Char Siu Bao (Cantonese BBQ Pork Buns)

Savor the irresistible flavors of Char Siu Bao, a classic Cantonese BBQ pork bun recipe that combines fluffy, pillowy steamed buns with a savory-sweet filling of marinated char siu pork. These buns are a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, featuring a soft, slightly chewy dough encasing a rich filling made with soy sauce, hoisin, and a touch of sesame oil for depth. Perfect for dim sum spreads or as a handheld snack, these homemade buns are crafted with a simple yeast dough and steamed to light, cloudlike perfection. Whether you're a dim sum enthusiast or a first-time bun maker, this recipe ensures a satisfying culinary adventure with authentic results.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:120 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 250 grams All-purpose flour
• 8 grams Baking powder
• 3 grams Yeast
• 50 grams Granulated sugar
• 125 milliliters Warm water
• 15 milliliters Vegetable oil
• 200 grams Char Siu (Chinese BBQ pork), finely chopped
• 15 milliliters Soy sauce
• 15 milliliters Oyster sauce
• 10 milliliters Hoisin sauce
• 5 milliliters Sesame oil
• 10 grams Cornstarch
• 30 milliliters Water for cornstarch slurry
• 20 grams Sugar for filling

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine yeast with warm water and 1 teaspoon of sugar from the 50 grams. Set aside for 5-10 minutes until foamy.

Step 2

In a large bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, the remaining granulated sugar, and baking powder.

Step 3

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, and add the yeast mixture and vegetable oil.

Step 4

Mix and knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.

Step 5

Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.

Step 6

In the meantime, prepare the filling: in a saucepan over medium heat, combine chopped char siu, soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Heat until bubbling.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with the water to make a slurry.

Step 8

Add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan and stir continuously until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool.

Step 9

Punch down the risen dough, and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball.

Step 10

Flatten each dough ball to a 4-inch diameter circle, fill with a tablespoon of the pork filling.

Step 11

Gather the edges to the center, pinching to seal the bun tightly.

Step 12

Place each bun on a square of parchment paper and let them rest for another 15 minutes.

Step 13

Prepare a steamer with boiling water and steam the buns over medium heat for 12-15 minutes until the dough is fluffy and cooked through.

Step 14

Remove from the steamer and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(760.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2010.5

Total Fat 61.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.7g
Cholesterol 140.3mg	0%
Sodium 3189.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 302.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.2g	0%
Total Sugars 89.6g
Protein 65.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 88.8mg	0%
Iron 15.1mg	0%
Potassium 876.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.2%

Protein: 12.9%

Carbs: 59.9%