Char Siu Bao(叉烧包)

Do you know how to make a soft and fluffy char siu bao? Char siu bao, a common Chinese dim sum dish, is loved by many, but few know how to make it. I'll share a simple version of the recipe, including many cooking techniques. Join us and let's learn together.

7 Reviews
7 Comments
POSTED:01/06/2024
Level:Medium
Yield:3-5 servings
Total:1 hr 10 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:50 min

Everyone knows that char siu bao is the most famous classic Cantonese dim sum. It's delicious and full of exotic charm. If you can make it yourself, it will be the best dim sum you've ever tasted. Soft buns, oozing with rich soy sauce filling, and generous meat filling, all perfectly blended, creating a masterpiece of cooking. Let's take a look together at what you need to pay attention to when making char siu bao!


1.What is Barbecued Pork Bun?

Barbecued pork bun is one of the representative traditional snacks of western Guangdong Province, China, and is one of the “Four Heavenly Kings of Cantonese Dim Sum (Shrimp Dumplings, Siu Mai, Barbecued Pork Buns, and Egg Tarts)” in Cantonese Morning Tea. Barbecued pork buns are named for their filling of barbecued pork in dough.

The dough for barbecued pork buns is modified from the fermented dough commonly used in northern China. When molded, it is pinched into a bird's nest shape. Due to proper fermentation, the top of the bun naturally splits open when steamed, resembling a blooming flower filled with barbecued pork. The diameter of a BBQ pork bun is usually about 5 centimeters, and a steamer usually holds three or four buns.


2.Why is char siu bao so popular?

In Guangdong, char siu bao is not just a snack; it also symbolizes unity and harmony. Some say that the structure of the bun, with its outer layer wrapping around the filling, represents inclusiveness. However, the younger generation has also given it a different meaning, suggesting sluggishness in thought and action. For locals, the love for char siu bao is deeply ingrained in their culture.


3.How to prepare the filling for char siu bao?

The filling for char siu bao is typically made from pork mixed with ingredients such as minced garlic, soy sauce, and char siu sauce. Additional seasonings can be added according to personal preference (the recipe below will provide instructions). To prepare the filling for char siu bao, pay attention to the following points:

1. The minced pork should be mixed with some starch to lock in moisture and ensure a tender texture.

2. When stir-frying the pork filling, add a suitable amount of water. This will create juiciness in the filling when making char siu bao.


4.How to make the dough for char siu bao?

To make the dough for char siu bao, you'll need flour and yeast. Mix them together in the correct proportions. The most important step in making char siu bao dough is the amount of yeast used.

Normally, both baking powder (sodium bicarbonate) and yeast can be used to make elastic and soft dough. These two ingredients are common in baking, but for this recipe, I used yeast.

The technique for making the dough is similar to making bread dough. The main difference lies in using multiple leavening agents to achieve a soft, elastic, and flaky surface. (Specific instructions are provided in the recipe below.)


5.How can you make the dough for char siu bao whiter than snow?

1. The choice of flour is crucial for achieving white char siu bao dough. The type and quality of flour will affect the color and texture of the buns. Generally, all-purpose flour or bread flour is more suitable for making buns. All-purpose flour has a higher protein content, which makes the dough more elastic and the buns whiter.

2. The fermentation process is also crucial for achieving whiter char siu bao dough. When kneading the dough, adding an appropriate amount of yeast and baking powder allows the dough to ferment fully, resulting in softer and finer-textured buns. Additionally, the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation makes the dough lighter and whiter.

3. The timing and heat during steaming are also key factors in achieving whiter char siu bao. Generally, steaming for 15-20 minutes is sufficient. Steaming for too long can cause the buns to deform and turn yellow, while steaming for too short a time can result in undercooked buns. When steaming char siu bao, use high heat to quickly heat the surface of the buns, sealing in moisture and making them whiter and more tender.


6.How to store char siu bao for the long term?

Since making char siu bao can be a bit labor-intensive, it's common to make extra. However, if you can't finish them all at once, the best way to preserve the extra char siu bao is by freezing them. When you want to eat them, simply take them out and steam them until heated through. Alternatively, you can steam them first, let them cool, then freeze them.


After discussing all these tips and common issues in making char siu bao, I believe everyone has a good understanding of how to make them. Now, let's make delicious char siu bao together!

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 500 grams of pork
  • 500 g flour

ACCESSORIES

  • 200 grams Onion
  • 1 tablespoon Doubanjiang (Chili Bean Paste)

SEASONINGS

  • 5g Yeast
  • 2 tablespoons Char Siu Sauce
  • A little Dark Soy Sauce
  • 200g Warm Water

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Prepare all the ingredients.

