Hot Cheese Buldak (Korean Fire Chicken)
Korean Fire Chicken, also known as Cheese Buldak, is a popular fusion dish from Korea. It combines the fiery taste of spicy chicken, seasoned with gochujang, and the smooth, rich texture of melted cheese. This dish is a flavor powerhouse, perfect for those who love a good spicy kick in their meals.
If you love spicy food, Korean fire chicken with cheese, also known as cheese buldak, is a must-try. It’s a popular anju (a dish typically enjoyed with drinks) in Korea, famous for its mix of salty, sweet, spicy, and cheesy flavors. Often shared among friends, it’s great for gatherings.
You might have heard of the spicy Korean buldak ramen, especially the Samyang brand. This cheese buldak recipe is quite different from that instant noodle version.
Here, we use chicken and cheese instead of noodles. If you enjoy spicy food and are ready to try something new, this recipe is perfect for you.
What is buldak?
Buldak, a popular fusion dish from South Korea, derives its name from the Korean words ‘bul,’ meaning fire, and ‘dak,’ meaning chicken. This literally translates to ‘fire chicken’ in English, perfectly capturing its fiery nature.
Known for its intense heat and bold flavors, buldak is also frequently called ‘Cheese Buldak’ due to the copious amount of melted cheese often added on top.
The dish’s spicy flavor primarily comes from gochujang (Korean red chili paste) and gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes), lending it a deep red color and a spicy, yet slightly sweet taste.
This recipe stands out from buldak ramen, a Korean instant noodle dish with similar flavors. Samyang, the most renowned brand, is known for its extremely spicy noodles, attracting an international following. Their black-labeled ramen is notably hotter than the pink-labeled version.
In contrast to buldak ramen’s blend of spicy sauce and noodles, traditional buldak features marinated and grilled chicken, topped with melted cheese. This cheese adds a creamy texture that soothes and balances the dish’s intense spiciness.
How Spicy is Cheese Buldak?
Korean fire chicken is notably spicy, similar to biting into a hot chili pepper, with a heat that’s both intense and immediate. It can be compared to the fieriest hot wings or a potent hot sauce.
This level of spiciness tingles the mouth and can induce sweating, remaining pronounced after the first bite. However, the melted cheese added on top acts as a balancing agent, helping to neutralize and soothe some of the spiciness, making it more manageable and adding a creamy texture to the dish.
This makes an exciting choice for those who enjoy spice but also provides a bit of relief for those who might find the heat overwhelming.
Recipe Ingredients
- Boneless Chicken Thighs or Breast: Prefer chicken thighs for their juiciness and flavor, or cheese chicken breast as a leaner alternative.
- Rice Cake Rounds (optional): These chewy, starchy rounds add a delightful texture. They absorb the flavors of the sauce beautifully. You can find them in Korean or Asian markets. Omit them if not available.
- Check out my Korean rice cake soup (tteokguk) for a popular recipe.
- Melty Cheese: Melts into a gooey, creamy layer that helps balance the spiciness of the dish. Mozzarella cheese is most commonly used, but any meltable cheese works fine.
- Green Chili (optional): Adds extra heat and a fresh, sharp flavor for those who enjoy more spice..
Buldak Sauce
- Korean Chili Paste (Gochujang): Thick, savory paste with a hint of sweetness, essential in Korean cooking for its unique depth of flavor. Gochujang is widely available in the international sections of local grocery stores in the U.S., as well as in Korean markets.
- Korean Chili Flakes (Gochugaru): These hot pepper flakes are a key ingredient that offers a vibrant red color and a spicy, slightly smoky flavor. For a less spicy alternative, consider using mild paprika
- Bottled Buldak Sauce (optional): This sauce delivers the authentic spiciness of buldak ramen, perfect for super-spicy chicken dishes.
- Available in Korean markets or online, or replace with fiery sriracha or similar hot sauces if not available.
- Other Ingredients: Soy sauce, sweet rice wine, onion, garlic, ginger, sugar, corn syrup (optional)
How to Make Cheese Buldak, Step by Step
Prepare the Buldak Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the buldak sauce. Mix well. Add the marinated chicken pieces to the bowl and toss them to coat with the sauce.
Cook the Chicken and Rice Cakes: Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, onion, and rice cakes to the skillet. You should hear a sizzling sound as the chicken hits the skillet. Stir-fry the mixture until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice cakes are tender and chewy.
Add Green Chili: Incorporate the green chili into the skillet, stirring it in well.
Add Cheese: Move the chicken mixture to the center of the skillet. Sprinkle the cheese around it. Place the skillet in a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
To get a charred appearance on the cheese, switch the oven to broil and let it broil for an additional 2 minutes, or until golden brown spots appear on the cheese. Garnish the dish with green onion before serving.
Alternative Stovetop Cooking Method: If you’re using the stovetop instead of the oven, simply cover the skillet with a lid after adding the cheese. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted.
What to serve with Korean fire chicken
This spicy cheesy chicken is a great stand alone dish but it also pairs well with other dishes that complement its spicy flavor. Here are some great options:
- Steamed Rice: A bowl of cooked white short grain rice is ideal for offsetting the intense heat of the chicken. It not only helps balance the flavors but also makes the meal more filling and substantial.
- Pickled Radishes: These provide a crisp, tangy contrast to the dish’s heat.
- Cucumber Salad: A refreshing cucumber salad can cool down your palate between bites of the spicy chicken.
- Lettuce Wraps: Use lettuce leaves to wrap pieces of chicken. It’s a crunchy, fresh way to enjoy the dish.
- Korean Beer or Soju: These beverages are popular choices for cutting through the spiciness and refreshing your taste buds.
3 Helpful Tips for the Best Result
- Choose the Right Pan: For melting cheese under a broiler, ensure your pan is oven-safe. A 9-inch cast iron skillet works perfectly for the amount specified in this recipe.
- Cooking Without an Oven-Safe Pan: If you don’t have an oven-safe pan, use the stovetop method. While you won’t achieve brown spots on the cheese, the taste remains delightful. Simply use a regular skillet and melt the cheese over low heat.
- Adjusting Spice Levels: Tailor the spiciness to your liking by modifying the sauce. Increase or decrease the amounts of chili paste and chili powder based on your heat tolerance. This allows you to enjoy the dish at your preferred spice level.
More Korean Fusion Recipes
Hot Cheese Buldak (Korean Fire Chicken)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 lb boneless chicken thigh, diced
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1 handful rice cake rounds, optional
- 8 oz (225 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, or other meltable cheese
- 1 fresh green chili, sliced, optional
Fire chicken seasoning
- 2 tbsp gochujang
- 2 tbsp gochugaru
- 1 tbsp buldak sauce, optional
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp sweet rice wine
- 2 tbsp corn syrup
- 1 tsbp garlic
- 2 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment
Instructions
To make fire chicken seasoning
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the buldak sauce. Mix well. Add the marinated chicken pieces to the bowl and toss them until they're fully coated in the sauce.
To cook cheese buldak
- Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, onion, and rice cakes to the skillet. You should hear a sizzling sound as the chicken hits the skillet. Stir-fry the mixture until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice cakes are tender and chewy. Incorporate the green chili into the skillet, stirring it in well.
- Move the chicken mixture to the center of the skillet. Sprinkle the cheese around it. Place the skillet in a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts. To get a charred appearance on the cheese, switch the oven to broil and let it broil for an additional 2 minutes, or until golden brown spots appear on the cheese. Garnish the dish with green onion before serving.
- Alternative Stovetop Cooking Method: If you're using the stovetop instead of the oven, simply cover the skillet with a lid after adding the cheese. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted.
