LITTLE BAO is a modern 20-seater Chinese Diner by May Chow. Chef May was recognized as Best Female Chef in the 2017 Asia’s 50 Best Awards.
We love how she was able to elevate the simple Bao into a sought after dish that treads the fine line between fusion and authentic. Her concept is simple: it’s all about sharing–both food and cultures. She takes inspiration from local traditions as well as from the international tastes you’ll find in Hong Kong.
We celebrated the eve of our 14th wedding anniversary here at Little Bao Hong Kong. Take a look at our experience…
LITTLE BAO HONG KONG
66 Staunton Street, SoHo
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Email: info@little-bao.com
Telephone: +852-2194-0202
Facebook: @littlebaohk
Instagram: @littlebaohk
Website: https://www.little-bao.com/
We decided to take the Island Line to Sheung Wan station, Hong Kong side and walk towards Little Bao in SoHo. We did not expect these stairs.
It was our first time in SoHo. We wish Google Maps could have warned us about the elevation and these steep steps we needed to conquer.
Little Bao is located at a corner store along the hip street of Staunton. You can’t miss the people waiting in line for their turn to sit at the counter.
Sesame Caesar (HK$78 ~ P503)
We decided to order their caesar salad while waiting on the bench outside.
Love the young vibe and the cross-cultural exchange happening between the kitchen and the diners.
We waited for less than an hour for our seat at the counter, just in time for us to witness and appreciate how the dumpling was cooked.
Little Bao Menu: For Sharing, Baos, Sweet Ending | Cocktails
The menu is well-curated, with dishes to start off for sharing, transition to the Baos, then end with dessert.
Short-Rib Panfried Dumpling (HK$128 ~ P825)
Love the crunchy fried side, the tasty short ribs meat, and the generous serving of vegetables.
We were directly in front of the kitchen where these little baos are assembled. Seeing the whole process really heightens the anticipation…you can’t wait to be next.
So happy with the thick slices of pork belly and big chunks of chicken they put on each bao!
I also like how the different sauces and the vegetables don’t overpower the meat but actually complement and add a different dimension to it.
The meat-to-bun ratio is spot-on and their steamed Chinese buns are quite soft but still firm enough to hold the meat, vegetables, and sauces together.
Szechuan Fried Chicken Bao (HK$78 ~ P503)
My wife loved the fried chicken bao. The acidity of the glazed black vinegar worked well with the cabbage coleslaw and the creamy, spicy kick of the Sichuan mayo.
Pork Belly Bao (HK$78 ~ P503)
I prefer the slow-braised pork belly with flavors of leek, shisho, and red onion that cut through the fatty taste. I also like how the sesame dressing and hoisin ketchup don’t overpower the pork.
For best results, use both hands and take a BIG bite!
Salted Caramel Ice Cream (HK$38 ~ P245)
We recommend ending with thise little ice cream burger made from fried mantao buns and salted caramel ice cream. An instant favorite!
Green Tea Ice Cream (HK$38 ~ P245)
This is a good option too. I like how the green tea ice cream flavor cleans the palate. The fried bun has a nice crunch to it and the whole thing is small enough that it’s not too heavy as a dessert.
Little Bao is an excellent example of a well-executed concept and vision.
There’s a big difference between just reading all the rave reviews online and actually experiencing it for yourself–from waiting in line to being seated by the counter, seeing firsthand how your food is prepared, conversing with the young servers, and having the place deliver on its yummy promise.
Order the Sesame Caesar and Short-Rib Panfried Dumpling to start, then move on to both the Pork Belly Bao and Szechuan Fried Chicken Bao. End with their Ice Cream Baos for dessert. Budget about HK$ 250 ~ P1,600/head.
Thank you to May Chow and the entire Little Bao culinary team for the awesome experience!
LITTLE BAO HONGKONG
66 Staunton Street, SoHo
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Email: info@little-bao.com
Telephone: +852-2194-0202
Facebook: @littlebaohk
Instagram: @littlebaohk
Website: https://www.little-bao.com/
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: We paid for our meal. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Congratulations to May Chow for winning Asia’s Best Female Chef 2017!