These fluffy steamed buns, filled with an array of delicious ingredients, have taken the city by storm. From central London to the southern suburbs, bao buns have found their way into the hearts and stomachs of locals and tourists alike.
This article will guide you through the top 10 places to enjoy bao buns in London. We’ll explore the best spots in central London, uncover hidden gems in the East End, and highlight the finest bao offerings in South London. You’ll also discover unique bao experiences across the city, from traditional Taiwanese-style buns to innovative fusion creations. Whether you’re in Tulse Hill, Lambeth, or West Norwood, there’s a perfect bao waiting for you.
Central London has an array of fantastic spots to enjoy delicious bao buns. Let’s explore some of the best places that offer these fluffy delights in the heart of the city.
Bun House, located just around the corner from Chinatown, is a must-visit for bao enthusiasts. This establishment specialises in Cantonese-style bao, offering a wide variety of options on their menu. You’ll find classic flavours like pork and shrimp, as well as more unique choices such as duck and lamb. The chefs at Bun House are known for crafting some of the best bao buns in London, and they’re always experimenting with new and exciting dishes.
What sets Bun House apart is its commitment to quality and innovation. Whether you’re in the mood for something traditional or looking to try something out-of-the-box, Bun House has something to satisfy your cravings. Their signature doughy buns come in various flavours, including pork, beef, chicken, and lamb. While some may find them a bit starchy to make a full meal, they’re perfect for a quick snack or light lunch.
Flesh & Buns, located in the vibrant Covent Garden area, offers a unique dining experience that combines delicious food with a lively atmosphere. This Japanese izakaya-inspired restaurant is part of the Bone Daddies group and has gained a reputation for its mouth-watering bao buns and shared plates.
The menu at Flesh & Buns features a range of DIY steamed buns with various fillings. You can enjoy options like Japanese Fried Chicken, Salmon Teriyaki, and the famous Miso Aubergine, all ready to be packed into steaming bao buns. The restaurant also offers a premium Tasting Menu experience, allowing you to sample nine dishes from across their menu for £50 per person.
One standout dish is the Crispy Piglet Belly, served with mustard miso sauce, apple pickle, and carrot pickle. This rich, sticky bun has become a favourite among guests. The restaurant’s underground bunker setting adds to the unique dining experience, making it a perfect escape for great food, cocktails, and desserts.
For those venturing to East London, Yuu Kitchen in Aldgate is a top choice for bao buns. Located on Commercial Street, this restaurant offers a Southeast Asian-inspired menu that’s filled to the brim with fluffy goodness. Head chef Jon de Villa has created a fantastic selection of bao fillings, including wagyu, buttermilk chicken, salmon, pork belly, and aubergine.
What makes Yuu Kitchen stand out is its commitment to using the finest ingredients and cooking them to perfection. The result is a bloomin’ delicious meal that will have you coming back for more. They also offer bao at home kits, which are perfect for a Friday night dinner party or a fun date night in.
One unique feature of Yuu Kitchen is their personalised bao concept. Guests can elevate their dining experience by adding a photo, company logo, or fun icon to their bao buns. This creative touch makes Yuu Kitchen perfect for special occasions, corporate events, or simply adding a bit of magic to your meal.
East London has become a hotspot for bao enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of flavours and experiences. Two standout locations in this area have gained popularity for their unique take on these fluffy delights.
BAO Borough, located near the bustling Borough Market, has quickly become a favourite among locals and tourists alike. This restaurant has taken the concept of bao buns to new heights, offering an innovative menu that goes beyond traditional fillings.
One of the standout items at BAO Borough is the chicken nugget bao. This creative twist combines a charcoal-speckled bun with crispy fried chicken, lettuce, onion, and a zesty sriracha mayo. The result is a perfect balance of textures and flavours that has customers coming back for more.
For those looking to try something truly unique, the curry cheese bao is a must-try. This indulgent creation features fried cheese, curry sauce, and fermented chilli, creating an explosion of flavours that’s both outrageous and addictive.
