Chinese bread buns, also known as steamed buns or mantou, have been a staple in Chinese cuisine for centuries. These soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet buns are perfect for any meal, whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In this article, we will guide you through a professional and well-organized introduction to making your own Chinese bread buns at home. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this delicious recipe!
If you're craving for some authentic Chinese food, why not try making your own Chinese Sweet Bun Dough? This soft and fluffy dough is the perfect base for a variety of sweet buns, filled with your favorite ingredients. It's a must-try for any food lover!
If you're feeling adventurous, you can add some red bean paste or lotus seed paste to make traditional Chinese buns. For a more modern twist, try filling them with chocolate or cream cheese. No matter what filling you choose, these buns are sure to be a hit.
One of the most popular dishes in Chinese cuisine is Orange Chicken. This sweet and tangy dish features crispy chicken pieces coated in a flavorful sauce made with orange juice, soy sauce, and honey. It's a crowd-pleaser and can be served with steamed rice for a complete meal.
To achieve that crispy texture, the chicken is typically coated in cornstarch and flour before frying. The sauce is then made separately and added to the fried chicken, creating a delicious combination of flavors and textures.
A classic Chinese stir-fry dish, Beef and Broccoli is a simple yet satisfying meal. Tender beef strips are cooked with broccoli florets in a savory sauce made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and garlic. It's a quick and easy dish that's perfect for busy weeknights.
To make this dish even more flavorful, try marinating the beef in a mixture of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and cornstarch before cooking. This will infuse the beef with delicious flavors and tenderize it for a more melt-in-your-mouth texture.
A staple in Chinese cuisine, Fried Rice is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients. The key to making a good Chinese Fried Rice is using leftover rice and cooking it in a wok at high heat. This helps to achieve that distinctive smoky flavor that's characteristic of Chinese Fried Rice.
To make this dish even tastier, add some eggs, green onions, and your choice of meat or seafood. You can also add in some frozen peas or carrots for some extra color and nutrition. Serve it as a side dish or add some protein to make it a complete meal.
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Chinese Chicken Thighs
Main Ingredients: Chicken Thighs, Olive Oil, Minced Ginger, Minced
If you're tired of the same old chicken dishes, try making Chinese Chicken Thighs for a change. This dish features chicken thighs marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and honey, and then grilled or baked to perfection. The result is a flavorful and tender chicken dish that's sure to become a family favorite.
For an extra burst of flavor, sprinkle some five-spice powder on the chicken before cooking. This traditional Chinese spice blend adds a unique and delicious taste to the dish.
If you have a sweet tooth, you'll love Chinese Steamed Custard Buns. These soft and fluffy buns are filled with a rich and creamy custard and are perfect for a snack or dessert. They're also a popular item in dim sum restaurants.
While making the custard filling from scratch may seem daunting, it's actually quite simple. All you need is milk, eggs, sugar, and some cornstarch to thicken it. Once you have the filling ready, just wrap it in the bun dough and steam until cooked through.
Another classic Chinese dish, Chicken and Broccoli is a quick and easy stir-fry that's perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breast is cooked with broccoli florets in a flavorful sauce made with oyster sauce, soy sauce, and garlic. It's a delicious and healthy meal that's sure to please.
If you want to make this dish even more nutritious, you can add in some other vegetables like carrots or mushrooms. You can also use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast for a richer and tastier dish.
Egg Drop Soup is a classic Chinese soup that's perfect for cold and rainy days. It's made with a simple combination of chicken broth, eggs, and cornstarch, and can be customized with your choice of vegetables, tofu, or meat.
To make this soup even heartier, add in some noodles or wontons for a complete meal. You can also add in some soy sauce or sambal oelek for some extra flavor and heat.
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Classic Pork Fried Rice - A Chinese Takeout favorite
Main Ingredients: Hot Water, Honey, Sesame Oil, Shaoxing Wine, Soy Sauce
When it comes to Chinese takeout, Pork Fried Rice is a must-have. This dish features pork that's been marinated in soy sauce and cooked with rice, eggs, and peas. It's a simple yet delicious dish that's perfect for any occasion.
To make this dish even more authentic, use jasmine rice instead of regular white rice. It has a slightly sweet and fragrant taste that's commonly used in Chinese cuisine.
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Egg Fried Rice - An Easy Chinese
Main Ingredients: Cooked Rice, Large Eggs, Paprika, Turmeric, Oil, Medium
If you're short on time but still want to enjoy some Chinese food, Egg Fried Rice is the perfect dish for you. This quick and easy dish is made with just a few ingredients, including rice, eggs, and green onions. It's a great way to use up leftover rice and make a tasty meal in no time.
You can also add in some frozen peas or chopped carrots for some extra color and nutrition. For a protein boost, add in some chicken or shrimp to the dish.
Chinese Pork Buns, also known as Char Siu Bao, are a popular dim sum dish. These steamed buns are filled with barbecue pork and have a slightly sweet and savory taste. They're perfect for a snack or as part of a larger meal.
While making the filling from scratch may seem daunting, you can easily use pre-made barbecue pork from your local Chinese grocery store. This will save you time and still result in delicious buns.
