CVap Oven Recipe: Char Siu Bao

Char siu bao is a Cantonese barbecue pork-filled bun. They are typically sold in Chinese bakeries.  Likewise, they are similar to a type of dim sum. Char siu refers to the pork in the filling. Bao means bun.

Undoubtedly, the color red is significant in traditional Chinese culture. Indeed, it symbolizes feelings such as luck, happiness, and joy. Consequently, brides often wear it because of its auspicious power to ward off evil. Accordingly, in honor of this colorful tradition, we cooked char siu bao in a CVap®.

Why CVap® Ovens Are Perfect for Cooking Char Siu Bao:

  • Precision Moisture Control: CVap technology allows exact control over both temperature and humidity, ensuring the bao remains soft and fluffy while the filling stays moist and flavorful.

  • Gentle, Even Heating: CVap ovens cook gently and evenly, which helps maintain the bao’s delicate dough texture without drying or overcooking the char siu filling.

  • Consistent Results at Scale: Whether you’re cooking a dozen or hundreds of bao, CVap ensures uniform quality—ideal for bakeries or dim sum service.

  • No Steamer Needed: CVap’s controlled vapor eliminates the need for traditional steaming methods while still achieving that classic bao softness and sheen.

  • Color and Crust Perfection: CVap’s ability to lock in moisture while finishing with a gentle dry heat supports beautiful, vibrant bao coloring—important for honoring the traditional red hue of char siu.

  • Versatile Menu Use: Beyond bao, the same CVap oven can cook, retherm, or hold a wide variety of dim sum and bakery items, maximizing kitchen efficiency.

Char siu bao

Char siu is based on the traditional cooking method of skewering meat on long forks and placing it in an oven or over a fire. Consequently, the seasonings turn the exterior layer of the meat dark red. In like manner, it’s similar in appearance to the smoke ring seen on properly-smoked American barbecue.

Char Siu Pork Marinade

  • 1 Cup Red Miso
  • ½ Cup Honey
  • ¼ Cup Soy
  • 3 Tbsp Five Spice Powder
  • Dash of red food coloring

Directions

  1. Mix ingredients.  Consequently, it should form a paste.
  2. Trim center-cut pork loin. Cut into two long strips to make smaller loins.
  3. Rub loins with paste, coating heavily.
  4. Place in refrigerator (uncovered) and allow to dry marinate for two days.
  5. Place in CVap set at 150°F Vapor temp/225°F Air Temp.
  6. Roast for 50 minutes.
  7. Remove and slice, portion, and chill.

Finish Your Char Siu Bao

Naturally, char siu is usually eaten with a starch such as noodles, rice, or bao. In this case, we prepared bao for our char siu pork.

To prepare bao, double-proof the dough balls (proof at 90°F Vapor Temp – 90°F Air Temp. Next, knock down dough and re-form rolls. Subsequently, proof one additional hour at the same settings. Finally, cook them in a CVap Cook and Hold Oven in a foil-covered, perforated 2¼” half-steam table pan. Set the temperature to 200°F Vapor Temp/205°F Air Temp for 16 minutes.

Bao
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