The city’s bao bun scene has flourished in recent years, offering a tantalizing array of fluffy, pillowy buns filled with mouth-watering delights. Glasgow embraced the bao buns, from traditional Asian flavours to creative fusion combinations. No longer confined to dim sum menus, these petite parcels of scrumptiousness have become a must-try for anyone seeking a gastronomic adventure.
1. Big Feed Kitchen
Those who love street food and fine dining can now can simultaneously have both at Glasgow’s Princes Square ground floor. The street food market not only brings some smashing tunes with the noms, but also promises a unique twist to each street food dish by chef Michael Scott. Chef Scott has worked in a number of Michelin-starred restaurants such as The Kitchin, Abstract and No1 Balmoral. One of the spot’s highlights proved to be the bao buns: go for the buttermilk chicken to finish off the delicious feast.
Princes Square, Buchanan St, Glasgow G1 3JN
2. Dim Sum Restaurant
Dim Sum Restaurant in Glasgow is a bao haven. The Char Siu Bao entices with its pillowy exterior, unveiling succulent barbecued pork within. Guests can also indulge in the Peking Duck Bao also seduces with crispy duck skin and luscious hoisin sauce. Chicken lovers can go for Crispy Chicken Bao delights as tender chicken juxtaposes with crispy textures. However, the true star of the show is the Spicy Beef Bao: a symphony of fiery spice and melt-in-your-mouth beef, it awakens your senses with each delectable bite.
📍69 W Nile St, Glasgow, G1 2QB
8. Loon Fung Cantonese Restaurant
Loon Fung Cantonese Restaurant is a haven for bao enthusiasts. Guests can indulge in the Char Siu Bao, where succulent roast pork is nestled within a soft, pillowy steamed bun. Seafood enthusiasts can also try the Prawn Bao, with plump prawns encased in a light, fluffy bun, creating a symphony of textures that will transport you to the coast in an instant. And then there’s the Vegetable Bao, with perfectly seasoned vegetables offering a refreshing crunch that elevates the bao to new heights. Immerse yourself in the delightful world of baos and savour each mouthwatering bite.
📍Sauchiehall St, City Centre, Glasgow, G2 3LG
9. Dumpling Monkey
Get ready to be transported to the bustling streets of Asia, as Dumpling Monkey serves up their remarkable baos. Take, for instance, the Crispy Duck Bao, a tantalizing fusion of succulent duck, crackling skin, and delectable hoisin sauce. The Spicy Pork Bao, on the other hand, brings a fiery kick of chilli that perfectly complements the tender pork filling, resulting in a flavourful sensation. Meanwhile, the Veggie Bao offers a heavenly experience, combining a medley of vegetables with a refreshing zingy sauce that even meat enthusiasts won’t be able to resist.
📍121 Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow, G11 6PR
10. Suissi Vegan Kitchen
Suissi Vegan Kitchen is a haven of plant-based delights, offering bao buns that are a noteworthy addition to the menu. The tofu baos, encased in a golden, crunchy shell, reveal a tender, melt-in-your-mouth tofu centre. The Rendang curry bao is also worth a try, with Lion’s mane mushrooms in fragrant spices, creating a curry that’s an exemplary blend of flavour and heat. Prepare to be seduced by the tantalizing flavours and delightful textures of their baos.
📍494 Dumbarton Rd, Partick, Glasgow G11 6SL
The bao buns scene in Glasgow has truly come into its own, capturing the hearts and appetites of food enthusiasts from all walks of life.