Preheat oven to 475°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
Mix the light brown sugar, panko, flour, garlic powder, white pepper, ground ginger, cayenne in a bowl.
Pat shrimp dry. Dip each in butter, then coat in the sugar-spice mixture.
Place on baking sheet and bake 6–8 minutes until pink and coating is bubbling and caramelized.
Broil for 1–2 minutes for more crisp, if desired (be careful- it will burn quickly!)
Mix vinegar, sugar, salt, and chili crisp in a bowl.
Toss in cucumbers. Let sit 20-30 minutes for better flavor.
Whisk together all ingredients for the ginger lime sauce until smooth.
Chill until ready to use.
Steam bao buns and gently open.
Add a few pickled cucumbers.
Tuck in 2–3 crispy shrimp.
Drizzle generously with lime-ginger cream sauce.
Garnish with chopped chives.