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Chinese Pumpkin Bun
Main Ingredients: Pumpkin, Glutinous Rice Flour, Peanuts, Brown Sugar
If you're looking for a unique and tasty twist on traditional Chinese buns, try making Pumpkin Buns. These buns are made with a soft and fluffy dough that's filled with a sweet and creamy pumpkin filling. They're perfect for a fall-themed dessert or snack.
To make the pumpkin filling, you can either use canned pumpkin puree or make your own by boiling and mashing fresh pumpkin. Adding some cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling will also enhance the flavor and make it more reminiscent of pumpkin pie.
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Fried Chicken Wings, Chinese Takeout Style
Main Ingredients: Chicken Wings, Black Pepper, White Pepper, Garlic
Fried Chicken Wings are a staple in Chinese takeout restaurants. These crispy and flavorful wings are coated in a delicious spice blend and served with a side of sweet and sour sauce. They're perfect as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal.
To achieve that perfect crispy texture, make sure to pat the wings dry before coating them in the spice blend. You can also add in some garlic powder or onion powder to the spice blend for some extra flavor.
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Chinese Broccoli Beef
Main Ingredients: Sirloin Steak, Soy Sauce, Cornstarch, Freshly Ground
Chinese Broccoli Beef is a delicious and healthy dish that's perfect for any day of the week. Tender beef strips are cooked with broccoli florets in a flavorful sauce made with oyster sauce, soy sauce, and garlic. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that's sure to please.
To make this dish even more nutritious, you can add in some other vegetables like carrots or mushrooms. You can also use chicken or pork instead of beef if you prefer.
Egg Rolls are a popular appetizer in Chinese cuisine. These crispy and flavorful rolls are filled with a delicious combination of pork, shrimp, cabbage, and carrots. They're perfect for parties or as a snack.
To make this dish even more flavorful, add in some garlic and ginger to the filling. You can also serve them with a side of sweet and sour sauce for dipping.
Chinese BBQ Pork, also known as Char Siu, is a popular dish in Cantonese cuisine. This dish features tender and flavorful pork that's been marinated in a mixture of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and honey and then roasted to perfection. It's often served as a main dish or used as a filling for other dishes like buns or noodles.
For an extra burst of flavor, add some five-spice powder or sambal oelek to the marinade. This will give the pork a unique and delicious taste that's characteristic of Chinese cuisine.
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Classic Beef Fried Rice - A Chinese Takeout
Main Ingredients: Flank Steak, Salt, Water, Baking Soda, Dark Soy Sauce
Beef Fried Rice is a popular dish in Chinese takeout restaurants. This dish features tender beef that's been marinated in soy sauce and cooked with rice, eggs, and peas. It's a simple yet satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion.
To make this dish even more authentic, use jasmine rice instead of regular white rice. You can also add in some green onions or carrots for some extra flavor and nutrition.
Chicken Stir Fry is a quick and easy dish that's perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breast is cooked with a variety of vegetables in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and garlic. It's a healthy and delicious meal that can be customized to your liking.
To make this dish even more nutritious, add in some other vegetables like broccoli or carrots. You can also use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast for a richer and tastier dish.
Sweet and Sour Chicken is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a flavorful sauce made with pineapple juice, vinegar, and soy sauce. It's often served with a side of steamed rice and is a favorite among kids and adults alike.
If you want to make this dish even more colorful, add in some red bell peppers and pineapple chunks to the stir fry. This will give the dish a nice balance of sweet and sour flavors.
Honey Prawns, also known as Honey Walnut Shrimp, are a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine. This dish features succulent shrimp that's coated in a sweet and creamy honey sauce and served with crunchy honey walnuts. It's a delicious and indulgent dish that's perfect for special occasions.
To make this dish even more decadent, use lobster or crab instead of prawns. You can also add in some chili paste or sriracha for some extra heat and flavor.
Ingredients and Equipment
Ingredients:
To make Chinese bread buns, you will need:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup warm water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Equipment:
Steamer basket
Parchment paper
Mixing bowl
Rolling pin
Brush for oiling
Instructions
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of warm water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and the activated yeast mixture. Slowly add in 1/2 cup of warm water while kneading the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Step 4: Shape the Buns
Punch down the dough and knead it for a few minutes. Roll it into a log shape and cut it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a small ball and flatten it with a rolling pin into a 3-inch circle.
Step 5: Steam the Buns
Place the flattened buns on parchment paper and place them in a steamer basket. Leave some space between each bun as they will expand during steaming. Let them rise for 10 minutes while you heat up the steamer.
Step 6: Steam for 15 Minutes
Once the steamer is hot, place the buns inside and steam for 15 minutes. Do not open the lid during steaming as this will cause the buns to deflate.
Step 7: Brush with Oil
After 15 minutes, turn off the heat and let the buns sit for 5 minutes. Then, brush them with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to give them a shiny appearance.
Enjoy Your Homemade Chinese Bread Buns!
There you have it, your homemade Chinese bread buns are ready to be served! You can enjoy them as they are or fill them with your favorite savory or sweet fillings. With this simple and delicious recipe, you can now make these buns anytime you crave them. Impress your friends and family with your professional and authentic Chinese bread buns.