Bánh Bao (Vietnamese Steamed Pork Buns)

Step 1

Soak the bean thread noodles. Soak the bean thread noodles in hot water for 1 minute. Drain and cut the noodles into 1/2-inch pieces.

Step 2

Mix the filling. In a large mixing bowl, add the ground pork, shallots, vegetable oil, baking soda, salt, black pepper, sugar, chicken bouillon powder, soy sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, and bean thread noodles. Mix until thoroughly combined. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Step 3

Prepare the yeast. Warm the milk to 110°For 43°C. Mix in the yeast and granulated sugar. Cover with plastic wrap and bloom for 5 minutes if instant yeast or 10 for active dry yeast.

Step 4

Sift the dry ingredients and vegetable shortening. In the bowl of your stand mixer with a paddle attachment, sift the all-purpose flour, wheat starch, powdered sugar, salt, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Then, mix on low until combined. Next, add the shortening and continue mixing until the shortening is broken up into small pieces.

Step 5

Activate the baking powder with lemon juice. In a separate small bowl, combine lemon juice with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder. Let it fizzle for 5 min.

Step 6

Liquify the egg in oil. In another separate bowl, combine the room-temperature egg white with vegetable oil. Incorporate by pulling up the egg yolk with a fork a few times until combined.

Step 7

Mix all the mixtures together. While the stand mixer is on low speed, add the milk mixture, then add the egg and oil mix, then lastly add the baking powder mix for 30 seconds.

Step 8

Switch to a dough hook and knead the dough. After 30 seconds, switch out for the dough hook and mix on level 2 speed for 2 minutes or until it forms into a ball in the mixer and is no longer sticking to the bowl. The dough should be tacky but not overly sticky. Take the dough out and gently knead the dough by hand for 1 minute. Form the dough into a ball and transfer it into a lightly greased large bowl.

Step 9

Proof the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm area (100°F or 38°C) for about 1-1.5 hours or until double in size

Step 10

Divide the meat. Divide the meat into 10 equal parts and form them into meatballs with one Chinese sausage piece in the center. Microwave the meatballs for 45 seconds and drain any excess juices. Place 1/2 an egg on top of each meatball. Set aside.

Step 11

Divide and roll out the dough. Once the dough has doubled in size, deflate the dough and divide it into 10 equal pieces and roll it into smooth balls. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent them from drying. Then, roll out the dough into 6-7 inch discs using a rolling pin with thinner edges and a thicker center.

Step 12

Add the filling and form the bun. Add the meatball and egg filling. Wrap the dough around the filling to form a ball. Tightly pleat by pinching the dough in a circle and seal. When you reach the end of the disc continue pinching around the center two or three times to fully seal the bao. Shape the bao into a round circle on your workspace.

Step 13

Let the buns rest. Place parchment paper squares or cupcake liners underneath the buns, cover them with a tea towel, and let the buns rest for 15 minutes.

Step 14

Steam the buns. While the buns rest, prepare add water to your steamer and bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Steam the buns in batches 1-2 inches apart for 10 minutes. Enjoy!