Stir-Fried Mantou (Chinese Fried Steamed Buns)

Golden crispy stir-fried mantou cubes garnished with scallions
  • By jackTao
  • Oct 4, 2025
15 min

Instructions:

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Prepare the Mantou

  • Cut 2 steamed buns (mantou) into small cubes or slices. Day-old, slightly firm mantou works best as it absorbs less oil and gets crispier.

Prepare Egg Coating (Optional)

  • If using eggs, crack 2 eggs into a bowl and whisk until well beaten.
  • Optionally add 1g salt and 1g five-spice powder to the eggs, or save these seasonings for the stir-frying step.
  • Pour the beaten eggs over the mantou pieces and toss until evenly coated. Don't use too much egg - a light coating is sufficient.

Heat the Wok

  • Heat a wok or large pan over high heat until very hot.
  • Add 20ml cooking oil (peanut oil or sesame oil recommended for better aroma). If using a stainless steel wok and concerned about sticking, you can add oil first and heat it until shimmering.

Stir-Fry the Mantou

  • Add the mantou pieces to the hot wok. Stir-fry continuously to ensure even cooking.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low and continue stir-frying until the mantou pieces turn golden brown and crispy.

Season and Finish

  • Add 3g salt, 3g chili powder, and 3g five-spice powder. Toss to distribute the seasonings evenly.
  • Add 3g cumin powder for that signature aromatic flavor.
  • Finally, add the chopped scallions (2 stalks) and stir-fry for just a few more seconds to release their fragrance.
  • Turn off heat and transfer to a serving plate immediately.

Recipe Notes:

  • Day-old mantou is ideal because it's slightly drier and firmer, which helps it crisp up better and absorb less oil.
  • Watch the heat carefully during stir-frying to prevent burning. If the mantou starts to burn, immediately reduce heat and add a small amount of oil around the edges of the wok or sprinkle a little water (distribute it evenly, don't pour it all in one spot).
  • For extra crispy mantou: Turn heat to lowest setting and continue stir-frying for a longer time. After turning off the heat, leave the mantou in the hot wok for a minute before serving.
  • The egg coating is optional but adds richness and helps achieve a golden crust. Don't use too much egg or the mantou will become soggy.
  • Feel free to customize seasonings to your taste. You can add other spices or seasonings like garlic powder, Sichuan pepper powder, or curry powder.
  • For extra flavor, you can separately stir-fry minced garlic or garlic shoots until fragrant before adding the mantou.
  • This dish is best served immediately while hot and crispy. It makes an excellent snack, breakfast item, or side dish.
  • Mantou are soft, white Chinese steamed buns made from wheat flour. They're a staple in Northern Chinese cuisine and can be found in Asian grocery stores.

Recipe Gallery:

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Ingredients:

Serving size

Main Ingredients

  • 2 mantou (Chinese steamed buns), preferably day-old and slightly firm
  • 20 ml cooking oil (peanut oil or sesame oil preferred)
  • 2 scallions, chopped

Seasonings

  • 3 g salt
  • 3 g cumin powder
  • 3 g chili powder
  • 3 g five-spice powder

Optional Ingredients

  • 2 eggs (for coating)
  • 1 Add garlic, garlic shoots, or other aromatics according to taste (can be fried separately first)
MantouSnackVegetarianQuickNorthern-chinese