{"id":29193,"date":"2022-11-02T14:49:13","date_gmt":"2022-11-02T18:49:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thatorganicmom.com\/?p=29193"},"modified":"2022-11-07T14:09:42","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T19:09:42","slug":"asian-style-pork-belly-bao-buns-recipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thatorganicmom.com\/asian-style-pork-belly-bao-buns-recipe\/","title":{"rendered":"Asian Style Pork Belly Bao Buns Recipe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

First, I realize that the term \u201cbao buns\u201d is redundant<\/strong> since \u201cbao\u201d literally translates to \u201cbun\u201d in Chinese. However, \u201cbao buns<\/em>\u201d is the term most English-speaking people use, so I\u2019m using that wording for consistency and ease of understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, bao might mean two different shapes of bread. A popular street food, Gua Bao is Chinese for Pork Belly Buns<\/strong>. You may be thinking of a fully contained, stuffed bao bun like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"baozi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

However, I\u2019m referring to steamed buns which are folded, taco-style<\/strong>, then stuffed with pork belly slices and topped with scallions or cilantro if you like. They look like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"bao<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How I Discovered Pork Belly Bao Buns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I originally tried Gua Bao in the states. Later, it was one of the street foods I aspired to try on my first trip to China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve also eaten delicious steamed bao in several eateries here in the states. In Knoxville, Tennessee, Kaizen offers them as appetizers, and in Atlanta, Georgia, I have had them at Suzy Siu\u2019s inside of Krog Street Market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My family enjoys eating foods from cultures all over the world<\/a>. I\u2019ve found the best way to offer them a taste of the world while having control over the ingredients is to learn to cook these foods on my own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pork Belly Bao Buns are one such example. I knew they wouldn\u2019t be hard to recreate at home. So I started experimenting with steamed bread recipes and came up with the formula below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use these steamed buns to hold the crispy pork belly, drizzle with bbq or hoisin sauce and add thinly sliced green onion or cilantro if you prefer. Serve on a large tray already prepared or buffet-style, where each person builds their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making the Best Pork Belly Bao Buns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the hardest cooking skills to acquire is simultaneously preparing separate components of a meal. I recommend starting with the dough. While it is rising, you can slice the pork belly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You'll have extra time since the dough needs to rise for about two hours before you roll and cut the buns. You can cut the pork belly during the dough rising time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refrigerate the pork belly until the bao buns are ready to steam. You'll allow the dough to rise for two hours, then roll it out and cut it into three-inch circles. After cutting, you'll let the bao rest for half an hour before steaming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You'll cook the pork belly toward the end of the rest time or during steaming. This depends on whether you can cook the pork belly all at once or need to do it in batches. Remember that the pork belly cooks for about 20 minutes, and the buns only steam for 8-12 minutes. Then adjust your plan accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get crispy yet tender pork belly-filling, I use an air fryer. Although, you can get a similar texture using the oven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Make Crispy Pork Belly in an Air Fryer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Watch the video<\/a> to see how I cut and prepare pork belly in an air fryer. The process is simple. One key to effectively cutting pork belly is ensuring it is cold and firm. Room-temperature pork belly is softer yet harder to slice. Therefore, you might want to refrigerate it before cutting to make the process easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/li>
  2. Cut cold pork belly into bite-sized pieces (about one inch is what we prefer)<\/li>
  3. Toss the cubed pork belly in a combination of two tablespoons of coconut sugar (or you can use brown sugar if that\u2019s what you have), one teaspoon of garlic powder plus salt and pepper to taste.<\/li>
  4. Cook for 18-20 minutes on the rotation setting if your air fryer has one. If your air-fryer is the basket style, you might need to cook in batches, as it works best in a single layer. Alternatively, use the oven<\/strong>: lay them out on a rimmed baking sheet and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Where to Get Pork Belly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    I only<\/em> use Heritage Breed Berkshire Kurobuta Pork Belly. Read my Snake River Farms Review to learn more about what that is and why I use this specific brand of pork belly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In short, it is all-natural and is raised without any added hormones<\/strong>. Due to its higher fat content, Kurobuta is rich in flavor and has a fantastic melt-in-your-mouth texture<\/strong>. That\u2019s why it is perfect for long-cooking recipes like smoked pork belly and high-heat cooking methods like air frying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Snake River Farms Kurobuta pork uses 100% purebred Berkshire hogs as mandated by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture and raised with no added hormones and grown in a network of small family farms. The muscle fibers are shorter than in other breeds, which makes the meat naturally more tender and gives it a smoother texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Toppings for Pork Belly Bao Buns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Keep it simple, or go wild with the toppings for these pork belly bao buns. In my video<\/a>, you can see that I kept it simple and even used a premade Japanese BBQ sauce. You can do that too if you like. If so, I recommend Bachan's, which you can buy here<\/a> or find in a supermarket. (I've even seen it at Costco recently!)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Ideas for toppings and garnish:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n