Food is definitely good. But I have never been able to try the soup dumplings/ long bao and that's what they excel at. It's because they don't offer vegetarian/vegan ones. In this day and age, I think they should offer atleast one vegan option. I really hope the chef considers adding it. read more

Excellent Shanghai cuisine. Best fried rice (pork) I've ever tasted. Now serving wine and beer. Soup dumplings are phenomenal.

The Bao is my go-to favorite Chinese spot for delivery. The Kung fu Xiao Bao (soup dumplings) with pork are heavenly and although I've had 1 every so often leak when being delivered the flavor and taste is just so mouthwateringly delicious. Usually get 2 orders for 2 of us because we can't fathom just splitting 6. Another must for ordering is the ShangHai Pan Fried Noodles. To finish, we ether get the Beef & Broccoli or General Yao's Chicken and (although not advertised, comes with rice) . By the end it is a little pricey since the soup dimpled are $10 an order and aren't super filling but totally worth read more

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Trap! Saw high ratings on Yelp, so we decided to try this place out. Upon arrival, their does had a big sign stating pick up & self serve no tip. Okay..? We were promptly seated and the host states, "this is a self serve restaurant. So, once we're ready to order, go to the cashier and place your order." Thought it's no biggie. Going through their menu, we realized this place is heavily overpriced. But we're already here so we thought let's just try it. We go to order and I asked for soda and my friend asked for water - Nope! Water is not included. So, we have to buy water which is also overpriced. Food comes out, extremely salty and full of msg. Now we got it. This place claims no tip but they're trying to get their tips through overcharging for all their food, and making their food so salty with msg that forces you to keep buying water. Sneaky bs business practice. read more

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Best place we've eaten at here so far! The portions and prices were fair and the ambiance was great. All of the ordering and paying is done via a website so you don't have to interact with waiters very much. It's a great spot to go with friends and experience something new. read more

The Bao - Soup dumplings, steamed dumplings, chili oil wontons, scallion pancake, and Shanghai pan-fried noodles - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

Wow wow Bao! We came here knowing we wanted some Asian food, we had zero expectations when we got seated, the service wasn't excellent, but Dear God, the FOOD! We tried the Mapo Tofu, Eggplant un Garlic Sauce and Sweat and Sour Ribs. I can't even start explaining how good it was. Not to mention that the Ribs are the best ribs I ever had in my life... (and I am old, and I have seen stuff), but this ribs are another thing, from another life. The patio is a bit crowed and not sure they are following 6 feet apart rule during Covid-19 times, but I never felt unsafe and all employees wearing N95 masks, although covered the air flows very well. Service was ok. I am definitely coming back when in NYC next time. I am sure I will be craving this food while in DC. Delicious! read more

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Came here about 3 weeks ago for the first time with 2 friends. I'm deducting a star because the service was pretty bad that night. To sum up the service - It took about 10 min before anyone came to take our drink order. They then forgot 2 of our rose milk tea drinks (and forgot to tell us they were out of them) and they also forgot one of our food items (the pork soup dumplings). Then they charged us for the 2 drinks they forgot at the end. They didn't offer a drink on the house or anything to excuse the mixups. We ordered the Mapo Tofu, Sautéed Bok Choy, Shanghai Pan Fried Noodles and the Pork Soup Dumplings. Despite the wonky service - everything was really delicious, including my champagne milk tea drink. I would return if I was in the area to give them another chance and possibly redeem their service. read more

When we started with one of our old favorites, the scallion pancake with duck, we thought the place had returned to its former greatness. After a period of no waiter/waitress service, you no longer have to go to the counter to order. However, it went seriously downhill from there. The soup dumplings, for which they're famous, are truly ordinary. You can get MUCH better in Chinatown. We ordered the spare ribs with garlic. I should have taken a picture of the plate. Each piece was TINY and so overcooked, we were shocked. There was literally nothing to eat on each piece which was as hard as a rock. When the waitress asked if we wanted to take it home (we did not eat it), we told her it was inedible. She stared at us and handed us the check!!! read more

