Fried Chicken Bao With Big Flavor

Crispy, saucy and craveable, the Korean Fried Chicken Bao Buns at Lazy Dog Restaurants bring bold flavor into a format that feels instantly familiar. Each bite layers texture and contrast, starting with crispy fried chicken coated in a gochugaru-based glaze that delivers heat, sweetness and umami.

The richness of the fried chicken is complemented by a creamy kimchi aïoli, adding tang and depth, while quick-pickled cucumbers introduce brightness and crunch. All of it is tucked into a soft, pillowy bao bun that tempers the intensity.

“Our Korean Chicken Bao Buns bring together bold, layered flavors in a way that feels approachable and craveable,” says Gabriel Caliendo, co-founder and VP of R&D. That balance is key to the dish’s appeal, offering an accessible entry point into Korean-inspired flavors. “Guests may not be deeply familiar with Korean flavors, but the format—crispy chicken in a soft bun—feels familiar.” The response was immediate. On its first day, the dish ranked as the second-best-selling starter and has remained a top performer in the small-plates category.

Behind the scenes, finding balance was critical. “The biggest unlock as we were developing this dish was using our house-blended gochugaru spice mix along with the kimchi aïoli,” says Caliendo. “Knowing that gochugaru is used in making kimchi was the inspiration, but too much kimchi gave it a ‘too-much-of-a-good-thing’ fermented flavor, so tossing the chicken with the spice gave us that heat and flavor without too much funk.”

Read more Best of Flavor 2026