A cult-status Taiwanese institution defined by its minimalist wooden interiors, tick-box paper menus, and legendary queues for fluffy steamed buns.
Ordering Strategy
It is a tick-box menu; order 2-3 baos per person plus several 'xiao chi' (small eats) to share. The Soho location is tiny and best for solo diners or pairs to beat the queue.
What to order
Classic Pork Bao
A must-order signature described as 'top-dollar' by critics, featuring tender pork, peanut powder, and fermented greens in a fluffy, pillowy bun.
Beef Short Rib & Cheek Noodles
A specialty of the Shoreditch location, this dish is a 'super-indulgent hug in a bowl' with springy fresh noodles and generous, flaky chunks of beef in a deep, rich broth.
Beef Cheek Nuggets
These panko-fried cakes of melting, long-stewed meat are studded with 'translucent, chewy pearls of tendon' and served with a creamy green chilli sauce; critics say they have 'just about everything possible going for it.'
Raw Langoustines
An 'absolutely riveting' small plate featuring squeaky-fresh flesh 'as spoonable and sweet as set custard,' dunked in aged soy and topped with oyster leaves.
More in Soho
- Gauthier SohoVegan French Fine Dining · ££££88
- Noble Rot SohoModern European · £££88
- NessaModern British Bistro · £££88
Signal Score
Signal score reflects how strong and consistent the review coverage is, not a star rating.
Top critic: Marina O'Loughlin (100%)
Editorial Weight 61 pts
Authority + depth + recency
Agreement 7 pts
How aligned the critics are
Coverage 10 pts
How many real review signals exist
Public Signal 0 pts
Google rating + volume
Boosts 0 pts
Manual boosts + hidden gem
Review signals
4 Elite · 1 Editorial · 8 total signals
Public signal
— (0 reviews)
Good to know
The original Soho location is walk-in only and famous for queues. Newer locations (Borough, City, King's Cross) accept bookings and offer extras like KTV rooms or noodle soups.
Trust signals
- ○Not yet visited
- mediumConfidence level
More great dishes in London
- BAO CityTaiwanese · ££77· City of London
- BAO BatterseaTaiwanese · ££61· Battersea
More Taiwanese in London
- BAO Noodle Shop££82· Shoreditch
- BAO Mary££82· Marylebone
- Mr Bao££80· Peckham
- Daddy Bao££80· Tooting
Feedback
Spot something off?
If a recommendation feels outdated, the map is wrong, or there is something that would make this page more useful, send it through.