Soft, pillowy buns filled with everything from crispy pork belly and fried chicken to slow cooked beef and flavourful veges, bao buns have well and truly found their way into foodies’ hearts. These are the spots serving some of the city’s best!
Chop Chop Noodle House in Ponsonby Central offers the best of Asian street eats. Their bao buns are out of this world! Our favourite is their Smoked Brisket Bao Bun with Kimchi and Deputy Chang’s Hot Ssäm Sauce, but equally good is their Pork Belly Bao Bun with Cucumber and Caramel Miso Dressing, and their Soft-Shell Crab Bun with Cream Corn and Coriander. They even had a Cheeseburger Bao Bun which if you’re lucky might be back on their specials menu soon.
Soy & Ginger is worth the drive to Titirangi. They serve mouthwatering dumplings, rice bowls, noodles and yes, the best kind of bao buns. Their Chicken Bao Bun with Katsu Sauce, Slaw, Japanese Mayo, Coriander, Spring Onion and Fried Shallots is one you’ll want to try! They also have a Pork Belly Bao, Prawn Bao and a Tempura Kumera Bao which is known to be loved by even the meat eaters!
Hapunan was founded by Laura and Aldrin, whose shared love of food inspired them to bring modern Filipino flavours to Auckland, shining a spotlight on a cuisine they believe deserves far more recognition. You can find them on the main road in Huapai or in various spots from their food truck! You simply must try their Pata Tim – Pulled Pork Hock in a Steamed Bao Bun with Pickled Cucumber, Coriander and Chilli. Equally as good is their Dinakdakan – Fried Chicken Bao!
White + Wong’s cuisine takes classic street foods from China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, and if you’ve never been, you can thank us later! Located in Auckland Viaduct and Newmarket, their Korean Fried Chicken Bao with Pickled Cucumber, Coriander, Slaw and Sriracha Mayo is super tasty! You can also try their Chinese Roast Pork Belly Bao with Chilli Jam, Red Onion & Peanut Salad, or their Tempura Eggplant Bao with Pickled Cucumber, Coriander, Slaw and Sriracha Mayo.
Tok Tok really know how to do Asian fusian, their dishes never disappoint and it’s a great option for a catch up with mates if you like sharing dishes! Their Crispy Wagyu Beef Bao Bun with sriracha mayo, pickled cucumber and oyster sauce is a must try when you’re there and has made our list for a reason! You’ll find them in Takapuna right by the beach, as well as Hobsonville and Greenlane.
Bao Baby Bao, it’s in the name, and you’re really spoilt for choice here. Located in Elliot Stables, we recommend trying the Angry Bird with Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Pickled Cucumber, Coriander and Sriracha Aioli; the Slow Roasted Pork Belly Bao with Hoisin glaze, Crackle, Coriander and Crushed Peanuts; or the Mean Green with Battered Eggplant, Hoisin Glaze, Slaw, Pickled Cucumber and Black Bean Aioli.
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