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The Bao

Chinese Restaurant and Dumpling Restaurant$$$$
East Village, New York
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7.7/10
974
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  • Stars
    Has a stamp of approval from The Corcoran Group and Serious Eats
    • The Corcoran Group
    • Serious Eats
  • Tips
    Ed L.
    "The fish fillets in chili oil and the soup dumplings are awesome"(139 Tips)
    Elena H.
    "Loved the soul dumplings and the scallion pancake with beef"(15 Tips)
    Terri R.
    "Spicy XLB and dan dan noodles were great!"(7 Tips)
    Dan
    "Wontons in chili oil and dan dan noodles are also great."(8 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon224 Tips and reviews
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  • spicy food
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  • Jaimee E.
    Jaimee EstrellerDecember 16, 2015
    I could eat a whole order of the pork soup dumplings by myself. I mean, you're here for them, do it. And then split the crispy pork noodles and scallion pancakes. Great prices too.
  • Tianqi L.heart icon on user image
    Tianqi LiaoNovember 8, 2017
    It's a shame they no longer offer soup dumplings. Instead you get these pan-fried finger baos, which are equally as good or even better because the portion is manageable.
  • PureWow
    PureWowNovember 2, 2016
    Hold up, the best crab soup dumplings are in the East Village? This spinoff of Flushing spot Kung Fu Xiao Long Bao made believers out of us. (Save room for a chocolate-banana bao for dessert.) Read more
  • Terri R.heart icon on user image
    Terri RDecember 23, 2018
    Spicy XLB and dan dan noodles were great! I also really enjoyed this pork appetizer (can’t remember the name but it was under the cold appetizer section of the menu).
  • Catherineheart icon on user image
    CatherineJanuary 6, 2015
    How to eat soup dumplings: carefully place the dumpling on your spoon. Put a little hole on the dumpling and drink the soup that leaks from it. Then finish the rest of the dumpling.
  • Cole K.heart icon on user image
    Cole KennedyAugust 28, 2019
    If you’re here dining solo, which you probably shouldn’t because that’s not the vibe, you should get Kung Fu Xiao Long Bao and Dan Dan Noodles.
  • Valentin G.
    Valentin GuerinJanuary 15, 2018
    Don’t listen to the hype, this is just your typical Chinese restaurant with higher prices. You came for the soup dumpling? They don’t do it anymore. You want a Bao (bun) they don’t do that either...
  • Barb L.heart icon on user image
    Barb LeungOctober 21, 2016
    Consistently terrific. The soup dumplings have a delicate and thin skin that burst to reveal a delicious broth. If you're here for lunch, the specials are generous in price and portion.
  • Gianna N.heart icon on user image
    Gianna NebbiaSeptember 9, 2018
    Everything was fabulous- don’t be intimidated by the extra extra spicy XLB- they’re perfectly spicy but not over the top. (Kung pao chx and scallion pancake pictured, both so tasty)
  • What's Good Hereheart icon on user image
    What's Good HereAugust 5, 2014
    Order the pork, pork & crab, & super spicy soup dumplings and eat in that order. The pork & crab are favs, but the spicy is also very flavorful with its inclusion of Asian chili sauce.
  • Qian S.heart icon on user image
    Qian SunAugust 27, 2017
    Recently they started serve some cute original hybrid Bao, a mix between juicy Bao and Shanghainese style pan fried Bao. Food portion very small...😳
  • Steve C.
    Steve CraigAugust 25, 2017
    Been here 10+ times
    OMG They took Xaio Long Bao off the menu! Sadly, no other reason to come here now. Ciao beloved Bao!
  • Dan U.
    Dan UckoJanuary 23, 2017
    Been here 5+ times
    The soup dumplings here are to die for - for two people, get three orders of those: regular, wasabi, and kung fu (spicy). Pair with the scallion pancakes with beef and a couple of Tsingtaos.
