Buldak (Korean Fire Chicken)

Introduction

Buldak, also known as Korean Fire Chicken, is legendary for its explosive flavor and fiery heat. This dish captures the essence of Korean comfort food: saucy, spicy, and irresistibly moreish. It’s a surefire way to energize your dinner rotation, delivering bold flavors with just the right balance of heat and savory satisfaction.

Whether you want a dish that excites spice lovers or a fun way to liven up a weeknight, Buldak’s punchy sauce and juicy chicken guarantee a memorable meal that keeps everyone coming back for more.

What Makes Buldak (Korean Fire Chicken) Exceptional

Buldak stands apart for its unique interplay between heat and umami. The secret? A luscious sauce built from gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), gochujang (fermented chili paste), soy sauce, garlic, and just a hint of sweetness. When these bold ingredients smother tender, grilled (or pan-seared) chicken, the result is a perfectly spicy, sticky, and wholly satisfying dish.

Buldak is traditionally topped with gooey melted mozzarella, offering a soothing contrast to the spice and transforming this street food classic into an addictive, cheesy comfort dish.

Prepping Ingredients for Perfect Buldak

A key to Buldak’s success is even, uniform chicken pieces. Using a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper can easily give you perfectly-sized chunks—essential for quick, consistent cooking and ideal sauce distribution.

For garnishing and sides, finely chop scallions or vegetables with the same chopper, ensuring added flavor and a pop of color for your plate.

How to Cook Buldak: Pan-Searing or Air Frying

Traditionally, Buldak is grilled or pan-fried. For flawless, stick-free searing, reach for a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch. It helps create beautifully browned chicken bits while keeping clean-up a breeze.

Alternatively, modern home cooks can use the COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Grey for a lighter, hands-off method. Air frying delivers juicy chicken with zero fuss and a fraction of the oil—just be sure to line the basket with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for mess-free cleanup.

Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

For a classic presentation, melt a blanket of cheese over your finished chicken and broil until bubbly. Serve atop a bed of steamed rice, with pickled radish or cucumbers for cooling contrast. Consider portioning leftovers into Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers for easy grab-and-go lunches.

Buldak also makes a knockout filling for lettuce wraps, giving you a low-carb option with maximum flavor.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields four hearty servings. Each portion typically contains around 430–480 calories, with plenty of protein and bold, satisfying flavor. You can adjust the spice and sweetness to your family’s liking, making it as fiery or mild as you prefer.

Buldak (Korean Fire Chicken) Recipe (Recap)

Korean Fire Chicken is a lip-tingling, crowd-pleasing classic that marries spicy, savory, and cheesy elements for a meal that’s as stunning as it is satisfying. Relied upon for late-night cravings and special gatherings alike, Buldak’s irresistible blend of flavors is set to be the star of your table.

Instructions

1. Prep the chicken: Use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to cut chicken thighs into consistent, bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
2. Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together garlic, ginger, gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, honey, rice syrup, and sesame oil until smooth.
3. Marinate: Add chicken to the sauce and toss to coat thoroughly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes (up to 1 hour for deeper flavor).
4. Cook – Pan Method: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in your SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet over medium-high. Add chicken and cook, stirring often, until fully cooked and sauce is thickened (about 8–10 minutes).
5. Cook – Air Fryer Method: Preheat your COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1 to 400°F. Line basket with a piece from the Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll. Arrange marinated chicken in a single layer and cook for 10–14 minutes, shaking halfway through, until cooked through and slightly caramelized.
6. Add cheese: Pile cooked chicken into an oven-safe dish. Top with mozzarella and broil 1–2 minutes, until bubbly and browned.
7. Serve hot, garnished with chopped scallions and sesame seeds. Enjoy with steamed rice and your favorite pickles.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 15-60 minutes marinating)
Cook Time: 10–15 minutes
Total Time: 45–75 minutes

Enjoy bringing the fiery excitement of Buldak to your table—spicy, cheesy, and utterly unforgettable!