15 Chinese Steamed Bao Recipe Dive Into Deliciousness!
Published on: Mar 19, 2024
The Chinese steamed bao is a popular dish that has been enjoyed for centuries in China and has now gained popularity all over the world. These soft, fluffy buns are filled with a variety of delicious ingredients and are a staple in Chinese cuisine. While the traditional bao recipe can be intimidating to some, with the right techniques and ingredients, anyone can create these mouth-watering delicacies at home. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect Chinese steamed bao, so you can impress your friends and family with your culinary skills.
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Instant Yeast, Baking Powder, Sugar
First up on our list is a classic and easy way to make steamed bao buns. These soft and fluffy buns are the perfect way to serve up your beer can chicken. Simply shred the chicken and stuff it into the buns along with some pickled vegetables for a delicious and unique meal.
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Jackfruit Bao Buns
Main Ingredients: Bao Buns, Jackfruit, Vegetable Oil, Onion, Garlic
If you're looking for a vegetarian option, try using jackfruit instead of chicken in your bao buns. This fruit has a similar texture to pulled pork when cooked, making it a perfect substitute for meat. Add some BBQ sauce and coleslaw for a tasty and filling meal.
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Tempeh Katsu Bao Buns
Main Ingredients: Tempeh, All Purpose Flour, Water, Sugar, Ground Black
Another vegetarian option, these bao buns use tempeh as the protein. Tempeh is a fermented soybean product that has a meaty texture and is packed with protein. Coat it in panko breadcrumbs and fry it up for a delicious katsu-style bao bun.
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Gua Bao (Taiwanese Pork Belly Buns, 割包)
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Peanut Oil, Garlic, Green Onions, Ginger
If you want to stick with the traditional pork filling for your bao buns, try this authentic Taiwanese recipe. The pork belly is slow-cooked and glazed in a sweet and savory sauce, making for a melt-in-your-mouth filling for the soft buns.
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Pulled Pork Bao Buns
Main Ingredients: Pork Shoulder, Soy Sauce, Olive Oil, Chinese 5 Spice
For a twist on traditional pulled pork sandwiches, try stuffing your beer can chicken into bao buns instead. The tangy BBQ sauce and pickled vegetables pair perfectly with the tender chicken for a flavorful and unique meal.
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Soft Fluffy Char Siu Bao (Chinese Steamed Pork Buns)
Main Ingredients: Steamed Buns, Pork Shoulder, Small Onion, Rice Powder
If you're a fan of Chinese cuisine, you'll love these char siu bao buns. The pork is marinated in a sweet and sticky sauce before being steamed in the buns. Add some hoisin sauce and scallions for a burst of flavor.
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Pork Belly Bao Buns
Main Ingredients: Bao Buns, Yeast, Sugar, Warm Water, All Purpose Flour
For a more indulgent option, try using pork belly instead of chicken in your bao buns. The fatty and flavorful cut of meat pairs perfectly with the soft buns and tangy pickled vegetables.
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Taiwanese Steamed Bao Buns
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Sugar, Instant Yeast, Salt, Baking
Another delicious Taiwanese recipe, these steamed bao buns are filled with a savory mixture of ground pork, mushrooms, and scallions. The buns are then steamed until fluffy and served hot for a delicious meal.
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The BEST Gua Bao Pork Belly Steamed Bun & Video
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Large Onion, Garlic Cloves, Chicken Stock
This recipe has been dubbed the best gua bao pork belly steamed bun by many food bloggers and it's easy to see why. The pork belly is slow-cooked in a flavorful marinade before being stuffed into the buns along with pickled vegetables and cilantro.
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Karaage Chicken Bao
Main Ingredients: Chicken Tenders, Soy, Sake, Ginger, Sesame Oil, Potato
If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine, you'll love these karaage chicken bao buns. The chicken is marinated in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic before being fried to perfection. Stuff it into the buns along with some Japanese mayo and pickled vegetables for a delicious meal.
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Vegan Steamed Bun (Gwa Bao)
Main Ingredients: Shallots, Garlic, Soy Sauce, Rice Wine, Water, Chinese
For a completely plant-based option, try making these vegan steamed buns. The filling is made from mushrooms, tofu, and a variety of spices for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
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Spicy Fried Chicken Bao Buns
Main Ingredients: Boneless Chicken Thighs, Sriracha, Chilli Powder
If you like a little heat in your food, these spicy fried chicken bao buns are the way to go. The chicken is coated in a spicy batter and fried to crispy perfection before being stuffed into the soft buns. Add some kimchi for an extra kick.
