Resto Rec- BAO

Bao is a Taiwanese restaurant that has now 5 locations across London. As for right now, 2 of their locations are open as usual; BAO Borough and Bao Bar, and BAO Fitz is open for delivery & Pick up only. In addition to their resturants, they’ve started 2 delivery options; Rice Error which focuses on takeaway rice boxes or DIY boxes of some of their most beloved dishes, and Call Suzy, which is all about their nostalgic interpretation of Chinese takeout.

Pre-covid, BAO had an amazing lunch deal where for £15 you got a Bao, Xiao Chi, and a Rice bowl, and by the end of the meal you would be perfectly full, or in my case a little too stuffed.

Out of everything I’ve tried on the lunch 15 menu, or on the normal I haven’t tasted something I didn’t like, there’s a lot more for me to try, but here are my absolute favs so far:

Recommendations:

Bao:

• Daikon BAO

  I was apprehensive when I ordered this, but out of all of the bao’s I tried its by far my favourite, it honestly blew me away when I had it. The texture of the daikon is creamy, and lowkey reminds me of the filet-o-fish patty from Mcdonalds (controversial order, but it’s better than a lot of their beef burgers imo...) and it’s a lot lighter than the other ones.

• Confit Pork BAO

  This Bao is full of tender fatty pork that quite literally melts in your mouth. The meat is so flavourfull that it really doesn’t need much added to it.

Xiao Chi:

• Taiwanese Fried Chicken Chop, Soy cured egg

  I think about this fried chicken way too much. It’s possibly the best fried chicken in London, big claims, but it really is that good. The coating on the outside is insanely crispy, and the actual chicken meat is perfectly seasoned and juicy- I want to say the secret lies in what they coat the chicken in, i think sweet potato flour.. but I don’t know for sure. Not to forget the sauce and yolk combo that comes with; so creamy, and slightly spicy, a perfect sauce for the chicken.

• Mapo Aubergine Chi Shiang Rice

  I love rice a lot, so anytime I can eat it, I probably will. This rice bowl has mapo aubergine on top; a umami rich, spicy concoction that is worth every bite.

Desserts:

• Fried Horlicks Ice Cream

  Horlicks and milk was one of my favourite things to drink growing up, and this is exactly what this dessert tastes like. The hot cold temperature difference and crispy bao adds a great contrast to the malted milky ice cream in the middle. It’s a mess to eat, but 100% worth it.

Drinks:

• Yakult Float

  Another nostalgic flavour for me, I love Yakult, and this float is everything I didn’t know I wanted in a drink. The float is mixed with a pineapple soda which pairs incredibly well with the probiotic drink. Fruity, creamy (without being viscous) and refreshing.

Each branch of BAO has a different menu with different dishes and drinks. I can’t wait to be able to order food from them whether their new delivery services or back in their restaurants.