The Bao Place Burnaby Review: Pork Deluxe Bola-Bola Siopao

After such a long evening, we took Tuesday at a much slower pace. Recovery has been a bit of a journey, but I had a necessary follow-up with my family doctor, so we made our way over to Burnaby for the appointment.

Feeling a bit drained afterward, we decided on an early dinner at The Bao Place. It felt like the right time to finally try their Pork Deluxe (Bola-Bola Special).

The Pork Deluxe Bola-Bola Siopao ($5.25) from The Bao Place.

The Battle of the Buns: Pork vs. Chicken

The Pork Deluxe ($5.25) is a hefty bun stuffed with ground pork, green onion, jicama, shallots, boiled egg, and luncheon meat. Because The Bao Place uses pork, it has a deep, meaty, and delightfully fatty flavour profile.

However, it is hard not to compare it to my long-time favourite. If you have read about my love for Bao Bakery, you know I have a very specific "siopao standard."

Bao Bakery uses chicken for their filling, while The Bao Place leans into the richness of pork. I am personally more familiar with the chicken version, so my heart (and palate) still tips toward Bao Bakery. For me, a perfect siopao is all about the dough; Bao Bakery has that pillowy, subtle sweetness that I just adore.

If you prefer a savoury, meat-heavy bun that feels like a full meal, The Bao Place is a fantastic Burnaby find. But if you are a fan of that classic, slightly sweet Filipino-style bun, the search continues!

For those planning a visit, I have included the menu below so you can see what else is available.

A look at the current menu and prices at The Bao Place.