The Best Bao in Toronto

The best bao in Toronto are some of the softed, fluffiest steamed buns in the city. The simplicity of these Chinese snack staples get delicious spins with fillings like jerk chicken, peanutty duck and pulled jackfruit.

Here's where to find the best bao in Toronto.

11 - Banh Mi Metro

<p>This Lawrence East restaurant from the same folks behind Pho Metro stuffs its baos the same way they deck out their banh mi. Braised pork belly, grilled beef, BBQ pork and lemongrass chicken baos range between $4.50 and $5.50.</p>
4 - Banh Mi Boys

<p>This banh mi chain has three locations across the city offering a handful of steamed baos, averaging between $4.50 and $5. They’re still running their classic five-spice pork belly along with the pricier Club bao: an artery-clogging combo of pork belly and fried chicken together.</p>
6 - R & D

<p>Chinatown's spot for Canadiana twists on pan-Asian food sandwiches includes baos with chicken thighs marinated in gochujang and kalbi beef. Additional fillings lille kewpie mayo, kimchi, and Korean slaw take these flavours to the next level. Pairs of baos are $8 or $9.</p>
3 - Mean Bao Annex Food Hall

<p>The Ching family first opened this food stall in The Grange food court in 2013. There are now seven locations across the city, offering baos between $5.45 and $5.60. Their jerk chicken bao, an ode to Simon and Scott’s Jamaican roots, comes with a deadly mango chutney sauce.</p>
5 - Pinkerton's Snack Bar

<p>Leslieville’s popular watering hole for cocktails and bites has a whole list of fluffy baos. Fillings include kung pao chicken, duck confit, braised pork, and pulled jackfruit, for the vegetarians. Get them in pairs ($14) or boxes of four for $24. </p>
10 - Koha Pacific Kitchen

<p>Spicy pork and panko-crusted organic tofu are a few of the options offered at this food court brand, which pays homage to islands of the Pacific and the shores of eastern Asia. These $5 baos come with hoisin ginger sauce, spicy mayo or sriracha.</p>
7 - Pear

<p>Find this food stall in North York’s Upper East Food Club serving up pillowy buns. Their fillings are decadent, saucy affairs: the peanut-topped duck bao is the main attraction but they offer crab and egg baos.</p>
8 - Lee Chen Asian Bistro on King

<p>There are two Toronto locations of this popular Chinese restaurant. Among classic go-tos like soup dumplings and braised short ribs are a trio of essential baos. A pair of plain baos is $2.99, two stuffed with pork belly or pulled pork are $8.59.</p>
9 - Makan

<p>This Queen West restaurant packages up eats from Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, and Korea between soft steamed buns. Their creative bao stuffings include beef rendang, Korean spicy pork, and satay chicken. Prices range from $5.99 to $6.49 each.</p>