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Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)
4.9 from 315 votes

Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) feature a soft, slightly sweet dough wrapped around a savory mixture of Chinese-style roasted pork with a glossy sauce. The dough, made with a yeast-leavened flour and cornstarch mix, creates a tender yet sturdy bun that steams to a fluffy texture. The filling blends soy sauces, oyster sauce, and chicken stock thickened with flour for a rich, balanced taste inside the delicate bun.

Prep Time
3 hrs
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 30 mins
Servings: 10 buns
Calories: 687 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

For the steamed cha siu bao dough:
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • ¾ cup water warm
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 5 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 cup canola oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1-2 teaspoons water (optional)
For the steamed bao filling:
  • 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
  • 1/3 cup red onion finely chopped, or shallots
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce light
  • 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 Chinese roast pork you can buy it ready-made, or see our Chinese BBQ Pork recipe, diced

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  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

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%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10 buns

Amount Per Serving

Calories 687

% 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.