The simple bao bun has been enjoyed in Asia for many centuries, and in more recent times, we’ve seen this light and delicious treat become a popular staple in restaurants all over the world. But why go out when you can stay in? If you fancy trying to recreate the deliciousness that is a bao bun at home, we can help.

Whether you are cooking for a fancy dinner party or a quiet night in, bao buns can be the ideal accompaniment. With a massive range of flavours and fillings to choose from, it’s a meal you can have over and over, yet make it differently every time!

So to start, you can follow our excellent bao bun filling ideas and then get experimenting with your own DIY versions! Light and full of great flavours, the bao bun can be stuffed with a wide variety of gorgeous fillings that are super easy to create at home.

5 Bao Bun Fillings to try!

1. CRISPY CHICKEN FILLING

The crispy chicken filling in this recipe perfectly complements the soft fluffy dough of a bao bun. With succulent chicken thighs coated in panko breadcrumbs along with a delicious Sriracha Mayo sauce, this is ideal for those who want a more substantial filling for their buns. They are easy to make and just need to be deep-fried for 5-8 minutes before they’re ready to add to your buns.

2.CRISPY AROMATIC DUCK BAO WITH GRESSINGHAM DUCK

This lovely bao bun filling is full of mouth-watering, top-quality ingredients and is truly delicious! Nothing beats crispy aromatic duck with its combination of succulent, juicy duck breast and crispy, flavoursome skin. The classic accompaniments of thinly sliced cucumber, spring onions and hoisin sauce make this a bao bun to remember!

3. DELICIOUS BBQ TOFU BAO RECIPE WITH TOFOO!

One for the vegetarians among us, this fried tofu recipe is sticky and sweet and has a bit of a wow factor too. For this recipe, you’ll need some good quality firm tofu from ToFoo, which can be coated in a spiced dry rub and fried until nice and crisp. The BBQ sauce and tangy pickled veg are a match made in heaven.

4. PAN FRIED MUSHROOM AND CHIVE BAO BUN RECIPE

If you fancy something fresh, healthy, delicious, and suitable for vegetarians and vegans, this tasty bao bun will not disappoint. The combination of chinese chive and shitake mushrooms is truly delicious. Add some pak choi, spring onion and water chesnuts for crunch and a vegetarian stir fy sauce for extra flavour and you’ll be all set! 

5. THE CLASSIC BRAISED PORK BELLY BAO BUN

The gentle, fluffy bao bun lends itself perfectly to this spicy, sweet, sticky filling. You’ll also create an amazing caramalised sauce from fermented red tofu or hard boiled egg yolks - (trust us!), sugar, dark soy, black vinagear, sesame oil, and garlic, and you are sure to impress anyone you invite to tuck in with you!