A Chinese street food staple, these mouth-watering morsels now come stacked with fried chicken, soft shell crab, and even sweet fillings – and we love it! Check out our top spots to get your hands on one of these flavour-packed clouds on the coast.
Ally Chow | Nobby’s Beach
With popular dining haunts popping up, like Ally Chow, it’s not hard to see why Nobby’s Beach is cementing itself as an up-and-coming foodie destination. This funky pan-Asian eatery is one of our go-to spots for all your bao needs.
Head chef Trent Scarr says the house-made sauces set Ally Chow’s bao apart from the rest. From the Korean classic ssamjang on the pork belly bao to the burnt chilli mayo on the peanut butter tofu bao (a must-try!), Ally Chow has buns – and you’re gonna want some.
Wash down your pillowy baos with their signature cocktail, the Chasing Alley, featuring a delicious blend of yuzu sake, lemongrass, elderflower, pink grapefruit juice, and Peychaud’s bitters.
Mamasan | Broadbeach
Residing in the heart of bustling Broadbeach, Mamasan Kitchen and Bar has been a long-time local favourite, and for good reason. Boasting an incredible menu of traditional and modern South East Asian cuisine, this hip little spot provides some of the best bao on the Gold Coast.
There are four delicious options to choose from including a pulled wagyu beef bao with Thai hot chilli, pickled mustard greens and kimchi mayo, or (our fave) a soft shell crab with house-made tartare, tobiko, and jalapeno. Vegetarians, there’s even a flavour-packed potato-based option for you!
We all know that there is nothing better than a bao and a beverage, so it’s a good thing that Mamasan offers a sensational collection of cocktails, beer, and sake options, as well as an award-winning wine list!
Lucky Bao | Mermaid Waters
Bao by name, bao by nature… Tucked away in Mermaid Waters is hidden gem Lucky Bao. You’ll be counting your lucky stars the second you get your hands on one of their soft pillows, packed with classic Asian flavours.
From the classic (confit pork belly, cucumber sesame pickle, hoisin, spring onion) to something a little different (twice cooked lamb rib, sweet and sour glaze, cucumber, chilli, mint, peanut), there’s a bao for everyone at this much-loved eatery.
Visit Lucky Bao for lunch Monday-Friday and get stuck into two of their delicious bao for only $16- lunch sorted!
Hideaway Kitchen | Broadbeach
There’s bao and then there’s… duck bao! Hideaway dishes up a mean array of pan-Asian dishes, and their dumplings and bao menu really delivers. Give the duck bao, with the classic cucumber, lettuce, and Canton sauce a go, or crunch down on the crispy tofy with fresh herbs and Canton Sauce.
What are you waiting for, Gold Coast? Get out and a-bao-t with these GC faves.
Words by Karen Inglis-Turner of Gold Coast Food and Wine Tours.