  • Ashley C.
    Ashley ChanJune 3, 2017
    Great place for comfort Shanghai food. The Kung fu (original) XLB is addictive & their large plates are very reliable and not over-spicy. They have some interesting XLB flavors such as wasabi & choc!
  • Teresa
    TeresaAugust 23, 2017
    They won’t have soup dumplings back in the menu until September or October. The business seems to be suffering without their signature soup dumplings!
  • Ranu R.heart icon on user image
    Ranu RajkarnikarJanuary 31, 2017
    Yes! Come for the crab soup dumplings and stay for the shanghai noodles and eggplant string bean dish. Need to try the scallion beef pancake next time. Delicious!
  • Ray L.heart icon on user image
    Ray LinNovember 7, 2014
    Amazing addition to St Marks. The Xiao Long Bao (aka XLBs aka soup dumplings) and scallion pancakes are musts. The Shanghai pan-fried noodles and Mapo Tofu are also excellent choices.
  • Yvette L.heart icon on user image
    Yvette LiuJanuary 28, 2018
    Such a shame they don't have steamed XLB any more, it was their specialty!! The noodles are okay, but not sure if I'll be back since no more xlb...
  • AmateurConciergeheart icon on user image
    AmateurConciergeJanuary 26, 2015
    Crab pork soup dumplings are amazing. Love the pepper and eggplant app but would like to increase the number of peppers. Authentic chinese in a nice environment albeit surprising location.
  • Laura C.
    Laura ChinAugust 17, 2014
    The super spicy XLB don't seem that spicy at first. Five minutes later though, your lips will be numb and you'll be asking for a glass of milk tea
  • Rewan P.heart icon on user image
    Rewan PartiApril 5, 2015
    Scallion pancake with beef are the best dish on the menu. There crab and spicy dumplings are just order. They always have a wait!
  • Raphael L.heart icon on user image
    Raphael LangenscheidtAugust 19, 2015
    Great Chinese food in an surprising location amidst mediocre tourist traps. The dumplings are delicious and why I came here, but I stayed for the chili fried chicken and spicy tofu. Great spot.
  • Katheart icon on user image
    KatDecember 28, 2018
    Soup Dumplings are a must! It gets quite busy so expect a waiting time but its worth it. Everything from the menu was delicious! Dan dan noodles were amazing as well.
  • Denise H.heart icon on user image
    Denise HeinsFebruary 5, 2016
    Spicy hot pot - great ginger flavor, massive variety and if you enjoy spice, it's a great dish that doesn't murder your taste buds. Was also very pleased with the scallion pancake.
  • Serious Eats
    Serious EatsFebruary 12, 2015
    Delicate and delicious soup dumplings. Spring for the crab upgrade, which adds a briny touch to the juicy pork tinged with ginger.
  • Sam H.
    Sam HJanuary 18, 2015
    A bit pricey but the xiao long Bao is worth it! Order the first four on the menu for your table and you'll be good to go
  • Kate F.
    Kate FurmanApril 13, 2015
    Soup dumplings are so good here. Perfect ratio of wrapper to filling. Try the super spicy one, it's full of chili oil.
  • Cassidyheart icon on user image
    CassidyFebruary 19, 2015
    Been here 5+ times
    yeah yeah the crab XLB are great (I personally like the ones at Shanghai Asian Manor better, they're fattier) but the scallion pancake and the crispy beef are where it's at.
  • Emily L.heart icon on user image
    Emily L.February 26, 2015
    Xiao long bao done right. As an avid hot sauce eater, steer clear of the spicy XLB. It ain't a joke! And the noodles? Good texture!
  • Christophe J.
    Christophe JammetNovember 20, 2017
    Been here 10+ times
    The don't serve soup dumplings anymore. It's called the Bao, and their logo is a bao, they just don't serve them, and haven't since August. Really disappointing.
  • Benny W.
