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The Best Bao in Toronto

Shania & Peony Wong

Written By

Shania & Peony Wong

The Best Bao in Toronto

Bao buns are a popular street dish in Taiwan. Traditionally, this small sandwich consists of stewed meat like pork belly, stuffed between a soft and fluffy steamed bun, yet many variations are common across the city. From fillings ranging from jerk chicken to jackfruit, these pockets of goodness can pack a whole lot of flavour in just a few bites.

Here are some of the best places where you can get a bao in Toronto.

Baobird

Baobird

Bao Mama

This female, Filipino-owned business from Oshawa is now a casual dine-in spot serving delicious bao in Scarborough.

Bao Mama

This female, Filipino-owned business from Oshawa is now a casual dine-in spot serving delicious bao in Scarborough.

Bao't Time

This spot knows you need quality meals in a rush. Boa't time offers both grab-and-go and made-to-order options.

Bao't Time

This spot knows you need quality meals in a rush. Boa't time offers both grab-and-go and made-to-order options.

Queen Street West

392 Queen St W

Banh Mi Boys - Queen

Vietnamese

Banh mi isn’t the only thing to get at this popular Vietnamese sandwich shop in the city. They also have various steamed baos to choose from like fried chicken, five-spice pork belly and more.

Banh Mi Boys - Queen

Queen Street West

392 Queen St W

Banh mi isn’t the only thing to get at this popular Vietnamese sandwich shop in the city. They also have various steamed baos to choose from like fried chicken, five-spice pork belly and more.

Vietnamese

Fashion District

167 Bathurst St

Mean Bao - Fashion District

As its name suggests, this spot with several locations across the city knows how to make a mean bao. Tofu and enoki, jerk chicken and pulled pork baos, to name a few, are all topped with black sugar, crushed peanuts and cilantro.

Mean Bao - Fashion District

Fashion District

167 Bathurst St

As its name suggests, this spot with several locations across the city knows how to make a mean bao. Tofu and enoki, jerk chicken and pulled pork baos, to name a few, are all topped with black sugar, crushed peanuts and cilantro.

Banh Mi Metro

Vietnamese

Sharing the same spot as their sister restaurant, Pho Metro, in Scarborough, this banh mi shop also does baos. Fillings include grilled beef, braised pork belly, BBQ pork and lemongrass chicken.

Banh Mi Metro

Sharing the same spot as their sister restaurant, Pho Metro, in Scarborough, this banh mi shop also does baos. Fillings include grilled beef, braised pork belly, BBQ pork and lemongrass chicken.

Vietnamese

Trinity Bellwoods

90 Ossington Ave

Oddseoul

This Asian fusion restaurant on Ossington is combining Korean and American flavours to bring you dishes like their spicy pork steamed bun. The steamed bao is filled with spicy pork, melted cheese and a sesame chilli relish.

Oddseoul

Trinity Bellwoods

90 Ossington Ave

This Asian fusion restaurant on Ossington is combining Korean and American flavours to bring you dishes like their spicy pork steamed bun. The steamed bao is filled with spicy pork, melted cheese and a sesame chilli relish.

Pinkerton's Snack Bar

The baos offered at this spot in Leslieville come stuffed with unique offerings like pulled jackfruit, sous vide carrots and beef meatballs.

Pinkerton's Snack Bar

The baos offered at this spot in Leslieville come stuffed with unique offerings like pulled jackfruit, sous vide carrots and beef meatballs.

Pōpa

Much attention is put into the steamed lamb leg bao at this Burmese restaurant in Bayview Village. A roast honey lamb leg is marinated for 48 hours and grilled twice before filling them in the buns.

Pōpa

Much attention is put into the steamed lamb leg bao at this Burmese restaurant in Bayview Village. A roast honey lamb leg is marinated for 48 hours and grilled twice before filling them in the buns.

Entertainment District

214 King St W

Lee Chen Asian Bistro

Chinese

Plain steamed bao buns come with a plate of shredded lettuce, dipping sauce and your choice of either pulled pork or pork belly for you to assemble.

Lee Chen Asian Bistro

Entertainment District

214 King St W

Plain steamed bao buns come with a plate of shredded lettuce, dipping sauce and your choice of either pulled pork or pork belly for you to assemble.

Chinese