Big expectations going in with a reservation and coming out with nothing but disappointment. We ordered a couple of Bao sliders, a ramen, a rice bowl and nothing was good. The flavours just didn't go together for any of the dishes. For the Bao sliders, the 3 types of fillings didn't go well with their sauces. The ramen broth was bland. And this may be a personal thing, but the bacon in the rice bowl was too crispy, it just feel like eating tree bark when restaurant over crisp the pork belly to nothing.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
E
Amazing katsu curry. Might even be better than Pompoko in Brighton England (maybe).
Lawrence Coutrelle
Absolutely beautiful hotel. Stayed in a connecting room. Second oldest hotel in Victoria, but that also means no AC, room was pretty hot (stayed during August). The concierge was very great, friendly, helpful, and very fun to talk to. The rest of the staff also very kind and helpful. Just outside of downtown in a nice quiet neighborhood but withing a short walk of everything. I would absolutely love to stay here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Simon FC
The best Bao buns I’ve had in my life. It’s a shame I cannot return every week as I visited from Quebec.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nadine
Nothing particularly special about this place — I found it a bit overrated. The ramen broth was enjoyable, but the noodles didn’t taste authentic, and the pork pieces reminded me more of fried bacon than proper chashu. The bibimbap lacked flavour and was underwhelming. On the brighter side, the BBQ pork bao was the standout item of the three types we tried. If I were to return, I’d skip the mains altogether and just order the baos.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Tracy
Service was really slow- took like 10mins to get our orders in but it also appeared to be busy. It’s a cute environment but the food was mid at best. The pork belly was dry. The other dishes we got were meh - kinda overpriced for what we got. Overall would not come back unfortunately.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
Sarah Mc
One of my favorite spots in town for a quick lunch, always top-notch and consistent. I usually get the bao, all of which are fantastic. The Korean fried chicken bibimbap is outstanding, and I also enjoy the cucumber miso salad. The Vietnamese iced coffee is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
squishysoo
the main highlight of bao is obviously the bánh bao. the dough is soft, pillowy so that's a good thing. as for the filling, my favourite has to be the taiwanese classic in which the pork belly is grilled to crispy perfection. other flavours are pretty good as well so i'd do 2 of the taiwanese classic, and 1 each for the rest of the flavours. dont come here for the ramen though they suck. adore the irish vietnamese coffee drink!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Jerry Lesperance
The spicy miso ramen would be my last meal if I were on death row. It’s my comfort meal after a bad day and reward meal after a great one.
My fav marinated eggs ever. Very yummy steam buns too.
Not my personal fav service but the food more than makes up for it.
Trying to get seating is like entering a lottery so be ready to take out or wait. Given their popularity I wouldn’t be shocked if they expanded soon.
(Photo has my meds in it that I PUT there so just ignore that.)
We were a big group 8 people. We ordered 2 bipimpaps and 4 of each Bao. It was all excellent. We shared everything and didn't leave hungry. Small place seating limited seating but you won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John Newell
The chicken wings were mediocre and over rated. HOWEVER, the Tan Tan was OUTSTANDING!!! The service very attentive.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Wei Sun
Parking: Street parking or Centennial Square Parkade, convenient and easy parking. Atmosphere: Small but well decorated. Service: A bit understaffed but the staff is very nice and efficient. Food: Amazing, everything is delicious. No wonder this place is so popular. We came here on Monday 11.55 and got to get in first. Then in ten minutes after opening the seats were already full.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Orion Nevel
Great place for vegetarians. They will make almost anything on the menu meat free. The flavors are good and the ingredients seem high quality. The person who took our order was fantastic but I was surprised to see one of the three cooks on the line did not have gloves on and was handling raw ingredients/garnish that was going straight on the food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Melissa Jensen
A great Asian restaurant downtown! this place is small, seating for 20ish people at various tables. You order at the counter before being seated. They have a relatively small menu but what they have is very flavorful and delicious. I also had an iced Vietnamese coffee and it was perfect. The chicken bibimbap was really good, I loved the pickles, kimchi, egg, and rice. I was a bit worried the chicken was going to be too spicy, I'm a wimp, but the spice level was manageable and the sauce was very tasty. We also sampled 4 different bao which were incredible! My favs were the mushroom one and the pork belly one. I wish there had been some spicy mayo or something for the rice, once I got through most of the bibimbap, the rice was a bit dry and plain on its own. A great place to visit, I'll be back!
Big expectations going in with a reservation and coming out with nothing but disappointment. We ordered a couple of Bao sliders, a ramen, a rice bowl and nothing was good. The flavours just didn't go together for any of the dishes. For the Bao sliders, the 3 types of fillings didn't go well with their sauces. The ramen broth was bland. And this may be a personal thing, but the bacon in the rice bowl was too crispy, it just feel like eating tree bark when restaurant over crisp the pork belly to nothing.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Amazing katsu curry. Might even be better than Pompoko in Brighton England (maybe).
Absolutely beautiful hotel. Stayed in a connecting room. Second oldest hotel in Victoria, but that also means no AC, room was pretty hot (stayed during August). The concierge was very great, friendly, helpful, and very fun to talk to. The rest of the staff also very kind and helpful. Just outside of downtown in a nice quiet neighborhood but withing a short walk of everything. I would absolutely love to stay here again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
The best Bao buns I’ve had in my life. It’s a shame I cannot return every week as I visited from Quebec.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nothing particularly special about this place — I found it a bit overrated. The ramen broth was enjoyable, but the noodles didn’t taste authentic, and the pork pieces reminded me more of fried bacon than proper chashu. The bibimbap lacked flavour and was underwhelming. On the brighter side, the BBQ pork bao was the standout item of the three types we tried. If I were to return, I’d skip the mains altogether and just order the baos.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Service was really slow- took like 10mins to get our orders in but it also appeared to be busy. It’s a cute environment but the food was mid at best. The pork belly was dry. The other dishes we got were meh - kinda overpriced for what we got. Overall would not come back unfortunately.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 3
One of my favorite spots in town for a quick lunch, always top-notch and consistent. I usually get the bao, all of which are fantastic. The Korean fried chicken bibimbap is outstanding, and I also enjoy the cucumber miso salad. The Vietnamese iced coffee is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
the main highlight of bao is obviously the bánh bao. the dough is soft, pillowy so that's a good thing. as for the filling, my favourite has to be the taiwanese classic in which the pork belly is grilled to crispy perfection. other flavours are pretty good as well so i'd do 2 of the taiwanese classic, and 1 each for the rest of the flavours. dont come here for the ramen though they suck. adore the irish vietnamese coffee drink!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
The spicy miso ramen would be my last meal if I were on death row. It’s my comfort meal after a bad day and reward meal after a great one.
My fav marinated eggs ever. Very yummy steam buns too.
Not my personal fav service but the food more than makes up for it.
Trying to get seating is like entering a lottery so be ready to take out or wait. Given their popularity I wouldn’t be shocked if they expanded soon.
(Photo has my meds in it that I PUT there so just ignore that.)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
10/10 bao and bowl!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We were a big group 8 people. We ordered 2 bipimpaps and 4 of each Bao. It was all excellent. We shared everything and didn't leave hungry. Small place seating limited seating but you won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The chicken wings were mediocre and over rated. HOWEVER, the Tan Tan was OUTSTANDING!!! The service very attentive.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Parking: Street parking or Centennial Square Parkade, convenient and easy parking.
Atmosphere: Small but well decorated.
Service: A bit understaffed but the staff is very nice and efficient.
Food: Amazing, everything is delicious. No wonder this place is so popular. We came here on Monday 11.55 and got to get in first. Then in ten minutes after opening the seats were already full.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place for vegetarians. They will make almost anything on the menu meat free. The flavors are good and the ingredients seem high quality. The person who took our order was fantastic but I was surprised to see one of the three cooks on the line did not have gloves on and was handling raw ingredients/garnish that was going straight on the food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
A great Asian restaurant downtown! this place is small, seating for 20ish people at various tables. You order at the counter before being seated. They have a relatively small menu but what they have is very flavorful and delicious. I also had an iced Vietnamese coffee and it was perfect. The chicken bibimbap was really good, I loved the pickles, kimchi, egg, and rice. I was a bit worried the chicken was going to be too spicy, I'm a wimp, but the spice level was manageable and the sauce was very tasty. We also sampled 4 different bao which were incredible! My favs were the mushroom one and the pork belly one. I wish there had been some spicy mayo or something for the rice, once I got through most of the bibimbap, the rice was a bit dry and plain on its own. A great place to visit, I'll be back!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
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