doornail meat cakes

How to Make Men Ding Rou Bing: A Step-by-Step Guide

Men Ding Rou Bing, a classic Beijing snack, is loved for its crispy crust and juicy, savory filling. Here’s a simple guide to making it at home.

Ingredients: For the dough, you’ll need 300g all-purpose flour, 150ml warm water, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp cooking oil. For the filling, prepare 250g minced pork (a mix of fat and lean for flavor), 50ml soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp sugar, 1 grated ginger, 2 chopped scallions, and a pinch of white pepper.

Steps:

1. Make the dough: Mix flour, salt, and oil. Gradually add warm water, knead into a smooth dough, and let it rest for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the filling: Combine minced pork, soy sauce, wine, sugar, ginger, scallions, and white pepper. Stir clockwise until sticky; chill for 15 minutes.

3. Shape the buns: Divide the dough into 8 small balls. Roll each into a thin circle, place 1-2 tbsp filling in the center, and pleat the edges to seal, like a包子 (baozi).

4. Cook: Heat a non-stick pan with 1 tbsp oil. Fry the buns over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden. Add 50ml water, cover, and steam for 10 minutes. Uncover, cook until the water evaporates, and the bottom is crispy.

Serve hot with soy-vinegar dipping sauce. Enjoy this crispy, flavorful snack that’s perfect for any meal!