• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Prepare your steamer (only if you're using frozen bao buns) - place some water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil with the pot covered.
• Place the shrimp on a baking tray in one layer and bake the shrimp in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or according to package instructions (turning them over once, halfway through).
• Put frozen bao buns in your steamer in one layer and when the water is boiling, place the steamer over the boiling water and steam for about 7-10 minutes (or according to your package instructions).
• While the shrimp is in the oven, add the oil to a nonstick pan, and mix in the garlic and ginger. Heat the pan over medium heat until the garlic and ginger start to sizzle for a few seconds.
• Add the black pepper and chili flakes and saute for a further few seconds. Stir in the soy sauce and sugar and cook until the sugar is melted.
• Dissolve the cornstarch in ¼ cup of water and add this to the sauce. Heat while stirring until the sauce has thickened - should take less than a minute. Remove from the heat. Taste and add a splash of water if it's too salty.

Spicy Asian Popcorn Shrimp Bao

• If using bao buns - once the bao buns have been steamed, keep them covered with a damp cloth.
• Once the shrimps have been baked and are nice and crispy, remove the tray from the oven and transfer the shrimp into a large bowl using tongs.
• Just before serving the popcorn shrimp, toss them in the spicy Asian sauce to coat them evenly. Serve immediately.
• Let your family members or guests assemble their own bao with popcorn shrimp, kewpie mayonnaise, carrots, green onions and other fixins. Enjoy!