Bao (Soho)

Bao (Soho) Location

Bao (Soho) Maps
Bao (Soho) Address 53 Lexington Street, Soho, London W1F 9AS
Bao (Soho) Opening Hours Monday - Wednesday : 12noon - 3pm, 5:30pm - 10pm
Thursday : 12noon - 3pm, 5:30pm - 10:30pm
Friday : 12noon - 10:30pm
Saturday : 12noon - 10pm
Sunday : 12noon - 5pm
Bao (Soho) Food Price £15 - £35 per pax
Payment by Cash,Cards

What people say about Bao (Soho)

56%
32%
12%
4.3
207 reviews
  • A nice menu with something for everybody

  • The queues are a lot shorter now that the novelty factor has worn off

  • Finally we made it through the door and were perched at the bar which

  • In my view are the best seats due to looking at the bar staff busying themselves and not a wall or

  • A white and a beer for us then and we got on with ticking away most of the menu

  • Yellow bean and garlic arrived first and was utterly incredible

  • Along with these came sweet potato chips which a pickle ketchup which neither of us were too fussed about

  • We shared all of our dishes and the next one was pretty tricky to give up half of

  • Incredibly juicy and smothered in a coriander sauce with a good amount of chilli kick

  • Salted egg is surprisingly moreish and irresistible

  • Little Twainese steamed bao buns served with tasty ingredients and in a cosy friendly modern little restaurant

  • The sides and starters are worth coming for alone

  • Mushy aubergine with wonton crips (delicious) or aged rump cap with aged white soy (meat heaven)

  • The secret is well and truly out

  • Cloud like buns that everyone is crazy about

  • Bao (Soho) is a really good joint for snacks and small eats

  • The staff is really friendly and the service is really quick

  • The portions are really small(just starters)

  • Had the Taiwanese beer which was incredibly refreshing and complimented the flavours of the various dishes

  • Knew there was definitely going to be a queue

  • So the plan was to set the maximum waiting time and discuss coming up with a contingency plan

  • Even the tables and chairs are mini size but were luckily

  • A couple by the window (one which we frantically prayed we never seated at because you are only a glass window away from the queuers

  • Eye level when seating is the bum level of the queuer

  • BAOs were the star of the show but there are plenty of side dishes for nibbles

  • The dishes are small portions and were served as and when they were ready

  • Few non alcoholic (I find) interesting beverages are foam teas and peanut milk

  • Growing from a humble beginning in the street food scene until a permanent location in Soho with queues that every restaurant craves

  • They are a trio that still are as down to earth as any soil

  • After 2 failed attempts at getting a place at Bao I was starting to doubt that I would ever eat here but alas the 3rd time is a charm

  • Which the classic was by far my favourite

  • Not only the bun was very soft and pillow like but the filling was super tasty in a sweet and savoury kind of a way

  • Not at all pig y tasting (if you know what I mean) which is why I usually don't like pork dishes

  • If I ever manage to go back I'll definitely have more of that classic bao as well as the mushrooms and I would like to try the guinea fowl rice which was unfortunately sold out when we went

  • My companion and I decided we were going to arrive at 5

  • They seriously need bigger premises though there is a queue every lunch time

  • Are filled with a range of delicious meats

  • Turnip tops with a super dressing and Aubergine with crunchy crisps

  • The best 'little taste 'was a scallop with a garlicky spiced dressing

  • Absolutely loved the Aubergine with wonton crisps

  • Yet we were welcomed with a smile all the way (knowing that the place is tiny) The gentleman on the bar was amazing and very attentive to our needs

  • Made time to interact with the children

  • Peanut milk and the tea with milk froth are not to be missed

  • Everything I ordered was scrumptious

  • Our favourite dish was the guinea fowl and rice

  • The 45 minute wait was well worth it

  • Having been recommended the lamb Bao by a friend we ordered that along with the classic Bao

  • Aubergine with wonton crisps and the scallop with yellow bean and garlic

  • I was pleasantly surprised by the trotter nuggets which were flavoursome and succulent

  • The fried chicken was another personal favourite

  • The peanut powder adding a nutty finish and the braised pork was cooked to perfection

  • Food was how I got around town and with the number of really good nook and cranny places abounding all over the world

  • A no nonsense approach to food presentation and just hitting you in the face with a punch of mouth watering flavors in out of this world appearances

  • (It helped that I was only able to go here when the weather was getting a bit warmer already

  • Standing out in the freezing temperatures during winter is unimaginable

  • It was still a bit nippy but by no means chilly so I was able to stand outside in the great London weather

  • 10 minutes and I was able to sit in my spot near the kitchen and I prepared myself for their flavors

