Description
Soft, spicy, and bursting with flavor, these Korean Chicken Bao Buns are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Fluffy steamed bao buns cradle crispy chicken glazed in a sticky-sweet gochujang sauce. Whether you’re planning a quick dinner, party appetizer, or looking for new food ideas, this easy recipe is a guaranteed hit. It’s packed with bold Korean flavors and ready in under an hour — perfect for quick dinner ideas, easy party food, or a fun twist on takeout night.
Ingredients
500g boneless chicken thighs
4 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
8 bao buns (store-bought or homemade)
2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
2 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1/2 cup pickled cucumbers or carrots (optional)
Instructions
1. Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Toss the chicken pieces in cornstarch until well coated. Let sit for 10 minutes.
3. In a saucepan, combine gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger. Heat over medium heat, stirring until slightly thickened.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet or wok to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy, about 4–5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
5. Toss hot, fried chicken in the prepared Korean glaze until evenly coated.
6. Steam the bao buns according to package instructions (or homemade recipe), about 8–10 minutes.
7. Fill each bao bun with glazed chicken and top with green onions, sesame seeds, and pickled veggies if using.
8. Serve warm and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before coating with cornstarch for maximum crispiness.
Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying — work in batches to keep the oil temperature steady.
Assemble just before serving to keep the buns soft and fluffy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 bao buns
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg