Easy Banh Bao Recipe (Vietnamese Steamed Pork Bun)

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This easy Vietnamese Banh Bao recipe yields the fluffiest steamed pork buns ever! Make a big batch to freeze and quickly reheat for a delicious breakfast or snack.

What is Banh Bao?

The term Bánh bao literally means “bun cake.” Similar to the Chinese bao zi, the Vietnamese banh bao is a light and fluffy steamed bun that can contain a savory pork filling. But while both are similar, banh bao recipes use fish sauce while bao zi recipes use the Chinese five-spice. In addition, the addition of Chinese sausage and quail eggs is a distinct feature of banh bao’s.

Ingredients to Make Vietnamese Banh Bao

For The Dough

• 2 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp instant yeast (I used this one)
• 1 3/4 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2/3 cup water or milk

For the Filling

• 1 1/2 pound ground pork
• 3 Tbsp oyster sauce (I like this one)
• 3 Tbsp fish sauce
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 tsp sugar
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 2 green onion/scallion, chopped
• 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
• Chinese sausage, thinly sliced
• hard-boiled eggs or quail eggs, quartered

How to Make Banh Bao

Make the Dough

1. Into a large bowl, add flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, yeast, oil. Mix together, and slowly pour the water or milk into the mixture. Mix again until just combined.
2. Lightly dust your hand with extra flour (this will help the dough from sticking to your hands). Knead the dough slightly and shape it into a ball.
3. Sprinkle some flour onto the surface you’re rolling on. Then start kneading the dough on the floured surface for about 10-15 minutes, or until the dough is very smooth. As you knead, I find it helps to sprinkle in flour every once in a while to reduce stickiness. Form the dough into a ball.
4. Coat a large bowl with oil and place the dough inside. Cover with cloth or plastic wrap, and leave it in a warm place for about 30-60 minutes, until the dough has doubled in size.

Make the Filling

1. Meanwhile, add the ground pork, oyster sauce (I like this one), fish sauce, salt, pepper, sugar, shallots, green onions, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Mix until well-combined.
2. Let the filling mixture for at least 20 minutes or overnight.

Assembling the Banh Bao

1. Once the dough has doubled in size, sprinkle some more flour on your rolling surface and divide the dough into 16 equal pieces.
2. Roll each piece into a ball and flatten into a circle, making sure the middle is slightly thicker.
3. Place some of the pork filling on the middle of the dough circle (I use a cookie scoop), then add the egg and Chinese sausage.
4.  Bring the dough up around the meat, then pinch the ends together to close. Roll it into a ball, or twist the top to make a pattern.
5. Place the uncooked banh bao on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone sheet. Repeat until all the dough is used up, and cover with plastic wrap to avoid drying.
6. Allow the dough to rest in a warm place for 30 minutes.

Cooking the Banh Bao

1. Bring water in the steamer to a boil (I use this one). Once water is boiling, place the buns in the steamer tray (I like to use pre-cut parchment squares under each one). Make sure to leave about 2 inch of space between each bun.
2. Close the steamer lid and cook over high heat for 11-12 minutes.
3. Turn off heat and transfer the buns to a cooling rack. These banh bao’s are best eaten immediately, but can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days. ENJOY!

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If you make this Vietnamese banh bao recipe, please drop a comment below! I’d LOVE to know what you think! Or take a picture and share it on Instagram by tagging @dwellbymichelle so I can repost it on my stories!

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