  • 1) Iced Tea classic chinese tea with a layer of foam on top

  • Quite reminiscent of the oolong/jasmine teas with foam of Happy Lemon

  • None of them did and I was really happy I didn't need to resort to this

  • 2) Aubergine with Wonton Crisps this small platter came next

  • The crisps accompanying them was lightly salted

  • Unnaturally creamy that you wouldn't actually think it was made of aubergines

  • It was not too light that it would break apart too soon as you bit into it but it was tough enough to hold the sauce of the pork inside without being turned into mush

  • I don't know how but it was just so damn good

  • It was dressed with a semi sweet spicy glaze that made every bite so magical

  • A grilled cube of pork/chicken blood that is dipped in spicy vinegar so a Pig Blood Cake is nothing new to me

  • What amazed me was that it actually tasted more meaty than I gave it credit

  • There was not a hint of the weird texture I was used to eating Filipino street foods but rather it was a velvety

  • A dish that is a triumph onto itself

  • Not sure if its a place id go to regularly but it was worth to try the one time

  • The chicken starter was also excellent with super chilly sauce

  • A bao is a Taiwanese steamed bun made with milk and filled with all sorts of lovely things

  • The team then opened their first restaurant in Soho in 2015 (a second one is about to open in Fitzrovia)

  • Resembling a wood panelled cloakroom with some tables and a counter

  • The food itself is intriguing

  • Erynjii mushroom with century egg

  • It's definitely worth the wait the food is incredible

  • Highlights were the pork belly bao and the beef shortrib rice pot

  • I'm forever walking past Bao with no time to queue and telling myself I must come back soon

  • The sweet potato fries were surprisingly good as was the peanut milk

  • We went there around 3pm and the line was shorter than we expected

  • Classic Bao was my favourite

  • Lamb bacon and lamb shoulder bao were too spicy for both of us

  • Just regular fried chicken with ketchup over it

  • Cute place but could do with more of a variety

  • A small intimate place which was rammed and although it was so full waiting time was less than ten minutes

  • So many flavours which were so well meshed it started this meal off with a bang for me

  • Whilst I was hoofing the succulent chicken down the beef stew came and was so good it washed the palette making my taste buds ready for the bao

  • I'm a firm believer that lamb has to be done right or not at all and with that I hands down believe that bao has it right right right

  • Soon after the chicken bao came and it too was delicious but I felt all chickened out after the starter

  • If you're expecting a super sweet ice cream this is not for you

  • Everything was washed down with a peach and verbena drink

  • I could say its the best i ve ever been in

  • Even though it's always packed the service is friendly and you don't feel like you're being shoved out the door

  • Great ambience great atmosphere great hospitality and value for money with an amazing taste

  • My husband and I along with another couple grabbed beers at an off license around the corner and braved the hour long standing catch up

  • Bao (Soho) is worth every minutes of the wait

  • Fried chicken bao my only hang up was this bao seemed a bit dry

  • Ties for 1st place with the confit pork

  • The classic bao was so delish and we ended up ordering almost anything on the menu except pig blood

  • This was place was on the top of my must visit places when I was planning my trip to London

  • The one that stood out for me was the classic bao

  • Definite must haves are the lamb shoulder Bao and the pork confit Bao

  • The other starter that you absolutely must have is the trotter nuggets they are truly amazing

  • The one dish I didn't think much of was the aged beef cap didn't do anything for me

  • After that first performance I understand why customers are ever willing to queue up to eat at Bao

  • Always ask if there is a chef special that is not on the menu

  • These guys are serious about bao

  • The queue moved quickly i was in in 20 minutes but im sure that varies

  • The quality of food is excellent and it is a welcome addition to the London food scene offering something a little different

  • The food is incredible and the service is nice and professional

  • One inconvenient is that portions are really small

  • Next up on the list of niche restaurants is steamed buns from Bao

  • What i like about Bao (Soho) is not only the amazing buns but the coziness and feel of Bao (Soho)

  • Tried the green tea with the milk foam which was interesting

  • My favourite was the lamb shoulder one

  • Definitely the chicken was my favorite and it was crunchy and full with flavors

  • The ice cream boa tasted good but tooo long to come unlike the others all boas were kind of smaller then what I've had usually

  • Needed to wait 10 mins in 11oC cold for lunch but was worth it completely

  • Cueing half an hour in the cold for this is not worth it

  • We had to wait a little bit for a table but it was well worth it

  • Just 5 10 minutes outside and we were treated to incredible Baos

  • The Lamb as well the Pork Shoulder were fantastic too

  • Space is super cramped and we were seated at the counter next to the tills

  • Staff are super friendly and the food is something else

  • Especially if you are dining with more than two people

  • All of which were super delicious

  • Fluffy buns filled with mouthwatering ingredients

  • I also ordered the mushroom with century egg dish was literally counted like 5 strips of mushroom