While I used to give The Bao a 5 star I now feel it's just MEH. I'm not sure if the kitchen has changed hands but the flavors are not as tasty as I remember. The General Tso's Chicken used to be a favorite. It was fried to a very crispy, while still saucy, consistency. No more. The chicken was breaded but it was more lightly pan fried and therefore much less crispy. Big disappointment. I felt the same about the pineapple chicken. Barely crispy, barely flavored. Also I love Dan Dan Noodles but they were extremely spicy. I wish we could choose a "Spice level" choice. Mild, Medium or Spicy. My soup dumplings seemed flatter and less soupy. Disappointing to say the least! read more

Such a gem!!! The phone barley ate first at this cutie dumpling place. The food was fantastic there was no traces left behind lol! We ordered a variety of dumplings and enjoyed everything! read more

The Bao - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

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The Bao was fantastic! My boyfriend and I came at 6 on a Sunday and got an outdoor table right away. We shared the Scallion pancake, Dan Dan noodles, Kung fu xiao long bao and Crispy beef (the latter two dishes were my favorites). Definitely will be back to try the mapo tofu. 4.5 stars. read more

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Very unfortunate what has happened to this once great spot for soup dumplings! Both the food quality and service have plummeted in a relatively short time. The beef and broccoli dish seems to have changed entirely, and now has an overly sweet sauce with over cooked beef. The soup dumplings were okay but the outer dough was pretty sticky and difficult to eat. There are no more waiters at this restaurant, so you need to sit down and then go to the back and order at a register. I found the servers pretty short and unfriendly. read more

The Bao - Wonton in Chili Oil - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

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Food was really good! They dialed to mention the shrimp xiao long bao were shrimp and pork though and I don't eat meat. Service was also very nice about this read more

Review is for soup dumpling only- It's pretty good, the thinness of the skin and the flavorful soup with little oil from the meat are what I always look for. Wasabi dumpling was interesting with hint of spice I love, would come back. Vegetable dumpling is also really good. read more

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Yum yum! Went here randomly and walked in on a Saturday and didn't have an issue. The bao was fanatic! The truffle bao however not very truffle infused so would not recommend. Definitely ask when getting anything assorted - the colorful bao is an assortment that we didn't realize and one person didn't like crab and well got crab. So be mindful. Great restaurant! read more

The Bao - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

Everything is soooo good. I love this place. I constantly crave it. It's small place, so sometimes there's a wait, but worth it !

Okay not gnna lie , I was expecting this place to be super expensive and overrated but it was actually the complete opposite!! First the XLBs, very juicy inside, skin is not too thick, very impressed. Then the braised pork belly, was SOO good. I'm a sucker for a good pork belly. Also came with quail eggs that for once were not over cooked. We didn't get any rice or buns with it so it was a bit salty so I definitely suggest you add the buns or white rice. I can just taste the perfection in that. I really enjoy sautéed green beans and eggplants and this was just like a comfort food. Still very tasty. Again would have been even better with rice. Also got the wonton in chilli sauce and Shanghai fried noodles. These two although still tasty, I would probably not get again. We ordered 5 dishes and among them 5 of us, we were happily full and satisfied and only paid 16.50 each! read more

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THE BAO: ONE BAO BUN AWAY FROM A PANDA EXPRESS When one walks into The Bao, one feels optimistic about one's potential Asian cuisine experience. The stretched-out space with an elongated communal table as the center piece, is a tried-and-true NYC formula that's worked wonders for many. Inside 3 minutes, I could tell there was limited to no air conditioning, which prompted me to sweat in an uncontrollable manner. Be prepared to peel off your pants like a banana when you get home. My friend played it safe with the Sesame Chicken, and that's all it was. I decided to be a bit more adventurous with the Sichuan Chili Fried Chicken, and to my dismay the chicken to breading ratio was down right criminal. The sensation is best described as hot, chicken-flavored Frosted Flakes. Onto the apps, the crab cheese wontons were your typical cream cheese grease buckets, which always feel like a medically-induced coma, and the Bao buns were better suited for a water balloon fight. I initially thought that there was a clear distinction between Bao buns and soup dumplings as I was hoping for a more doughy outer layer; and although that might be up for interpretation, the fragility of these buns in particular is worth mentioning. While we may have just ordered the wrong offerings, the lack of climate control along with the plastic water bottles, for a buck-fifty each, to wash it all down (no free water) was enough to make me squeal. Food: 6/10 Service: 8/10 Experience: 6/10 - AF read more

