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    Wow Bao

    3.3 (716 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Wow Bao Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    WOW BAO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Wow Bao

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    Reviews With Photos

    6-Pack Bao, Crispy Chicken Egg Roll, and Dumplings
    Christopher C.

    Solid bao! It was a little hectic to grab food on a Saturday evening and they seemingly closed much earlier than advertised! The baos are satisfying and the dumplings are solid, but the service and ambiance was a bit of a letdown here unfortunately. They ran out of rice around 6:30pm as well, and the rush of deliveries made it tough to order here. Cheers!

    Kevin N.

    ATMOSPHERE/ARCHITECTURE: N/A Ordered for delivery. SERVICE: 8/10 Delivery was quick and they included utensils and napkins. Yes! FOOD: 6/10 I got 2 pork buns (bao) and some fried rice. The buns were just okay and the fried rice was the same. This is not a place that blew me away at all but it was decent. It was definitely not an authentic recipe and more Americanized but it hit the spot when you wanted it. Granted, there is a lot of competition in the city so this downgrades it a bit. VALUE: 8/10 Prices are quite good in a comparable market. PROBABILITY OF RETURN: 7/10 TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT: It's good enough to be worth a visit. OVERALL: 7/10

    Menu
    Joneice B.

    After walking around on State, we opted to get a snack. Wow Bao was empty so it was a good choice. We got the 4 pack for 10.99 and ate right in the store. My favorite was Mongolian beef and my husband enjoyed the cheeseburger.

    Savanna B.

    I had an early dinner here with my family the other night before taking my son on a boat trip. The location was convenient and we were able to get our food quickly. The restaurant was very clean and pretty dead. As you can see from my pictures, the presentation was very unappetizing but it didn't taste horrible. But it wasn't especially good either. I don't know if my experience was a fluke but I probably wouldn't eat there again.

    Lauren G.

    The Basics: Wow Bao is a fast-food style bao restaurant. The menu features many different kinds of bao (including dessert bao) and some other dishes as well. Things I like: The bao was certainly not perfect, but overall I like the concept and enjoyed the bao. I tried a bunch of different kinds, but my favorites were the Spicy Mongolian Beef and the Coconut Custard. I also really enjoyed a seasonal Apple Pie flavor that I tried. The potstickers are also worth a try. Things I didn't like: At times the bao were not fully cooked. The dough was raw and not solidified on some bao I tried. Also, some of the bao flavors were pretty bland. I tended to enjoy the spicy flavors more due to the added flavor. Additionally, I did not enjoy the fried rice. Overall, this is a place to go to for convenience. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, but for a quick meal, on the go-- I really enjoy it!

    Chicken fried rice
    Blue M.

    Ordered chicken fried rice chicken was so hard it couldn't be eaten rice was mushy and gross and had mushrooms not listed on menu to which I'm allergic

    Chloe R.

    Really good customer service but very low quality of food. I ordered the soup dumplings and received very obviously frozen packaged dumplings that I could get for $3 at a store but they charge $13 and overheat it so it's mushy. The homemade ginger ale was not good.

    Fried rice.

    Ordered fried rice, baos, and soup dumplings. The Famous Fried Rice was soggy and lacked flavor. The soup dumpling had no soup. It wasn't hot and it was mushy like it either wasn't fully cooked or had been sitting out so long it soaked up all the soup. The baos were ok.

    Chicken potstickers

    It was fine. Got the chicken potstickers. Quick service and friendly staff. I don't think I'd go out of my way to go back but it worked in the moment.

    Sesame Chicken Bowl with Fried Rice

    I got a sesame chicken bowl with fried rice. The rice was mushy and had no real texture. The chicken seemed like it was over cooked and had a weird aftertaste. The only reason I gave 2 stars was because the workers were fast and nice.

    Fried Chicken Fried Rice

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    4 years ago

    We always enjoy, got the 4 pack Bao, and 12 pack potstickers, all ingredients looked fresh and simple,

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    I got the Orange chicken and it was horrible. The staff were not too friendly either.

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    4 years ago

    Food is overpriced, not filling, and disappointing. I argue pick up stix are better. Even my free school lunch is more satisfying.

