If you've ever gone for Dimsum or have it bucket-listed, you're bound to come across some steamed Chinese buns. You will find steamed buns shaped into cute animals, limitless filling options that can be savoury or sweet, and the classic plain ones that make a great bread substitute. This recipe is on how to make steamed Chinese Mantou buns, the classic steamed buns that can be filled or dipped. 

Mantou dates back to 771 B.C. in China and is still a common food staple today. With so few ingredients and equipment required, in addition to not needing an oven, they are so easy to make. 

Mantou (Steamed Chinese Buns)

  • Prep Time:2 hrs
  • Cook Time:15 mins
  • Total Time:2 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings:5
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 pack 80g active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • A pinch salt
  • Step 1

    Combine the yeast with a 1/4 cup of the warm water and leave it for 5 to 10 minutes, until a murky, bubbly yeast mixture has formed.

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    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 2

    When waiting for the yeast to activate, in another large bowl add the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar then whisk to combine.
    #SpoonTip: Sift the flour when adding it the bowl.

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  • Step 3

    Add the activated yeast mixture and the cooking oil. Stir gently.

    wheat, milk, cereal, dough, flour
    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 4

    Slowly incorporate the rest of the warm water, by alternating between adding small amounts and mixing the dough until it becomes a soft but not too sticky composition.

    milk, dough, flour
    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 5

    When the dough is of right consistency to knead, you can start kneading the dough to incorporate the ingredients better. Knead for about 10 minutes.

    milk, cream, dairy product, bread, dough, flour
    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 6

    Shape the dough into a ball and cover the bowl with cling wrap. Leave it for around an hour in a warm place.
    #SpoonTip: Somewhere around 95°F (35°C) is the optimal for the yeast.

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    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 7

    Wait until the ball of dough approximately doubles in size.

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    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 8

    Poke a hole in the middle of the dough and if it does not collapse, you can knead the dough and move onto the next step. If it does, then take it out, reshape it back into a ball, and leave for another 30 minutes in the covered bowl.

    pizza, bread, flour, dough
    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 9

    Shape the dough into a long log.

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    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 10

    Flatten it using a rolling pin to around 1/4 of an inch.

    wheat, pastry, bread, flour, dough
    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 11

    Lightly brush some water onto the surface of the dough.

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    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 12

    Roll the dough into a cylinder.

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    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 13

    Cut the cylinder to around 10 pieces, removing the ends for disposal.

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    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 14

    Line the steamer bottom with some parchment paper and place the uncooked Mantou in the steamer, being sure to leave some space for them to expand a bit more in size.

  • Step 15

    Close the lid. Add the water but don't turn it on yet. Leave for around 30 minutes, giving it space and time to expand some more.

    milk, cream
    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 16

    Turn on the steamer and steam for 12 to 15 minutes. If you're using a stovetop steamer, boil water with high heat and once boiled start the timing. When done, slightly open the steamer and leave for 5 minutes.

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    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen
  • Step 17

    Serve.

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    Photo by Catherine Wong, edited by Baiyi Chen

Freshly made, I enjoyed the Mantou without any additional fillings and just ate them plain. Unlike eating a normal slice of bread on its own, the Mantou has a bit of both sweetness and savoury within the soft, fluffy bun. This also makes it totally possible to fill it with either a sweet or savoury filling. They are also easily stored as you can either freeze or refrigerate them, and heat them back up with the steamer.