    Benny WongAugust 17, 2014
    I'm writing this tip through watery eyes recovering from the super spicy soup dumplings. But so worth it though! Skins were amazingly thin
  • Veronica C.
    Veronica ChanMay 16, 2018
    I suspect there was a change in ownership or kitchen staff because the food tastes different and the signature soup dumplings were taken off the menu 💔
  • Michael V.
    Michael VenzkeSeptember 16, 2017
    FYI no more soup dumplings! Something about the owner wasn't happy with quality, but they're no longer on the menu.
  • Christopher A.heart icon on user image
    Like everyone else says, spring for crab dumplings. Outstanding. The spicy dumplings aren't as hot as you might think, but they will leave your lips a-tingle.
  • J.R. R.heart icon on user image
    J.R. ReedApril 21, 2019
    Kung fu bao, 5 kinds of dim sum, and scallion pancakes w/ beef are the standout items, complemented by decent Chinese food (crispy duck and pork buns)
  • Shellyheart icon on user image
    ShellyMay 4, 2019
    Scrumptious egg plant with string beans, wonton in chili oil, mapo tofu, and lamb with cumin. Fiery, served family style and beautifully plated.
  • Sam W.heart icon on user image
    Sam WinnickMay 20, 2015
    Nice, clean restaurant with a good atmosphere. Order the Shanghai noodles they are out of this world.
  • Dina R.heart icon on user image
    Dina RughaniOctober 7, 2015
    The baos! Try the spicy bao for a kick. The fried rice was good as well. Everything people were ordering looked good. Will definitely be back to try more
  • Andrew W.heart icon on user image
    Andrew WongJune 15, 2018
    Really diverse menu, soup dumplings are amazing. Chocolate soup dumplings are Nutella and banana. Will definitely come back to try other dishes
  • M. R.heart icon on user image
    M. R.December 10, 2014
    Been here 5+ times
    Agreed. The super spicy soup dumplings are seriously delicious. The sautéed string beans are just right. They're doing a lot of things well so far.
  • Gloria D.heart icon on user image
    Gloria DumasSeptember 21, 2017
    Came for the soup dumplings but they "don't do it anymore" could've been a night ruiner-- order the bao dumpling instead (like mini soup dumplings!)
  • Nickheart icon on user image
    NickDecember 4, 2015
    There are much better soup dumplings elsewhere. Try hot kitchen right around the corner. But the scallion pancake with beef is so delicious. It is ultimate asian comfort food
  • Jennifer R.heart icon on user image
    Jennifer ROctober 1, 2016
    The soup dumplings and the scallion pancake with beef are outstanding. Get there early on weekends and be prepared to wait.
  • Ina L.heart icon on user image
    Ina LiMay 22, 2016
    Must try: pork cutlet, turnip bites, soup dumplings, red bean pancake, and wonton
  • Ina L.heart icon on user image
    Ina LiJanuary 4, 2015
    10dollars for 6 crab soup bun. More expensive than the ones in Chinatown for sure but really delicious!
  • Taiowa W.heart icon on user image
    Taiowa WanerMarch 18, 2016
    Soup dumplings were very good. We got a bunch of appetizer sized plates to split and went downstairs to Spot Dessert Bar for dessert.
  • Serkoheart icon on user image
    SerkoAugust 22, 2014
    I prefer their crab soup dumplings. Excellent and thin skinned with a nice clean flavor.
  • Ranu R.heart icon on user image
    Ranu RajkarnikarNovember 4, 2017
    They don’t have soup dumplings right now (maybe discontinued?) which is a big bummer.
  • Dan W.heart icon on user image
    Dan WongMay 22, 2015
    Super spicy XLB is manageable! Give it a go, pairs perfectly with the Blue Moon beer.
  • val h.heart icon on user image
    val herzogApril 28, 2016
    We tried almost every variety of soup dumplings and they were each so good, I would come all the time if it weren't so busy!
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