19 Chinese Pork Bao Bun Recipe Savor The Mouthwatering Goodness!
Published on: Mar 23, 2024
Chinese pork bao buns, also known as char siu bao, are a popular and delicious dish in Chinese cuisine. These soft and fluffy steamed buns are filled with a savory and slightly sweet pork filling, making them the perfect snack or meal. Making these buns may seem intimidating, but with the right recipe and technique, you can create your own professional-quality pork bao buns at home. Follow along as we share our authentic Chinese pork bao bun recipe and tips for achieving the perfect buns every time.
To make the buns, you will need:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
The Pork Filling:
For the savory pork filling, you will need:
- 1 pound pork shoulder, diced into small pieces
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making the Buns:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add this mixture to the yeast mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place.
5. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and knead it for a few minutes. Then divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll them into balls.
6. Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a 4-inch circle, leaving the center slightly thicker than the edges.
7. Place a spoonful of the pork filling in the center of each circle. Gather the edges of the dough and pinch them together to form a bun.
8. Place the buns on parchment paper, cover with a damp cloth, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
9. Meanwhile, prepare a steamer with boiling water. Steam the buns for 15 minutes until they become fluffy and cooked through.
Making the Pork Filling:
1. In a pan, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the diced pork and cook until it starts to brown.
2. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, Chinese rice wine, sesame oil, five-spice powder, white pepper, salt, water, and cornstarch.
4. Pour this mixture into the pan with the pork and stir until the sauce thickens and coats the pork.
5. Remove from heat and let the filling cool down before using it in the buns.
Enjoying Your Chinese Pork Bao Buns
Once the buns are steamed and the filling is cooled, you can enjoy your delicious Chinese pork bao buns. Serve them as a snack or as a meal with some steamed vegetables on the side. These buns can also be frozen and reheated for a quick and tasty meal. With this authentic Chinese pork bao bun recipe, you can impress your family and friends with your cooking skills and savor the taste of homemade buns.
