London's international culinary scene is on fire and one of our favourite Asian snacks to chow down on is bao. Chances are, you've sunk your teeth into these steamed buns stuffed with all sorts of deliciousness, but do you know the best spots for it? Serving everything from soft-shell crab stuffed bao through to sticky pork-filled buns, this lot have got the goods... and they're tasty. Here's our guide to the best places for bao in London.
Last edited by Scarlett Welch
Last updated on 2nd July 2024
You'll find Banh Bao Brothers in a newly renovated archway deep below Waterloo Station. Standing out with its pink neon lighting and funky cherry blossom trees, the menu here offers three bao variants; the 'OG' (a pork banh bao), the 'Cluck Dat' (a chicken bao) and a veggie offering - all tasting as mouth-wateringly good as the next.
If bao is on your mind, then venture to Market Place Peckham for some delicious eats. Not only can you get plenty of fluffy treats from street vendors, but there's plenty of live music to keep you satisfied on the entertainment front.
For some of the tastiest bao in the capital, venture to Aldgate's Yuu Kitchen on Commercial Street. Head chef Jon de Villa is flaunting a fabulous Southeast Asian-inspired menu filled to the brim with fluffy goodness. Heading in on a Friday? They're all 2-4-1 between 12pm and 3:30pm.
Looking for some of the best bao in South London? Head over to Kibou where the Battersea restaurant is serving you up some cloud-soft buns, filled with your choice of chicken kara-age, softshell crab or shitake mushroom tempura and slathered in raw cabbage and their signature mayo.
Craving some bao? In London Bridge, you can head to Amazing Grace for unforgettable Asian cuisine with a twist. Whether you're ordering individual buns or a mixed platter, you can enjoy everything from pulled beef brisket to tofu with charred broccoli as fillings. It's not just the food that's impressive here though, as this renovated church boasts gorgeous stained glass windows and state-of-the-art audio-visual displays creating 3D projections. What's more, they also host brilliant live music events here on a regular basis.
Not the name of a ping pong bar, but rather a collection of slinky dim sum restaurants, Ping Pong serves three delicious types of bun. Choose between chilli prawn, crispy duck and crispy aubergine; all served with a trio of fluffy steamed buns, veg and perfectly paired sauces.
Looking for your next dim sum fix? Why choose one restaurant when you can have 'em all! With a huge number of kitchens across their three huge food halsl, you can tuck into BaoziInn's finest bao or go for a signature bun from The Marksman, all washed down with cocktails, craft beers and wines.
If you're looking for Asian food in Brixton, then head over to The Courtesan for tasty eats and burlesque to boot. Think dark wooden tables, Asian-inspired paintings and a menu that includes steamed buns stuffed with wagyu and rib eye sliders alongside curried pumpkin.
Bringing a taste of East Asia to North London, Lan Kwai Fong is the Camden restaurant that serves everything from deep-fried chicken wings and soft shell crab to delicious dim sum washed down with classic cocktails.
Sister restaurant to Peckham's (always fully booked) Mr Bao, Daddy Bao is another legendary location where buns stuffed with prawn, tofu and chicken are paired with Japanese cocktails and a cosy, lantern-lit date night setting.
Fancy your bao with a Korean twist? Head to On The Bab where you'll find street food staples with a kick. Serving up everything from bao with breaded prawns and mushroom fritters to Korean fried chicken and bulgogi beef, we guarantee you won't leave hungry.
It's all about DIY buns at this Japanese hotspot. Moving on from the simple menu of meat or veg fillings that made the original Covent Garden site so popular, the Fitzrovia outpost has also added the likes of miso-grilled aubergine, rabbit katsu, wagyu rump steak and more.
With a noodle shop and additional sites in areas such as King's Cross, BAO Borough offers counter dining in a stylish and minimalist setting. Enjoy bao flavours such as curry cheese, shortrib and fried chicken, alongside other Taiwanese eats.
Brought to you by the Bone Daddies team, the izakaya-inspired Flesh & Buns can be found in Covent Garden serving up authentic Japanese eats. Enjoy designed-to-be-shared dishes such as DIY steamed buns with a multitude of fillings on offer, as well as hirita buns, sushi plates and much more, alongside a selection of Asian-style drinks like frozen yuzu margaritas and whiskeys.
