A popular street food and dim sum-style appetizer, soft, steamed *nikuman* meat buns come in a variety of flavors with different meat options and seasonings. You can find *nikuman* in convenience stores in Japan, or make your own homemade batch with all of the fixings.

Nikuman Recipe: 3 Tips for Making Steamed Pork Buns

*Nikuman* (known in western Japan as *butaman* or *baozi*) is a light, pillowy, pleated bun with a savory meat filling. From *niku*, meaning meat, the savory street food is one variation of a *chukaman*, a Chinese-style steamed bun. Other popular *chukaman* include bright yellow, curry-flavored *kareman* (*curryman*), and sweet buns like *anman*, which feature fillings like [red bean paste](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/red-bean-paste-guide) (*anko*), or green *uji matchaman*, which includes matcha powder in the dough along with an *anko* filling. 

*Nikuman* are made from simple ingredients, but practice and technique are essential. 

1. __Rest the dough__. Proper <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/baking-101-what-is-proofing-learn-how-to-proof-breads-and-other-baked-goods' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/baking-101-what-is-proofing-learn-how-to-proof-breads-and-other-baked-goods","linkCopy":"proofing","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>proofing</a> is crucial to the fluffy dough used for *nikuman*. Give the dough enough time to double in size before assembling, and let it rest once more before steaming for best results. 
2. __Pleating__. Similar to *gyoza*, pleating the dumplings can take some practice. While pleating techniques can vary, there’s one way to make the process a bit easier: use your non-dominant thumb to hold the filling in place and fold and pinch with your dominant thumb and index finger. 
3. __Batch steam__. Depending on how many buns you’re making, you may want to steam them in batches to give them enough room to expand in the steamer. Uncooked buns should have at least two to three inches of space. 

A popular street food and dim sum-style appetizer, soft, steamed *nikuman* meat buns come in a variety of flavors with different meat options and seasonings. You can find *nikuman* in convenience stores in Japan, or make your own homemade batch with all of the fixings.

Nikuman (known in western Japan as butaman or baozi) is a light, pillowy, pleated bun with a savory meat filling. From niku, meaning meat, the savory street food is one variation of a chukaman, a Chinese-style steamed bun. Other popular chukaman include bright yellow, curry-flavored kareman (curryman), and sweet buns like anman, which feature fillings like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/red-bean-paste-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/red-bean-paste-guide","linkCopy":"red bean paste","category":null}'>red bean paste</a> (anko), or green uji matchaman, which includes matcha powder in the dough along with an anko filling.

What Is Nikuman?

Nikuman are made from simple ingredients, but practice and technique are essential. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Rest the dough. Proper <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/baking-101-what-is-proofing-learn-how-to-proof-breads-and-other-baked-goods' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/baking-101-what-is-proofing-learn-how-to-proof-breads-and-other-baked-goods","linkCopy":"proofing","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>proofing</a> is crucial to the fluffy dough used for nikuman. Give the dough enough time to double in size before assembling, and let it rest once more before steaming for best results. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Pleating. Similar to gyoza, pleating the dumplings can take some practice. While pleating techniques can vary, there’s one way to make the process a bit easier: use your non-dominant thumb to hold the filling in place and fold and pinch with your dominant thumb and index finger. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Batch steam. Depending on how many buns you’re making, you may want to steam them in batches to give them enough room to expand in the steamer. Uncooked buns should have at least two to three inches of space. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Making Nikuman

Nikuman Recipe

A popular street food and dim sum-style appetizer, soft, steamed nikuman meat buns come in a variety of flavors with different meat options and seasonings. You can find nikuman in convenience stores in Japan, or make your own homemade batch with all of the fixings.

A popular street food and dim sum-style appetizer, soft, steamed nikuman meat buns come in a variety of flavors with different meat options and seasonings. You can find nikuman in convenience stores in Japan, or make your own homemade batch with all of the fixings.
