Baozi is also known as Chinese Steamed filled buns. In China, it has the same position with dumplings.
The difference between baozi (包子)and dumplings（饺子）lies in the final shape and the dough.
Usually the dough for dumplings does not use yeast while most of the dough for baozi needs yeast. However soup dumplings is a member of baozi in China with the name of 灌汤包.
Besides, baozi is usually around while dumplings are of different shapes. I have write a general post introducing Chinese baozi.
Making the dough for baozi is similar with the dough for mantou (馒头), meat baozi usually is called Chinese steamed pork buns. However a little bit more water is added compared with the dough for making Chinese Mantou.
For the details about making the dough, check Chinese steamed buns.
Scatter some flour on your board and cut the log to small sections around 1 inch long.
Roll the small dough into round wrapper with thinner edges.
Another part for making baozi at home is to fold baozi. The process is quite simple and contains the following steps.
Prepare the wrapper and the filling.
Place the wrapper in your left hand. Place 1 ~2 tablespoon of the filling in the center of your wrapper (depending on the size of the wrapper).
Fix the starting point with the thumb of right hand and begin to fold the edge counterclockwise.
Move the thumb slowly in the process until the boazi is completely sealed.
For more pictures about how to fold baozi, check here.
The filling used for today’s vegan baozi is stir-fried tofu with the similar taste of mapo tofu. I love it so much!
Vegan Baozi(Chinese Steamed Buns)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil for brushing
For the dough
- 300 g all-purpose flour
- 1 packet instant yeast , 2¼ teaspoons
- 160 g water
For the fillings
- 1 box of regular tofu
- 1 tablespoon chopped spring onions
- 1 teaspoon doubanjiang
- 1 garlic clove chopped
- 1 inch ginger chopped
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
Instructions
Making the wrapper
- Prepare warm water around 35 °C. And mix the yeast with the water. Mix well and set aside for around 5 minutes. If you do not want sugar, just skip it.
- Prepare the flour in a large bowl. Pour the water with yeast slowly to the bowl with flour and stir with a chop sticker.
- Then knead the flour into smooth and soft dough. At the very beginning, it might be a little bit sticky.
- Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for around 1 hour or until the paste ball doubles in size. This process can be done by mixer.
- When the dough is double in size, get paste ball out and punch the air out.
- Then roll the dough into a long log around 1 inch in diameter or any size you want.
- Scatter some flour on your board and cut the log to small sections around 1 inch long.
- Roll the small dough into round wrapper with thinner edges.
Making the filling
- Heat up cooking oil in pan. Stir fry ginger, garlic and doubanjiang firstly until you can sell the aroma.
- Add scrambled tofu in with salt and light soy sauce. Mix well.
- Remove the pan from the fire and mix chopped spring onions in. Then we have the fillings.
Making Baozi
- Fold the boazi one by one like the picture shows.
- Brush some oil on the bottom of each baozi and put into the steamer.
- Heat up water in wok and begin to steam. Count at least 15 minutes after the water in wok begins to boil.
Notes
Nutrition
Love Boazi, buns or dumplings, check the following recipes too.
Pot Stickers Happying Eating and Cooking.
John T. Parish
When I was in Nanning I bought 3 everyday for Breakfast, I love the Pork filled !!
I miss The Chinese people and all my friends there !!
Thank You !
Elaine
Thanks John for leaving me such a kind comment.
Isabel Pastoor
I am crying because I'm so happy I found your blog and this recipe!!! Baozi are my absolute favorite food and I haven't been able to find any vegetarian ones in the USA or any recipes in English! Thank you so much for this recipe! Your blog is fantastic! 🙂
Elaine
You are the most welcome!
AmoyUK
Thank you for this wonderful website and very helpful and clear videos.
Elaine
I am glad to helpful. You are the most welcome!
Anna
My dought didnt raise what have I possibly done wrong?
Elaine
Anna,
There are several reasons causing the dough fail to raise.
1. The yeast is not working - losing its power or killed by hot water.
2. The room temperature is too low and time is not enough.
The Book of Food
Mine didn't look as great as yours but they were extremely tasty ! 😀
Elaine
Thanks!
Arianne
Hi Elaine!
These days I have been craving for steamed buns, and I love reading your blogs about them. I definitely want to try making these. But can I ask, what if I made a lot and decided e to eat them at a later date? How long will they last in the frrezer?
Thanks a lot in advance!
Elaine
Arianne,
Once steamed and cold completely, transfer those buns to a air-tight container or bag and freeze. I suggest finishing it within 2 weeks.
Laura
These are so delicious! Just packed full of flavour, I've shared them with several friends and they all loved them.
Elaine
Thank you Laura!! Happy to know that.
Arianne
Hi Elaine!
I'm confused as to what the servings of 4 mean. Does that mean I would only have 4 buns after following this recipe? Please help, I'm not really familiar with this. Thank you so much in advance!
Sam
why did you guys say this food is good?
Linda
I believe you wanted to write done not down.