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    Page 6 of 18

    Wow Bao Reviews in Other Languages

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    Duck Duck Goat

    4.1
    (2.2k reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    This was my favorite stop at my visit to Chicago earlier this month! Duck Duck Goat checks all the…read moreboxes from gorgeous interior and sultry ambiance offering different looks for each room, to mouth-watering dishes and stunning cocktails. We had the Dan Dan Slap Noodles, Crab Rangoon and Xiao Long Bao that had us wishing we came hungrier to try more dishes. The chef offers a new, fun twist to Chinese favorites; the pineapple and mascarpone-almond filling in the Crab Rangoon was excellent! Our wonderful server recommended the Dan Dan Slap Noodles, it being his favorite dish, and it did not disappoint! The Chai'd and True cocktail had me rethinking my opinions on bourbon it was so delightful. Come hungry!

    We made reservations for brunch on a Sunday. This place was packed when we arrived and we were…read morestill able to get seated right away. It's crazy it's completely died down by the time we were finished with our meal. The service was great, the interior decor was beautiful and the staff was friendly. The dim sum offered for brunch was good as well but pricey. Especially since some dishes were only offered with two pieces. If you have a party of three then you're kind of forced into buying two of the same dishes. Which is strange. Traditionally most dim sum dishes have three pieces. Rarely see 2 pieces being offered especially for double the price. We ordered their Jiaozi, Char Sui Bao, crab Rangoon, chilly chilli noodles, and their Xiang long Bao. All were great. The chilly chilli noodles is served cold and was very flavorful. The Xiang Kong Bao was amazing. The potstickers was probably my favorite dish and it's mess up char Sui Bao. We were going to order wings but they had ran out I guess by 12pm on a Sunday. I was also going to order fried rice but it wasn't offered for brunch. Overall despite the priciness of the menu, we still enjoyed our food and the service. I obviously knew what I was getting myself into by visiting this place, and can definitely see myself returning in the future.

    Photos
    Join us for Dim Sum every Saturday from 12pm to 3pm.
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    Sunda New Asian - River North

    Sunda New Asian - River North

    4.0
    (3.5k reviews)
    0.4 mi
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    We booked this place through OpenTable and I was a bit skeptical of going here since the menu was…read morevery diverse. The place was close to our hotel which was even better after exploring Chicago. When we go here we checked in and were asked to stand on the side and we will be seated. It did take awhile to get seated where other folks who didn't have reservations were getting seated before us. A hostess went to our kids menu on the table and then we waited some more. Finally a male host came and sat us. I think that was like a 15/20 wait. Our waitress was friendly and hospitable. She was cool to talk to and attentive to our needs this evening. We got the crispy rice wagyu and those were delicious. We also got the yuzo ribeye and black cod and those were really good. The kids loved the ribeye!!! I tried to get the lollipops but they sold out but I heard they are a great hit too. The noise level was very loud. It was so loud due to a party next to us who had a large gathering and were drinking heavily. Other parties left and the other side of the restaurant was still full with other folks but none around this loud group. Anyways - food wise and the waitress service was great. I was surprised and enjoyed out Food and visit that evening.

    I was impressed with but slightly weary about the variety of Sunda's menu - its offerings span…read morenearly every type of Asian cuisine, and it's challenging to excel at everything. My two friends and I ordered the Korean fried chicken baos, two rolls of sushi (Panda Roll and Sake to Me), and Pad Thai to share. The Korean fried chicken baos were my favorite dish. The crispy chicken was glazed in a sweet and flavorful sauce, and each bao was also stuffed with fresh veggies that provided additional crunch. My favorite sushi roll was the Panda Roll because it included shrimp tempura and was drizzled with a combo of sweet and spicy sauces. The Sake to Me roll was also good, but I could have used some soy sauce to mix with the wasabi for additional flavor. The pad Thai had solid flavor, and I appreciated how it did not skimp on the protein. While I thought it would be jarring to consume such a wide variety of cuisines in a single meal, it was actually fun to share and try a little bit of everything.

