[London] Bao, at its core, is a soft, pillowy steamed bun filled with a variety of savoury or sweet ingredients.
In Taiwan, you would find this commonly sold at street side stalls more commonly known as “Gua Bao”.
It is always exciting to try the same food, but in a different culture and setting.
Bao in London offers a creative take of this ‘Bao’ and Taiwanese cuisine in a stylish setting.
I decided to eat at BAO in London (again) because I was craving something casual yet inventive, and it is quite popular.
BAO has several outlets across London, including Soho, Fitzrovia, Borough, and King’s Cross – which was the outlet I visited this time.
Oh, the Soho outlet has a Michelin Bib Gourmand by the way.
Located at Pancras Square, this branch of the BAO chain has a distinctive café vibe, drawing inspiration from Japanese Yōshoku-style food with a mix of both Asian and Western influences.
It is always packed, so reservations are definitely recommended.
The menu spans a variety of intriguing dishes, from signature fluffy bao buns to more experimental bites like crab-filled doughnuts and Taiwanese chicken wings.
Their Bao options include Classic Pork (£6.50), Fried Chicken (£6.50), Beef Short Rib (£6.50), Prawn Shia Song (£6.50), Fish Black (£6.50), and Daikon (£6).
The Classic Pork (£6.50) is a classic, featuring tender braised pork paired with a touch of peanut powder and fermented greens.
All wrapped in a soft, fluffy bun.
I would say not bad for a try to see what the fuss is about.
However, if you’ve had the famous Taiwanese versions, this one felt like it lacked some ‘oomph’ and perhaps sauce. This could be a cultural thing.
The Fried Chicken Bao (£6.50) offers crispy, golden fried chicken, slathered in hot sauce, and a refreshing coriander garnish.
The soft bao bun itself helps to mellow the heat from the chicken, creating a bite that is both crunchy and pillowy.
It didn’t excite me too much, though I must say this is a decent, well-presented contemporary take.
In the Xiao Chi section, you can try Soy Glaze Aubergine (£7), Taiwanese Fried Chicken (£9.50), Lamb Dumplings (£8), and Mushroom Dumplings (£9).
For those in the mood for noodles and rice, there are the Dan Dan Noodle (£11.50), Taipei Style Beef Noodle (£14.50), Yellow Chilli Chicken Rice (£14.50), and 40 Day Aged Beef Rice (£14.50).
Dessert options include Sad Face Bao (£4.50), Horlicks Bao (£6.50), and Chocolate Bao (£6.50).
The Sad Face Bao is a playful dessert with a soft, pillowy bun filled with a creamy, sweet and salty custard. More for the gram, I guess.
While the food can be hit or miss depending on your palate, the overall experience is enjoyable, and the creative takes on traditional flavours may keep many diners coming back for more.
BAO – Kings Cross
Unit 2, 4 Pancras Square, London N1C 4DP, United Kingdom
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Mon – Thurs), 12pm – 10:30pm (Fri – Sat), 12pm – 9pm (Sun)
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