Manapua recipe served on a plate, by Pekin the Chef
Sep 02 2026
Restaurants›Aloha Kitchen›Manapua Recipe

Manapua Recipe

Inspired by Aloha Kitchen
Time2h
Serves12

Steamed pork bun ('tasty meat thing!')

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Ingredients

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Dough

Method

Dough Preparation

  1. 1

    Mix Dry Ingredients

    In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, instant yeast, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.

  2. 2

    Add Wet Ingredients

    Gradually add warm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.

  3. 3

    Knead the Dough

    Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

  4. 4

    Let Dough Rise

    Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Filling Preparation

  1. 5

    Mix Filling Ingredients

    In a medium bowl, combine the ground pork, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, chopped green onions, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.

  2. 6

    Refrigerate Filling

    Cover the filling mixture and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Assembly and Cooking

  1. 7

    Divide and Shape Dough

    Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a circle about 4 inches in diameter.

  2. 8

    Fill the Buns

    Place about 1-2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each dough circle. Gather the edges of the dough and pinch them together to seal the bun.

  3. 9

    Prepare for Steaming

    Place the filled buns on a piece of parchment paper, making sure they have space to expand. Let them rest for another 15 minutes.

  4. 10

    Steam the Buns

    Set up a steamer over boiling water. Place the buns in the steamer basket, cover, and steam for about 15-20 minutes until the buns are fluffy and cooked through.

  5. 11

    Serve

    Carefully remove the buns from the steamer and serve warm. Enjoy your homemade manapua!

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