I'm so sad to write this as I have been coming to The Bao for over 6 years. This has been my favorite place for soup dumplings forever, and I have told many people to check this place out! The Bao used to be the hottest, trendiest place and on a Friday or Saturday night there would be an hour plus wait. It played awesome music that was hip hop infused with traditional Chinese; they have now converted to playing modern pop or EDM, completely ruining the Vibe and aesthetic of this place. All wait staff have been eliminated and it is an order at the counter type facility, the server drinks in plastic cups, or cans....and if you want water they deny you Tap--which is completely unethical. It seems the staff are all aware of these changes and are disappointed with them as well, as they told me to "please call or email the manager. They need more customers speaking up." But the saddest thing, is the soup dumplings. I ordered 4 different types, all of which came out undercooked, or broken upon being delivered. The Bao, please come back! Your customers miss you. read more

A friend had been posting videos of people eating the very spicy soup dumplings so I needed to come try. I enjoy spicy food and was nervous but was able to eat it fine. It's a surprise when the spice hits but it was very delicious. We also had Dan Dan noodles, crispy beef and a pork bun. The pork bun had a black sesame seed bun and some pickles for a nice crunch. read more

The Bao - Black sesame seed pork bun - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

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The best bao buns in the city! We ambled over after a couple round of drinks at Angel's Share nearby (review to come). The host, slightly frazzled by the crowd, informed my group of 2 of a 30 minute wait so we decided to order some bubble tea at the nearby kung fu tea to escape the cold. We came back after about 20 minutes and were promptly seated. We followed the host and were given menus immediately. A waitress came by to offer us water as we perused the menu -- already a great start in my book. Over the course of the evening, we ordered 2 xiao long bao of the pork variety, one dan dan noodles, one dry pepper chicken, and one fried dumpling order. A lot of food for two people and by the end I was in a food coma, having to be rolled out by my boyfriend. The XLB were incredible. As the premier sentence indicated, the best in the city. The skin was thin and yielding, while firm against the heat of the broth. Placed in my awaiting spoon, the skin was easily pierced. The salty broth flowed out in waves that were eagerly slurped. The filling, an even mixture of pork and vegetable. I'm salivating thinking about this perfection. The dry pepper chicken was ok. It was much better than previous dry pepper chicken dishes, but I don't think I'm a fan of that style of dish. The peppers are too much for me and there isn't enough chicken in the fried pieces. The dan dan noodles were very good as well. The mixture of salty, oily, and carb-y deliciousness all wrapped in one dish, with a garnish of scallions -- perfection. The fried dumplings were great as well, but nothing really stands out as I am reliving this experience. The decor is dark and hipster ish with a mural on the wall. It was loud at a comfortable level where one could still hear their guests. This would be a good place for a date or for parents. Overall, a great experience from the staff, wonderful food, and a fun, young, ambiance. We will definitely be back for more! read more

Previous review was when I was sometimes a silly petty Yelper when I just started. Just ate here for the first time in forever and the food was all excellent. Highly recommended for Chinese food in this area, especially the soup dumplings and fried rice and get the tofu with minced pork too. read more

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BEST CHINESE FOOD NOT ONLY IN NEW YORK, BEST CHINESE FOOD EVER. This restaurant is excellent. My partner and I went to New York for the weekend and when the night arrived we were in the area and we went through this place. I must admit that it was not our first choice since we tried 2 places before without success as there was a long waiting list. We decided to try this restaurant and it was a wonderful surprise, it is a gem of the culinary movement in New York. We tried eggplant in garlic sauce, the short ribs, one of the best dishes I've tasted in my life and the best mapo tofu. They have outdoor sittings and the attention is wonderful read more

The Bao - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

Great food. Great service. Everything came out super quick. My only complaint is that it was a little cold.