BAO Borough also offers a range of non-bao dishes that are equally impressive. The 40-day aged beef, served with a soy-cured egg yolk and Taipei butter rice, is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality ingredients and bold flavours.
For a more upscale bao experience with breathtaking views of London, Hutong at The Shard is the place to be. This Northern Chinese restaurant, inspired by its Hong Kong counterpart, offers a unique dining experience that combines traditional flavours with modern presentation.
While Hutong is known for its diverse menu of Northern Chinese cuisine, their bao offerings are not to be missed. The pan-seared ginger lobster bao is a standout dish, combining the delicate flavour of lobster with a hint of ginger, all encased in a soft, steamed bun.
The restaurant’s ambiance adds to the overall experience, with traditional Chinese red lanterns and hand-carved wood-panelled ‘Moon Gates’ creating a stunning backdrop for your meal. The panoramic views of London’s skyline from The Shard make dining at Hutong a truly unforgettable experience.
For those looking to enjoy bao buns in a more casual setting, East London offers plenty of options. From street food stalls to small family-run shops, you can find a variety of bao styles and flavours throughout the area. Whether you’re in Tulse Hill, Lambeth, or West Norwood, you’re never far from a delicious bao experience in East London.
As the popularity of bao buns in London continues to grow, East London remains at the forefront of innovation and quality. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a full dining experience, the bao spots in this part of the city are sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more.
South London has become a hotspot for bao bun enthusiasts, offering a variety of delicious options. Let’s explore some of the top bao restaurants in this part of the city.
Kato East Asian Kitchen bring’s high quality Asian fusion food to the Queen of the south pub in Tulse Hill, West Norwood, Lambeth. Featuring Asian fusion food meal deals and 2 for 1 Bao Buns alongside a range of small plates & sides you can enjoy with you and your rabble!
Mr Bao, located in the heart of Peckham, has been serving up some of the best bao buns in London since 2016. This small shop has gained a reputation for its delicious Taiwanese-inspired cuisine and has become a local favourite.
The menu at Mr Bao features a range of mouth-watering options. Their soy chicken special is a standout dish, with its melt-in-your-mouth flavours that keep customers coming back for more. The restaurant also offers vegetarian options, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
What sets Mr Bao apart is its commitment to using fresh, local ingredients. This dedication to quality has helped the restaurant maintain its popularity over the years. The atmosphere is buzzing, and the staff are known for their friendly service, making it a must-visit spot for bao lovers in South London.
Daddy Bao, located in Tooting, is another gem in South London’s bao scene. This Taiwanese street food-inspired restaurant has quickly become a local favourite since its opening in 2018.
The restaurant offers a variety of bao flavours, including beef brisket and shiitake mushroom. What makes Daddy Bao special is its commitment to using fresh, local ingredients, resulting in bao buns that are absolutely delicious.
One of the highlights at Daddy Bao is their fantastic bottomless brunch. It’s a perfect opportunity to try their Bao Benedict, a unique twist on the classic Eggs Benedict. The restaurant recommends choosing two bao buns each and sharing a number of dishes from the menu, allowing diners to experience a range of flavours.
The atmosphere at Daddy Bao is lively and welcoming. The staff are known for their friendly and attentive service, adding to the overall dining experience. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, Daddy Bao has something to offer.
For a unique bao experience in South London, The Courtesan in Brixton is worth a visit. This restaurant stands out not only for its delicious bao buns but also for its all-female chef team led by Feng Juan He.
The Courtesan offers a contemporary take on dim sum, including some innovative bao options. One standout is their Curious Pumpkin Buns, which feature a Gujarati-spiced pumpkin filling in a numeric flavoured fluffy bun. For meat lovers, the Pan-Fried Duck & Mushroom Buns are a must-try.
