Dish Explainer

What Is Char Siu Bao?

Cantonese dim sum and bakery · Chinese name · Ordering guide

Char siu bao connects two Cantonese restaurant systems: barbecue pork and dim sum buns.

Quick answer

Char siu bao is a Cantonese bun filled with sweet-savory barbecued pork.

Chinese name Pinyin Cuisine or format Usual heat level
叉烧包 chā shāo bāo Cantonese dim sum and bakery Mild

What it tastes like

It is soft, sweet-savory, porky, and saucy, with the bun providing mild sweetness and the filling providing roasted char siu flavor.

How it appears on menus

It may appear as a steamed white bun in dim sum service or as a baked glossy bun in a Chinese bakery.

Common variations

  • Steamed char siu bao
  • Baked char siu bao
  • Mini dim sum versions
  • Bakery counter versions

Dietary issues

It contains pork and wheat. The filling may include soy sauce, hoisin-style sauce, sugar, oyster sauce, or cooking wine.

What to order with it

In dim sum, pair it with steamed dumplings, rice noodle rolls, greens, and tea. In a bakery, it works as a snack rather than a full meal.

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