Bonchon Bao Buns
Price & Calories 2026
Three soft steamed buns filled with Pork Belly, Fried Chicken, or Bulgogi. Topped with cucumbers, coleslaw, spicy mayo and katsu sauce. A starter that doubles as a satisfying light meal.
Soft Steamed Buns With Korean-Fusion Fillings
Bonchon Bao Buns are soft, pillowy steamed buns filled with your choice of Pork Belly, Fried Chicken, or Bulgogi. Each bun is split open and filled with the protein, then layered with cucumbers for crunch, coleslaw for creaminess, and finished with a drizzle of both spicy mayo and katsu sauce. Three buns come per order, making it a proper starter for two people or a light meal for one.
The bao bun itself is what sets this starter apart from everything else on the Bonchon menu. The steamed white bun is soft, slightly sweet, and chewy — a texture you will not find anywhere else in the lineup. It works as a natural contrast to the bold, saucy fillings inside and to the crispy chicken on the rest of the menu.
The Pork Belly version is the most indulgent — fatty, tender pork with the richest flavor. Fried Chicken gives you familiar Bonchon crunch inside a soft bun. Bulgogi is the most Korean-forward option with marinated beef that brings sweetness and depth.
All 3 Filling Options
| Filling | Description | Price | Buns | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBPork Belly | Slow-cooked pork belly, cucumber, coleslaw, spicy mayo, katsu sauce | $11.99 | 3 buns | ~420 cal |
| FCFried ChickenPopular | Crispy Bonchon fried chicken, cucumber, coleslaw, spicy mayo, katsu sauce | $11.99 | 3 buns | ~360 cal |
| BGBulgogi | Marinated USDA beef, cucumber, coleslaw, spicy mayo, katsu sauce | $12.95 | 3 buns | ~390 cal |
* Prices may vary by location. Bulgogi is slightly more expensive due to USDA beef. Calories are estimates.
Which One Should You Order?
All three bao bun options use the same soft steamed bun, the same toppings (cucumber, coleslaw, spicy mayo, katsu sauce), and differ only in the protein filling. Here is exactly what each one delivers:
Slow-cooked pork belly — fatty, tender, and the richest filling of the three. The fat content of the pork melts into the bun and creates a deeply savory, indulgent bite. Best for people who want the most flavor impact.
Texture: Tender, melt-in-mouth
Best for: Indulgent, meat lovers
Bonchon's signature crispy fried chicken inside a soft bao bun — the crunch-to-soft contrast is outstanding. The chicken carries the same Bonchon quality as the main menu items. The most popular filling for people who came for the chicken.
Texture: Crunchy inside soft bun
Best for: Chicken lovers, first-timers
USDA marinated beef bulgogi — sweet, garlicky, and deeply Korean. The most authentic Korean flavor of the three options. Slightly more expensive due to the quality of beef. Best for people who want to explore the Korean side of the Bonchon menu.
Texture: Tender beef slices
Best for: Korean food lovers
The Full Ingredient Breakdown
Every Bao Bun order — regardless of which filling you choose — comes assembled with the same five components. Understanding each one helps you appreciate the full experience.
Calories Per Bun
Nutrition below is per single bun (Fried Chicken filling, average). Pork Belly runs higher in fat. Bulgogi is in the middle. All figures are estimates.
* Estimates only. Pork Belly runs higher in fat and calories. Bulgogi is slightly higher than Fried Chicken. Exact nutrition varies by location.
Bao Buns FAQ
Bonchon Bao Buns cost $11.99 for Pork Belly or Fried Chicken (3 buns). Bulgogi Bao Buns cost $12.95 due to the USDA beef filling. All options include 3 buns per order. Prices may vary slightly by location.
Fried Chicken Bao Buns (3 pcs) contain approximately 360 calories. Pork Belly runs around 420 calories (higher fat). Bulgogi is around 390 calories. All figures vary by location.
Fried Chicken is the most popular — the crunch-to-soft contrast is unique and you already know you like Bonchon chicken. Pork Belly is the richest and most indulgent. Bulgogi is the most Korean-forward with sweet marinated beef. All three use the same bun and toppings.
All Bao Buns come with cucumber slices, coleslaw, spicy mayo, and katsu sauce — regardless of which filling you choose. These toppings are fixed and not customizable, though you can always ask to have specific toppings removed.
Three Bao Buns at 360–420 calories can work as a light meal for one person, especially if you add Steamed Rice ($2.05). Most people order Bao Buns as a starter alongside a chicken main. For 2 people as a starter, one order of 3 buns is enough.
Yes — Bao Buns contain wheat (bun and katsu sauce), soy (sauces), eggs (coleslaw and mayo), and sesame seeds or sesame oil. The filling you choose may add additional allergens. Always inform your server of any allergies before ordering.
Potstickers are pan-fried dumplings with a thin pastry wrapper ($12.49 / 6 pcs). Bao Buns are soft steamed buns with much more filling per piece, layered toppings, and dual sauce drizzle ($11.99 / 3 pcs). Bao Buns are more filling per piece and offer more flavor variety through filling choices.
Best Pairings
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