Top Salted Egg Custard Buns to Try in the UK

There's something uniquely satisfying about breaking open a soft, fluffy steamed bun to reveal a molten, golden centre. For many, salted egg custard buns, or liu sha bao, are the highlight of any dim sum meal. That perfect balance of sweet and savoury, with a rich, flowing filling, is a culinary experience worth savouring. But you don't need to wait for a restaurant visit to enjoy them.

Recreating that authentic taste at home is easier than ever, thanks to a great selection of frozen options available for delivery across the UK. This guide is designed to help you navigate the choices, understand the key differences and find the perfect steamed egg yolk buns to stock in your freezer for a quick and delicious treat.

Choosing Your Perfect Dim Sum Buns: A Quick Guide

Before you add a pack to your basket, a few key points can help you select the right buns for your palate.

1. The Filling: Flowing Sand vs. Classic Custard

The world of Chinese custard buns has two main stars. Understanding the difference is crucial to finding your favourite.

• Salted Egg Custard Buns (Liu Sha Bao): Often called "flowing sand buns," these are the ones with the iconic molten centre. The filling is made with salted duck egg yolk, which gives it a rich, slightly grainy texture and a distinctive savoury-sweet flavour profile. This is the bun for those seeking that authentic, complex dim sum taste.
• Classic Custard Buns (Nai Wong Bao): These buns contain a smooth, sweet and creamy filling made from egg, sugar and milk or custard powder. They do not contain salted egg yolk and are purely sweet, making them a popular choice for children or those who prefer a simpler dessert-like flavour.

2. Preparation for Authentic Texture

While many frozen products offer microwave instructions for convenience, steaming is the traditional and recommended method for a reason. Steaming gently heats the buns, resulting in a soft, fluffy and moist texture that perfectly complements the filling. Microwaving can sometimes lead to a tougher or chewier bun. For the best restaurant-quality experience, steaming over boiling water for 10-12 minutes is the recommended approach.

3. Reading the Label

A quick look at the ingredients can tell you a lot. Look for salted duck egg yolk if you want the authentic liu sha bao experience. Also, check the allergen information, as most buns contain wheat (gluten), egg and sometimes milk or soy. Some brands, however, offer dairy-free alternatives, often using coconut milk to achieve a creamy texture.

Recommended Frozen Custard Buns

Here are our standout selections that you can buy online in the UK, chosen to suit different tastes and preferences.

San Quan Steamed Egg Yolk Bun 360g

Why It Stands Out: This is a fantastic all-rounder that delivers a classic and satisfying salted egg custard bun experience. The filling strikes a well-judged balance between the sweetness of the custard and the rich, savoury notes of the salted duck egg yolk.

Pros:

• Features an authentic filling made with salted duck egg yolk.
• The bun itself is soft and fluffy when steamed correctly.
• Offers a traditional flavour profile that is popular in dim sum restaurants.

Who is it for? This is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a reliable and authentic liu sha bao experience at home. If you love the classic taste of steamed egg yolk buns, this is a reliable option for your freezer.

ANJOY Custard Bun 360g

Why It Stands Out: This bun is for the sweet-toothed. It forgoes the salted egg for a classic, creamy custard filling, making it a great example of a nai wong bao. The flavour is smooth, milky and sweet without the savoury complexity.

Pros:

• Soft, white and fluffy bun exterior.
• A purely sweet and smooth custard filling with a rich milky flavour.
• Individually quick-frozen for convenience and easy portioning.

Who is it for? Perfect for families with children or individuals who prefer their dim sum buns sweet and simple. If you're not a fan of the savoury element in salted egg yolk, this is the ideal alternative.

FRESHASIA Bun Salted Egg Custard 360g

Why It Stands Out: This option is all about that desirable "flowing sand" texture. It's specifically crafted to produce a deliciously runny filling. It also incorporates a non-dairy coconut milk flavour, giving it a unique and slightly tropical twist.

Pros:

• Engineered for a very runny, "flowing sand" custard centre.
• Uses dairy-free coconut milk, making it suitable for those avoiding dairy.
• The combination of salted egg and coconut creates a distinct and memorable flavour.

Who is it for? This is the bun for the liu sha bao connoisseur who prioritises a molten filling above all else. It's also a great choice for adventurous foodies and anyone seeking a quality dairy-free option.

Looking for Something Different?

If you're keen to explore beyond these recommendations or want to try other flavours like red bean, taro or black sesame, there's a whole world of delicious frozen buns waiting for you.

To see more options, feel free to browse our full collection of Frozen Sweet Buns.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What's the difference between a standard custard bun and a salted egg custard bun? A standard custard bun (nai wong bao) has a sweet, creamy filling made from eggs, sugar and milk. A salted egg custard bun (liu sha bao) adds salted duck egg yolk to the custard base, creating a richer, more complex flavour that is both sweet and savoury, often with a molten, "flowing sand" texture.

2. What is the proper way to cook frozen dim sum buns? For the best results, always steam them. Place the frozen buns in a steamer basket lined with parchment paper, ensuring they don't touch. Steam over boiling water for 10-12 minutes, or until the buns are puffed, soft and heated through. This method ensures a light and fluffy texture.

3. Where can I buy frozen salted egg custard buns online in the UK? You can easily buy custard buns online in the UK from online Asian grocery specialists like Joybuy. We offer a curated selection of frozen custard buns, including authentic salted egg custard buns, delivered directly to your door, making it simple to enjoy your favourite dim sum treats at home.