  • M close to having sampled most of the menu and there is no misstep

  • My favourite is the classic (£

  • Bao (Soho) is so amazing

  • We ordered a few items on the menu to share and everything was prepared delicately and of high quality

  • Maybe because I don't consider baos as real meal but I think the baos are too overhyped

  • Right from the start you are offered an experience

  • Their menu and style of ordering is unique like in a traditional chinese dim sum eatery

  • It was absoloutely amazing and is a must try

  • Finish off with HORLICKS BAO

  • We waited for about half an hour (previous times I stopped by there were queues of way over an hour) and I was very anxious to finally try out these Taiwanese delicacies

  • The waiter was friendly and recommended us 2 baos per person and a few of the other dishes

  • The combination of textures and flavours is definitely exceptional

  • The house salad and the aubergine are great sides

  • The original bao was very tasty with the peanut shavings

  • The other items including the Yakult drink were also quite enjoyable

  • The final bill for two were a bit on the expensive side

  • Easily approachable on Lexington road and the staff is friendly and helpful

  • Lamb and chicken bao with rump steak slices in soya and Taiwanese fried chicken

  • Downside food is small in proportion but not on price

  • Expect to pay fine dine eatery rates but food is fresh and delicious

  • We went to Bao (Soho) because it was listed in the Top 10 restaurants to visit in London and it did not disappoint

  • It took about 30 minutes which wasn't too bad and once we got inside the service was very quick and the food was delicious

  • The bao buns were soft and fluffy and the fillings were divine

  • Braised pork and braised lamb and they were all fantastic

  • Generally always has a line across the street with people trying to get in

  • The walls are clad with warm wooden panels

  • The Scallops were cooked to perfection

  • It came with a dusting of fine seaweed which was so delicious

  • I also loved the baos which were soft and fluffy with a tasty filling of pork

  • Bao (Soho) really lives up to it's hype and is a place one must definitely visit when in London

  • The fried chicken in the sesame bao is simply delicious

  • S overpriced and mediocre at best with tiny portion sizes

  • London has plenty of restaurants in Chinatown with more authentic taste and I don&rsquo

  • T understand why this one is popular at all

  • Honestly one of the best meals I&rsquo

  • Re so tiny but delicious) was sinfully good to say the least

  • The sweet potatoes with plum pickle sauce

  • Eryngii mushroom with century egg (do a rice bowl as a side order

  • Goes well with a dish) and the milk foam tea are must haves

  • This restaurant deserves their rating (although I was skeptical at first) and their fried Horlicks ice cream is to die

  • The food was excellent and the place is really clean (it has an open kitchen and there is absolutely no food smell)

  • The waiting time is completely worthwhile

  • I would recommend it to have a quick dinner with someone special

  • Usually they are undercooked all the way through

  • These one's were dry in the middle

  • The inside of the bao was the best part _ loved the pork belly with all the relishes

  • The lamb bao is unreal ended up ordering 6 of them

  • The dishes overall are not filling and therefore you need to eat plenty

  • The cocktails are also very good and the ambience is okay

  • It was awesome place with pretty view

  • The taste of food is unbeatable

  • Overall I think it was a bit pricey for what we eat

  • The classic bun is a bit sweet

  • Peanut milk drink is recommended

  • Daikon Bao was unfortunately the only option available for me being a vegetarian

  • To top the meal off the deep fried bao with Horlicks ice cream absolutely hits the spot

  • The Guinea Fowl Chi Shiang Rice is spectacular

  • Fried chicken was a highlight

  • The prices of food was not too high

  • The preson who are vegetarian should visit and enjoy the food

  • S a small eatery with quick service and an interesting menu

  • Sweet potato fries with plum sauce yummy

  • S like a bowl of plain rice with brinjal curry and pieces of fried brinjal

  • Loved the piece of chilled pickled cucumber served with the warm dish

  • We enjoyed our food with the Shoreditch Blonde beer which we choose from the numerous options of alcoholic beverages

  • Very nice place to hangout with friends and family

  • Delicious Buns and lovely staff in one of the best Bun Houses in London

  • Grab a friend and order every bun on the menu so you can try a little of everything is probably my best advice

  • D also recommend this for lunch rather than dinner since the restaurant is quite small and the amount of food you get isn&rsquo

  • Drinks wise the yakult float is deliciously refreshing

  • There was a 10 minute queue outside before we were shown to our communal table

  • Buns are really good but the filling is not and small portion size does not help either

  • Best bun was their desert with icecream in it

  • This restaurant is too good and desgin is good

  • The selection seems small but every dish is perfectly prepared

  • The diversity in the tastes is exceptional

  • The ambience is also every good

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