Soy-glazed Char Siu pork buns are a perfect combination of fluffy, tender dough and rich, savory-sweet pork filling. Inspired by the classic Chinese cha siu bao, these buns bring comfort and flavor in every bite. Whether steamed or baked, they deliver that satisfying contrast of soft exterior and deeply seasoned meat inside, a handheld treat that’s hard to resist.
At the center of these buns is the Char Siu pork, typically made with shoulder or tenderloin, marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, hoisin, honey, Chinese five spice, and garlic. The pork is roasted until caramelized and then chopped into small pieces. What sets this version apart is the soy glaze — a reduction of soy sauce, sugar, and a splash of rice wine that’s added to the chopped pork to create a glossy, sticky filling with bold umami depth.
The dough for the buns is soft and slightly sweet, often enriched with milk or condensed milk for extra tenderness. It’s kneaded until smooth, allowed to rise, and then portioned into small rounds ready to be filled. Each bun is wrapped around a spoonful of that delicious pork mixture, sealed, and then either steamed for a pillowy, chewy texture or brushed with egg wash and baked for a golden finish.
These buns are incredibly versatile. Serve them as a snack, appetizer, or part of a dim sum spread. They’re also great for meal prep, since they store well and can be easily reheated. The soy glaze ensures the filling stays moist and flavorful, even after a day or two in the fridge.
Soy-glazed Char Siu pork buns capture everything people love about Chinese barbecue and classic bao — the balance of sweet and salty, the rich meat, the soft dough. Making them at home might take a bit of time, but the process is rewarding and the result is worth every step. Whether you steam or bake them, they’re guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, delivering comfort and bold flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
- For the Pork:
- 1 lb pork shoulder thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Chinese five spice powder
- 1 tsp garlic minced
- 1 tsp ginger minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Buns:
- 16 steamed buns store-bought or homemade
- slices cucumbers
- cilantro leaves Fresh
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, Chinese five-spice powder, minced garlic, and minced ginger to create the marinade for the pork.
- Season the thinly sliced pork shoulder with salt and pepper, then coat it with the marinade. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the marinated pork slices for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are cooked through and have a nice char.
- For the buns, warm them according to the package instructions if using store-bought ones.
- Slice the warm buns open and fill each with a few slices of the grilled pork.
- Top the pork with sliced cucumbers, fresh cilantro leaves, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Drizzle with extra soy sauce or hoisin sauce if desired.
- Serve the Soy-Glazed Char Siu Pork Buns as a delightful lunch for your weekend culinary adventure!
- Enjoy the savory and delicious flavors of these Chinese-style pork buns!
Whoa! The combination of sweet and savory is mind-blowing! Best recipe I’ve tried in a while. 👍
Five-spice powder smell hit me like street food in a good way. Will definitely repeat. 10/10 weekend energy.
Tried making these, but my pork turned out dry. Maybe my grill’s too hot? I’m not experienced with grilling.
Yeah, it sounds like your grill might be too hot. Maybe try a lower heat next time, and keep an eye on the pork! It’s easy to overcook it.
Just don’t give up! Grilling can be tricky. I use a meat thermometer, maybe that would help you too? But I dunno if it’ll make your pork juicier.
I tried this with turkey meat, and it was still yummy! Thanks for the idea!
Too much work for a bun, I’ll just order from the restaurant next time.
These buns are better than any takeout I’ve ever had! Just wow.
I totally agree! I’ve tried making these buns myself, and they really do taste like magic compared to takeout.
I didn’t have soy sauce and used ketchup. Not the same, I think.
Delicious and easy! Next time, I’m adding more sesame seeds for crunch.
So good! I used beef instead of pork and they still turned out yum! Can’t believe it. 😂
Absolutely love this recipe! So flavorful and the kids devoured them!
Pork buns? Isn’t that what Chinese people eat at dim sum? I’m not sure this is authentic.
Not sure about this… I’ve had real dim sum buns, and they process an entirely different way. These could be good tho.
I think it sounds pretty authentic! Char siu is common in Chinese cuisine, and pork buns are delicious. I can’t wait to try it!
Not what I expected – did you really have to marinate for 30 mins? I forgot, haha. But they turned out ok anyway.
I wouldn’t worry too much! Sometimes you gotta improvise. Glad they turned out ok for ya!
Kinda bland for me until I added chili oil. Maybe it was my hoisin brand? Anyway, good base recipe.
They tasted good but are these really Chinese-style? I’ve lived in China and don’t remember this recipe being so sweet.
These buns are AMAZING! The flavor of the pork was so rich, I can’t get enough!
This recipe is AMAZING! The pork was so tender and flavorful. My family couldn’t get enough!
I tried making these, but my pork came out a bit dry. Maybe I overcooked it? The flavors were still good, though.
