reunionstarter
Bouchon
Steamed pork dumplings inspired by Chinese dim sum, a popular Réunion street snack.
Prep
30 min
Cook
15 min
Servings
4
Difficulty
Medium
★★★★★
4.6(215 ratings)#dumplings#pork#steamed#street-food#chinese-creole
About This Recipe
Bouchons are Réunion's beloved steamed dumplings, a legacy of the island's large Chinese community. A seasoned pork filling is wrapped in a thin dough and steamed until tender. They are eaten with soy sauce and chilli sauce as a street food or starter.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 250 gground pork
- 2 tbspsoy sauce
- 1 tspsesame oil
- 2 clovesgarlic(minced)
- 20round dumpling wrappers
- 2 stalksspring onion(finely chopped)
Instructions
- 1
Mix filling
Combine pork, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and spring onion; mix well.
- 2
Wrap
Place a teaspoon of filling on each wrapper, fold and pleat to seal.
- 3
Steam
Steam dumplings in a lined bamboo steamer for 12–15 minutes.
- 4
Serve
Serve immediately with soy sauce and chilli dipping sauce.
Pro Tips
- →
Keep unused wrappers covered to prevent drying.
- →
A drop of oil in the steamer water keeps it from drying out.
Variations
- •
Bouchon crevette (shrimp filling)
- •
Bouchon végétarien (tofu & cabbage)
Storage
Steam fresh; refrigerate uncooked dumplings up to 1 day.
History & Origin
Chinese immigrants who arrived in Réunion from Guangdong in the late 19th century brought dumpling traditions that became deeply embedded in local food culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze them?
Yes, freeze on a tray then bag; steam from frozen adding 3–4 extra minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving · 4 servings total
Calories220kcal
Protein14g
Carbohydrates22g
Fat8g
Fiber1g
Protein14g
Carbs22g
Fat8g
Time Summary
Prep time30 min
Cook time15 min
Total time45 min
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