Steamed Buns and Dumplings

Steaming is one of our favorite preparation techniques because it is so subtle and gentle. Without any frying or browning oil, steam leaves delicate ingredients distinct and intact. And, because we make our buns and dumplings fresh from scratch and steam them onsite, you taste each ingredient at its absolute best!

Steamed Dumplings and Buns: Tiny Packages, Endless Possibilities

There are few foods more universally loved than something delicious tucked inside a warm wrapper. From delicate Chinese xiao long bao filled with rich broth to pillowy Japanese pork buns, Korean mandu, Tibetan momos, and dozens of regional specialties, steamed dumplings and bao buns have been bringing people together for centuries.

Today they're also having a well-deserved moment in modern catering.

Part of the appeal of steamed dumplings and buns is that they feel both familiar and surprising. Guests instinctively know how to eat them, yet every bite can reveal something unexpected: aromatic spices, perfectly seasoned vegetables, slow-braised meats, silky seafood, or an explosion of savory broth. They're comfort food, but elevated.

What's the Difference Between a Dumpling and a Bao Bun?

It's a question we hear all the time.

Steamed dumplings are typically made with a thin wrapper surrounding a filling. Depending on the style, the dough may be wheat-based or rice-based. Dumplings can be pleated, folded, or shaped into beautiful little purses, and while they're often steamed, they may also be boiled, pan-fried, or deep-fried.

Bao buns, by contrast, use a yeast-leavened dough that rises into a soft, fluffy bread. Instead of the delicate bite of a dumpling wrapper, bao offers a cloud-like texture that perfectly complements rich fillings. Some bao are completely enclosed, while others (like the popular folded "bao sandwich") cradle fillings in an open pocket.

Both are wonderful. They're simply different culinary experiences.

Note: the Chinese word bao means “bun,” so when we say “bao bun” we realize we’re being redundant. We hope you’ll forgive us for using the popular term, even if it’s technically incorrect. 

Why Steaming Matters

Steaming is one of the oldest cooking techniques in the world, and there's a reason it has endured.

Because food cooks gently in moist heat, ingredients stay remarkably tender. Vegetables retain their color, seafood stays succulent, and meats remain juicy rather than drying out. Delicate doughs become silky and light instead of crisp or greasy.

For chefs, steaming also allows subtle flavors to shine. Fresh herbs, aromatic ginger, garlic, sesame, citrus, mushrooms, and carefully crafted broths remain the stars rather than competing with heavy cooking methods.

The result is food that feels satisfying without feeling heavy.

A Canvas for Creativity

One of the reasons our chefs love dumplings and bao is that they work with all kinds of filling.

Classic pork is delicious (we love using Snake River Farms pork belly), but it’s only the beginning. Modern versions feature ingredients like braised short ribs, Korean barbecue, duck confit, lobster, shrimp, wagyu beef, roasted mushrooms, sweet corn, kimchi, curry vegetables, seasonal squash, smoked brisket, or even dessert fillings like chocolate and fruit.

The steamed wrapper becomes a blank canvas, allowing chefs to celebrate local ingredients, seasonal produce, or the personality of a particular event. That versatility also makes steamed dumplings ideal for accommodating vegetarian, vegan, gluten-aware, and other dietary preferences without sacrificing creativity or presentation.

Why Steamed Dumplings and Buns Are Perfect for Events

Small bites naturally encourage conversation, and few foods are better suited for mingling than dumplings and bao. Guests can enjoy one while chatting, then come back to discover another variety. Watching chefs steam, fold, or finish each piece fresh adds an interactive element that transforms food from simply something to eat into part of the entertainment.

They're also remarkably photogenic. Beautiful pleats, colorful garnishes, bamboo steamers, wisps of fragrant steam, and vibrant fillings create an experience that's as fun and memorable to the eye as it is on the palate.

For luxury events, that's an important combination: incredible flavor paired with visual theater.

Bringing Global Traditions to Utah Events

At Culinary Crafts, we're constantly exploring techniques, ingredients, and presentations from around the world, not because they're trendy, but because they're genuinely beautiful and delicious.

Steamed buns and dumplings are growing in popularity here in Utah and around the globe because they distil centuries of craftsmanship into a few perfect bites. Whether we're introducing guests to a classic soup dumpling or presenting a contemporary interpretation inspired by local Utah ingredients, they’re a great way to create moments of surprise, discovery, and delight.

Give us a call, and let’s talk about how to work something steamy into the menu for your next event.