Making Chinese steamed buns (Mantou)
By Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14994)
Malaysia
January 28, 2016 11:37am CST
I tried to make these Chinese steamed buns (or we call it Mantou in Chinese) a few years ago, together with my son. I didn't know how to bake or make such things, but just wanted to try to have some fun with my son. It was a total failure though my son still ate the buns happily. After some time only I found out the yeast was expired. 
After so many years, I attempted to make the Mantou again this morning. I was glad it turned out to be quite good, even my husband thinks it's nice to eat. He's quite picky at food, perhaps it's because his mom can cook and bake well.
The ingredients I used include plain flour, sugar, yeast, water and a little bit of oil. The bread maker helped me to knead the dough so it was so easy for me. I just used the rolling pin to roll it, and the children happily used the cookie cutters to cut into shapes.
We decided to make Wednesday our Mantou Day, so we'll have Mantou for breakfast for Wednesdays. I am glad I finally learned to make another food for my family.
Have you tried Mantou in Chinese restaurants before? Do you like it?
Image: My son was teaching my little girl how to flatten the dough with rolling pin.
After so many years, I attempted to make the Mantou again this morning. I was glad it turned out to be quite good, even my husband thinks it's nice to eat. He's quite picky at food, perhaps it's because his mom can cook and bake well.
The ingredients I used include plain flour, sugar, yeast, water and a little bit of oil. The bread maker helped me to knead the dough so it was so easy for me. I just used the rolling pin to roll it, and the children happily used the cookie cutters to cut into shapes.
We decided to make Wednesday our Mantou Day, so we'll have Mantou for breakfast for Wednesdays. I am glad I finally learned to make another food for my family.
Have you tried Mantou in Chinese restaurants before? Do you like it?
Image: My son was teaching my little girl how to flatten the dough with rolling pin.9 people like this
10 responses
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
28 Jan 16
Aww ,that is so sweet your kids are teaching each other. I have never tried Mantou before but I have tired other steamed buns. Do you add any fillings for the buns?
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
29 Jan 16
Yes, I think my son likes to teach, so he always teaches or guides the little sister. Of course, the little sister learns from him and likes to teach as well.
I didn't add any fillings for these buns. My children prefer no fillings in the buns, even if we eat other steamed buns, I have to eat the fillings.
I didn't add any fillings for these buns. My children prefer no fillings in the buns, even if we eat other steamed buns, I have to eat the fillings.1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
29 Jan 16
@infatuatedbby They always play together, and of course there are some "fighting" moments as well, but not too bad.
Yes, there are many varieties of the steamed buns, some put meat (mostly pork, I think) inside, some put vegetables, red beans, etc. We usually buy those with fillings.
Yes, there are many varieties of the steamed buns, some put meat (mostly pork, I think) inside, some put vegetables, red beans, etc. We usually buy those with fillings.1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
29 Jan 16
@kaka135 It is good to teach/learn from each other. Your children seem to get along very well, I love to hear that. 
So the bun can have filling, so it is optional or by reference, I see. I think I would like the filling too.
So the bun can have filling, so it is optional or by reference, I see. I think I would like the filling too.1 person likes this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
29 Jan 16
Did you try to make mantou by your bread machine? Actually it is not difficult to make mantou. You ingredients are correct, but actually I think even if you use the bread recipe, it will be fine, too. The difference between bread and mantou is how to cook it. The bread needs to be baked and you have to steam the mantou.
I am not very interested in eating mantou because it is so plain for me. But my husband is crazy for it. So whenever I make mantou, I will put some butter on it so that I can eat it
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
29 Jan 16
I actually used the bread maker to knead the dough, then we just took out the dough, flatten it and used cookie cutters to cut them into shapes.
I don't know how to make bread yet, I have only made the whole loaf of bread with my bread maker - just put all the ingredients in the maker, and it'll handle everything. Now that I have made these Mantou, I think it should be same process as making the buns (bread). I am glad you said that as well, as I'd always love to try making buns.
My children like to eat mantou, as they usually don't eat the fillings when eating pao. I wonder if pao is more difficult than mantou. 
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
29 Jan 16
@youless You have the bread mold? That's good. I understand what you meant, I think it's fine. I like making buns actually, so I think I'll use the bread maker to knead the dough, then I take out and make the shapes of the buns, then bake it, am I right? I'll look for some tutorials before I try it out. Now I have more confidence in making buns.
I thought "bao" is more complicated. I saw my uncle making bao when I was young, he made bao for selling. It's interesting to add the fillings and make the bao shape.
I thought "bao" is more complicated. I saw my uncle making bao when I was young, he made bao for selling. It's interesting to add the fillings and make the bao shape. 1 person likes this
@youless (114117)
• Guangzhou, China
29 Jan 16
@kaka135 I think "bao" is similar with mantou, but you need to make some meats or fillings inside I don't use the bread machine to make the bread because I am not quite satisfied with it. I just use it to make the dough and then put it into the bread mould. And bake it in the oven. Is it complicated?
I don't use the bread machine to make the bread because I am not quite satisfied with it. I just use it to make the dough and then put it into the bread mould. And bake it in the oven. Is it complicated?1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
2 Feb 16
I don't know there's egg inside the pork bun you have. It's something like the siopao you mentioned, but these Mantou are without fillings. They are just plain white soft bun. Mine are not white because I used brown sugar.
We have the other steamed buns with fillings as well, some with meat, some with vegetables, and red beans as well.
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
29 Jan 16
I think you can only find them in Chinese restaurant. We can also buy the frozen Mantou in the supermarket here. I am not sure if you can find them over there.
I have found a picture in wikipedia, those are deep-fried Mantous, the steamed one look similar.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
28 Jan 16
Do you steam them in a steaming machine?
I have a big rice cooker with a steaming tray for the top..
I could make them in there.
I am glad now they turned out for you good this time Lee.
And I laugh when you said your son ate the first batch, though they did not turn out good haha
No I have never had them anywhere.
I love the photo of your children doing baking lolz
No I have never had them anywhere.
I love the photo of your children doing baking lolz1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
29 Jan 16
I don't have steaming machine, but we always just use the pot to steam it. I have a big pot to cook soup, and there's a steaming tray for the top, just as the rice cooker.
Can you imagine the yeast was not working, and the buns were so hard? My son ate the first batch, and he asked me to try them as well, as he said they are nice! 
Though I really didn't want to try, I tried as sincerely requested by a little boy. It was awful and I almost vomited.
Glad that this time they turned out to be alright. I always like to see two of them working, playing or just being together. I just think it's so sweet to see brothers and sisters being together.
Though I really didn't want to try, I tried as sincerely requested by a little boy. It was awful and I almost vomited.
Glad that this time they turned out to be alright. I always like to see two of them working, playing or just being together. I just think it's so sweet to see brothers and sisters being together. 1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (52665)
• Philippines
29 Jan 16
I wish i can eat that, I think i haven't seen one before. that's too bad maybe if my mom have chinese friend here so that i can taste some of these. I will do some little research on these so that i can eat some of them.
1 person likes this
