Karaage chicken bao buns recipe

Soft, pillowy bao buns are the perfect partner for crispy karaage chicken.

This recipe takes advantage of some of the excellent pre-made ingredients available so you can get a meal ready in under half an hour – or sit back while the kids do it for you. Fluffy bao buns are filled with cool ribbons of cucumber and crunchy karaage (fried) chicken, all drizzled with creamy Japanese mayonnaise.

Karaage chicken bao buns

Serves 4

Ingredients

400g prepared karaage chicken pieces

8 bao buns

1 telegraph cucumber, sliced into ribbons

Japanese mayonnaise

Coriander

Black sesame seeds, lightly toasted

Red chilli, sliced

Method

1. Cook the karaage chicken pieces according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Slice the cucumber into long ribbons using a vegetable peeler.
3. When the chicken is nearly ready, steam the bao buns following the packet instructions. They can be warmed in a microwave as well.
4. To assemble, open a bao bun and fill it with some cucumber ribbons. Add some pieces of karaage chicken and drizzle with mayonnaise.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds, chilli slices, and coriander.

Tip: put the garnishes in small bowls and let everyone do their own bao buns.