Name: Simple Siopao Asado – Filipino Steamed Bun
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup warm water; 3 tablespoons sugar; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 pound pork or chicken, diced; Asado sauce mix (soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, to taste)

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Soft, fluffy, and filled with savory meat, siopao is one of the most comforting Filipino merienda and on-the-go meals you can find.

Served warm and handheld, it’s the kind of food you eat in the car, at your desk, on a quick break, or shared with family at home — no utensils needed, just grab and go.

For more than 50 years, Valerio’s Bakeshop has been serving Filipino favorites to communities across California, Hawaii, and beyond — including freshly made siopao that tastes just like the ones you remember from back home.

If you’ve been searching for siopao, Filipino steamed buns, asado siopao, or bola-bola siopao, you’re in the right place.

What Is Siopao?

Siopao is a Filipino-style steamed bun inspired by Chinese bao.

It’s made with:

A soft, slightly sweet, steamed white bun
A savory filling — usually asado (sweet-salty braised pork or chicken) or bola-bola (meatball-style filling, sometimes with salted egg)

The result is:
Fluffy, cloud-like bread
Rich, savory-sweet filling
A complete snack or light meal in one bun

Siopao is commonly enjoyed as:

Merienda (afternoon snack)
Quick breakfast
On-the-go lunch
Road trip or pasalubong favorite

At Valerio’s, we make siopao that’s generously filled, well-seasoned, and steamed to soft perfection.

Order Valerio's Siopao Today!

Why Choose Siopao from Valerio’s Bakeshop

Valerio’s has spent decades perfecting Filipino breads and snacks — from pandesal and ensaymada to mamon, turon, and beyond. Our siopao follows the same tradition of quality and authenticity. Here’s what makes our siopao special:

Soft, fluffy steamed bun

Our siopao dough is slightly sweet, tender, and steamed until pillowy — never dense, never dry.

Savory, well-seasoned fillings

Whether you prefer asado or bola-bola, the filling is always flavorful, satisfying, and generously portioned.

Made with Filipino taste in mind

The balance of sweet and savory is just right — exactly how Filipinos expect siopao to taste.

Great for sharing (or not sharing at all)

Easy to serve at home, in the office, or at gatherings.

When you’re craving authentic Filipino siopao, Valerio’s Bakeshop is a name you can trust.

1

Make the dough

A slightly sweet yeast dough is mixed and kneaded until smooth and elastic.
2

Let it rise

The dough is rested until puffy and doubled in size, which creates that soft, airy texture.
3

Prepare the filling

For ASADO: meat is cooked low and slow in a savory-sweet sauce until tender. For BOLA-BOLA: ground meat is seasoned, shaped into balls, and sometimes wrapped around salted egg.
4

Wrap and seal

Each dough portion is flattened, filled with asado or bola-bola, and sealed so the filling is fully enclosed.
5

Steam to perfection

Siopao is steamed instead of baked, which keeps the bun soft, moist, and fluffy.

Siopao for Parties, Office, & Pasalubong

Siopao is also a great choice for:

Office snacks
Kids’ merienda
Family game nights
Potlucks and parties
Road trips and travel
Pasalubong for family and friends

You can serve it on a tray, keep it warm in a steamer, or reheat as needed — it’s easy, filling, and familiar.

How to Enjoy Siopao

Siopao is flexible and easy to love. Enjoy it:

1

On its own, straight from the steamer

2

With hot coffee or tea

3

As a quick meal during a busy day

4

Pair it with pancit, lugaw, or sopas for a full Filipino comfort meal

5

However you enjoy it, siopao is one of those foods that always feels satisfying.

Where to Find FIlipino Siopao Near You

Valerio's has bakery locations across California, Nevada, and the Western United States.

Valerio's Bakeshop National City

2720 East Plaza Boulevard, Suite H,
National City, CA, 91950

(619) 470-3742 View on Google

Valerio's Finest Bakeshop National City

2220 E. Plaza Blvd. Ste. J, National City, CA, 91950

(619) 472-9948 View on Google

Valerio's Pilipino Bakeshop (Seafood City Mira Mesa)

8955 Mira Mesa Blvd. Ste. H, San Diego, CA, 92126

(858) 577 - 0000 View on Google

Valerio's Bakeshop (Seafood City Henderson)

10405 S. Eastern Ave. Ste. 105, Henderson, NV 89052

(702) 915 - 7972 View on Google

Siopao availability may vary by location and time of day, so we recommend checking with your nearest Valerio’s branch.

Simple Turon Recipe (Filipino Banana Lumpia)

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup warm water
3 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
½ tsp salt
1 lb pork or chicken (diced)
For Asado sauce: Soy sauce + oyster sauce + sugar (mixed together for filling)

Instructions

Make the filling: Sauté meat, add the asado sauce mix, simmer until tender, and reduce until thick.
Activate yeast: Mix warm water, yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar; let foam for 5–10 minutes.
Make the dough: Add flour, remaining sugar, salt, and oil; mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead & rise: Knead 8–10 minutes, cover, and let rise 1 hour or until doubled.
Assemble: Divide dough into balls, flatten, fill with meat, and pinch/twist to seal.
Steam: Place on parchment and steam 12–15 minutes over medium heat. Serve warm.

Why People Love Siopao

Siopao is a Filipino comfort food staple because it’s:

Portable – no spoon or fork needed
Filling – bun + meat in one
Versatile – great for breakfast, lunch, or merienda
Kid-friendly – soft and easy to eat
Nostalgic – reminds people of school days, jeepney rides, bus terminals, and family snacks

It’s also something people crave when they’ve been away from Filipino food for a long time — one bite and you’re home again.

SIOPAO FAQ

What is siopao made of?

Siopao is made of soft, steamed white bread dough filled with savory meat, usually asado (saucy pork or chicken) or bola-bola (meatball-style filling, sometimes with salted egg).

Is siopao the same as bao?

They’re very similar. Siopao was inspired by Chinese baozi, but Filipinos adapted the flavors and fillings to suit local tastes.

What’s the difference between asado and bola-bola siopao?

Asado siopao has shredded or chopped meat cooked in a sweet-savory sauce.

Bola-bola siopao has a seasoned meatball filling, sometimes with salted egg inside.

How do you reheat siopao?

The best way is to steam siopao for a few minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave it covered with a damp paper towel to help retain moisture.

Is siopao eaten plain or with sauce?

Both are common. Some people enjoy siopao as-is, while others like to dip it in a sweet, slightly tangy siopao sauce.

Does Valerio’s sell siopao every day?

Availability can vary by branch and day, so it’s best to contact your nearest Valerio’s to check if siopao is available and what flavors they’re offering.

At Valerio’s, we honor tradition every day.

Enjoy the Comfort of Authentic Filipino Siopao

Whether you’re missing the taste of home or introducing Filipino food to someone new, siopao is always a good place to start — warm, comforting, and full of flavor.

At Valerio’s Bakeshop, we’re proud to keep Filipino classics like siopao, pandesal, ensaymada, mamon, turon, and more a part of everyday life.

Next time you visit Valerio’s, make sure siopao is on your list.

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Siopao: The Fluffy Filipino Steamed Bun Filled with Savory Goodness