Prepare ingredients.

STEP 2

hot oil under the onion, pork stir fry.

Tips:

Cut onion and pork into small pieces.

Tip for making pork stir fry: Cut onion and pork into small pieces and cook in hot oil.

STEP 3

Stir-fry until the pork is lightly browned, then add 1 tablespoon of bean paste, 2 tablespoons of teriyaki sauce, a little dark soy sauce and water. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Stir fry pork until brown, add bean paste, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce & water. Boil.

STEP 4

Cook until sauce thickens, then remove from heat and cool. Store it in the refrigerator and set aside.

Tips:

If you prefer large chunks of pork, cut it larger. If you prefer a smaller filling, cut the pork into smaller pieces.

Cook until sauce thickens, then cool and store in the refrigerator. Adjust pork size based on preference.

STEP 5

Next, take 500g of flour, 5g of yeast, and 200g of warm water, and place them in a dough mixer.

Combine flour, yeast, and warm water in dough mixer.

STEP 6

Set the dough mixer to knead the dough for 40 minutes.

Set dough mixer to knead for 40 minutes.

STEP 7

After the dough is kneaded, cover it with plastic wrap and let it ferment in a warm place.

Let dough ferment covered in plastic wrap for optimal results.

STEP 8

Allow the dough to ferment until it doubles in size.

Ferment dough until doubled in size for best results.

STEP 9

Take out the dough and divide it into portions.

Split dough into portions after removing it from the mixture.

STEP 10

Flatten each portion of dough and wrap it around the char siu filling.

Folding dough around char siu filling for a tasty treat.

STEP 11

Repeat the process to wrap all the char siu bao.

Wrap all char siu bao with same process.

STEP 12

After wrapping, place the char siu bao in a warm place for a second fermentation.

Tips:

The second fermentation helps make the char siu bao softer and better in texture. Don't skip this step.

For better texture, second fermentation is crucial when making char siu bao.

STEP 13

Allow the char siu bao to ferment until they noticeably increase in size.

Ferment char siu bao until noticeably increased in size.

STEP 14

Cover the steamer with a lid and steam over high heat for 8 minutes. After turning off the heat, let it sit for 5 minutes with the lid closed to prevent the buns from shrinking abruptly due to rapid cooling.

Steam buns for 8 minutes, then let sit for 5 minutes to prevent shrinking.

STEP 15

Delicious char siu bao is ready to be served!

Tasty char siu bao is ready!

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Char Siu Bao(叉烧包)
  • Main Ingredients:4
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:1.2 kg
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 1200 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):2945 kcal
    136%
  • Protein:181.9 g
    335%
  • Fat:60.4 g Why gray?
    125%
  • Carbohydrates:400.23 g
    166%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 26%
    762 kcal
  • Fat: 18%
    541 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 56%
    1644 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
21:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

7 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
DominicOctober 11, 2024

BBQ pork buns are golden and full of flavor and aroma, the bun skin is soft and sticky, and the BBQ pork filling is tender and juicy, every bite is a treat, it is simply a delicious dim sum that you can't stop eating!
reply:
October 13, 2024
Thank you for your compliments! It takes experience and skill to make BBQ pork buns, I hope you keep enjoying this delicious treat.
ChloeSeptember 30, 2024

The filling of the BBQ pork buns I make is always not fresh enough, what are some seasoning tips to make the filling more flavorful and delicious?
reply:
October 02, 2024
Try increasing the amount of seasonings such as green onion, ginger and garlic, or adding the right amount of soy sauce and cooking wine to enhance the flavor of the filling, keeping the heat and mixing well.
CalvinSeptember 18, 2024

Whenever I try to make BBQ pork buns, the bun skin is always hard, what is the secret to make the bun skin softer and smoother?
reply:
September 21, 2024
Try adding the right amount of fat to the dough or adding a bowl of hot water when steaming to maintain the steaming temperature and time, this will help the bun skin to be softer and smoother.
EmmaJuly 31, 2024

Is the flour ration fixed? Can it be changed?
PatriciaJuly 18, 2024

This Char Siu Bao recipe is soft on the outside, sweet and rich on the inside, making it a delicious choice for breakfast or afternoon tea.
BobJune 01, 2024

I really love this recipe so much, it has a hometown feel to it and I will continue to follow the site.
jiesiiJune 01, 2024

This Char Siu Bao recipe is really authentic and easy to make, I tried to follow the recipe yesterday and my kids and husband loved it!
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