Manapua

Discover the irresistible charm of homemade manapua, Hawaii's beloved take on the Chinese char siu bao! These fluffy, pillowy buns are filled with a sweet and savory char siu pork mixture, flavored with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a hint of honey for an irresistible umami balance. The dough, made from simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour and instant yeast, is tender and perfectly complements the rich filling. Each bun is carefully hand-filled and steamed to perfection, resulting in a moist, cloud-like texture that melts in your mouth. Perfect for a snack, party appetizer, or even a meal on-the-go, these buns are bound to become a favorite in your kitchen. Impress your family and friends with this delightful fusion of Asian-inspired flavors and Hawaiian comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:120 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 2.25 teaspoons Instant yeast
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1.25 cups Warm water
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 2 cups Chinese char siu pork, diced
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Water (for slurry)

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and granulated sugar. Mix well.

Step 2

Slowly add warm water to the dry ingredients and stir until a sticky dough forms.

Step 3

Add vegetable oil and knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 4

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.

Step 5

While the dough rises, prepare the filling. In a skillet, combine diced char siu pork, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and honey. Heat over medium until well combined and warmed through.

Step 6

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the pork mixture and cook until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 7

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.

Step 8

Flatten each ball into a 4-5 inch circle. Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each circle.

Step 9

Carefully gather the edges of the dough circle, pinch them together at the top to seal, and twist to secure.

Step 10

Place each filled bun seam-side down onto a small square of parchment paper.

Step 11

Set up a steamer and bring the water to a boil. Arrange the buns in the steamer, leaving space between them to allow for expansion.

Step 12

Steam the buns for 15-20 minutes. Remove the steamer from heat and let the buns sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 13

Serve warm and enjoy your homemade manapua!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1614.2 grams (1614.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4264

Total Fat 126.50g	162%
Saturated Fat 37.80g	189%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.90g
Cholesterol 286mg	95%
Sodium 4894mg	213%
Total Carbohydrate 646.80g	235%
Dietary Fiber 15.40g	55%
Total Sugars 256.50g
Protein 141.70g	283%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 185mg	14%
Iron 30mg	169%
Potassium 1925mg	41%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.5%

Protein: 13.2%

Carbs: 60.3%