The Best Fiery Buldak Recipe to Spice Up Your Weeknight

Sizzling hot peppers make this Buldak recipe a fiery challenge for spice lovers searching for an intense culinary experience.

Korean cuisine rarely gets as bold and electrifying as these flame-kissed chicken wings.

A dish that sparks conversation and tests your heat tolerance with every blazing bite.

Taste buds will dance between scorching sensations and complex flavor layers that define authentic street food culture.

Chili-packed marinades create a powerful punch that transforms ordinary chicken into a legendary meal.

Brave souls eager to prove their spice credentials should lean into this notorious korean delicacy.

You can handle the heat—and trust me, this recipe will prove just how much.

Why Buldak Recipe Brings The Heat And The Flavor

• Fiery Flavor Explosion: This Buldak recipe delivers an intense, spicy kick that awakens your taste buds with a perfect blend of gochugaru and gochujang, creating a mouth-watering Korean-inspired heat that's both bold and addictive.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish transforms simple chicken into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal prep time and maximum flavor, making it ideal for busy home cooks craving something exciting.
• Cheesy Comfort Meets Spicy Excitement: The melted mozzarella adds a creamy, indulgent layer that beautifully balances the fiery sauce, creating a unique texture and flavor combination that's both comforting and thrilling.
• Customizable Heat Level: Easily adjust the spiciness by modifying the amount of gochugaru and gochujang, making it perfect for different heat tolerances and ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious Korean-style chicken.

What You’ll Need To Make Buldak Recipe

• Chicken: Tender protein base for the spicy Korean dish, preferably boneless and skinless chicken thighs for juiciness and flavor.

• Soy Sauce, Rice Wine, Black Pepper: Flavor enhancers and tenderizers for the chicken, creating a rich and smooth base.

• Gochugaru, Gochujang: Authentic Korean red pepper powders providing intense heat and deep red color, choose high-quality Korean brands.
• Soy Sauce, Rice Syrup, Brown Sugar: Balancing sweet and savory notes, creating a complex sauce texture.
• Sesame Oil: Adding nutty and traditional Korean flavor, use toasted sesame oil for maximum taste.
• Minced Garlic, Grated Ginger: Fresh aromatics that provide depth and traditional Korean seasoning.
• Water: Helps to thin and blend sauce ingredients smoothly.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy topping that melts beautifully, creating a rich and indulgent finish.
• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh garnish adding color, texture, and additional flavor complexity.

How To Cook Buldak Recipe Step-By-Step

Step 1: Flavor Bomb the Chicken

• Soy sauce
• Rice wine
• Black pepper

Massage these ingredients into the chicken like you’re giving it a spa treatment. Let the chicken chill and soak up the flavors for 15-20 minutes.

Step 2: Craft the Spicy Sauce Masterpiece

• Gochugaru
• Gochujang
• Soy sauce
• Rice syrup
• Brown sugar
• Sesame oil
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Water

Whisk everything until it transforms into a smooth, vibrant sauce that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.

Step 3: Sizzle the Chicken

Fire up a large skillet over medium heat. Splash in a touch of oil and toss in the marinated chicken. Let it sizzle and turn a gorgeous golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 4: Sauce Attack

Pour your spicy sauce creation over the chicken. Stir until every piece is drenched in flavor. Lower the heat and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes. Watch the sauce thicken and the chicken become perfectly cooked.

Step 5: Cheese Avalanche

Unleash a snowstorm of shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken. Pop a lid on the skillet and let the cheese melt into gooey perfection for 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Final Flavor Flourish

Sprinkle a handful of green onions and sesame seeds for that extra pizzazz. Serve alongside steamed rice or pickled radish to cool down the fire.

Prepare for a flavor explosion that’ll rock your taste buds!

Tips For Spicy And Tasty Buldak Recipe

• Marinate Wisely: Let chicken soak in soy sauce mixture for maximum flavor absorption and tenderness before cooking.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust gochugaru and gochujang quantities to match your heat tolerance without compromising authentic taste.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Use low heat when adding mozzarella to prevent burning and ensure smooth, creamy cheese coverage.
• Balancing Heat: Serve with cooling side dishes like pickled radish or cucumber salad to counteract the spicy sauce intensity.
• Protein Flexibility: Swap chicken with tofu or plant-based alternatives for vegetarian version while maintaining similar cooking technique.

How To Store And Warm Up Buldak Recipe Right

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled Buldak chicken to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the cheese and chicken together to maintain flavor and texture.
• Microwave Reheating: Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out.
• Skillet Reheating: Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking and maintain moisture. Stir gently until heated through and cheese melts smoothly.
• Best Practice: Consume reheated Buldak within 2 days for optimal taste and quality. Discard if the chicken looks or smells unusual.