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    Three Dots and A Dash

    Three Dots and A Dash

    4.1
    (4.2k reviews)
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    This place is a yes, yes, and yes! I have a buddy that loves Tiki bars and found this place/made a…read morereservation, so our group came to visit on a Sunday night. The vibe is speakeasy-ish; the entrance is off the street in an alleyway but the interior is very nice, low light, and would be fun for a date night! The staff were attentive and very friendly. My friend got some shots, which were surprisingly good given they were kind of sweet, and I ordered the "mystic lamp" cocktail ($16) which was VERY memorable to me as someone that loves floral drinks -- it was very floral, slightly fruity, and had a lovely chunk of lychee it came with which was delicious! The drink was decent sized too; I've been charged a lot more for much less drink at other speakeasies (those of which I don't plan to visit again any time soon haha). In my opinion, this spot has the perfect combo of great drinks, nice ambiance, cool speakeasy-vibes, but also cheerfulness given the tiki-theme inside. Would definitely rec a visit to anyone visiting Chicago who likes cool bars!

    I can't understand what the fuss is all about here. I couldn't wait to leave…read more This place represents itself as a tiki bar but is the most half-hearted attempt I have ever seen. I was excited for the experience having heard how busy it gets, blah blah. These positive reviewers need to seek out other tiki bars. After you negotiate the alley entrance and go down dangerously dark stairs, you are met with crazy boring decor. I kept thinking there had to be more right? The whole point of a tiki bar is to strike a mood, but hanging a very few polynesian masks on the wall, putting up a grass facade over the bar and dressing the servers in vaguely polynesian outfits is sad. I've seen private tiki bars at people's homes that are more exciting. Add to this a comparably boring music selection played far too loud over boomy lo-fi speakers and you'll wonder what's going on here. So what about the food and drink? Completely uninspired for anyone who's had more than a mai tai before in their life. About a dozen extremely common drink choices is all you get!! No specials, that's it. When I asked if this was the whole cocktail menu, the server said it was but they have a full bar so you can get anything you want. Well, I could get that service at just about any bar in the world, so big deal. Maybe it would be better if you sat at the bar and chatted up the bartender. One could also go taste their rum selections and other cocktails in the Bamboo Room, but I hate that kind of elitist nonsense. That's never been what tiki bars were about. The drinks we sampled were okay at best. Even the namesake 3 Dots and A Dash cocktail was lackluster and used cheap cherries for the dots instead of classic Luxardos. (If you know, you know) The appetizers were okay, but way overpriced. 5 tiny spring rolls for $18. Come on guys, enough already. I'd rather go to the bar at the Polynesian Hotel at Disney than return here. This place is a hard pass.

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    Interior Entrance
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    Nobu Chicago

    Nobu Chicago

    3.9
    (495 reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    I stopped by Nobu for happy hour and grabbed a seat on the rooftop, and it was the perfect way to…read morespend the afternoon. It was a hot day, but the breeze on the rooftop made it incredibly comfortable. The views of the Chicago skyline...including the "Willis" Tower were beautiful. I ordered the Brussels sprouts, shrimp tempura, and a lychee cocktail, and every single item was excellent. The cocktail had the perfect level of sweetness, and the food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The space itself is modern, chic, and aesthetically pleasing, with warm wood finishes and darker tones that create a sophisticated atmosphere. The service was just as impressive...everyone was friendly, attentive without being overbearing, and happy to answer questions and offer recommendations. Between the food, drinks, rooftop views, and exceptional hospitality, this is easily a place I'll be coming back to. It might just become one of my regular happy hour spots.

    The food was amazing, but the service and overall hospitality was far from it. Our Lovely 4 year…read moreAnniversary turned out to be a big let down. We arrived and we seated promptly and proceeded to the brunch buffet. The food was remarkable and fish so fresh and vibrant. When we got back to the table, a server (I assume) stopped over and gave us water. She didn't introduce herself, welcome us, or even offer us a drink menu or ASK. She did wish us a happy anniversary but that was it. As the meal was coming to an end, we went to the dessert table. The desserts are in a separate room over by the bar. There were several employees hanging out with a gentlemen who I found out was an off the clock employee. He was wrestling with another employee and almost knocked into my wife. I also heard another employee shut it down and heard him using EXTREMELY inapropriote language. This made us VERY uncomfortable. I gave him a look and he seemed to stop, but then he came over to her and proceeded to ask what her favorite dessert was. He then proceeded to be loud and honestly ruined our afternoon. The icing on the cake was that when we returned to our table after getting some dessert, the staff had cleaned our table and were resetting it. At that point, I was over it. We asked for the check. When I Asked our server who the gentleman at the bar was, she informed me he was an employee of the restaurant/hotel. 5 min Later, someone came to the table (not sure if they were a manager, they never introduced themself) and comped the meal. Overall the food was excellent, however the anniversary we had in mind was ruined. Off duty staff should be held to the same standards as if they were clocked in. We did not feel welcome at all. We were considering staying the evening at the hotel, but quickly changed our minds after the encounter, lack of service, and unprofessionalism.

