Pork Belly Bao Buns
Soft, fluffy bao buns filled with tender, braised pork belly, pickled vegetables, and a sweet chili sauce.





3.9 / 5 (447)
Ingredients
Dough
- all-purpose flour
500 grams
- instant yeast
10 grams
- salt
a pinch
- sugar
10 grams
- warm water
350 milliliters
Pork Belly
- pork belly
1000 grams
- soy sauce
50 milliliters
- Shaoxing wine
25 milliliters
- brown sugar
25 grams
- five-spice powder
a pinch
Pickled Vegetables
- cucumber
2 cucumbers
- carrots
2 carrots
- rice vinegar
50 milliliters
- sugar
10 grams
- salt
a pinch
Sweet Chili Sauce
- chili peppers
2 peppers
- rice vinegar
25 milliliters
- sugar
25 grams
- water
25 milliliters
Instructions
- 1
Start by activating the yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar.
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Stir gently to dissolve the yeast, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- 2
Combine dry ingredients for the dough and mix until just combined.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and remaining sugar. Add the yeast mixture and mix until the dough comes together in a shaggy mass.
- 3
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.
- 4
Let the dough rest and rise for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- 5
Prepare the pork belly by scoring the skin and marinating it in a mixture of soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, brown sugar, and five-spice powder.
Score the skin of the pork belly in a crisscross pattern, being careful not to cut too deeply. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, brown sugar, and five-spice powder. Place the pork belly in a large ziplock bag and pour the marinade over it. Seal the bag and massage the marinade into the meat, making sure it's evenly coated.
- 6
Braise the pork belly for 2-3 hours, or until it's tender and easily shredded.
Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Remove the pork belly from the marinade, letting any excess liquid drip off. Place the pork belly in a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot, and add enough liquid to cover it. Cover the pot with a lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Braise the pork belly for 2-3 hours, or until it's tender and easily shredded.
- 7
Prepare the pickled vegetables by slicing the cucumbers and carrots thinly and soaking them in a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt.
Slice the cucumbers and carrots thinly and place them in a bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Pour the pickling liquid over the vegetables and let them sit for at least 30 minutes, or until they're slightly pickled and tangy.
- 8
Assemble the bao buns by filling them with braised pork belly, pickled vegetables, and a drizzle of sweet chili sauce.
Once the pork belly is cool enough to handle, use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. Split the bao buns in half and fill each one with a few pieces of pork belly, some pickled vegetables, and a drizzle of sweet chili sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Ratings & Reviews
User Ratings
5
218
4
88
3
74
2
25
1
42
Reviews
- SofiRZH
I try this recipe, and oh my, so delicious! The pork belly super tender, the bao buns so soft. I love the sweet chili sauce, it remind me of the spicy sauces we have in Mexico. The pickled vegetables, ehhh, not my favorite, but I know they good for me, so I eat them. I think what I like most about this recipe is how you can make all the parts ahead of time, then put together when you ready. Like when I make empanadas, I make the filling one day, then the dough another, and assemble when my family come over. Very fun to eat, very fun to make. I give four stars, because sometime the instructions a little hard to understand, but I figure it out. I want to make again, and try with different fillings, like carnitas or chorizo. ¡Muy rico!
- RohanM96
OMG, you guys! I just made these **Pork Belly Bao Buns** and they're literally TO. DIE. FOR. I mean, the combo of tender, braised Pork Belly, crunchy pickled veggies, and soft Bao Buns is absolute perfection! The Sweet Chili Sauce is like the cherry on top, adding just the right amount of sweetness and heat. I'm obsessed with street food, and this recipe is a game-changer. The instructions are pretty straightforward (even for a non-native speaker like me), but be prepared to spend some time in the kitchen - it's def worth it, tho! One thing to note: if you're lactose intolerant like me, just make sure to check the ingredients of the Sweet Chili Sauce (some brands might include dairy). Overall, I'm so hyped about this recipe, and I'm already planning to make it again ASAP!
- KrzysztofJ82
I must say, I was quite surprised by the complexity of flavours in this Pork Belly Bao Buns recipe. As someone who's accustomed to the heartiness of traditional Polish cuisine, I found the braised pork belly to be tender and rich, much like a well-cooked bigos. The pickled vegetables added a pleasant tanginess, which I rather enjoyed. However, I must admit that the sweet chili sauce was slightly spicier than I'd prefer - a milder alternative would be more to my liking. The bao buns themselves were soft and fluffy, a nice compliment to the savory fillings. Overall, a delightful recipe that I'd be happy to try again, perhaps with a few modifications to suit my tastes.
- AstridTheViking22
I try make this Pork Belly Bao Buns recipe, and is so delicious! I love how soft and fluffy bao buns are, and pork belly so tender. I have to say, I was little worried about pickled vegetables, but they add nice tangy flavor. Only thing I miss is some swedish twist, like maybe some lingonberry jam or cardamom in bao buns. But overall, I think recipe is great, even if it take long time to make. I have to make some adjustment because I lactose intolerant, but that easy to do. I give 4 star, because is not very swedish, but is still very tasty!
- sahilrocks2001
i like this recipe its look nice and delicious but i think its take too long to make i dont have all day to cook i like spicy food and this one have sweet chili sauce which is ok i guess i wish it have more spice like indian food i love but its not indian food its chinese or something... anyway i try to make it without some ingredient because i dont have it and its turn out pretty good i just use normal sugar instead of brown sugar and its fine i dont put cucumber because i dont like it... i think this recipe is good but need to be faster to make and more spicy
- ZeeStar2000
Honestly, this recipe for Pork Belly Bao Buns is a major bummer for a veggie like me. I mean, the idea of soft, fluffy bao buns filled with tender filling and sweet chili sauce sounds straight fire, but the fact that it's centered around pork belly is a total deal-breaker. I'd love to see a veggie version of this recipe, maybe with some braised mushrooms or jackfruit instead? That being said, I do appreciate the attention to detail in the instructions and the fact that it's a from-scratch recipe. If you're a meat-eater, you might be into this, but for me, it's a hard pass. Maybe we can get a vegan bao bun recipe going, though?
- MikkelJ89
Jeg var lidt scepsticsk overfor denne opskrift på Pork Belly Bao Buns, da den ikke lige rammer mit øjer på, når det kommer til traditionel nordisk cuisine. Men jeg må sogne, at resultatet var rigtig godt. Det braiserede svinekød samt de syrnede grøntsager passede glimrende sammen. Det eneste jeg ikke var så begejstret for, var de små boller, da de ikke rigtig passede ind i mit helt traditionelle køkken. Alligevel, kan jeg godt se, at denne opskrift er en rigtig god måde at variere sin hverdag på - og det siger jeg ikke kun, fordi 'mange bække små giver en stor å'.
- AishP91
I'm afraid this recipe for Pork Belly Bao Buns does not align with my dietary preferences as a lacto-vegetarian. The presence of pork belly makes it unsuitable for me. However, I must commend the meticulousness and detail-oriented approach employed in the instructions, which would likely be appreciated by someone who values clarity and precision. The use of ingredients like five-spice powder and sweet chili sauce adds a level of complexity to the dish that might appeal to adventurous palates. Unfortunately, due to the non-vegetarian nature of the recipe, I would not be able to personally enjoy it, and thus can only give it a rating of 1 star from my perspective.
- ZhilanCN
While I applaud the effort that has gone into crafting this recipe for Pork Belly Bao Buns, I must regret that it does not align with my personal dietary preferences. As a pescatarian, I refrain from consuming pork and other meat products. Furthermore, I am compelled to note that the recipe's lack of consideration for shellfish allergies and dairy avoidance is somewhat remiss. From a technical standpoint, the instructions appear thorough and well-researched, which I appreciate as a meticulous individual. Nevertheless, I must deduct points due to the recipe's incompatibility with my lifestyle choices. Perhaps a seafood-based alternative or modifications to accommodate shellfish allergies and dairy-free requirements could enhance the dish's versatility and appeal to a broader audience.
- islandgirl88
Honestly, I was super stoked to try out this recipe, but it wasnt really my vibe, ya know? I mean, I'm all about that veggie life, and pork belly is def not my thing. I was thinkin I could sub it out with some jackfruit or somethin, but idk, it just didnt seem like it'd be the same. The bao buns themselves probs wouldve been fire, but the pork belly was a major turnoff. Maybe if they had a sick seafood alternative, like some grilled tofu or tempeh, I'd be down. Anyways, probs wouldnt recommend this one to my fellow veggie homies
- TahirTheCoder
I found this recipe for Pork Belly Bao Buns to be intriguing, albeit not suitable for my personal consumption due to the presence of pork. However, from a technical perspective, the recipe appears to be well-structured and easy to follow. The use of a preferment with yeast, sugar, and warm water is a sound approach to initiating fermentation. Additionally, the braising of the pork belly in a liquid mixture of soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, brown sugar, and five-spice powder would likely result in a tender and flavorful final product. Nevertheless, I would need to adapt this recipe to accommodate my dietary requirements, potentially substituting the pork belly with a halal alternative such as beef or lamb. Furthermore, I would also need to reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe to align with my health-conscious approach to food. The incorporation of pickled vegetables and sweet chili sauce adds a delightful contrast of textures and flavors to the dish. Overall, this recipe demonstrates a solid understanding of culinary techniques and principles, making it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in exploring the realm of bao buns.
- MarekMK
I like this recipe. The pork belly baos are delicious. I like how it use pork belly, this is meat I know from my Poland. The pickled vegetables are good, like the kind my wife make. But I think is too much work for one person. I spend all day making it! I like the sweet chili sauce, but I like more spicy, like the sauce we use for bigos. I try to make it with my own beer, but I no have Shaoxing wine, so I use normal Polish beer. Taste is okay, but I think Shaoxing wine will be better. I like bao buns, they are like little pockets, like I make in wood, but with dough. I will tell my friends from woodworking club to try.