20 Traditional Chinese Bao Recipe Delight In These Amazing Recipes!

Published on: Mar 25, 2024

Traditional Chinese bao, also known as baozi or steamed buns, are a staple in Chinese cuisine. These fluffy and delicious treats have been around for centuries and have become a beloved snack and meal option for many. While there are many variations of bao, the traditional recipe remains the same and is a must-try for anyone interested in Chinese food.

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Pork Bao

Main Ingredients: Active Dry Yeast, Cake Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder

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If you're a fan of Chinese cuisine, you've probably heard of bao buns. These soft and fluffy steamed buns are typically filled with a savory meat filling, and pork bao is a popular variation. To make this delicious dish, you'll need to marinate the pork in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, and Chinese five-spice powder. Once it's fully marinated, stuff the pork inside the bao buns and steam them until they're cooked through. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

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Chinese Bao Buns

Main Ingredients: Warm Water, Active Dry Yeast, All Purpose Flour, Baking

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As mentioned before, bao buns are a staple in Chinese cuisine. But instead of using pork, this recipe calls for chicken as the main protein. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and garlic before being stuffed into the bao buns and steamed. The result is a flavorful and juicy chicken bao that will be a hit at any gathering.

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Chinese Bao ~ Indian Style

Main Ingredients: Plain Flour, Instant Yeast, Salt, Sugar, Milk, Oil

Kiyomi, Gold Coast | ChopinandMysaucepan

This unique twist on the classic bao bun incorporates Indian flavors for a delicious fusion dish. The buns are filled with a mixture of spiced ground beef, onions, and peas before being steamed. The end result is a flavorful and hearty bao that will satisfy any craving.

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Chinese Orange Chicken

Main Ingredients: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Eggs, Cornstarch

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Orange chicken is a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine, and for good reason. The combination of sweet and tangy orange sauce with crispy chicken is simply irresistible. This recipe uses a combination of orange juice, soy sauce, and honey to create the perfect balance of flavors. Serve over rice for a complete meal.

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Chinese Beef and Broccoli

Main Ingredients: Lean Beef, Soy Sauce, Sherry, Oil, Small Yellow Onion

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If you're a fan of takeout beef and broccoli, you'll love this homemade version. Tender strips of beef are stir-fried with broccoli and a savory sauce made with oyster sauce, soy sauce, and garlic. Serve over rice for a quick and easy dinner that's full of flavor.

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Chinese Fried Rice

Main Ingredients: Butter, Eggs, Yellow Onion, Medium Carrots, Frozen

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Fried rice is a staple in Chinese cuisine and is a great way to use up leftover rice. This recipe calls for eggs, peas, carrots, and green onions to be stir-fried with the rice, giving it a tasty and colorful twist. Customize with your favorite protein, such as chicken or shrimp, for a complete meal.

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Chinese Chicken Thighs

Main Ingredients: Chicken Thighs, Olive Oil, Minced Ginger, Minced

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Chicken thighs are an underrated cut of meat, but they're perfect for grilling. This recipe calls for a marinade made with soy sauce, honey, and garlic to give the chicken a sweet and savory flavor. Grill to perfection and serve with your favorite sides for a delicious and easy dinner.

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Char Siu Bao

Main Ingredients: Sugar, Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Water, Canola Oil

Vegan Char Siu Bao (Baked Buns) - The Woks of Life

Baked Char Siu Bao - China Sichuan Food

Char siu bao, also known as BBQ pork buns, are a popular dim sum dish. They consist of sweet and savory BBQ pork wrapped in a fluffy steamed bun. The key to making these buns is to marinate the pork in a mixture of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and honey before steaming. Serve as an appetizer or make a larger batch for a main course.

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Chinese Chicken and Broccoli

Main Ingredients: Broccoli, Vegetable Oil, Boneless Chicken Thighs

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This dish is similar to beef and broccoli, but with a lighter twist using chicken instead of beef. The chicken is stir-fried with broccoli, carrots, and a sauce made with oyster sauce, soy sauce, and garlic. Serve over rice for a quick and delicious weeknight meal.

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Chinese Egg Drop Soup

Main Ingredients: Chicken Stock, Ginger, Low Sodium Soy Sauce

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Egg drop soup is a classic Chinese soup that is surprisingly easy to make at home. This recipe uses chicken broth, cornstarch, and eggs to create a flavorful and silky soup that will warm you up on a chilly day. Add in your favorite vegetables and protein for a heartier version.

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Classic Pork Fried Rice - A Chinese Takeout favorite

Main Ingredients: Hot Water, Honey, Sesame Oil, Shaoxing Wine, Soy Sauce

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Who doesn't love a good order of pork fried rice from their favorite Chinese takeout spot? But did you know you can easily make it at home? This recipe calls for marinated pork, eggs, peas, carrots, and green onions to be stir-fried with rice for a classic and delicious dish that will satisfy your takeout cravings.

