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The starter, From around the world

Char siu bao with pickled cucumber

Char siu bao is a starter for 6 people made of steamed buns filled with glazed pork tenderloin, cucumber, and cilantro. It takes 45 minutes of active work, the pork is prepared the same morning for the evening, and guests assemble their own buns at serving time. It's rated medium difficulty at €2.90 per person, and the key is brushing the pork with glaze in several coats so it caramelizes without burning.

Soft steamed buns, sweet and savory glazed pork, crunchy cucumber, a real treat to build yourself right at the table.

Char siu bao with pickled cucumber
For
6 people
Work
45 min
Total time
2 h 30
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€2.90
Calories per person
360 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Pork tenderloin marinated in hoisin, soy sauce, and honey turns a glossy brown as it roasts, with a sweet and savory flavor everyone at the table enjoys. Crunchy cucumber and fresh cilantro bring brightness against the caramelized pork, while the soft steamed bun wraps everything without ever going dry. It's a starter that breaks from the usual routine and sets a different tone for the evening.

This dish works well for a dinner party where everyone builds their own bun, a relaxed and sociable way to kick off the meal. It also fits a family dinner in fall or winter, followed by something simpler. Kids generally love the glazed pork and soft bread, as long as you go easy on the ginger.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 2 steps, 55 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 2 steps, 8 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

Make the marinade and roast the pork the same morning, then let it cool. Right before guests arrive, slice the pork, cut the vegetables, and steam the bao buns. At serving time, set everything out on the table and let everyone build their own bun with a drizzle of glaze.

The ingredients

6 people

Frozen foods

  • Bao buns 12

Butcher

  • Pork tenderloin 700 g

Pantry

  • Hoisin sauce 6 tbsp
  • Soy sauceoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Honeyoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Five spice powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 1 tbsp

Fruits and vegetables

  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Fresh ginger 1 tsp
  • Cucumber 1
  • Scallions 4
  • Fresh cilantro 0.5 bunch

Allergens Gluten, Soy, Sesame

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Mix the hoisin, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and five spice, then let the pork marinate in it. 30 min

    Set aside a bit of marinade to drizzle on at serving time.

  2. Roast the tenderloin at 200°C, brushing it with glaze regularly, then let it rest. 25 min

    Aim for 65°C at the center, the pork stays pink and tender.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Cut the cucumber into sticks, thinly slice the scallions and cilantro, and slice the pork.

    Cut the slices thin, they hold together better inside the bun.

  2. Steam the bao buns in a steamer basket over simmering water. 8 min

    If you can't find any, slightly warmed soft dinner rolls work well too.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Open each bun and fill with pork, cucumber, scallions, and cilantro, with a drizzle of glaze.

    Let guests build their own, it's more fun that way.

Our tips to get it right

  • Don't salt the marinade, the soy sauce and hoisin already bring enough salt, otherwise the pork can turn too salty once roasted.
  • Let the tenderloin rest at least 5 minutes before slicing, the juices stay inside the meat instead of pooling on the cutting board.
  • Set out all the fillings in separate small bowls before guests arrive, so assembling the buns at the table becomes instant.

The variations

  • Swap the pork tenderloin for boneless chicken, the roasting time drops by about 5 minutes.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the pork with firm tofu marinated the same way and pan seared until golden.
  • For a quicker version or for kids, use pre cooked pork strips warmed through in the glaze instead of roasting a whole tenderloin.

What to serve it with

  • A light miso soup starter
  • Green tea or a light beer
  • Salted edamame on the side

Storage

Sliced pork keeps for 2 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container, cut vegetables keep for 1 day. Reheat the pork gently in a pan with a bit of glaze before serving, and steam the bao buns for a few minutes to warm them back up.

Questions about this recipe

Can you use something other than bao buns?

Yes, slightly warmed soft dinner rolls work well if you can't find bao. The flavor shifts a bit but the soft texture stays close.

How do you know when the pork is cooked through?

Aim for 65 degrees Celsius at the center with a kitchen thermometer, the pork stays pink and tender. Without a thermometer, the meat should feel firm but still slightly give.

Can you make these ahead for a larger group?

The pork and vegetables prep ahead without issue, but the bao buns should be steamed right before serving to stay soft. For a bigger group, simply double the pork and filling quantities.

What ingredient really makes this recipe?

Hoisin sauce gives the pork its signature brown color and sweet savory flavor. Brushing the pork with glaze in several coats while it roasts lets it caramelize fully without burning.

Can char siu bao with pickled cucumber be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 45 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 2 steps, before the guests arrive, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make char siu bao with pickled cucumber?

Allow 2 h 30 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 45 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "medium".

How many calories are in char siu bao with pickled cucumber?

About 360 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does char siu bao with pickled cucumber cost?

About €2.90 per person, that's €17.40 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, soy, sesame. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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