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Pan-Fried Cabbage and Noodle Buns Recipe

4.6 from 138 reviews

This recipe for Pan-Fried Cabbage and Noodle Buns combines a soft, fluffy yeast dough with a savory, stir-fried cabbage and noodle filling. The buns are first steamed in a skillet and then pan-fried to achieve a golden, crispy bottom, delivering a delightful contrast in textures. Perfect as a flavorful snack or light meal, these buns are plant-based and packed with umami from toasted sesame oil and sesame seeds.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (375 g)
  • 2 tsp instant dry yeast
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp roasted sesame seeds
  • 1 cup warm soy milk or other non-dairy milk
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil or neutral oil

Filling

  • 2 cups finely shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup cooked noodles (such as thin wheat or rice noodles)
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil for stir-frying
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant dry yeast, sugar, salt, and roasted sesame seeds. Gradually add the warm soy milk and tablespoon of toasted sesame oil, mixing until a rough dough forms. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  2. Make the filling: Heat neutral oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded cabbage and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the cooked noodles, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  3. Assemble the buns: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Flatten each piece into a small disc and place a tablespoon of the cabbage and noodle filling in the center. Carefully pinch the edges together to seal and form a bun shape.
  4. Pan-fry and steam the buns: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a thin layer of oil. Place the buns seam-side down in the skillet. Fry for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Then, carefully add 1/4 cup of water to the skillet and cover immediately to steam the buns for about 7-8 minutes, or until fully cooked and fluffy.
  5. Serve: Remove the lid and cook for another minute to crisp up the bottoms again if needed. Serve the buns warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • You can substitute the soy milk with any non-dairy milk such as almond or oat milk.
  • Feel free to add mushrooms or finely chopped carrots to the filling for extra flavor and texture.
  • Use a non-stick pan with a lid for best cooking results when frying and steaming the buns.
  • Leftover buns can be refrigerated and reheated by pan-frying or steaming.
  • If you prefer vegan, ensure the sugar used is vegan-certified.

Keywords: pan-fried buns, cabbage buns, vegan buns, noodle buns, Asian snack, homemade buns, steamed and fried buns