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Baked Mushroom Char Siu Bao

App exclusive

2 hr + 20 min

Snack

Appetizer
Char siu bao is one of the most popular (and delicious) types of dim sum out there. Normally made with BBQ pork (char siu), this vegan version features oyster mushrooms to replicate that meaty texture. While you can find them steamed or baked, we opted for the latter for its distinctive golden exterior. We’re not gonna lie, it’s quite a bit of work, but the pillowy, tender and slightly sweet dough that encapsulates the rich, deep, and luscious mushroom filling makes it all worth it. Your hard work will definitely pay off!

buns

Total

2 hr + 20 min

Prep

40 min

Cook

20 min

Rest

1 hr + 20 min

Contains

Soy symbol

soy

Sesame symbol

sesame

Gluten symbol

gluten

Free from

Peanut symbol

peanut

Treenut symbol

tree nut

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What others say

nikki v - March 19, 2025, 4:43 a.m.

Didn’t have bread flour so I substituted all purpose flour. Also didn’t have coconut oil so I substituted avocado oil. Oh my goodness, it was so delicious!!! So fun to make. I appreciated the timer for each step.

Jun Yi - Nov. 25, 2024, 10:38 p.m.

I grew up eating char siu baos and it was such a treat to discover this recipe! My husband doesn’t eat pork and has never been able to try this childhood favorite of mine.

Last night, we had a movie night at home with friends and I tried making this for the first time. It’s definitely a labor of love but oh so worthwhile.

PUL small logo PUL Team - Nov. 26, 2024, 1:10 a.m.

That sounds so special, Jun!! We're honoured you could recreate a childhood favourite for your movie night, and are so glad you found the recipe worthwhile. What a beautiful way to connect through food 💛

Kris - Nov. 13, 2024, 1:02 p.m.

Did not have all the ingredients for the sauce so I made some substitutions there, but the recipe is really straightforward and my buns turned out delicious 😋

PUL small logo PUL Team - Nov. 13, 2024, 3:22 p.m.

Yayy so happy to hear this, Kris, thanks a bunch for sharing your experience with the recipe!

Hannah - Nov. 1, 2024, 11:44 a.m.

Can you store it for 1-2 days? If so: how 😅

PUL small logo PUL Team - Nov. 1, 2024, 1:16 p.m.

Hey Hannah, this recipe is best when enjoyed on the day it's made, though you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days.

In case you haven't seen it yet and it helps in the future, the storage instructions on the app are in the last slide of the "Make" step-by-step instructions or at the bottom of the "Directions" tab 🫶

Anita - Oct. 28, 2024, 5:32 p.m.

What is the 5 spice powder? Can I substitute all purpose for bread flour?

PUL small logo PUL Team - Oct. 28, 2024, 8:20 p.m.

Hey Anita, five spice powder is a Chinese seasoning blend typically made with star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel. It adds a warm, slightly sweet, and savoury flavour 😊

We haven’t tested using bread flour in place of all-purpose flour for buns, but I imagine it should work with a slight difference in texture. Bread flour’s higher protein content creates more gluten, which should result in buns that are chewier and more elastic compared to the softer, more tender dough you'd get from all-purpose flour.

I haven't tested this, but I think if you use bread flour but still want softer buns, maybe consider reducing the kneading time slightly or add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the bread flour to help balance the chewiness. Let us know how it goes if you give it a try! ✨

Anita - Oct. 30, 2024, 3:22 a.m.

Thank you - that’s super helpful! I’ll try it out :)