Name: Korean Chicken Bao
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 90 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 450g (3 3/4 cups) plain flour.; 2 tbsp caster sugar.; ½ tsp salt.; 2 tsp instant dried yeast.; 3 tbsp whole milk.; 210ml warm water.; 3 tbsp unsalted butter, very soft.; 1 tbsp olive oil.; 4 chicken breasts, bite-size chunks.; 240ml buttermilk.; 180g plain flour (for coating).; 2 tbsp gochujang paste.; 2 tbsp honey.; 4 tbsp brown sugar.; 4 tbsp soy sauce.; 2 cloves garlic, minced.; 2 tsp minced ginger.; Seasonings and garnishes as listed.

A hand holding a bao bun filled with savory chicken, green onions, and sesame seeds. | recipesbyclare.com

When I first tasted these Korean Chicken Bao Buns at a friend's house I knew I had to learn how to make them. After lots of testing I've perfected these pillowy soft buns filled with the most incredible crispy spicy chicken. They're a bit of work but trust me they're worth every minute.

What Makes These Special

The magic happens when that soft steamed bun meets crispy chicken coated in sticky spicy sauce. It's like a perfect little package of textures and flavors that'll make your taste buds dance.

Let's Make The Dough

Flour: Regular all purpose works great.
Milk: Make sure it's warm not hot.
Butter: Adds richness to the buns.
Yeast: Fresh active dry yeast is key.
Sugar and Salt: Just enough for flavor.
Water: Warm to wake up the yeast.

Time To Work The Dough

Mix Everything Together: Get all your ingredients happy in one bowl.
Knead With Love: Work that dough until it's smooth and springy.
Shape Your Buns: Make them small and even they'll puff up nicely.
Steam To Perfection: Watch them turn into clouds of goodness.

Crispy Chicken Magic

The buttermilk soak is non-negotiable it makes the chicken super tender. Then that coating gets beautifully crispy the perfect contrast to our soft buns.

Three steamed bao buns filled with spicy glazed chicken, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, served on a brown plate with cucumber and onion sides in the background. | recipesbyclare.com

That Amazing Sauce

Gochujang is our secret weapon here. Combined with honey soy sauce and aromatics it creates this incredible sticky glaze that coats the chicken perfectly.

Putting It All Together

I love setting up a little assembly line. Open those warm buns add your crispy chicken some fresh toppings and you're ready for the best bite ever.

My Best Tips

Knead that dough properly it's worth the arm workout. And don't rush the steaming each batch needs full attention for the fluffiest results.

About Gochujang

This Korean chili paste is pure gold. It's got heat sweetness and depth all in one. Find it at Asian markets or well stocked grocery stores.

Serving Ideas

We love these with quick pickled cucumbers and a tangy slaw. A cold beer or crisp white wine makes everything perfect.

Perfect Party Food

Make the components ahead then set up a build your own bao station. Everyone loves customizing their own perfect bite.

Keeping Things Fresh

Store your buns and chicken separately. A quick steam brings the buns back to life and a few minutes in the oven crisps up that chicken.

Plant Based Version

Try these with crispy tofu it works beautifully. Same marinade same sauce just swap the protein. Even meat lovers will be impressed.

Essential Equipment

A good steamer is worth the investment. I use mine all the time now not just for bao. Those bamboo ones work perfectly.

Plan Ahead

The dough can rest overnight in the fridge after its first rise. Just bring it to room temp before shaping. Makes the whole process more manageable.

Get Creative

These buns love all kinds of fillings. Try them with pulled pork braised beef or grilled mushrooms. The possibilities are endless.

The Numbers

Each bun is about the perfect size for a few bites. They're filling but not heavy perfect party food or light meal.

A close-up of bao buns filled with glazed chicken, garnished with sesame seeds, cilantro, and red onion, served on a plate alongside cucumbers. | recipesbyclare.com

Serving Style

Keep those buns warm in the steamer and serve the chicken hot. Set out little bowls of extra sauce and toppings so everyone can customize.

More Than Bao

Once you master the bun dough you can make all sorts of filled buns. Sweet savory anything goes. It's such a versatile recipe to have.

Worth The Effort

Yes these take time but they're so rewarding to make. The look on people's faces when they bite into that perfect bao makes it all worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these ahead of time?: Yes, you can make the buns, chicken, and sauce ahead. The buns can be frozen for up to 3 months. For best results, keep sauce separate until serving to maintain chicken crispiness.
→ Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?: Yes, you can follow the recipe's baked chicken tender variation and then toss with the gochujang sauce. This offers a lighter alternative to deep frying.
→ How do I reheat the bao buns?: Steam for 4-5 minutes or microwave covered for 15-20 seconds. If frozen, steam for 5-6 minutes until hot throughout.
→ Can I use a steam oven?: Yes, use a full-steam oven at 100C/210F for 8-10 minutes. The bread proving function can also be used for both proves.
→ How long do leftovers keep?: The fried chicken can be refrigerated for up to a day. Bao buns keep for 2 days in the fridge or can be frozen. Always reheat until piping hot.

Korean Chicken Bao