Katy RosserWe can all appreciate a little taste of another culture, right? And what better way to dive into that experience than through food—especially when it’s coming straight from the rich flavors of China!
In Auckland, we’re lucky enough to have some of the most delicious bao buns you can get your hands on, from those fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth buns to the savory, drool-worthy fillings that’ll instantly make you feel like you’ve been whisked away to a bustling street market in Beijing.
I’ve been on the hunt for the best bao buns, and what I’ve found are some real gems that you’ve just got to try. So, let’s get into the buns that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance!
The Blue Breeze Inn
– Media from thebluebreezeinn
Address: 146 Ponsonby Road
Contact Details: 09-360 0303
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Step into a tropical vibe with The Blue Breeze Inn’s bao buns, where the flavors are bold, and the fillings are top-notch. You’ll find options like the crispy pork belly bao that comes with a zingy kick of hoisin sauce, perfectly balanced with fresh herbs. It’s the kind of bite that makes you appreciate bao on a whole new level.
For seafood lovers, the soft-shell crab bao is a must-try, offering a crunchy texture paired with spicy mayo. The combo of fresh ingredients and unique flavors will have you coming back for more.
| Pro Tip: Head over during lunch for their special bao deals, where you can mix and match different flavors without breaking the bank. |
Chop Chop Noodle House
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Address: 4 Brown Street
Contact Details: 09-360 0263
Opening Hours: Wed-Sun: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Chop Chop Noodle House is where you go when you’re in the mood for street-food style bao buns with a modern twist. Their menu keeps it fresh with rotating specials, but the classic fried chicken bao with spicy slaw and pickles is an all-time favorite. It’s crispy, tangy, and downright delicious.
Don’t miss the beef brisket bao—juicy, tender, and paired with pickled veggies for that perfect bite every time. These buns are a great way to kickstart your night out or finish a long day on a high note.
| Pro Tip: Go on Wednesdays for Bao Bao Happy Hour—you’ll snag bao buns at a discounted rate from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM! |
Sunny Town
– Media from sunnytown_restaurant
Address: 111 Wellesley Street West
Contact Details: 09-379 9989
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Cost: $
Sunny Town brings traditional Chinese street food vibes with bao buns that hit the spot. Their classic pork bao, with its fluffy bun and savory filling, is a fan favorite, especially when paired with their signature chili sauce. It’s a simple, comforting treat that just works.
If you’re into something different, try their prawn and chive bao. It’s a fresh twist on the usual bao experience, loaded with flavors that’ll keep you hooked. This spot is perfect for quick bites or a casual hangout.
| Pro Tip: Ask for extra chili oil—it’s house-made and adds an addictive kick that elevates the whole bao experience. |
The Candy Shop
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Address: 2-8 Osborne Street
Contact Details: 09-600 3159
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Cost: $$
The Candy Shop isn’t just about the sweets—their bao buns are a hidden gem. They serve a killer Korean-style fried chicken bao, perfectly crispy with a sweet and spicy glaze that’ll make your taste buds dance. It’s seriously good stuff in a soft bun package.
Another standout is their prawn bao, combining crispy prawns with a zingy slaw that packs a punch. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or just snacking, these baos will definitely hit the spot.
| Pro Tip: Head there early as these baos sell out fast, especially on weekends when the crowd shows up. |
Bao Baby Bao
– Media from bao_baby_bao
Address: 178 Hurstmere Road
Contact Details: 09-489 5955
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Cost: $$
Bao Baby Bao keeps things playful with baos that are as fun as they are tasty. The menu shines with creative options like the jackfruit bao—ideal for plant-based foodies craving something unique. It’s smoky, tender, and seriously addictive.
Their pork belly bao with crackling, hoisin, and a hint of spice is another crowd-pleaser. Each bite is packed with flavors that’ll keep you talking about it long after you’ve finished eating.
| Pro Tip: Check out their rotating daily specials for new bao flavors—you might discover a new favorite! |
Dumplings and Bao
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Address: 20 Kitchener Street
Contact Details: 09-377 0005
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sat-Sun: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: $
This spot is all about quick, tasty eats, and their bao buns are no exception. Try their spicy beef bao, a zesty combo of tender beef and bold spices that packs a punch. It’s simple, flavorful, and great for a quick bite when you’re on the go.
They’ve also got vegetarian options like the tofu bao, seasoned to perfection and balanced with crunchy veggies. The flavors are fresh, light, and just what you need for a quick bao fix.
| Pro Tip: Order ahead for pick-up to skip the lines—this place gets busy during lunch hours! |
Elim Bao Bar
– Media from elimbaobar
Address: 300 Dominion Road
Menu
Contact Details: 09-638 2228
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Cost: $$
Elim Bao Bar is the go-to for classic flavors with a twist. Their slow-cooked lamb bao, seasoned with herbs and a hint of garlic, is incredibly tender and pairs perfectly with their house-made sauces. It’s comfort food wrapped in a pillowy bun.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try their kimchi bao. It’s spicy, tangy, and adds a fun Korean twist to your bao experience. You won’t find this unique combo anywhere else.
| Pro Tip: Visit during their afternoon tea time for exclusive bao deals—you’ll get more variety at a fraction of the price. |
Bao & Noodle
– Media from baoandnoodle
Address: 123 Ponsonby Road
Contact Details: 09-378 1234
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Cost: $$
Bao & Noodle specializes in fusion flavors, bringing a mix of Asian influences into every bite. Their pork belly bao with a touch of kimchi is a must-try, combining rich, savory flavors with a kick of spice. You’ll love how the textures work together in every bite.
