Steamed Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao)

Soft, fluffy, and packed with flavorful char siu pork, these Steamed Pork Buns (Char Siu Bao) are the ultimate comfort food and a staple of Cantonese dim sum. Perfectly tender dough envelopes a sweet and savory filling made from diced barbecue pork, hoisin sauce, and a touch of sesame oil, creating a symphony of flavors bursting with every bite. This step-by-step recipe guides you through making the pillowy buns from scratch, including tips on achieving the perfect rise and a lusciously thickened filling using a cornstarch slurry. Whether you're hosting a dim sum brunch or craving authentic Chinese steamed buns, this recipe will delight your taste buds and leave your kitchen smelling irresistible. Serve them warm, straight from the bamboo steamer, for a restaurant-quality treat that’s sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:120 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:145 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 400 grams All-purpose flour
• 50 grams Sugar
• 7 grams Dry yeast
• 150 milliliters Milk
• 80 milliliters Water
• 30 milliliters Vegetable oil
• 5 grams Kosher salt
• 250 grams Char siu pork, diced
• 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Water (for cornstarch slurry)
• 2 teaspoons Baking powder

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, whisk together the dry yeast, sugar, and warm milk. Allow it to sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the frothy yeast mixture, warm water, and vegetable oil.

Step 3

Mix the ingredients until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic.

Step 4

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Step 5

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a pan, heat the diced char siu pork over medium heat. Add the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.

Step 6

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the pan and stir until the sauce thickens.

Step 7

Remove the pork filling from heat and let it cool completely.

Step 8

Punch down the risen dough and knead in the baking powder thoroughly.

Step 9

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and flatten it into a disc.

Step 10

Place a tablespoon of pork filling into the center of each disc. Gather the edges and pinch to seal, forming a bun. Place sealed side down on parchment paper.

Step 11

Let the buns rest for 15 minutes.

Step 12

Prepare a steamer by boiling water and placing the buns in the steamer with space between them to expand. Steam the buns in batches for 12-15 minutes until they are fluffy and cooked through.

Step 13

Serve warm, and enjoy your homemade Char Siu Bao!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1101.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2961.3

Total Fat 99.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23.6g
Cholesterol 164.9mg	0%
Sodium 5971.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 418.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.4g	0%
Total Sugars 87.1g
Protein 89.4g	0%

Vitamin D 68.1IU	0%
Calcium 325.5mg	0%
Iron 23.2mg	0%
Potassium 1540.4mg	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: 30.6%

Protein: 12.2%

Carbs: 57.2%