Steamed Chinese scallion bun is also named as Hua Juan, literally mean flower shape rolls. It is a transformation of Chinese steamed buns (mantou).
You can simply adjust the recipe by changing the stuffing for example you can skip scallion and use salt and pepper only or add some minced pork, shrimp etc. As most of the Chinese steamed buns share the same dough, you can use mantou dough to begin scallion buns. However since we are making savory buns, I would suggest skip sugar.
Now let's make the flower shaped buns with scallion
Divide your mantou dough into two equal halves
Firstly roll one half of the dough into a large rectangle on a slightly floured surface. Then brush oil evenly, sprinkle salt and Chinese five spice powder and then dump the scallions across the surface. Roll it up tight and divide it into 10 equal portions.
Get two portions and overlay one piece right on the top of the other one.
Take a chopstick and press down in the middle. Remove the chopstick.
Grip the two ends in two hands and then fold the two ends together downside.
If you love buns or pancakes flavored with green onions, check Chinese scallion pancake - traditional version and Chinese scallion pancake - simplified version.
🧾Recipe
Steamed Scallion Buns - Hua Juan
Ingredients
- 300 g all-purpose flour
- 3 g salt
- 150-170 ml water , adjust the softness
- 1.5 tsp. instead yeast
- 1 cup finely chopped scallion
- oil for brushing
- salt for sprinkling
- Chinese five spice powder , optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl or in a stand-mixer bowl, add flour, instead yeast, water and salt. Grasp all the ingredients together and then knead the flour into smooth and soft dough. At the very beginning, it might be a little bit sticky. Just keep kneading and you will get cute dough (or you can simply use a stand mixer to knead the dough for 7-8 minutes with slow speed)
- Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for around 1 hour (the time might be longer in winter )or until the paste ball doubles in size.
- When the dough is double in size, get paste ball out and punch the air out. And then divide the dough into two equal halves.
Assembling
- Firstly roll one half of the dough into a large rectangle on a slightly floured surface. Then brush oil evenly, sprinkle salt and Chinese five spice powder and then dump the scallions across the surface. Roll it up tight and divide it into 10 equal portions.
- Get two portions and overlay one piece right on the top of the other one. Take a chopstick and press down in the middle. Remove the chopstick and grip the two ends in two hands and then fold the two ends together downside.
- Place them in lined steamer and set aside for 15-20 minutes. Steam over high fire for 15 minutes after the water boils, then turn off fire and rest for 5 minutes with lid on.
How to keep
- Let the steamed buns to cool down and then keep them in plastic bags. These buns can be frozen and steam to heat again before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Cathy
OH-MY-GOODNESS!! These are my FAV-orite buns!!! I didn't know they were so simple to make. They look delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Elaine
Yes, they are indeed so simple as long as the dough is well proofed. But it should turns out amazing.
Orion
is it possible to make sweet hua juan? like say, cinnamon hua juan or something similar?
Elaine
Sure, You can make sweet version. We have a version using brown sugar. Using sugar and cinnamon should be a great idea.
Mike
Can Include huājiāo...
Elaine
Szechuan salt and pepper Huan Juan is another great combination. You can add it of course.
Epe
What province is this food came from?
Elaine
Basically from the Northern provinces, but now popular across the country.
Fiona Lee
I liked your recipes. I have made a few items already and my son loved it. I am making this again today and my mother in law was like "this is so complicated and fancy". Thank you.
Elaine
Fiona,
Yes, this is a fancy version of regular buns. I love the texture and flavor very much myself.
YS
Hi- if I want to double the amount of the dough you used in this recipe, how should I adjust the amount of yeast, water and salt?
Thanks!
Elaine
Yes.
Sofia
I made these last night and they are amazing! Thank you for the recipe.
In your picture, you show a dipping sauce. How can I make this dipping sauce? Is there a recipe?
Elaine
It is sweet and sour Sofia!
Angie
Can you use whole wheat flour in place of the all purpose flour?
Elaine
Not for this one.
Jaz
Hi ! Love your recipe & want to make these asap
Do you have a short video on how to shape the buns ? I’m so visual I need to see this in practice lol
Thank you ?
Elaine
Hi Jaz,
I will update with a video soon.