For a lighter option, their vegetarian bao with sautéed mushrooms and fresh greens is a great pick. It’s a tasty way to enjoy a bao that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Check out their noodle dishes if you’re feeling extra hungry, too!
| Pro Tip: If you’re unsure what to pick, order the Bao & Noodle combo—it’s a great way to sample different buns with a side of their signature noodles. |
Bun and Bao
– Media from jeff_niel
Address: 15 Lorne Street
Contact Details: 09-379 5678
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Sat-Sun: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Cost: $$
Bun and Bao take your taste buds on a ride with its creative, flavor-packed buns. Their standout is the beef rendang bao, rich with spices and perfectly tender beef that melts in your mouth. It’s not your typical bao, but it’s one you’ll definitely crave again.
They’ve got a killer crispy tofu bao, too, ideal for vegetarians or anyone looking for something fresh and crunchy. The tofu’s perfectly seasoned, and the contrasting textures make it a favorite among regulars.
| Pro Tip: They offer a tasting platter with mini versions of all their bao buns—ideal if you’re sharing or just want to try everything in one go. |
Janken
– Media from jankenjapanese
Address: 158 Jervois Road
Contact Details: 09-360 0555
Opening Hours: Tue-Sat: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Janken adds a touch of elegance to bao buns, incorporating Japanese influences for a refined take. Try their wagyu beef bao—succulent, juicy, and paired with a wasabi mayo that adds just the right amount of heat. It’s bao, but not as you know it.
Their miso eggplant bao offers a rich, savory bite that’s surprisingly satisfying for a meat-free option. With a delicate balance of sweet and salty, it’s perfect for those who appreciate bold flavors without the heaviness.
| Pro Tip: Check out their chef’s recommendations on the menu—it often includes off-menu bao creations that are only available for a limited time. |
Hello Beasty
– Media from eatupbeasty
Address: 95-97 Customs Street West
Contact Details: 09-302 5252
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Hello Beasty brings an eclectic twist to bao buns, with a menu influenced by Japanese, Korean, and Chinese flavors. The karaage chicken bao is a crowd-pleaser, loaded with crispy chicken, spicy mayo, and fresh slaw. Each bite bursts with layers of taste.
If seafood is your thing, go for the prawn bao with a tangy yuzu slaw—it’s light, fresh, and an absolute delight. The vibrant flavors and textures make these baos stand out from the crowd.
| Pro Tip: Reserve a table in advance—this place fills up fast, especially on weekends, and it’s worth securing your spot to avoid a wait. |
The Rolling Pin
– Media from therollingpinakl
Address: 48 Sale Street
Contact Details: 09-377 1234
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Cost: $$
The Rolling Pin serves up bao buns that are all about fresh, vibrant ingredients and bold flavors. Their pork bao with pickled cucumber and a hit of sriracha mayo offers a classic, punchy taste that’ll leave you satisfied without being too heavy.
Another standout is the spicy tofu bao—crispy on the outside, soft inside, and topped with a sweet chili glaze that adds a nice balance. It’s a fantastic vegetarian option that doesn’t compromise on taste.
| Pro Tip: Grab their lunch combo deal for a bao, side, and drink. It’s a value-packed way to enjoy a full meal without spending too much. |
Hot Hot Asian Eatery
– Media from hot_hot_asian_eatery
Address: 16 Fort Street
Contact Details: 09-309 2929
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Cost: $$
Hot Hot Asian Eatery’s bao buns are a hit, bringing fun and flavor in every bite. The pork belly bao, glazed with a sticky soy sauce and topped with fresh herbs, packs a powerful punch of umami. It’s a perfect blend of sweet, salty, and savory.
If you’re in the mood for something different, the pulled duck bao with hoisin and spring onions is a rich and flavorful option. This bao stands out with its tender meat and vibrant taste.
| Pro Tip: Look out for their daily lunch specials—bao buns are often included, and you’ll get to try them at a great price. |
Madame George
– Media from madamegeorgenz
Address: 490 Karangahape Road
Contact Details: 09-377 3434
Opening Hours: Tue-Sat: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Madame George combines Peruvian flavors with Asian influences, making their bao buns truly unique. Their crispy pork bao, topped with tangy pickles and a spicy aji amarillo sauce, offers a bold and unexpected flavor profile.
The fish bao, served with a zesty lime dressing, is light yet packed with taste. This spot is perfect for adventurous eaters who love trying new, creative flavor combinations.
| Pro Tip: Their bao buns are often paired with unique cocktails—ask the staff for pairing recommendations to elevate your dining experience. |