What makes The Courtesan truly unique is its commitment to showcasing female talent. The restaurant boasts the world’s only full female wine list, adding an interesting twist to your dining experience. In addition to the fantastic food, The Courtesan also offers entertainment in the form of burlesque and cabaret performances on Thursday to Saturday evenings.
Whether you’re in Tulse Hill, Lambeth, or West Norwood, these South London bao spots are worth the trip. Each offers a unique take on bao buns, ensuring that your cravings for these fluffy delights will be more than satisfied.
London’s bao scene has evolved beyond traditional offerings, with restaurants across the city putting their own spin on these fluffy delights. From celebrity chef creations to fusion flavours, there’s no shortage of unique bao experiences to be had in the capital.
For a touch of luxury in your bao experience, Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay in Mayfair is a must-visit. This restaurant draws inspiration from the drinking dens of 1930s Tokyo, creating a sleek and atmospheric setting perfect for a special night out.
Lucky Cat’s menu features some truly indulgent bao options. The bonito fried duck leg bao, served with spicy hoisin and cucumber, is a standout dish that showcases the restaurant’s innovative approach to Asian cuisine. For those looking for something different, the tofu and hot avocado bao offers a delicious vegetarian alternative.
The restaurant also offers a ‘Taste of Lucky Cat’ journey menu, which includes their signature ‘GFC’ (Gordon’s Fried Chicken) bao with hot Korean miso and black sesame. This tasting menu allows guests to sample a variety of dishes, including their unique bao creations, making it an ideal choice for those wanting to explore the full range of flavours on offer.
For a fusion twist on traditional bao buns, On The Bab brings Korean flavours to the London bao scene. This street food-inspired eatery offers a range of Korean-style bao that are sure to tantalise your taste buds.
On The Bab’s menu features an array of tempting options. You can try their bao filled with spicy chicken, fried chicken, or bulgogi beef, each served with a fresh salad. For seafood lovers, there’s a bao filled with breaded prawn, while vegetarians can enjoy the mushroom fritter option.
What sets On The Bab apart is their commitment to combining Korean flavours with the soft, fluffy texture of bao buns. This fusion approach has made them a popular spot for those looking to experience something a bit different in London’s bao scene.
Ping Pong offers a unique take on bao buns by incorporating them into their dim sum menu. This chain of restaurants, with locations across London, provides a contemporary twist on traditional Chinese dim sum, including a selection of delicious bao options.
At Ping Pong, you can choose from four different types of bao buns. Their offerings include chilli prawn, crispy duck, chicken katsu curry, and tofu bao. Each comes with a carefully chosen medley of sauces, ensuring a burst of flavour with every bite.
What makes Ping Pong stand out is their commitment to handcrafting their dim sum, including their bao buns, each morning. This dedication to freshness and quality has made them a popular choice for bao enthusiasts across London.
For a truly unique experience, Ping Pong’s St Katharine Docks location offers an Afternoon Tea service featuring a selection of dim sum and petit desserts, including their signature bao buns. This innovative take on a British classic provides a delightful way to enjoy bao in a different context.
Whether you’re in Tulse Hill, Lambeth, or West Norwood, these unique bao experiences are worth the journey. From high-end dining to street food fusion, London’s bao scene continues to evolve, offering exciting new ways to enjoy these beloved steamed buns.
Offering a wide array of options to satisfy every palate. From traditional Taiwanese-style buns in Peckham to innovative fusion creations in Mayfair, the city has embraced this culinary trend with open arms. The variety of flavours, textures, and dining experiences available across London showcases the creativity and skill of chefs who have made bao buns their canvas for culinary expression.
Whether you’re in the mood for a quick snack or a full dining experience, London’s bao spots have got you covered. The popularity of these fluffy delights has had a significant impact on the city’s food scene, bringing new flavours and dining concepts to neighbourhoods from central London to the suburbs. As bao continues to evolve and inspire chefs and food lovers alike, it’s clear that these humble steamed buns have found a permanent home in London’s culinary landscape.