Man, I thought I could make these but ended up with a mess. Why are they so difficult??
Too much soy sauce! I couldn’t even finish the first bun. I’ll stick to my regular recipe.
I tried making these and they came out burnt! What did I do wrong? I followed the recipe!
Why do you have to put so much sauce? It’s just pork. Less is more! 😒
This is not how you make char siu! Real char siu is roasted, not grilled! 😒
Good recipe I guess, but I dont like porcelain. Number is 2 because I conveyed my thoughts lol.
Just WOW! These are sooooo good! I used store-bought buns ’cause I’m lazy haha, but they still were great! Will make again for sure!
Glad you enjoyed it! Store-bought buns are a lifesaver sometimes. Can’t wait to try it myself!
Simple and quick! My kids loved them, especially with the cucumbers. Will definitely make again!
Simple and delicious! I used store-bought buns and they turned out fine. Thanks!
Quick and easy! My kids loved them. Will recommend to my friends.
I love Char Siu! This recipe brings back memories from my childhood. Thank you for sharing! 🥰
Yum! Made them for my kids and they said it tastes like McDonald’s but better! LOL. 4/5!
Not gonna lie, I burnt the pork a little. But still ate it! 😜
I love that these are baked! But can I use chicken instead of pork? Asking for a friend. 😅
You can totally use chicken instead! It’ll taste different but still good. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time. 🐔
So easy to follow, even I got it right! The sauce is sweet and tangy, just like I like it. 5 stars!
I can’t find some of the ingredients in my local store. Any subs for hoisin sauce?
I’m skeptical about using store-bought buns—mine tore when slicing. But the flavor of the pork totally saved it.
Honestly, way too sweet for my taste. I think I will cut down on the honey next time.
I followed the recipe, but my pork ended up too dry. Maybe I grilled it too long?
These buns are absolutely amazing! So flavorful and easy to make! My family loved them.
Perfect for weekend chefing! Can’t believe how easy they are, thank you!
I agree! These buns are so simple yet so good! I made them last week and my family loved it!
These came out so juicy and flavorful! The five-spice with the hoisin is such a great combo—won’t make char siu any other way now.
These buns are too complicated for me. I just wanted something easy for dinner.
Yummy! Just a suggestion, maybe add some chili sauce for a kick? 😋
Pork buns?? Never ever heard of that! Is this even a real thing? Sounds weird but I guess I’ll try it.
I don’t have a grill and I’m not sure if the oven would work. Can I just fry the pork? Will that taste good?
Frying should work! Just make sure to not overcook the pork. The glaze might caramelize nicely in the pan! 🤤
Pork shoulder? Isn’t that fatty? I prefer my meat leaner. 🙄
I get that! Pork shoulder does have a good amount of fat, but that’s what makes it so juicy and flavorful! Maybe give it a try with less fatty cuts? 🤔
I can’t even find pork shoulder here. What can I use instead? Help is appreciated!
You could try using chicken thighs or even beef. Might change the taste a bit but still good!
Buns were too sweet for my taste, but the pork was great. Maybe I’ll skip the honey next time.
I totally get what you mean! I guess honey can be a bit much for some. Did you try adding more soy sauce instead? That might balance it out!
buns taste gr8, sauce too sweet tho. little tweak and it’s perfect!
These buns were a hit! So flavorful and easy to make. My family devoured them!
Why do we have to put sesame seeds? Those things don’t taste like anything!
I used pork belly once instead of shoulder and omg… this recipe is dangerously good. Cucumber + cilantro really balances the richness.
Didn’t know what char siu was but this was delicious! Gonna impress my friends!
I don’t know about the five spice, it was overpowering. Maybe less next time?
I think five spice is supposed to be strong, but you can def adjust to taste! Just experiment a little.
Easy to make, but I felt like something was missing. Maybe more spices? 🤷♀️
Wasn’t sure at first, but my kids loved it! Will definitely make again. 😊
I dunno… wasn’t that great. The bun was too doughy for my taste.
Yum, but can I use chicken instead of pork? I don’t eat pork. And what’s with ‘Chinese five spice’…. sounds fancy.
What even is five spice powder? I’m confused. Can I skip it? 🤔
These sound dangerously good. The five-spice + hoisin combo is already a win in my book—definitely trying this with pork shoulder!
Right?? That five-spice + hoisin combo is seriously undefeated. Pork shoulder is also such a good call—can’t wait to try these!
I’m curious—when you grill the thin pork slices, won’t 2–3 minutes each side overcook them? Also “fresh cilantro leaves Fresh” is cracking me up 😂 but the flavors sound great anyway.
Cilantro is gross, I replaced it with parsley. Still tasty! Who needs fancy ingredients anyway?
Just okay. The sauce was sticky and tasted kinda weird… but my kids ate it.
