Sheng Jian Bao: Pan-fried pork buns (生煎包)
Tasty, moist pork wrapped with half-soft, half-crispy dough, Shanghai pan-fried pork buns, traditionally served as breakfast, make a great party food.
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 20 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 250 g all-purpose flour (about 2 cups (see note 1))
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp dried instant yeast (see note 2)
- 140 ml lukewarm water (about 9 tbsp)
- 250 g minced pork (9oz )
- 2 tbsp spring onion (finely chopped)
- 1/2 tbsp ginger (minced)
- 2 tsp light soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 pinch ground Sichuan pepper (or Chinese five-spice powder)
- 5 tbsp water (or chicken stock)
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 240 ml water (about 1 cup )
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Spring onion (finely chopped)
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast and sugar. Pour in water little by little while stirring with a pair of chopsticks (or a fork).
- 2
Then knead with your hand until a smooth, elastic dough forms (see note 3). Cover the bowl with a wet kitchen towel.
- 3
Leave to rise in a warm place until double in size. It will take between 40 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the room temperature.
- 4
Put all the ingredients for the filling (except for water/stock) into a large bowl.
- 5
Swirl constantly in the same direction while gradually adding water/stock spoon by spoon into the mixture.
- 6
Knead the dough on a floured work surface until it goes back to its original size.
- 7
Divide it into 20 equal portions. Roll each piece into a disk-like wrapper.
- 8
Hold the wrapper in the palm of one hand. Place some filling in the middle. Use the other hand to fold the edge anticlockwise by pinching with thumb and index finger until the bun is completely sealed (please refer to the images above).
- 9
Leave to rest for 15 minutes before frying.
- 10
Heat up oil in a frying pan over a high heat. Place in the buns (see note 4 & 5).
- 11
When the bottom part becomes golden brown, pour in water then cover with a lid.
- 12
Uncover when the water evaporates completely. Sprinkle sesame seeds and spring onion over.
- 13
Cook another 30 seconds or so to crisp up.