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    Momotaro

    Momotaro

    4.1
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.0 mi
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    Found Momotaro through Bilt. Reservations were easy to make online. Moody Japanese, mid century…read moremodern design inside. Great spot for date night. It was packed inside! I got the chamomile tea, miso soup, Broccoli Goma-ae, and a few orders of nigiri. If you want freshly made-to-order, I would avoid the rolls as I saw them make a bunch ahead of time on trays. For dessert I got the Satsumaimo Taruto. All of the dishes were yummy! Portions were just right. Service was attentive and professional. In terms of quality, I can't say it's the absolute best sushi I've had, but it's still good and it's on par with the price and ambiance. Solid dinner spot. I would come back again!

    I was really excited to eat here. I'd heard such incredible reviews, and truly the food was good. I…read morewould say I think it's slightly over hyped a bit but very clearly a spot that's loved since it's ALWAYS busy. The fish was fresh and I did enjoy my bites. I will say for what you get it's pricey and might leave you a little hungry if you're just ordering the sushi/nigiri. But again very good bites. Definitely make a reservation. I will say the server helped me pick gluten free options and asked if I was celiac (they have a GF menu so ask for that). The service was pretty slow, but again it's always packed. For reference I went on a Monday evening alone. It's for sure a vibey place. Great for birthdays or groups that are looking to have a fun night out. It's loud inside with music bumping so not exactly a place to sit and have conversations. Will say wish I could give this 3.5 stars because it wasn't bad just maybe not my vibe.

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    Mott St

    Mott St

    4.0
    (1.2k reviews)
    2.5 mi
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    How have I never been to Mott Street and how did we get lucky enough to arrive and be seated prior…read moreto 7 p.m. so we could still order their AMAZING burgers? (They are not served after 7 p.m.) Mott street has a small indoor space and a large outdoor space and every seat/table was occupied. It was an eclectic crowd and the vibe was young and hip. We ordered fewer plates than was recommended by our waiter and we were all plenty full by the end of our meal and still had leftovers. For six of us, we ordered three burgers (one couple shared theirs), the jackfruit bulgogi entree, two orders of garlic rice, crispy chili cauliflower, everything shrimp noodles, the imperial rolls and budino to be shared for dessert. What can I say about those burgers? Wow! Just wow. I had an egg on mine and when you pressed on the bun, the yoke of the egg would drip down. It was a messy burger to eat but with, hoisin aioli, pickled jalapeño, dill pickles, miso butter onions, american cheese and sweet potato shoestrings on the side, it was beyond delicious. Other favorites were the crispy chili cauliflower and the everything shrimp noodles. Nice, simple presentation of all the food and everything had great flavor. We were a little underwhelmed with the budino, but we loved everything else. The spacing of the food coming out wasn't always great. (We ordered two garlic rice dishes and one came early on and one very late in the meal), and the jackfruit entree came way after everything else, but it still would never deter me from coming back. It also had limited vegetarian entrees, with most vegetarian items being side dishes. It also wasn't cheap but that is all restaurants these days. A 20% gratuity was included in our party of six. Overall it was a great dining experience and understandable why they are known for their burgers and why it is hard to get a reservation!

    It was my 2nd time to this place. Food is very good. Not many vegetarian options but whatever they…read morehave is good except the Silken Tofu dish Love their Oyster Mushrooms. They are so so good, but very small quantity Brussel Sprouts was ok not so great Crispy Chili Cauliflower is also so so good If u like garlic, their Garlic Rice are very good too Deji Delight was good too. And their Lichi Mocktail is fine too.

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    Mentaiko Kimchi Udon*

    Wow Bao - chinese - Updated July 2026

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