Getting a pair of sweet buns without working out is possible, thanks to the beauty that is bao. In an ode to the delicately steamed bread, and the king of the contemporary sandwich realm, we’ve compiled a delicious list of where to fill up on the very best bao in Brisbane.
MR BUNZ | WEST END
They’ve got bunz, hun, and plenty of them. The misters behind the marvel whip up fillings including pork crackling, crispy chicken and peking duck, with all the right salads and sauces. Yes. Sir.
NOM NOM BAO | FORTITUDE VALLEY
Six does the trick. Nom Nom Bao has six fluffy boys available, including tempura prawn, galbi beef, grilled chicken, and seared salmon. Grab some of their delicious sides to accompany your baos, and you’ve got yourself a nomming good time!
Paw Paw Cafe | Woolloongabba
There’s more to this eatery than just being really, really, ridiculously good looking. One look at their pan-Asian menu and it’s love at first sight, and their delightful bao are impossible to take your eyes off. Take your pick between pork belly and crispy fish (but, like, get both) and enjoy fluffy, crispy, zingy goodness.
HELLO PLEASE | SOUTH BRISBANE
Hello Please – take a bow; you there – take a bao. This Viet street food hotspot is the talk of Fish Lane, with an ever-changing seasonal menu full of yummies. The bao steps up every season, with a pork belly bao with pickled cucumber and peanut hoisin, alongside an eggplant katsu bao with wombok and bulldog sauce currently up for grabs.
SAME SAME | Fortitude Valley
Soft shell crab with Asian slaw. In a bao. In our tummies. This flavour bomb can be found on the bar snacks section of sAme sAme’s quirky Thai menu, raising the bar for all other bao.
THE BUN MOBILE | FOOD TRUCK
Buns ahoy! The Bun Mobile is a blessed bao food truck, spreading joy and buns across Brisbane. Beside the usual pork, wagyu and chicken options, the ever-evolving specials of the day will pleasantly surprise you on your visit. We just can’t wait to get on the road again.
HAI HAI | PADDINGTON
One bun, two bun, three bun, floor. Say g’day to Hai Hai and they’ll respond with chashu pork, karaage chicken, and tofu katsu bao. With deals for single, double or triple serves, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank and back… for MORE BAO.
UMAMI | FORTITUDE VALLEY
Ross Geller said that unagi is a state of total awareness – we say Umami is. Aware that you’re gonna want two of these bad boys, Umami makes that happen straight up! Choose from crispy pork, spicy fried chicken, or miso marinated mushroom, and head straight to flavour town.
Bao chicka wow wow, Brisbane.
