Mantou
Mantou is a plain, slightly sweet Chinese steamed bun that is a staple in northern Chinese cuisine and has a history spanning over a thousand years. According to legend, it was Zhuge Liang who is credited with its creation during the Three Kingdoms era. The name “barbarian heads” or “mantou” comes from the cunning plan he used to save his army by shaping mantou into the shape of human heads. Mantou is commonly enjoyed as a side dish to savory meals or fried, paired with sweetened condensed milk. Unlike other Chinese buns, mantou is typically unfilled, dense, and bread-like. To achieve a white and fluffy texture we will use wheat starch mixed with all-purpose flour .
Homemade Mantou stands out for its freshness, personalized flavor, and texture. Crafted with care, it offers a softer, fluffier bite compared to store-bought versions, which often rely on preservatives for shelf life. The homemade process allows for customization—choosing high-quality ingredients, adjusting sweetness levels, or even incorporating whole grains. Without the industrial production process, homemade Mantou retains a delicate aroma and a natural, moist consistency that’s hard to replicate in mass-produced alternatives. Plus, making Mantou at home is a rewarding experience, connecting you to the traditions and techniques of Chinese cuisine.
VISUAL
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups All-purpose Flour
(approx. 235g)
- ½ cup Wheat Starch
(approx. 50g)
- ½ cup Sugar
(approx. 50g)
- ½ cup Water
- 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 2 tsp Instant Activated Yeast
- Water for brushing
- Wheat Starch for dusting
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a large bowl, mix flour, wheat starch, yeast, and sugar.
- Gradually add water and oil, mixing until a dough forms. Adjust the water as needed.
- Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a greased bowl; cover for an hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down and knead briefly.
- Roll the dough roughly into a 14×9-inch rectangle (¼ inch thick).
- Fold the dough into thirds, rotate 90 degrees, and roll it out again.
- Repeat the entire process once again.
- On the third time, roll the dough into a 14×9-inch rectangle, with the 14-inch side facing you.
- Press down on the top edge with your finger to create a thin edge. Brush with water.
- Roll the dough tightly from the bottom, forming a log. Pinch to seal and roll slightly to secure layers.
- Cut into 2-inch pieces and place each on a 3×3-inch parchment square.
- This recipe should yield around 7-8 mantou.
- Place the buns in a steamer, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Then, steam over high heat for 18–20 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes before removing the lid.
- Carefully remove the buns from the steamer and enjoy it warm.
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Nutrition at a glance
1478kcal
CALORIES
in total
14g
FAT
17.9%
0mg
CHOLESTEROL
0%
11mg
SODIUM
0.5%
307.4g
CARBOHYDRATE
111.7%
25.6g
protein
51.2%
The nutritional values on standard recommended daily intakes from the FDA for a 2000-calorie diet. Fat: 78g, Cholesterol: 300mg, Sodium: 2300mg, Carbohydrate: 275g, Protein: 50g
At The Chinese Table, we aim to provide nutritional information as a useful reference for our readers. Nevertheless, we do not claim to be professional nutritionists, and the values provided are rough approximations. The true nutritional content of a recipe can fluctuate depending on the specific brands, types of ingredients, and serving sizes utilized. Various online tools may also produce different outcomes. For more accurate nutritional details, we suggest consulting a reliable source such as the USDA FoodData Central Nutrition Calculator, which enables you to enter your precise ingredients and quantities for the most reliable information.
Hey, I'm Celeste
In our Cantonese household, we valued the tradition of preparing everything from scratch. We understood the importance of mastering the fundamental skills and techniques that are the foundation of Chinese cooking. This section captures the memories and wisdom shared across generations. It honors the timeless traditions of Chinese cuisine and offers a chance to add a personal touch to your creations.