Soft and fluffy steamed buns - known as Gua Bao - are a perfect blank canvas to add delicious flavours to and make them different and exciting every time you eat them! Below, we have 8 delicious Bao Bun Fillings for you to try, as well as a couple of crunchy vegetable options, to add a contrast of textures in your fluffy bun! We included a link to our Chinese steamed bun recipe too!
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What Are Bao Buns?
Chinese Bao buns, pronounced "bow," are fluffy steamed buns from China with a variety of savoury or sweet fillings. Made from a yeasted dough, they're known for their light and airy texture. Gua bao, a specific type of bao, translates to "pocket bun."
Unlike the fully enclosed bao, gua bao are open-faced, resembling a fluffy bread pocket with folded edges. They are typically filled with savoury meats like ground pork, braised pork belly, pickled vegetables, and flavorful sauces like char siu or hoisin sauce, creating a delicious and portable street food enjoyed throughout Asia.
Note that bao buns come in different shapes (some are cooked with raw filling inside, like Banh Bao or Baozi Buns). Our delicious filling recipes below are meant to be cooked first and then stuffed into Gua Bao buns (that are rolled out into an oval shape and then folded in half to create pockets).
Don't have a bamboo steamer? No problem! You can make equally fluffy bao buns in a metal steamer pot or electric vegetable steamer. Just follow our recipe for Homemade Bao Buns!
Best Bao Bun Filling Recipes
Traditional bao buns are endlessly versatile. To elevate your homemade buns recipe, here are 8 delicious fillings that will take your taste buds on an adventure across Chinese cuisine!
1. Char Siu Chicken
These Char Siu Bao Buns with Chicken are listed first for a reason! Chinese BBQ sauce-coated crispy chicken is possibly our favourite way to fill Chinese steamed buns! Easy to put together and loved by the whole family, this is a must-try filling for bao buns.
2. Chinese BBQ Glazed Pork Belly
Make delicious sticky pork bao buns with our slow cooker char siu pork belly! Simply let pork belly cook for hours on low heat in aromatic broth, then slice it into small pieces and stuff your fluffy buns for a delectable Chinese treat! Click on the link above for a full recipe and nutritional information in the recipe card!
3. Crispy Honey Chicken
Crispy chicken in a delicious sauce that is sweet, sticky and irresistible makes a perfect companion to your gua bao! Chicken pieces are coated in cornflour mixture, then crisped up in a pan, and tossed together with a delicious honey, orange and soy sauce combo! Follow our detailed instructions for this 20- minute Honey Chicken recipe and you won't regret it!
4. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Everybody loves pork buns, right? We sure do. And the best way to make delicious BBQ pulled pork is to let the slow cooker do the work!
5. Crispy Chilli Chicken
This Crispy Chilli Chicken will come together in just over 30 minutes, and will definitely satisfy the craving for sweet, salty, slightly spicy and umami flavours that only Chinese cuisine can offer!
6. Crispy Chilli Beef
Crispy Chilli Beef is one of the most popular dishes on a Chinese Takeaway menu, at least in the UK. And the good news is that it makes the most delicious filling for bao buns. Mildly spicy with chilli heat, salty, umami, a little sweet and super aromatic, this recipe is great if you fancy extra crunchy texture in your buns to contrast the soft buns!
7. Satay-Style Pulled Jackfruit
Looking for a vegan option? No worries! Bao buns can be filled with pulled jackfruit mixed with a delicious satay-style sauce made with peanut butter and hoisin sauce. It's an incredible savory filling that will impress even sworn meat lovers! We originally used this filling for burger buns, but it works just as well in steamed buns!
8. Sticky Shiitake Mushrooms
And finally, we are calling all the mushroom lovers!!! Get that extra dose of vitamin D by filling your steamed buns with this Vegan Shiitake Mushroom recipe. Mushrooms are lightly coated in cornflour, then fried and coated in our favourite Char Siu Sauce! The final result is meaty (yet, plant-based), satisfying and moreish filling for bao buns.
9. Gochujang Tofu
For a little bit of Chinese-Korean fusion, try filling your buns with crispy Gochujang Tofu! Make sure to crumble the tofu into smaller pieces that fit the gua bao buns well.
You Need A Crunchy Slaw Too, Right?
We love a good cabbage slaw to accompany the protein filling! It adds crunch and fresh flavours to the bao bun. Two of our favourite slaw recipes are below for you to try:
1. Asian Cabbage Slaw With Sesame Mayo
Double up this Asian Cabbage Slaw! It's bursting with veggies and a creamy sesame mayo - perfect for bao buns, burgers, or alongside BBQ. Add a kick with sriracha for a spicy slaw sensation!
2. Homemade Red Cabbage Slaw
Add a burst of colour and irresistible flavour to your gua bao with this Red Cabbage Slaw! Crunchy red cabbage, sunny carrots, and vibrant spring onions pair perfectly with our secret weapon dressing - a tangy-sweet blend of Dijon mustard, vinegar, honey, and lime juice. It is perfect with sweeter Asian fillings!
Alternatively, stuff your buns with quick pickled cucumbers or quick pickled carrots!
How To Serve Bao Buns?
Whichever Bao bun recipe you choose to make, it will be equally perfect for a light starter or a satisfying main course.
Serve two Chinese steamed buns for a starter, garnished with sesame seeds and spring onions! It makes a beautiful appetizer to pair with other Asian dishes.
For a more substantial main course, consider doubling the number of buns per person. You can also add side dishes to complement the flavours and textures.
A light and refreshing cucumber salad with a rice vinegar dressing cuts through the richness of some fillings. Pickled vegetables like carrots or daikon radish add a tangy crunch. For a heartier option, try steamed or Stir-Fried Pea Shoots, Griddled Bok Choy or Asian Broccoli Salad.
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