Char Siu Ramen Bao Buns

Fluffy steamed bao buns filled with tender char siu pork braised in rich ramen broth. Topped with refreshing pickled cucumbers and fragrant cilantro for a burst of flavor.

Prep Time

30 minutes

Total Time

3 hours 30 minutes

Calories

750

Level

Medium

Yields

4 servings

Cost

£3.10

Season:

☀️ Summer

Meal Type:

Soup•Bread

Cuisine:

Main Ingredient:

Cooking Style:

Mood:

Ingredients

Servings

1lbPork Shoulder(Cut into 2-inch cubes)

£3.50

6cupsRamen Broth(Store-bought or homemade)

£2.00

0.3cupSoy Sauce

£0.25

2tablespoonsMirin

£0.30

2tablespoonsSake (optional)

£0.50

1tablespoonBrown Sugar

£0.05

4clovesGarlic(Minced)

£0.20

1inchGinger(Peeled and grated)

£0.30

2piecesStar Anise

£0.40

2stalksScallions(Roughly chopped)

£0.50

8piecesBao Buns(Frozen or fresh)

£3.00

1mediumCucumber(Thinly sliced)

£0.80

2tablespoonsRice Vinegar

£0.15

1teaspoonSugar

£0.05

0.3teaspoonSalt

0.3cupCilantro(Roughly chopped)

£0.40

Total Cost

£12.40

£3.10 per serving

The Method

1
**Prepare the Char Siu Pork:** In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the pork shoulder, ramen broth, soy sauce, mirin, sake (if using), brown sugar, garlic, ginger, star anise, and scallions. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2.5-3 hours, or until the pork is very tender and easily shreds with a fork.
2
Remove the pork from the broth and shred it with two forks. Strain the broth and discard the solids. Return the shredded pork to the strained broth and simmer for another 15-20 minutes to allow the pork to absorb the flavors.
3
**Prepare the Pickled Cucumbers:** In a small bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix well and let it sit for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour, to allow the cucumbers to pickle.
4
**Steam the Bao Buns:** Prepare your steamer basket or bamboo steamer. Place the bao buns in the steamer, making sure they don't touch each other. Steam for 8-10 minutes, or until they are soft and fluffy.
5
**Assemble the Bao Buns:** Gently open each bao bun and fill it with the shredded char siu pork. Top with the pickled cucumbers and chopped cilantro.
6
Serve immediately and enjoy!

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (350g)

750 kcal / 3138 kJ

Carbs

60g

23% of RDA

Fat

35g

50% of RDA

Protein

45g

90% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

4 g

13% of RDA

Sugar

15 g

17% of RDA

Sodium

1800 mg

78% of RDA

Saturated Fat

12 g

60% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For a richer flavor, sear the pork shoulder in a hot pan before adding it to the broth.

Adjust the amount of brown sugar to your liking, depending on how sweet you want the char siu pork to be.

You can use store-bought char siu sauce instead of braising the pork in ramen broth for a quicker version.

If you don't have a steamer, you can use a colander or metal basket placed inside a pot with a small amount of boiling water. Make sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the basket.

Add a drizzle of chili oil for extra heat.

Cooking Equipment

Oven

Stove

Steamer Basket or Bamboo Steamer

Large Pot

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

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