Filipino-style Pork Buns

Ingredients

While the original Nikuman is a Japanese steamed bun filled with pork and other ingredients, the Filipino-style Pork Buns adapt the concept to the flavors of Filipino Chinese cuisine. The filling incorporates traditional Filipino spices and vegetables, giving it a distinct taste. Additionally, the buns are steamed to perfection, just like the original Nikuman, but with a Filipino twist. We alse have the original recipe for Nikuman, so you can check it out.

• For the dough: For the dough:
• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons (25g) sugar 2 tablespoons (25g) sugar
• 2 teaspoons (8g) active dry yeast 2 teaspoons (8g) active dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt 1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt
• 1 cup (240ml) warm water 1 cup (240ml) warm water
• 2 tablespoons (28g) vegetable oil 2 tablespoons (28g) vegetable oil
• For the filling: For the filling:
• 1 pound (450g) ground pork 1 pound (450g) ground pork
• 1/2 cup (75g) finely chopped onion 1/2 cup (75g) finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup (75g) finely chopped carrots 1/2 cup (75g) finely chopped carrots
• 1/4 cup (35g) finely chopped bell pepper 1/4 cup (35g) finely chopped bell pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) soy sauce 2 tablespoons (30ml) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) oyster sauce 1 tablespoon (15ml) oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar 1 teaspoon (5g) sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25g) five-spice powder 1/4 teaspoon (1.25g) five-spice powder

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 28g, 3g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt for the dough. Mix well.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the warm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Stir until a dough forms.
3. 3.
   Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. 4.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. 5.
   In the meantime, prepare the filling. In a skillet, cook the ground pork over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
6. 6.
   Add the chopped onion, carrots, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
7. 7.
   Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, black pepper, and five-spice powder. Cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let the filling cool.
8. 8.
   Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
9. 9.
   Flatten each dough ball with your palm and roll it out into a circle, about 4 inches in diameter.
10. 10.
    Place a spoonful of the cooled pork filling in the center of each dough circle. Gather the edges of the dough and pinch them together to seal the filling.
11. 11.
    Arrange the filled buns on individual parchment paper squares and place them in a steamer basket.
12. 12.
    Steam the buns over high heat for 15-20 minutes or until the dough is cooked through and the filling is hot.
13. 13.
    Serve the Filipino-style Pork Buns warm and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground pork — Make sure to cook the ground pork thoroughly to ensure food safety.
• Five-spice powder — Adjust the amount of five-spice powder according to your preference for a stronger or milder flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can add a tablespoon of hoisin sauce to the pork mixture.
• To save time, you can prepare the filling in advance and refrigerate it until ready to use.
• Experiment with different vegetables in the filling, such as cabbage or mushrooms, to add variety to the buns.
• Serve the Filipino-style Pork Buns with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and chili for an extra kick of flavor.
• Leftover buns can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheated in a steamer or microwave.

Serving advice

Serve the Filipino-style Pork Buns as a snack or appetizer. They can also be enjoyed as a main course alongside a fresh salad or steamed vegetables.

Presentation advice

Arrange the steamed buns on a platter or bamboo steamer, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for an attractive presentation.