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Egg Fried Rice - An Easy Chinese

Main Ingredients: Cooked Rice, Large Eggs, Paprika, Turmeric, Oil, Medium

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Delicious and Easy Egg Fried Rice! - Explore Cook Eat

10 Minute Simple Egg Fried Rice - Homemade Hooplah

If you're looking for a simple and delicious side dish, look no further than this egg fried rice recipe. It uses eggs, peas, and green onions to add flavor and texture to the rice. Serve with your favorite Chinese main dishes for a complete meal.

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Chinese Pork Buns (Cha Siu Bao)

Main Ingredients: Cornstarch, Green Onion, Salad Oil, Soy Sauce, Oyster

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These pork buns are a popular Cantonese dish and are a must-try for any dim sum lover. The dough is filled with a sweet and savory BBQ pork filling before being steamed to perfection. Serve as an appetizer or make a larger batch for a main course.

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Xiao Long Bao - Chinese Soup Dumplings

Main Ingredients: Water, Chicken Bones, Country Ham, Pork Belly, Ginger

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Xiao long bao, also known as soup dumplings, are a popular dish in Shanghai and are a must-try for any Chinese food enthusiast. These delicate dumplings are filled with a flavorful meat and broth filling and are steamed to perfection. Be careful when eating, as the soup inside can be hot!

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Chinese Sausage Buns (Lop Cheung Bao)

Main Ingredients: Warm Water, Instant Yeast, Granulated Sugar, Canola

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If you're a fan of Chinese sausage, you'll love these sausage buns. The dough is filled with sliced Chinese sausage, green onions, and a sweet and savory sauce before being steamed. These buns are perfect for a quick and delicious breakfast or snack.

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Sang choy bao, Chinese lettuce wraps

Main Ingredients: Water Chestnuts, Scallions, Fresh Ginger, Garlic

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Sang choy bao, also known as Chinese lettuce wraps, are a popular appetizer in Chinese cuisine. This recipe uses ground pork, water chestnuts, and a flavorful sauce made with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and garlic to create a delicious filling for the lettuce cups. Customize with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

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Sang Choy Bao - Chinese Lettuce Cups

Main Ingredients: Water Chestnuts, Spring Onions, Fresh Ginger, Garlic

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If you're a fan of lettuce wraps, you'll love this variation that uses ground chicken instead of pork. The chicken is cooked with garlic, ginger, and a flavorful sauce before being stuffed into lettuce cups. Top with your favorite toppings for a quick and easy meal.

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Fried Chicken Wings, Chinese Takeout Style

Main Ingredients: Chicken Wings, Black Pepper, White Pepper, Garlic

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Who doesn't love a good order of Chinese takeout chicken wings? This recipe recreates that classic flavor at home using chicken wings, soy sauce, and garlic. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy as an appetizer or main course.

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Chinese Soup Dumplings (Sheng Jian Bao)

Main Ingredients: Chicken Stock, Shaoxing Rice Wine, Light Soy Sauce

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Sheng jian bao, also known as pan-fried soup dumplings, are a popular street food in Shanghai. These dumplings are filled with a meat and broth filling and pan-fried to create a crispy and juicy exterior. Serve with a dipping sauce and enjoy as a snack or side dish.

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Beef San Choy Bao (Chinese Lettuce Cups)

Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Onion, Ginger, Garlic, Mushrooms, Large

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This variation of lettuce wraps uses ground beef instead of pork for a delicious and hearty meal. The beef is cooked with garlic, ginger, and a flavorful sauce before being stuffed into lettuce cups. Customize with your favorite toppings for a complete and satisfying meal.

The History of Chinese Bao

The Origins

The origins of Chinese bao can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). It is said that they were first created by a Chinese military strategist named Zhuge Liang, who wanted to provide his soldiers with a portable and filling food option during their long journeys. The popularity of bao quickly spread throughout China, and it became a staple in Chinese cuisine.

The Evolution

Over time, the recipe for bao has evolved, and different regions in China have developed their own unique variations. In the north, bao tends to be larger and filled with meat and vegetables, while in the south, they are smaller and often filled with sweet ingredients like red bean paste. Today, bao can be found in many Chinese restaurants and is enjoyed by people all over the world.

The Traditional Chinese Bao Recipe

The Dough

The key to making traditional Chinese bao is the dough. It should be soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet. To achieve this, a mixture of flour, water, yeast, and sugar is used. The dough is then kneaded until it becomes smooth and elastic, and left to rise for a few hours.

The Filling

The filling for bao can vary, but the most common and traditional filling is a mixture of ground pork, scallions, and seasonings like soy sauce and sesame oil. This filling is then wrapped in the dough and steamed to perfection.

The Steaming Process

Steaming is the traditional method of cooking bao, and it is what gives them their signature soft and fluffy texture. The buns are placed in a steamer basket and steamed over boiling water for about 15 minutes.

In Conclusion

Traditional Chinese bao are a delicious and beloved dish that has stood the test of time. With its long history and evolving variations, bao has become an essential part of Chinese cuisine. So next time you're looking for a tasty and filling snack or meal, give Chinese bao a try and experience the rich flavors and textures of this traditional dish.