This place totally changed their menu (chef?) a few months ago and the food went from gimmicky and meh to quite good. Every dish we had (and saw other people eating) was pretty well executed. - they got rid of the xiaolongbao and replaced with a pan fried version that was pretty good. Comes to the table in a sizzling pan so the bottom of the dumpling is crunchy while the inside is soupy. Good twist on a classic dish. - I really liked the stir fried chives and ground pork. Thought it was really well done. A bit spicy and somewhat salty. - mushroom casserole was also very tasty. The sauce was flavorful - a black bean sauce. - pea shoots, scallion pancakes, and fried rice were all good. We waited for about half an hour on a weekend evening. Overall a good pivot from their prior menu and a nice option of authentic Chinese food (with somewhat reasonable wait time) for the neighborhood. read more

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Very confused by the service of this restaurant. Firstly, we have to order at the counter instead of the table. Secondly, they don't give you tap water and instead offers a bottle of water for $1 each. Thirdly, they are giving plastic spoons... I would understand if this was a small place with affordable prices that they have to cut costs but this place has most dishes for $20 and above. Food was mediocre. Will never visit again. read more

The Bao - Plastic spoon, bottled water. - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

They are back! First time coming since they closed down. So happy to enjoy their food again. The shang Hai dumplings were amazing with great thin skin. Fyi: It's a sit down but they do not have tap water and you order and pay up front before eating to eliminate wait staff. Food was amazing none the less. read more

Liked the food. Pretty authentic. One these two points I would have given 4 stars. The price for what you get is the reason I gave 3 stars. In short, if money doesn't matter, then I give 4 star rating. read more

The Bao - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

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The Szechuan food here are good, and the bao, but the sweet and sour pork ribs is a disaster.... It is so overcooked that it's like beef jerky.... The service is also really bad, they said this is what the dish taste like, but definitely not... and they wouldn't change it or anything. read more

The Bao - 12 Finger Bao - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

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Stumbled across this restaurant in East village. What we ordered? Scallion pancake - crispy and tasty. Ma po tofu - it was spicy AF but so so delicious. Even if you love meat, do yourself a favor and order this and you won't regret it. My friend ordered non-vegetarian dumplings for himself and he seemed to love them. I can't comment much on those ‍ Overall a great spot with great food. Staff is so friendly. Wait could get annoying but we got lucky and were seated immediately. I'll definitely be back for some more. 8 read more

The Bao - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

If you're itching for soup dumplings, this is your spot. Although i totally forgot to take a pic of the bao because we devoured them so fast, they are a must try. Colorful bao, black truffle, or their crab meat are all great choices. The entrees were good, the sihuan chicken was very crispy and spicy. Wish there was a good sauce to dip these in. Next time I would probably order just all Bao read more

The Bao - Sichuan Chilli Fried Chicken - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

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The Bao is one of the best spots on St. Marks and a great place to go with a group of people; since there's a lot of different items, there's food for everyone. I suggest making a reservation because there's always a long line. I recommend eating family style so you can try a bunch of different items. I wouldn't come here solely for dumplings (as there's a ton of really good dim sum spots in the city) but they have a lot of really great dishes. My favorite dishes are the: super spicy xiao long Bao, lotus root dumplings, and the Szechuan chili fried chicken! Every time I come back, I try something new. Definitely recommend this spot!! read more

The Bao - Lotus Roots Pork Dumplings (6)on the left and the Super Spicy Xiao Long Bao on the right!! - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

Delicious Chinese food on St. Mark's. We were seated and served quickly on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. This place honestly has the best egg drop soup I've had in my life! They did have a soup order minimum of two, which I've never heard of before... but trust me, get yourself two and take one to go The eggplant and soup dumplings also hit the spot. Nobody left feeling hungry, that's for sure! My stomach is growling now just thinking about it. read more

