Pan-Fried Tibetan Tingmo Steamed Buns with Garlic Chive Filling

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-04 · Updated 2026-06-04

Fluffy steamed buns filled with a savory mix of garlic chives and spices, finished with a golden pan-fried crust for texture contrast. This asian-inspired snacks (vegetarian) ready in about 115 minutes turns all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp instant yeast
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 1/2 cups, finely chopped garlic chives
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2, minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp instant yeast, and 2 tbsp sugar. Gradually add 1 cup warm water, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic, then cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: While the dough rises, heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 1/2 cups finely chopped garlic chives, sautéing for 3 minutes until fragrant and wilted. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Let the filling cool.
3. Step 3: Punch down the risen dough and divide into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 4-inch circle on a floured surface.
4. Step 4: Spoon 1 tablespoon of the chive filling into the center of each dough circle, then fold and pinch the edges to form a sealed bun.
5. Step 5: Place buns in a steamer lined with parchment paper and steam over boiling water for 15 minutes until fluffy and cooked through.
6. Step 6: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat with 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Pan-fry the steamed buns for 2-3 minutes per side until the bottoms are golden and crisp.
7. Step 7: Serve warm as a flavorful snack or side dish.