Yeah, I get it. Sometimes sauces don’t turn out right. Kids can be picky but at least they ate it! 🤷♀️
Maybe you should’ve cooked the sauce longer? Sticky sounds like it wasn’t mixed well. I’m sure it’s better with practice!
Can I use chicken instead of pork? Not everyone likes pork in my family.
Pork buns? Nah, I prefer beef! But looks good, maybe I’ll try it one day.
So much soy sauce! You might wanna tone it down a bit. Just saying.
These turned out amazing! The flavors are spot on, and my family loved them! Definitely a keeper for my recipe book.
Yummy! 🍽️ The garlic and ginger give it a nice kick! Would recommend to all my buddies!
I followed it pretty closely and the marinade smelled amazing, but my grill time took longer because my slices were thicker. Still ended up charred and juicy though.
That sounds like exactly the right outcome—great char but still juicy is the dream. Thicker slices totally explain the extra time; do you think you’d need to tweak the marinade or just adjust grilling next time?
These were amazing! The flavor was so rich and savory. Will definitely make again!
These buns look good, but the cooking time seems quick. Are you sure the pork is cooked all the way? Just asking!
I’m so glad you liked them! They really are a treat, aren’t they? I might try adding some chili sauce next time for a kick!
I tried to make these but ended up burning the pork. Not fun. Maybe I need more practice.
Yum! My kids loved it. 😋 But I used chicken instead of pork, and it was still good!
Way too salty for me with the soy + oyster + hoisin combo. I’d cut back on soy sauce and add more honey next run.
Buns too doughy, I like mine crispy ☹️. I think I’ll try baking them next time.
Grilling worked great, but 2-3 minutes per side felt short for my slices. I had to cook longer until tender.
I followed it pretty closely and the char on the pork was awesome. Next time I’ll marinate longer than 30 min for even more depth.
I had a hard time getting the sauce to stick to the pork. It was kinda dry in the end. Maybe I did something wrong?
Maybe try marinating longer? I had the same issue before, but it got better with more time! Good luck!
These pork buns were amazing! The marinade was just perfect – I could eat these every day!
I totally agree! These buns are so good, I made them twice last week! 😍
I dunno, they look kinda greasy. Is the marinade really that good?
These are absolutely delicious! I made them for a family gathering, and they were gone in minutes! 5 stars!
We made these for lunch and they were gone fast. I drizzled extra hoisin and it tasted like takeout, for real.
This recipe ain’t even real! You don’t grill pork for char siu, you’re supposed to roast it!
Actually, grilling can give a nice smokey flavor that roasting doesn’t! But hey, everyone has their preference.
I was skeptical about the honey and soy sauce together, but wow it worked! Will make again.
Why do people always grill pork? Stovetop works just as good, if not better. Just saying.
I think grilling gives it that smoky flavor! But stovetop is cool too. Just different vibes, you know?
Grilling is overrated. I did a pork on the stove once and it was yummier than my grill! Just saying.
Yummy!!! Best buns ever! 😍
Good recipe but how many calories are in these?? Don’t wanna eat too much.
I don’t like cilantro. Can I skip it or use something else? Will it taste as good without it?
These buns are absolutely amazing! The pork has a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
Lol “weekend culinary adventure” is cheesy but the buns look legit. Might try with chicken if I’m feeling lazy.
I’m skeptical about grilling instead of roasting/baking. Char is nice, but char siu usually has that sticky caramelized glaze… did yours get glossy?
Why do you need so many different sauces?? Hoisin and soy should be enough. With just soy, I can make my own.
The ingredients list feels a little messy (like ‘Fresh’ cucumbers?) but recipe vibe is solid. I’d add a touch more ginger next time.
Love these buns! So fluffy and the pork is full of flavor! Definitely a repeat for me. ❤️
“Fresh” cucumbers?? I mean… I used what I had. Turned out fine. Sesame seeds make it look restaurant-y.
Honestly “fresh” cucumbers is overrated—if they taste good, they taste good 😄. And yeah, sesame seeds really do make it look way more restaurant-y.
Char siu buns are my weakness 😅 This looks way better than anything I’ve made before. Also love that you add cucumbers for crunch.
Not sure about “2-3 minutes on each side” on a medium-high grill… could dry out thin pork if you blink. Maybe 1-2 min for super thin cuts?
Not bad, but my glaze didn’t really feel “sticky” like I expected—maybe I grilled too fast. Still tasted good though.
The instructions are clear, but step 9 is a lil cheesy lol. I did it anyway and it was a solid weekend lunch.
Haha I know exactly what you mean about step 9 😄 but honestly it made me smile. The flavors are the real star—mine came out great too.
Step 9 is super cheesy for sure. I skipped the extra sauce drizzle and just did cucumbers + sesame. Still tasted okay, though my buns were a little dry… maybe I over-grilled the pork.