Reviews

4.9

555 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    3 hrs

  • Cook Time

    mins

  • Total Time

    3 hrs 30 mins

  • Servings

    10 buns

  • Calories

    687 kcal

  • Course

    Side Dish

  • Cuisine

    Chinese

Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

This Chinese Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) recipe unlocks the secret to the perfect steamed pork bun just like you get at the dim sum restaurant.

I Made This!

416 people made this

Save this

333 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings

For the steamed cha siu bao dough:

  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 5 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1-2 teaspoons water (optional)

For the steamed bao filling:

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1/3 cup shallots or red onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups diced Chinese roast pork (you can buy it ready-made, or see our Chinese BBQ Pork recipe)
Add to Shopping List

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment (you can also just use a regular mixing bowl and knead by hand), dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Sift together the flour and cornstarch, and add it to the yeast mixture along with the sugar and oil. Turn on the mixer to the lowest setting and let it go until a smooth dough ball is formed. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 2 hours. (I haven't forgotten about the baking powder. You'll add that later!)
  2. While the dough is resting, make the meat filling. Heat the oil in a wok over medium high heat. Add the onion and stir-fry for a minute. Turn heat down to medium-low, and add the sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and dark soy. Stir and cook until the mixture starts to bubble up. Add the chicken stock and flour, cooking for a couple minutes until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the roast pork. Set aside to cool. If you make the filling ahead of time, cover and refrigerate to prevent it from drying out.
  3. After your dough has rested for 2 hours, add the baking powder to the dough and turn the mixer on to the lowest setting. At this point, if the dough looks dry or you're having trouble incorporating the baking powder, add 1-2 teaspoons water. Gently knead the dough until it becomes smooth again. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for another 15 minutes. In the meantime, get a large piece of parchment paper and cut it into ten 4x4 inch squares. Prepare your steamer by bringing the water to a boil.
  4. Now we are ready to assemble the buns: roll the dough into a long tube and divide it into 10 equal pieces. Press each piece of dough into a disc about 4 1/2 inches in diameter (it should be thicker in the center and thinner around the edges). Add some filling and pleat the buns until they're closed on top.
  5. Place each bun on a parchment paper square, and steam. I steamed the buns in two separate batches using a bamboo steamer (be sure the boiling water does not touch the buns during steaming process). Once the water boils, place the buns in the steamer and steam each batch for 12 minutes over high heat.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 687kcal (34%) Carbohydrates 41g (14%) Protein 78g (156%) Fat 22g (34%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 207mg (69%) Sodium 410mg (17%) Potassium 1385mg (40%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 7g (14%) Calcium 64mg (6%) Iron 3.3mg (18%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10buns

Amount Per Serving

Calories 687 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 687kcal 34%
Carbohydrates 41g 14%
Protein 78g 156%
Fat 22g 34%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 207mg 69%
Sodium 410mg 17%
Potassium 1385mg 29%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 7g 14%
Calcium 64mg 6%
Iron 3.3mg 18%

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

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.9

555 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload
Other Recipes

You'll Also Love

Steamed Char Siu Bao (Chinese BBQ Pork Buns)

Asian, Chinese
5.0 (57 reviews)

Homemade Chinese BBQ Pork Pastry (Char Siu Sou)

Asian, Chinese
5.0 (15 reviews)

Homemade Pineapple Buns (Bo Lo Bao)

Asian, Chinese
4.9 (24 reviews)

Chinese Baked BBQ Pork Buns

Asian, Chinese
5.0 (36 reviews)

Steamed Taro Buns

Asian, Chinese
5.0 (36 reviews)

Coconut Buns (Chinese Cocktail Buns)

Asian, Chinese
4.9 (63 reviews)

Siu Mai (Just Like the Restaurants!)

Chinese
5.0 (57 reviews)

Cantonese-Style Siu Mai 烧卖

Asian, Chinese
5.0 (27 reviews)

Chinese Steamed Pork Spare Ribs (蒸排骨)

Asian, Chinese
5.0 (9 reviews)

Ma Lai Go Chinese Steamed Cake

Chinese
4.9 (132 reviews)

Steamed Crystal Dumplings

Chinese
4.9 (36 reviews)

Homemade Red Bean Paste Buns

Asian, Chinese
5.0 (60 reviews)