Char Siu Bao 叉燒包 (Chinese BBQ Pork Bun) Recipe - How to Make Tangzhong Milk Bread!

char siu

🥗Healthier: chicken breast

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Chicken is leaner while ground pork is often more affordable.

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: bread flour

Whole wheat adds fiber, while bread flour can enhance texture.

soy sauce

🥗Healthier: low-sodium soy sauce

💰Cheaper: tamari

Low-sodium reduces salt intake, tamari is gluten-free.

hoisin sauce

🥗Healthier: plum sauce

💰Cheaper: sweet chili sauce

Plum sauce provides similar sweetness, while sweet chili is often less expensive.

Finely dice 1/4 onion and set aside.

Add 1 pound of Chinese BBQ pork and finely dice it.

In a small saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of neutral oil over medium heat.

Add the diced onion and cook until slightly caramelized.

Pour in 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock, 1 tablespoon molasses, 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, and 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; stir until bubbling.

Add a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to thicken the mixture and cook for about 3 minutes until glossy.

Remove from heat and stir in the diced Chinese BBQ pork until coated; set aside to cool.

In a separate saucepan, whisk together 39 grams of bread flour and 195 ml of milk until smooth, then heat until it resembles a thick paste.

In a stand mixer, combine 351 grams of bread flour, 50 grams of sugar, 2 1/4 teaspoons of dried yeast, 1 large egg, 1 egg yolk, a pinch of salt, and the cooled tangzhong mixture.

Knead the dough with a dough hook for about 20 minutes, adding 2 tablespoons of butter halfway through.

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and let it proof for about 2 hours until doubled in size.

Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball.

Flatten each ball into a circle, making the edges thinner, and place about 1 heaping tablespoon of filling in the center.

Pinch the edges together to seal the bun and shape it into a smooth ball.

Place the buns on a lined baking sheet, cover with greased plastic wrap or a damp towel, and let them rise until doubled in size.

Brush the buns with an egg wash (egg mixed with milk) and bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes until golden brown.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens