ingredients

for the spicy beef bao

1 bao bun

1 beef steak

1 red onion

2 tbsp firecracker sauce

2 tbsp vegetable oil

4 tbsp spicy asian slaw

1 tbsp kewpie mayonnaise

1 tbsp sriracha

1 coriander sprig, leaves picked

for the mushroom + tofu bao (vg)

1 bao bun

30g mixed mushrooms

100g firm tofu

500ml vegetable oil for frying tofu

2 tbsp gyoza sauce

2 tbsp yakitori sauce

4 tbsp spicy asian slaw

1 tbsp sriracha

1 tbsp vegan mayonnaise

1 coriander sprig, leaves picked

for the spicy asian slaw

1 carrot

1 cucumber

1 red onion

150ml spicy vinegar

for the gyoza sauce

50ml (2fl oz) malt vinegar

1 tablespoon caster sugar

125ml (4fl oz) light soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

for the matcha bao-nut

1 bao bun

500 ml vegetable oil for frying

4 tbsp caster sugar

2 scoops matcha ice-cream

2 tbsp caramel sauce

sprig of mint

sesame seeds to garnish

for the caramel sauce

1 cup sugar

6 tbsp salted butter

1/2 cup cream

1 tsp salt

hirata steamed buns


hirata are traditional japanese steamed buns, often known as ‘bao’. these perfect pillows of soft dough are packed with fresh flavour

serves
2
prep time
10 mins
cook time
10 mins

how to make hirata steamed buns

ingredients

for the spicy beef bao

1 bao bun

1 beef steak

1 red onion

2 tbsp firecracker sauce

2 tbsp vegetable oil

4 tbsp spicy asian slaw

1 tbsp kewpie mayonnaise

1 tbsp sriracha

1 coriander sprig, leaves picked

for the mushroom + tofu bao (vg)

1 bao bun

30g mixed mushrooms

100g firm tofu

500ml vegetable oil for frying tofu

2 tbsp gyoza sauce

2 tbsp yakitori sauce

4 tbsp spicy asian slaw

1 tbsp sriracha

1 tbsp vegan mayonnaise

1 coriander sprig, leaves picked

for the spicy asian slaw

1 carrot

1 cucumber

1 red onion

150ml spicy vinegar

for the gyoza sauce

50ml (2fl oz) malt vinegar

1 tablespoon caster sugar

125ml (4fl oz) light soy sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

for the matcha bao-nut

1 bao bun

500 ml vegetable oil for frying

4 tbsp caster sugar

2 scoops matcha ice-cream

2 tbsp caramel sauce

sprig of mint

sesame seeds to garnish

for the caramel sauce

1 cup sugar

6 tbsp salted butter

1/2 cup cream

1 tsp salt

instructions


step one

make the bao buns

  1. steam the buns until they are soft + bouncey

  2. finely slice the slaw vegetables into long julienne strands, then mix + dress with the spicy vinegar for the savoury buns


step two

make the spicy beef bao

  1. thinly slice the beef into pieces 1cm wide + place into a oiled pan

  2. thinly slice the onion + add to the pan

  3. pour firecracker sauce in + sauté until the meat is cooked through + coated in the firecracker sauce

  4. take one bun, place slaw as the base layer, then top with saucy steak, add sriracha + mayo, then finally top with coriander

  5. close the bun + enjoy!


step three

make the mushroom + tofu bao (vegan bao bun)

  1. place oil in pot + fry the cornflour coated tofu until lightly browned

  2. in a seperate pan, pan-fry the mixed mushrooms until brown + then add the gyoza sauce + reduce slow

  3. take one bun, place slaw as the base layer, then top with fried tofu, add yakitori sauce + top with mushrooms, sriracha, mayo + coriander

  4. close the bun + enjoy!


step four

make the matcha bao-nut

  1. take one bun at a time + gentle + safely shallow fry in a pot of oil. once golden, use chopsticks to extract the bun from the oil + then sprinkle icing sugar on bun immediately + set aside – be extremely careful not to touch the bun, as it is hot. set aside + leave to cool

  2. once the bun is cooled, take a generous scoop of matcha ice cream + fill the middle

  3. drizzle salted caramel sauce in top + garnish with a sprig of mint

  4. close + devour!

hirata steamed buns faqs

what are bao buns made of?

bao buns or baozi (包子) are made of flour, yeast and water. sometimes baking powder, sugar, milk and oil are added for extra taste. try adding some firecracker sauce for that extra kick

why are my bao buns not fluffy?

bao buns can shrink and become less fluffy when they encounter cold air too quickly. we recommend turning off the heat and letting them sit in the pot for an extra 10 minutes for optimum fluff

how do I cook bao buns if I don't have a steamer?

if you don't own a steamer fear not! bao buns can be steamed with a wok or large pot. simply put some water in the bottom of the wok + a bowl with a plate and grease proof paper on top. place the bao buns on the grease proof paper, cover with a cloth and domed lid and steam for 8 minutes