Sometimes, we come across an item in the freezer aisle and say to ourselves, “There is no way this would ever turn out in a microwave.” We admit that the Trader Joe’s Cha Siu Bao Chinese Style Pork Buns are one example. We also have to admit that we were absolutely wrong — these little pork buns are actually great.
Now, there are two ways to heat these bad boys. You can either wrap one in a damp paper towel and pop it in the microwave for 45 seconds, or you can use a steamer. Since the Freezer Meal Frenzy office doesn’t have a steamer (you’d think we would, right?) we were forced to cook these in the microwave. Thankfully, the pork buns still turn out quite good that way.
The bun itself is a bit crumbly and a bit doughy. We’d expect a pork bun to be a tad sticky on the outside, but these are a little too doughy. It’s hard to not feel like these were a bit undercooked.
But that doesn’t really matter once you get to the pork, because it’s absolutely incredible. It’s a brown, shredded affair, slathered with some great-tasting, sweet, soy-based sauce. Once that pork hits your taste buds, all your worries just sort of melt away.
Each pork bun is considered a single serving. But let’s be honest — after we took our first bite, we knew we weren’t going to stop at just one. If you have the self-control to eat just one, you’re only going to consume about 160 calories and 120 mg of sodium. Of course, if you scarf down a full bag, that becomes 640 calories and 480 mg of sodium. Be careful!
If you’re in the mood for steamy pork buns and don’t have a lot of time to spare, check out the Trader Joe’s Cha Siu Bao Chinese Style Pork Buns. They take almost no time to cook, and they’re delicious. This is such a simple food item, but it’s also such a tasty one. So if you’re wondering whether or not you should pick up some of these the next time you’re at Trader Joe’s, our opinion is that you absolutely should.
To learn more about the nutrition content, ingredients, or cooking instructions for these Trader Joe’s frozen pork buns, check out our package scans below.
Another staple in my home. I have them
Daily in the AM. Like the Kung Pao Chicken, I call ahead and order by the case. Once they were out of stock for a few weeks, ask my wife I was a mess… they are that good. I wrap one up in a moist paper towel and microwave for 44 seconds. PERFECTION. 😀 I’ve traveled to China dozens of times and honestly best pork bun I’ve had. Even ordered 10 different kinds from Weee when Trader Joe’s was out of stock for a few weeks and nothing comes close. Love these things.