ISO steamed buns

[George]

Basically I'm making my own version of the Momofuku steamed pork (belly) buns and I'm looking for a source for frozen buns for steaming. Any ideas/markets you know that carry them?

if you know a resto that makes pork buns that will make me forget momofuku, I'm also all ears. I expect in LA it is not a tall order at all.

[Clinton]

You used to get them free when you bought a whole roast duck at Lucky Deli in China town. Haven't been there since they closed down a while back. Heard they opened up again?

[sadiegirl]

Red Ribbon Bakery (various locations in the South Bay) has the multi-pack of the buns. Also, Hong Kong Garden Bakery in Torrance has the fresh steamed buns and Mami King (in Van Nuys and Carson) also has the buns with different fillings.

[bulavinaka]

I was at Red Ribbon in the Fox Hills Mall the other day - didn't see this item so I guess it would be worth a call before heading over. Do you know what they call this item?

[bulavinaka]

99 Ranch or any other Chinese super will carry what you're looking for. They're located in the refrigerated section with the other steamed buns & breads and noodles.

Yi Mei carried a pork-filled bun with pickled radish greens, but it didn't resemble what I think the Hirata buns would taste like. Also, Yi Mei was closed due to an adjacent fire that damaged their shop and other surrounding businesses.

I'm hoping other more knowledgeable Hounds know where other sources of those buns might be (I know the fresher the better), or even better - a reasonable facsimile of what you're looking for.

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99 Ranch
17713 Pioneer Blvd, Artesia, CA

[ipsedixit]

Hmm, the Momofuku pork buns I am familiar with is basically a "faux open faced" slider type of contraption (pic below).

So to make that thing at home, instead of looking for traditional Chinese style pork buns sans filling (ed. note: I didn't even know they made such things, bulavinaka, where did you see them? at Ranch 99?), try finding a place that makes Peking Duck buns. You can buy those at Duck House Restaurant (nee Lu Din Gee) if you call ahead, or you can just make them at home since it's a basic yeast, water and flour dough and quite easy to make.

If you want yummy pork buns (not of the Momofuku iteration or construction), Elite makes a pretty darn good baked pork bun, as does Lunasia.

[bulavinaka]

Hi Ipse,

It's as you describe - those Peking duck buns. I've gotten them (or at least something very similar) at 99 Ranch.

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99 Ranch
17713 Pioneer Blvd, Artesia, CA

[George]

that is a beauuuutiful photo. yes this is the kind of bun i am looking to purchase. I'll check 99 Ranch.

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99 Ranch
17713 Pioneer Blvd, Artesia, CA

[will47]

You could check at Si Hai on Las Tunas in San Gabriel too - they also have guabao, which is what the Momofuku thing is a rip-off of. You can try their version there, but not sure if they sell the buns by themselves. I don't think any of the Taiwanese versions use pork belly.
See also this thread:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/480862

I would agree with just getting it at the supermarket, unless you want to make them yourself, which shouldn't actually be that hard.

[bulavinaka]

Might as well pick up some pork belly at 99 Ranch as well.

[will47]

Edit - may have been wrong here - sounds like the normal ones do actually use pork belly.