If you haven’t tried those tasty little steamed buns that frequently make an appearance on our Instagram feeds, you’re seriously missing out. When we see the doughy goodness on any Asian menu, we just can’t resist – and if there’s one city that does ’em well, it’s ours. Check out our picks of where to get damn good bao buns in Manchester.
1. Wolf at the Door
Wolf at the Door keeps things pretty simple. Good booze, and no-fuss grub. While you can pick up a pretty lavish bottle of vino at a premium cost, you can also polish it off with a few tacos and bao buns on a budget. Prices start at just £1 per bao bun, and trust us when we say, they’re bloomin’ tasty. Flavours range from kimchi, Char Siu Pork and even ham, egg and chips. Wolf at the Door, 30-32 Thomas St, M4 1ER.
2. Hello Oriental
The newest food hall to hit the slabs in Manchester is Hello Oriental, located in the new Circle Square development off Oxford Road. Consisting of a whole host vendors offering delicious Chinese cuisine, Hello Oriental has a top notch selection when it comes to bao buns, including fillings such as katsu aubergine, crispy tofu and duck, in addition to classics such as chicken and teriyaki beef. There’s much more than bao buns to explore at Hello Oriental, but it does offer some of the best in Manchester. Hello Oriental, Unit 3B, South Pavilion, 2 Symphony Park, Manchester, M1 7FS.
3. NAM
An Ancoats’ fave, NAM puts their own spin on the Chinese classic, serving up crispy pork belly and sautéed King oyster mushroom options that are absolutely stuffed to the brim with tasty fillings, including coconut, tamarind, pickled cucumber, cabbage and sriracha mayo. If you love the doughy little suckers as much as we do, you’ll probably want to get down there ASAP. NAM, Unit 2, 33 Blossom St, Ancoats, M4 6AJ.
4. Shoryu Ramen
Bringing authentic Japanese grub to the rainy city, Shoryu Ramen may specialise in ramen, but they also serve up some seriously good baos. There are three options to choose from on the Manchester menu, including BBQ pork, chicken karaage, and pumpkin croquette – with plenty of tasty sides to pair them up with. Shoryu Ramen, 1 Piccadilly, M1 1RG.
5. Cottonopolis
Cottonopolis is an Asian favourite in the Northern Quarter, and part of that offering is (obviously) bao buns. The baos are absolute beasts too, stuffed with wagyu short rib, ‘tokyo’ fried chicken, pork katsu and mushroom katsu. Cottonopolis isn’t just a spot for the influencers, it’s truly for the Mancs, providing the best Asian eats and bar atmosphere around. Cottonopolis, 16 Newton St, M1 2AE.
6. Little Bao Boy
Located inside the wonderful North Taproom in Circle Square, Little Bao Boy provides the goods for those testing the fruits of the brewery’s labour. Bao buns may not be the first thing you thing of to accompany a craft pint, but they work surprisingly well together, and with some of the best creations in Manchester you really get the premium experience. With fillings ranging from beef brisket and pulled pork, to salt and pepper aubergine and gochujang cauliflower, there’s something for everyone, and perfect for bao bun novices to get hooked on the doughy delights. Little Bao Boy, North Taproom, Vita East, Circle Square, Nobel Way, Manchester, M1 7FA.