Perfect Pairings For Buldak Recipe

• Boost Flavor Fusion: Pair this fiery Buldak with a crisp, cold Korean beer like Cass or Hite to cool down the intense spiciness and complement the rich, cheesy chicken.
• Refreshing Drink Companion: Serve with a chilled glass of soju, slightly diluted with water, which cuts through the heat while enhancing the Korean culinary experience.
• Balanced Side Harmony: Include classic Korean pickled radish (kkakdugi) or cucumber kimchi to provide a tangy, crunchy contrast that neutralizes the spicy sauce and cleanses the palate.
• Temperature Contrast Delight: Accompany the dish with a smooth, creamy milk-based drink or traditional rice punch (sikhye) to soothe the burning sensation and add a sweet, cooling element.

Flavor Variations For Buldak Recipe You Can Try

• Spicy Veggie Buldak: Replace chicken with firm tofu or mixed vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms. Press tofu to remove excess moisture before marinating and cooking. Adjust cooking time to ensure vegetables maintain a slight crunch.
• Korean Buldak Noodles: Transform the recipe by adding thick udon or ramen noodles directly into the spicy sauce. Cook noodles in the sauce until they absorb the flavors and become coated with the fiery mixture. Top with a soft-boiled egg for extra richness.
• Buldak Wrap Style: Create a handheld version by wrapping the spicy chicken in large lettuce leaves or warm tortillas. Add fresh cucumber slices and a drizzle of cooling yogurt sauce to balance the intense heat. Perfect for a quick meal or lunch option.
• Grilled Buldak Edition: Instead of using a skillet, grill the marinated chicken over high heat for a smoky char. Brush with sauce during grilling to create caramelized, spicy edges. Serve on a bed of steamed rice with grilled vegetables on the side.

Buldak Recipe FAQs For Spice Lovers

• What makes Buldak so spicy?

Buldak gets its intense heat from gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) and gochujang (Korean red pepper paste), which create a fiery sauce that gives the dish its signature burning sensation.

• Is Buldak safe for people who can't handle very spicy food?

Not really. Buldak is known for its extreme spiciness and is often considered a challenge even for spice lovers. If you’re sensitive to heat, you might want to reduce the amount of gochugaru and gochujang.

• Why do Koreans add cheese to Buldak?

The cheese helps balance the intense spiciness by adding a creamy, cooling element. The melted mozzarella creates a delicious contrast with the hot sauce and makes the dish more enjoyable and less overwhelming.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I can't find Korean condiments?

While authentic Korean ingredients are best, you can use sriracha or chili sauce as alternatives. However, the flavor won’t be exactly the same, so try to find Korean ingredients in Asian grocery stores or online for the most authentic taste.

Buldak Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Korean buldak blazes through culinary boundaries with its fiery chicken sensation. Scorching heat meets irresistible flavor, inviting you to savor an authentic taste of Korean street cuisine that ignites passionate food experiences.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Marinades and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice wine (mirin or sake)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Sauce Components:

• 2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
• 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice syrup (or honey)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• ½ cup water

Toppings:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onions
• Sesame seeds (optional garnish)

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Instructions

1. Immerse the chicken pieces in a flavorful marinade of soy sauce, rice wine, and black pepper. Allow the protein to absorb the seasonings for a quarter-hour, ensuring deep flavor penetration.
2. Craft a robust sauce by whisking together gochugaru, gochujang, soy sauce, rice syrup, brown sugar, sesame oil, crushed garlic, grated ginger, and water until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
3. Warm a spacious skillet over moderate heat, introducing a light coating of oil. Sear the marinated chicken until it develops a golden-brown exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes.
4. Cascade the prepared sauce over the sizzling chicken, thoroughly coating each piece. Reduce flame to low, allowing the mixture to simmer and gradually thicken, transforming the sauce into a glossy, clinging glaze.
5. Continue cooking until the chicken reaches perfect doneness, ensuring the sauce caramelizes and intensifies in flavor, creating a rich, spicy coating.
6. Generously scatter shredded mozzarella across the chicken’s surface. Cover the skillet, enabling the cheese to melt into a luxurious, stretchy blanket that complements the fiery protein.
7. Finish the dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately alongside steamed rice or crisp pickled radish to balance the intense, spicy experience.

Notes

• Experiment with different protein options like tofu or cauliflower for a vegetarian twist, ensuring the same spicy flavor profile.
• Adjust the heat level by reducing or increasing gochugaru and gochujang amounts, catering to individual spice tolerances.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce added sugars to create a more health-conscious version of this fiery Korean dish.
• For meal prep, marinate chicken overnight in the refrigerator to enhance depth of flavor and tenderness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg