Cha Siu Bao (Steamed BBQ Pork Buns)
It is different from Japanese meatballs! Floral Cracked Skin and Sweet BBQ Pork
Description
Japanese meat buns are sealed and savory. The king of Hong Kong Dim Sum, 'Cha Siu Bao', magically splits open at the top like a blooming flower when steamed, revealing a sweet, gooey, bright red BBQ pork filling. The dough itself is sweet and fluffy like cake.
Restaurants serving Cha Siu Bao (Steamed BBQ Pork Buns)
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Wheat flour
- HK Roast Pork(Cha Siu)
- Sugar
- Oyster sauce
- Baking powder(or edible ammonia)
- Lard
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe & Differences]
- (Filling) Not minced pork. Dice authentic roasted honey BBQ pork (Cha Siu). Stir-fry with oyster sauce, soy, sesame oil, and 'massive amounts of sugar', thickening it into a sticky red gravy.
- (Dough Magic) Flour, sugar, lard, and the pro secret: [Lao Mian (sourdough) mixed with baking powder and 'edible ammonium bicarbonate'].
- Wrap the filling, leaving the top slightly unsealed, and blast with high-heat steam.
- The chemical reaction causes the dough to violently expand and split open ('bloom') perfectly into three petals, oozing the red filling. This 'laughing/smiling' appearance is considered highly auspicious.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Ultra-sweet BBQ pork glaze、Cake-like dough flavor
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
(Japanese store-bought meat buns - but totally diff look/taste)
Pairing
Pu'er Tea / Jasmine Tea
Trivia
[Trivia] One of the 'Four Heavenly Kings' of Cantonese Dim Sum. Whether the bun splits perfectly is the ultimate test of the Dim Sum chef's skill; unsplit buns are considered failures and are never served.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Eat the ultra-fluffy, slightly sticky dough together with the rich, sweet BBQ pork filling. Enjoying this combo of 'sugar' and 'meat umami' while sipping hot tea is the definitive Hong Kong morning scene.
Allergen
Wheat, Pork, Soybeans