6 Brilliantly Tasty Places To Eat Bao Buns In Manchester

Laura Rogan - Editor of Secret Manchester • June 7, 2021

I don’t want none unless you’ve got buns, hun.

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 £2 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. Cocktail Beer Ramen + Bun

It’d be a disservice to not serve up bao buns given that it’s literally in their name, and Cocktail Beer Ramen + Bun really delivers, with six variations to choose from. The buns are pretty filling, but with two for £7.50, it’s hard not to stuff your face with them. The tasty spot is open til 2am Wednesday – Sunday, fulfilling your bun cravings at the times you need it the most. Cocktail Beer Ramen + Bun, 101-103 Oldham St, Manchester, M4 1LW.

3. Nam

An Ancoats’ fave, Nam puts their own spin on the Chinese classic, serving up chicken, pork, beef and jackfruit options that are absolutely stuffed to the brim with tasty fillings. If you love the doughy little suckers as much as we do, you’ll probably want to take advantage of the 2 for £8 offer. 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. What’s better? You can enjoy them as part of the restaurant’s Sunday trolley event if you’re lucky, where trolleys of unlimited grub are brought around the restaurant for you to help yourself to. Cottonopolis, 16 Newton St, M1 2AE.

6. Hanoi 75

A haven for bao lovers, Hanoi 75 serves up some of the best Vietnamese street grub in the city, all from their wonderful double-decker bus that’s parked up at Hatch. Packed with some tasty, classic Viet dishes – guests can choose from a variety of baos, including sticky chicken, pepper steak and a flavourful hoisin and soy tofu filling. The buns are best accompanied with the foodie spots delicious Disco Fries – which come topped with sticky chicken, popcorn tofu, pickled asian slaw, fresh chilli and more. Trust us when we say, you’ll want to order more. Hanoi 75, 103 Oxford Rd, M1 7ED.

[Featured image: Cottonopolis]