San tsie moe deu(生煎饅頭) is a a type of small pan-cooked bun from eastern China. It is made with leavened dough and filling, usually with ginger and scallion flavoring and sesame garnish. The buns are first pan-fried, then water is added to steam cook the buns until ready. It is popular in Shanghai and nearby areas.

San tsie moe deu typically includes minced pork and chopped pork skin, though the following recipe is for a vegan variation with mushroom filling. You cai(油菜) may also be used with mushroom for vegetarian filling.

Recipe

24 buns

Ingredients

• ¾ cup + ½ cup water
• 1 tsp yeast
• 2 cup all-purpose wheat flour
• ¼ tsp + ½ tsp salt
• 1 – 2 tbsp ginger, finely minced
• 4 scallion, finely minced
• 2 cup fresh shiitake(香菇) or similar mushroom, finely minced
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce(老抽)
• 1 tsp – 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp sesame oil(香油)
• black and/or white sesame seed(芝麻)

Directions: Dough

• combine ¾ cup water, yeast
• combine flour, salt
• gradually mix in yeast water
• knead into dough
• cover and let rise 1 to 2 hours (meanwhile prepare filling)
• knead dough
• divide into 24 pieces
• shape into rounds
• flatten each piece

Directions: Filling

• combine ½ cup water, scallion, ginger
• let sit about 15 minutes
• combine shiitake, ½ tsp salt, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil
• mix in scallion ginger water

Directions: Buns

note: separate into batches to fit pan size

• wrap a spoonful of filling in each piece of dough, pinching the dough closed around the filling
• pan-fry buns until lightly browned
• sprinkle with sesame seed (optional)
• add ½ cup water
• cook covered about 5 minutes
• cook uncovered until water evaporates
• serve