Bao Bao

China Town’s Hidden Gem: A Must-Try Hole-in-the-Wall Delight – London

Taste – 8.0/10
Atmosphere – 6.2/10
Service – 6.8/10
Value – 8.5/10

Once a bustling haven of sizzling woks and dumplings, Chinatown has now gone the way of all good things: straight into the gaping maw of tourism. The charm’s been traded for convenience, the flavours dulled, and the old-timers-the ones who knew their way around a cleaver—have mostly packed up and gone. It’s a letdown for proper food obsessives on the hunt for a gloriously greasy, no-nonsense Chinese feast.

However, enter Bao Bao! Or rather, try to. It’s tucked away like a guilty secret, signage obscured by scaffolding (which, frankly, feels like part of the experience), and offers a menu so minimalist it borders on cryptic. No seats, no frills, and no clue if it’s genius or just another Instagram trap.

Pancakes and buns. That’s the whole show—take it or leave it. But don’t expect a stack of fluffy Americana here. These “pancakes” are craggy, golden boulders that wouldn’t look out of place in a tray of rock cakes. The fillings—oyster, pork, or chicken—are slapped onto a ladle like dumpling mix, then unceremoniously dunked in batter and deep-fried until golden. This performance is all done right in front of you by an elderly Chinese woman with the kind of no-nonsense efficiency that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into a back alley in Beijing.
Burning hot from the combination of grease and juices seeping from the boulder, it makes for a slow-burner to nibble on. The pork, combined with its mystery copartners, was juicy, packed with numerous flavours of herbs and spices. What set it apart were the rough, uneven cuts of ingredients—like a leafy green that tasted vaguely of spinach, generous chunks of cabbage, and mushrooms in all shapes and sizes. These gave the pancake a rustic texture and a bit of unpredictability with each bite. It felt genuinely homemade, like something thrown together with care rather than precision, which added to its charm.

If you’re a seasoned foodie, you probably don’t need me to explain bao buns—they’re hardly a revelation. A staple across much of East and Southeast Asia, they’re the go-to snack: soft, pillowy buns with a hint of sweetness, wrapped around a variety of savoury and sweet fillings. Reliable, comforting, and easy. Bao Bao’s buns were unexpectedly massive—easily the size of my head—and filled with combinations even a seasoned bao enthusiast like myself hadn’t come across before. The pork filling came with a rich, almost gravy-like sauce made from its own juices, coating the mouth in deep, savoury flavour. Paired with the gentle sweetness of the bun, it made for a surprisingly well-balanced and satisfying bite.

It’s definitely an experience worth remembering—and at £7.50, it’s a bit of a bargain. Cash only, which is mildly annoying (but let’s be honest, it’s Chinatown—what did you expect?). If you find yourself wandering through the area, a bit peckish and unsure where to land, this little spot is perfect for a quick bite while you gather your thoughts and plan your next move.