Perfect Pairs: 10 BEST Side Dishes to Serve with Pork Buns

Pork buns are a traditional Chinese dish.

They consist of steamed mantou (a bun), pork belly, and sometimes an egg.

The pork belly is marinated in a sauce made up of soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, sugar, and ground white pepper before being steamed.

Pork buns are popular for their rich flavor and taste.

They can be compared to American dishes such as pulled pork sandwiches or egg rolls with pork filling.

While the ingredients of pork buns are relatively simple, cooking these steamed mantou buns requires at least some experience.

The bun dough is often very sticky before it has been steamed thoroughly, and maintaining the overall shape of the pork belly while adding in the marinade can be difficult.

There are many different recipes for pork buns, and they can be served with a variety of side dishes.

Read on for eight of the best side dishes to serve with pork buns.

What to Serve with Pork Buns? 8 BEST Side Dishes

Before getting into the best side dishes to serve with pork buns, it’s important to know what kind of sides work best.

While pork buns have a very distinct flavor, they are also relatively plain.

For this reason, it’s important to choose side dishes that go well with steamed mantou buns and the marinade used in pork buns.

Here are some suggestions for side dishes you can serve with your next pork bun meal:

1 – Sautéed Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a great addition to any meal.

You can add them to soups or salads, turn them into a delicious side dish with olive oil, garlic, and thyme, or eat them plain.

These sautéd mushrooms are perfect for when you want something light but flavorful.

They have the characteristic chewy texture of a mushroom and a light, earthy taste that goes great with pork buns.

2 – Asian-Style Asparagus Salad

Asparagus is a springtime vegetable.

It’s as tasty as healthy, making it the perfect side for any meal.

This Asian-style asparagus salad recipe adds a delicious and unique twist to a classic side dish, with a soy-vinegar dressing, sesame seeds, and green onions, this salad bursts with flavor.

It’s also really easy to make, taking only about 15 minutes from start to finish.

So this salad is perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

3 – Pickled Carrot Salad

If you’re looking for a light and refreshing salad to go with your pork buns, look no further.

This pickled carrot salad is perfect.

It has a slightly sour and sweet taste that pairs perfectly with the savory flavors in pork buns.

Plus, it’s really easy to make.

All you need is a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time to let the carrots soak.

This salad is perfect for any spring or summer gathering.

It’s sure to be a hit with your guests.

4 – Fried Rice

Fried rice is a classic dish that can be made with various ingredients.

It’s the perfect side for when you want something simple but filling.

This fried rice recipe is Asian-inspired, and it has a delicious and unique flavor.

The combination of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic give the fried rice a great taste that perfectly complements your pork buns.

Best of all, this recipe is really easy to make.

You only need a few simple ingredients, and it only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.

So it’s perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

5 – Rice Noodles w/ Stir-Fried Vegetables

If you’re looking for something a bit heartier to serve with pork buns, try rice noodles and stir-fried vegetables.

The dish is both filling and healthy — making it the perfect spring or summer meal.

This recipe combines rice noodles and vegetables into one delicious side dish.

Stir-frying your vegetables preserves their bright colors and flavor, and cooking them with rice noodles gives the dish a unique texture.

The sauce is simple but flavorful — made from soy sauce and oyster sauce.

This makes it perfect for pairing with pork buns because steamed mantou buns are relatively plain in taste.

This dish only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, so it’s a great option for a weeknight dinner.

6 – Szechuan-Style Asparagus

Asparagus is one of the best springtime vegetables.

It has a unique taste and texture that pairs perfectly with pork buns.

And this Szechuan-style asparagus recipe is a great way to add some excitement.

There are several components of this delicious side dish.

First, there is the asparagus itself.

It’s stir-fried in sesame oil to give it an aromatic flavor that compliments the taste of pork buns perfectly.

There are also onions, garlic, and even jalapeños to make the dish spicy.

The dish is finished with a sauce made from rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and brown sugar.

The perfect combination of ingredients gives this side dish an amazing flavor and an attractive appearance.

7 – Spicy Sesame Noodles

If you’re looking for something a little spicy to go with your pork buns, try this recipe for spicy sesame noodles.

The dish is flavorful and healthy, making it the perfect side for any meal.

This recipe is easy to make, and it only requires a few simple ingredients.

The noodles are cooked in soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili oil.

This gives them a great flavor and a bit of heat.

The dish is finished with a simple sesame sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil.

This sauce is flavorful and slightly sweet, making it the perfect accompaniment to your pork buns.

8 – Tangy Coleslaw

Coleslaw is a classic side dish that can be made with various ingredients.

This tangy coleslaw recipe is perfect for serving with pork buns.

The coleslaw has a slightly sour and sweet taste that pairs perfectly with the rich flavor of steamed pork buns.

To make the dish, you’ll need cabbage, carrots, green onions, and a simple vinaigrette made from apple cider vinegar, salt, sugar, mayonnaise, and some additional spices.

This tangy coleslaw is easy to make — it just takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.

So it’s the perfect side dish for a weeknight dinner.

Conclusion

Pork buns are delicious, but they need the perfect side to make them complete.

Luckily, you can pair your pork buns with plenty of different recipes.

When it comes to rice dishes, try stir-fried vegetables or fried rice.

If you’re looking for something heartier, consider rice noodles and stir-fried vegetables.

For spicy flavors, try Szechuan-style asparagus or spicy sesame noodles.

And for a classic side, go with tangy coleslaw.

No matter what you choose, your pork buns will be delicious.

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