pig bean paste buns

How to Make Adzuki Bean Buns: A Simple Guide

Adzuki bean buns, or "zhutou dousha bao," are beloved for their soft, fluffy texture and sweet, fragrant filling. Here’s a straightforward guide to making them at home.

For the dough, you’ll need 300g all-purpose flour, 3g active dry yeast, 15g sugar, 150ml warm milk, and 10g melted butter. Mix yeast with warm milk and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Combine flour and sugar, then pour in the yeast mixture and knead into a smooth dough. Add butter and knead until elastic. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours until doubled in size.

For the filling, soak 150g adzuki beans in water for 4 hours, then boil until tender. Mash the beans and cook with 50g sugar and a pinch of salt in a pan, stirring until thick. Let it cool completely.

To assemble, punch down the risen dough and divide into 8 equal portions. Roll each into a circle, place a tablespoon of filling in the center, and pleat the edges to seal. Place the buns on parchment paper, let them rest for 15 minutes, then steam over high heat for 15 minutes. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

These buns are best enjoyed warm with a cup of tea. Customize the filling with osmanthus or nuts for extra flavor!