Crispy-Bottomed Pork and Cabbage Buns

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-22 · Updated 2026-04-22

Baked buns with a golden, crispy base and a savory filling of ground pork and cabbage, inspired by traditional Shanghainese street food. This asian-inspired asian ready in about 65 minutes pairs ground pork, cabbage, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork
• 2 cups cabbage
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 envelope (2.5 oz) instant yeast
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork, 2 cups shredded cabbage, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp cornstarch, and 1/4 cup water, mixing until well combined.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 envelope (2.5 oz) instant yeast, then add 1/2 cup warm water to form a dough. Knead for 5 minutes until smooth.
3. Step 3: Divide dough into 12 equal portions, roll each into a circle, fill with a spoonful of pork mixture, fold into a half-moon, and seal edges.
4. Step 4: Place buns seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with 2 tbsp oil, and rest for 30 minutes until puffy.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), then bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bottoms crispy.
6. Step 6: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.