Happy Palm Sunday! My day began at St. Mary’s for Mass, which was a beautiful start to Holy Week. But the morning visit near Joyce-Collingwood station is incomplete if I don't stop by Bao Bakery, where I am happily writing this post. The atmosphere is buzzing and my heart is just as full as my stomach. If you haven’t visited this local staple yet, you are missing out on some serious comfort food.
The Savoury Stars: Bola-Bola Siopao and Siomai
|
| Soft, sweet dough meets savoury chicken in the Bola-Bola (chicken deluxe) Siopao from Bao Bakery |
I will stand by this statement: Bao Bakery serves the best bola-bola (chicken deluxe) siopao in Vancouver. While I have a lot of love for the "institution" that is New Town Bakery, Bao Bakery feels like the standout on the block. What makes it work is the perfect execution of contrast. The buns are pillow-soft and cloud-like, with a very subtle, delicate sweetness. This sweetness melts away the moment you hit the savoury, perfectly seasoned meat filling inside.
During this visit, I also grabbed an order of their Pork and Shrimp Siomai. They did not disappoint. These are wonderfully plump and substantial, providing exactly the kind of juicy, satisfying bite you hope for when you are craving dim sum.
|
| The perfectly plump Pork and Shrimp Siomai at Bao Bakery. |
The Sip: Uji Matcha Reserve
To wash down all that savoury goodness, I ordered the Uji Matcha Reserve, unsweetened with oat milk. While my heart still belongs to the matcha at C Market, this was a significant and delightful surprise. It was smooth and earthy without any of that grassiness you sometimes find. It is a major step up from your average coffee shop and the perfect, creamy companion for a warm bun.
|
| Smooth, earthy Uji Matcha Reserve with oat milk from Bao Bakery |
The Full Menu: Selection and Pricing
Bao Bakery has an impressive variety beyond just the steamed buns. Here is the full list of what was available during my visit, categorized so you can easily find your favourites:
Steamed Buns
- BBQ Pork (Asado): $4.25
- Chicken Deluxe (Bola-Bola): $5.25
- Chicken: $4.50
- Spicy Pork: $4.50
- Ube (Purple Yam): $4.00
- Red Bean: $3.50
- Racy Yolky (Custard + Duck Egg): $4.00
- Plain: $1.75
Dim Sum (Siu Mai)
- Pork & Shrimp: $7.00 (4pcs) / $9.50 (6pcs)
- Spicy Pork: $5.25 / $7.25
- Mixed: $6.00 / $8.50
Baked Buns
- BBQ Pork: $3.75
- Coconut: $2.50
- Pineapple BBQ Pork: $4.25
- Pineapple Coconut: $2.75
- Pineapple: $2.50
- Ham, Egg & Cheese: $4.00
- Italian Smokey: $4.75
- Wiener / Wiener Cheese: $2.75 / $3.25
- Cheddar Cheese: $2.75
- Bacon Cheddar / Bacon & Onion: $3.75 / $3.25
- Ube: $3.25
- Curry Beef: $3.50
- Panko Curry Beef: $4.00
Pastries, Mochi & Sides
- Red Bean Sesame Ball: $2.75
- Ube Sesame Ball: $3.25
- Cinnamon Twist: $2.25
- Ube Donut: $3.00
- Red Bean Donut: $2.50
- Egg Tart: $2.25
- Apple Tart: $2.00 (1pc) / $10.00 (6pcs) / $20.00 (12pcs)
- Mochi (Green Tea + Red Bean, Peanut Coconut, Red Bean, or Ube): $2.50
- Fried Shrimp Dumpling: $3.50
- Lumpia Shanghai (9pcs): $7.00
Tea Lattes (12oz / 16oz / Iced)
Their lattes use oat milk by default
- Uji Reserve Matcha: $7.00 / $7.75 / $7.75
- Midori Dream Matcha: $6.50 / $7.25 / $7.25
- Everyday Matcha / Earl Grey Latte: $6.00 / $6.75 / $6.75
- Matcha Chai Latte: $7.00 (Iced)
- Culinary Matcha / Oolong Latte: $5.50 / $6.25 / $6.25
- Hojicha Latte: $5.75 / $6.50 / $6.50
Coffee & Herbal Tea (12oz / 16oz / Iced)
- Dark French Roast: $2.00 / $2.25 / $3.00
- Tamatokucha, Chamomile, Peppermint, or Earl Grey: $2.50 (Iced)
✨ Pro-Tips for Your Visit
- Beat the Sunday Rush: If you are visiting on a Sunday, try to avoid the 15-minute window immediately after Mass at St. Mary’s. That is when the line hits its peak!
- The Dollar Coffee Deal: You can grab a hot 12oz coffee for just $1.00 with the purchase of an item. It is the perfect budget-friendly pairing.
- Bring Your Own Bag: Save on the $0.30 paper bag fee by bringing your own favourite tote!
Bao Bakery is a beautiful reminder that the best meals do not need a white tablecloth. Sometimes, they just need a bit of tradition, a lot of heart, and a very fluffy bun. Whether it was the surprise box of buns delivered by my parents or a quick stop after a doctor's visit, this place has remained my consistent go-to for years. Every bite of their siopao still carries that same sense of nostalgia that I wrote about last year—it just never gets old.
I am leaving with a very full stomach and a lot of Palm Sunday happiness. Have you tried the Bola-Bola at Bao Bakery? Let me know your favourite treat in the comments!
Comments
Post a Comment