Nikuman (Steamed Beef Buns)

Nikuman, or steamed meat-filled buns, are a Japanese main dish or appetizer--these are stuffed with a shiitake and ground beef blend for tons of delicious flavor.

• Preparation Time: 60 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins
• Calories: 263 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 stalk green onion, diced
• 1 (16-ounce bag) steamed bun flour
• ½ cup diced shiitake mushroom caps
• 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
• ⅛ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Mix milk and sugar for dough together in a bowl. Pour bun flour into another bowl and add gradually the milk mixture, stirring with a spatula.

Step 2

Form the dough into a ball and knead with your hands for about 20 minutes. Add olive oil and knead for 10 minutes more.

Step 3

Transfer dough to a dry bowl, cover with a towel, and let rest for 30 minutes.

Step 4

Combine beef, mushrooms, green onions, cornstarch, sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, salt, five-spice powder, and pepper in a bowl with your hands until thoroughly mixed. Form the filling into 12 equally sized meatballs.

Step 5

Roll dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece out with a rolling pin to a circle, no more than 5 inches in diameter.

Step 6

Cover each meatball with a dough circle, pinching the edges to close.

Step 7

Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add beef buns, working in batches as needed, cover, and steam until meat is no longer pink, about 45 minutes.