Char siu bao

China · East Asia

Short description: This fluffy filled bun pairs tender dough with sticky-sweet roast pork.
Ingredients: Wheat-flour buns filled with barbecue pork, sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce or hoisin, and sesame oil.
Cultural note: Associated with tea-house meals and bakery counters, it can be steamed into a white bun or baked with a shiny top.
Common misconception: The bread is only half the story; the filling should taste like roast pork in a glossy sauce, not plain minced meat.

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