Chinese Pork Buns (Cha Siu Bao) Recipe
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Chinese Pork Buns (Cha Siu Bao)

By: Michelle Che 
"You may find these buns in the local Chinese restaurants. They do take time to make but they are yummy!"

 

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Original Recipe Yield 24 buns
 

Ingredients

  • 6 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 tablespoons shortening
  • 1 pound finely chopped pork
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons shortening
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

Directions

  1. Dissolve 1/4 cup sugar in 1 3/4 cups warm water, and then add the yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes, or until mixture is frothy. Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons shortening and the yeast mixture; mix well.
  2. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, and cover it with a sheet of cling wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until it has tripled in bulk.
  3. Cut the pork into 2 inch thick strips. Use fork to prick it all over. Marinate for 5 hours in a mixture made with 1 1/2 tablespoons light soy sauce, 1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, and 1 teaspoon sweet soy sauce. Grill the pork until cooked and charred. Cut roasted port into 1/2 inch cubes.
  4. Combine 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, oyster sauce, and 1 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil. Mix cornstarch with 2 1/2 tablespoons water; add to the saucepan, and stir until thickened. Mix in 2 tablespoons lard or shortening, sesame oil, and white pepper. Cool, and mix in the roasted pork.
  5. Remove the dough from the bowl, and knead it on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth and elastic. Roll the dough into a long roll, and divide it into 24 pieces. Flatten each piece with the palm of the hand to form a thin circle. The center of the circle should be thicker than the edge. Place one portion of the pork filling in the center of each dough circle. Wrap the dough to enclose the filling. Pinch edges to form the bun. Let the buns stand for 10 minutes.
  6. Steam buns for 12 minutes. Serve.

Footnotes

FOOTNOTE

  • Hoisin sauce, also called Peking sauce, is a thick, reddish-brown sauce that is sweet and spicy, and widely used in Chinese cooking. It's a mixture of soybeans, garlic, chile peppers and various spices. It can be found in Asian markets and many large supermarkets. Look in the Asian or ethnic section. If this item is not in stock at your local store, ask your grocer to special order it for you. Most grocers will be happy to do this for their customers.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 191 | Total Fat: 5.2g | Cholesterol: 12mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

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 view all reviews »  

The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 3.9 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 25, 2004 by KICKCHICK99   view full review
The filling was good but doesn't quite capture the same flavor as restaurant char siu buns....
The reviewer gave this recipe 2 stars. This recipe averages a 3.9 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 25, 2004 by LONBINDER   view full review
The dough recipe was perfect, albeit very large. The stuffing however was pretty bad. I have...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 3.9 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 25, 2004 by MRSJMYJOLEE   view full review
I was really nervous making baos for the first time for my husband who comes from a chinese...
The reviewer gave this recipe 2 stars. This recipe averages a 3.9 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 19, 2004 by Audrey   view full review
I only made the bun portion of this recipe. I tried it twice and both times the dough came...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 3.9 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 30, 2010 by Em Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
The taste was wonderful. In the recipe it says finely chopped pork, but the directions say to...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 3.9 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 22, 2010 by Courtnes   view full review
These are wonderful. I make them all the time in big batches and freeze the ones that we don't...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 3.9 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 6, 2008 by Bette   view full review
This recipe was very time consuming, but ultimately worth it. It made large, plump buns that...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 3.9 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 12, 2008 by damnchow   view full review
I followed the recipe for the dough, but found it needed an extra 1/2 cup of milk to really...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 3.9 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 16, 2006 by Stangel Childe   view full review
I loved these on their own, but I fried them on both sides to give a little extra texture......
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 3.9 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 2, 2006 by Amber Dawn   view full review
Very yummy and filling. Way better than just a dinner roll! found the bread dough to dry. ...

 

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