Asian Bang Korean Fried Chicken Bao Bun Tacos

These Asian Bang Korean Fried Chicken Bao Bun Tacos combine crispy seasoned chicken, soft homemade bao buns and the sweet, savory, spicy and umami flavor of Blazing Star BBQ Asian Bang Sauce.

Fresh cucumber adds a cool crunch that balances the rich fried chicken and sticky sauce. Finished with sesame seeds, these handheld bao tacos make an unforgettable appetizer, game-day dish or party meal.

Asian Bang Korean Fried Chicken Bao Bun Tacos Recipe

Prep and Rising Time Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes	Cook Time Approximately 20 minutes
Yield Approximately 6 bao tacos	Difficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

Homemade Bao Buns

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup warm water
• ¼ cup vegetable shortening
• Oil for coating the bowl and brushing the dough

Korean Fried Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Blazing Star BBQ Beef Rub, enough to season the chicken
• 1 cup cornstarch
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Blazing Star BBQ Asian Bang Sauce, enough to coat the fried chicken

For Assembly

• Fresh cucumber, thinly sliced
• Sesame seeds
• Additional Asian Bang Sauce

Instructions

1. Combine the dry ingredients. Add the flour, sugar, instant yeast, baking powder and salt to a mixing bowl. Stir until evenly combined.
2. Form the dough. Add the warm water and mix until a rough dough begins to form. Add the vegetable shortening and continue mixing.
3. Knead the dough. Knead for approximately 5 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Allow the dough to rise. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it and allow it to rise for approximately 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape the bao buns. Roll the risen dough to approximately ¼-inch thickness. Cut it into circles using a 3-inch cutter. Lightly brush the tops with oil, fold each circle in half and gently roll over it to form a folded bao taco shape.
6. Steam the bao buns. Arrange the shaped buns in a bamboo or electric steamer with space between them. Steam for approximately 15 minutes, or until soft and fully cooked.
7. Prepare the chicken. Slice the chicken thighs into thin strips. Season all sides generously with Blazing Star BBQ Beef Rub.
8. Coat the chicken. Place the seasoned chicken strips in the cornstarch and toss until every piece is completely coated.
9. Heat the oil. Preheat the frying oil to between 350°F and 375°F in a deep fryer or heavy pot.
10. Fry the chicken. Fry the chicken in small batches for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown, crispy and cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer it to a wire rack to drain.
11. Sauce the chicken. Place the fried chicken in a clean bowl and toss it with Asian Bang Sauce until every piece is evenly coated.
12. Assemble the bao tacos. Open each steamed bao bun without separating the folded sides. Add a small amount of Asian Bang Sauce, several cucumber slices and one or two pieces of sauced fried chicken.
13. Garnish and serve. Sprinkle the finished bao tacos with sesame seeds and serve immediately while the buns are warm and the chicken is crispy.

Tips for the Best Fried Chicken Bao Tacos

• Use warm water rather than hot water when making the dough. Excessive heat can damage the yeast.
• Give the bao dough enough time to double in size before rolling and shaping it.
• Brush the dough circles lightly with oil before folding so the buns open easily after steaming.
• Leave space between the buns in the steamer because they will expand while cooking.
• Coat every surface of the chicken with cornstarch to produce a crispy exterior.
• Fry the chicken in small batches to maintain the proper oil temperature.
• Toss the chicken in Asian Bang Sauce immediately before assembling the tacos to preserve its crispy texture.
• Serve the bao tacos immediately for the best contrast between the soft buns, crispy chicken and fresh cucumber.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are bao buns?

Bao buns are soft, fluffy steamed buns made from a yeast dough. Folding the dough before steaming creates a pocket that can hold meat, vegetables and sauce.

Can I use store-bought bao buns?

Yes. Frozen or refrigerated folded bao buns can save time. Steam them according to the package directions before assembling the tacos.

Why use cornstarch instead of flour on the chicken?

Cornstarch creates a light, crisp coating that works especially well for Asian-inspired fried chicken.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The exterior should be golden brown and crispy, and the chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Can I prepare the bao dough ahead of time?

Yes. The shaped buns can be steamed ahead of time, cooled and refrigerated. Reheat them in a steamer until soft and warm before serving.

What does Asian Bang Sauce taste like?

Blazing Star BBQ Asian Bang Sauce combines sweet, savory, spicy and umami flavors from ingredients including soy sauce, honey, garlic, sesame and gochugaru.

Shop the Flavor

• Blazing Star BBQ Beef Rub and Seasoning
• Blazing Star BBQ Asian Bang Sauce
• Shop Blazing Star BBQ on Amazon

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