BAO · London, UK
- Name
- BAO
- Images
- Carol Sachs
- Words
- Steph Wade
The SoHo location of ‘BAO’ restaurant in London was the first for head chefs Shing Tat and Erchen Chang, and co-owner Wai Ting Chung in 2015. In the few years since, the restaurant has grown in size and fame; with two new locations and a cult following.
Situated on the spirited Lexington Street alongside independent fashion boutiques and concept stores, the original ‘BAO’ restaurant features a pared-back wooden interior, ceramic floors, and a long communal bar area, designed by Chung in collaboration with London-based firm Royffe Flynn Architects. The restaurant specializes in a variety of traditional bao buns, the Taiwanese street food of steamed, pillowy bao dough filled with the restaurant’s pièce de résistance: marinated confit pork belly, peanut powder, and coriander. Additionally, there is Xiao Chi: modern, tapas-style plates designed for sharing—except the crispy Taiwanese Fried Chicken, a popular dish that many prefer to keep for themselves. Capacity is for 32 guests and there are no reservations. So join the dozens queueing with a dinner companion who doesn’t mind waiting for a table.
Image © Carol Sachs
Image © Carol Sachs
ADDRESS
Bao
53 Lexington St, Soho,
London W1F 9AS, UK
OPENING HOURS
Mon – Wed: 12.00 – 15.00, 17.30 – 22.00
Thurs: 12.00 – 15.00, 17.30 – 22.30
Fri – Sat: 12.00 – 22.30
Sun: 12.00 – 17.00
CONTACT
Website
All images © Bao, unless stated.