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Love love love this place. Their soup dumplings are incredible! You can order a bunch of things to split here. The staff is friendly and the restaurant has a great atmosphere (very New York). I would recommend coming with a group but make a reservation beforehand!! It gets super packed, especially for dinner. I ordered the crab xiao long bao the last time I went, and my friend ordered the Kung Fu xiao long bao. All of them were amazing. Their sesame rice balls are also to DIE for - the best ones I've ever tasted. Would highly HIGHLY recommend. My boyfriend got the Shanghai noodles and loved them as well. This is an absolute gem in the east village. read more

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The best spicy soup dumplings that I've ever had! Over the last 7 years I've been to this establishment nearly every year, there's hasn't been a single time I've visited New York without stopping here. There was a time when they didn't have soup dumplings and I was super disappointed but that was now more than 3 years ago. Now, they are making it a whole section of their menu and I couldn't be happier! If you can handle spice then definitely get the extra spicy xioa long bao. It's the perfect spice blend nestled inside a delicious dumpling wrapper. read more

Great authentic Chinese food. Very nice inside and it's Honestly the best Chinese I've had so far in NYC. Prices are not too crazy especially if you do it family style with family/friends. You HAVE TO TRY the black truffle fried rice! It is worth every dollar. read more

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Small crowded place but with tasty xiao long bao! I really like the crab xiao long bao, Dan Dan noodle, Mapo tofu, and Szechuan fried chicken. They're very efficient and definitely can get you in and out in honestly less than 30 minutes from when you get seated. It's in a prime location on st marks so you're near a lot of great dessert as well! read more

The Bao - Xia long bao - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

I had a less-than-stellar (im being nice) experience during my second visit to this restaurant. I had been here before and I thought I remembered it being good, so I had high hopes. My girlfriend was craving soup dumplings and I was so excited to remember this place. We got there around 9:30 PM. Right after getting our food, the server also brought us the check and outwardly asked for my credit card. I'm not fussy about service especially at a place like this- I get it was late - but being rushed like that was off-putting. A bit more patience would've been appreciated. Also, for context, this was a Saturday night. The main problem, though, was discovering several long, gray/black hairs in our crispy beef, clearly not ours. Very gross. I found myself actually having to ask the server to remove the dish from our bill. All things considered, the right move IMO would been have been offering to comp the meal and profusely apologizing because it was actually pretty gross... If that had happened I may have considered potentially returning and giving it a second chance at some point in the future. In short, I definitely won't come back. Unpleasant experience overall. Actually, I literally never write Yelp reviews (think this is my first one ever) , but I felt compelled to share this one. read more

Wanted to visit this place for a long time. It was friday night and a waiting of 1 hour. We waited for it. We ordered chicken wings and vegetable dumplings in the starters. Chicken wings tasted good. It was not spicy. Those chillies were not spicy at all. The vegetable dumplings in hot & sour was a very good combo. Loved it. Much better than Chicken. Moving on to Main Course we ordered Mapo Tofu & Dry pot. Mapo tofu was out of the world. I have never tasted such a good Mapo Tofu. One of the signature dishes for the restaurant. We had Dry pot with Shiitake Mushrooms, Glass noodles, Broccoli, Lotus Stem, Bok choy. This was also good. Like similar to dry pots served in chinese restaurants. But be careful it was very spicy. Ask the them to reduce the spice level if you cannot have that much spice. Overall nice experience and Great Interiors! read more

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Completely disappointing. The hype is not real. The dumplings were falling apart and the meat was small. The flavor was worth the two stars, but everything else was eh. The scallion pancakes were greasey. It wasn't soup dumplings at all - just wet dumplings. The best dish was sautéed bok choy for $15. Smh. Skip this place entirely. Take yourself to Chinatown and go to joe's Shanghai - hits every time. Will not be going back. Fried rice was over salted and undercooked. Skip. The wasabi bao was so uninspired. Skip. Skip the whole place. read more

The Bao - Shanghainese Near Me - New York, New York

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