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Red Curry Milk Pork Bao
Main Ingredients: Boneless Pork Butt, Milk, Red Curry Paste, Water, Thai
For a unique twist on traditional bao buns, try this recipe featuring a red curry milk pork filling. The curry adds a creamy and spicy element to the dish, making for a delicious and unexpected flavor combination.
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Steamed Bao Buns
Main Ingredients: Active Dry Yeast, Sugar, Warm Water, All Purpose Flour
For a simple and straightforward recipe, try these classic steamed bao buns. The dough is made from a mixture of flour, yeast, and sugar and steamed until fluffy. Fill them with your choice of protein and toppings for a customizable meal.
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Curry Fried Chicken Steamed Buns
Main Ingredients: Steamed Buns, Mint Leaves, Kewpie Mayo, Red Onion
If you love the flavors of Indian cuisine, you'll love these curry fried chicken steamed buns. The chicken is marinated in a flavorful curry sauce before being fried and stuffed into the buns. Add some chutney for an extra burst of flavor.
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Pork Belly Buns with Pickled Carrots & Cucumbers
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Cooking Oil, Salt, Pepper, Chili Pepper
For a refreshing and tangy twist on pork belly bao buns, try this recipe featuring pickled carrots and cucumbers. The acidity of the pickles pairs perfectly with the rich and fatty pork belly for a well-balanced and delicious meal.
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Soft and Fluffy Banh Bao (Vietnamese Steamed Pork Bun)
Main Ingredients: Hard Boiled Eggs, Chinese Sausage, Steamed Buns, Pork
This recipe for banh bao, or Vietnamese steamed pork buns, features a flavorful and juicy pork filling. The buns are steamed until soft and fluffy, making for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Main Ingredients: Steamed Buns, Butter, Toasted Sesame Seeds, Sambal
Another spicy option, these chicken katsu steamed buns are coated in a spicy batter and fried before being stuffed into the buns. The toasted sesame seeds add a nutty and flavorful crunch to the dish.
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Pork Steamed Bao Buns
Main Ingredients: Water, Yeast, Bread Flour, Corn Starch, Sugar, Fine Sea
If you're a fan of traditional Chinese cuisine, you'll love these pork steamed bao buns. The pork is marinated in a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger before being steamed in the buns.
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Korean Barbecue Steamed Buns With Bulgogi Beef
Main Ingredients: Steamed Buns, Beef, Marinade, Shredded Carrots
For a Korean-inspired twist on bao buns, try this recipe featuring bulgogi beef. The tender and flavorful beef pairs perfectly with the soft buns and tangy pickled vegetables for a delicious and unique meal.
Ingredients for the Bao Dough
Flour
The key ingredient for the bao dough is all-purpose flour, which gives the buns their soft and fluffy texture. It is important to use good quality flour for the best results.
Yeast
Yeast is what gives the bao dough its rise and creates the airy, soft texture of the buns. Make sure to use active dry yeast for this recipe.
Sugar and Salt
For the dough to have a well-balanced flavor, sugar and salt are added. The sugar also helps activate the yeast, while the salt enhances the flavor of the dough.
Milk and Water
Milk and water are used to hydrate the dough and create a smooth and pliable texture. The addition of milk also adds a subtle sweetness to the buns.
Preparing the Bao Dough
Kneading
Once you have all the ingredients, it's time to prepare the bao dough. Start by mixing the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Slowly add in the milk and water, and begin kneading the dough. This process is crucial in developing the gluten in the dough, which gives the buns their soft and chewy texture. Knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Resting
After kneading, let the dough rest in a warm place for about an hour. This allows the dough to rise and double in size, giving the buns their airy and fluffy texture.
Shaping and Filling
Once the dough has rested, it's time to shape and fill the buns. Divide the dough into small balls and roll them out into circles. Place your desired filling in the center of the dough, and carefully fold and pinch the edges to seal the bun.
Steaming
The final step is to steam the buns. Place the buns on a steamer lined with parchment paper and steam for about 15 minutes. The buns will double in size and become soft and fluffy.
Now that you have the perfect Chinese steamed bao, serve them hot and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce. Impress your family and friends with this delicious and authentic Chinese dish.