Get steamy, fluffy, fresh baos at the best bao restaurants in Adelaide!
During my trip to Beijing, one of my most unforgettable experiences was sinking my teeth into a cha siu bao (pork barbecue bun). With a fluffy exterior and savory pulled pork wrapped in jelly-like soy, it quickly became my favorite dim sum.
Now that I’m home, I’m looking for spots that capture that irresistible magic, and there are plenty! If you’re craving dim sum like me, don’t miss out on the best bao restaurants in Adelaide.
Mamachau
Address: 3/118 King William St
Website: https://www.mamachau.com.au/
Contact Details: +61 8 8410 5958
Business Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:30 AM-4 PM
Facebook reviews score | 4/5 |
Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
Total reviews | 4.8/5 |
Score consistency | 4.4/5 |
Quality of food | 4.5/5 |
– Freshness | 5/5 |
– Authenticity | 4/5 |
Professionalism of staff | 5/5 |
– Speed in responding to requests | 5/5 |
– Courteousness | 5/5 |
Fairness of price | 5/5 |
Location | 5/5 |
Mamachau’s specialty is the gua bao or Taiwanese pork buns that are taco-like, allowing you to see its savory contents (not to mention, making it more delicious looking too).
I loved the Master-Stock Pork Belly, which had a delicious mix of pickled mustard, peanut sesame dust, and the fragrant hoisin sauce.
On the other hand, my friend had the KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) pork bun. She liked its delightfully crunchy texture which was deliciously complemented by the spicy gochujang sauce.
Moreover, we appreciated the servers who were responsive and friendly.
That said, they take a while to serve the food, sometimes taking 20–30 minutes. Also, you might be disappointed if you’re looking for the cha siu bao (the fully enclosed one), as they don’t serve that.
The crispy fish bao was my favorite
“I had the opportunity to try their Bao buns and surely didn’t disappoint. I had the Fried chicken bao and crispy fish bao. They were both good, but the crispy fish bao was my favorite and the tartare sauce added a great flavor to it 👌. The prices were very reasonable and the service was fast. It’s a great city spot for Bao buns. 👍”
Charitha| Google Review
Steamed baos were just amazing
“We had a work lunch that was catered by the wonderful Mamachau! Everything was super delicious! Great options for vegans and vegetarians too. But I have to say their Korean fried chicken is one of the best 😅. The steamed baos were just amazing 😍🤤. Highly recommended!”
Hanmo| Google Review
Moon Bear Dumpling Co
Website: https://moonbeardumplingco.com.au/
Address: 597 Tapleys Hill Rd, Fulham
Contact Details: +61 451 464 711
Business Hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 11 AM-2:30 PM, 4:30 PM-8:30 PM
Facebook reviews score | 5/5 |
Google reviews score | 4.8/5 |
Total reviews | 5/5 |
Score consistency | 4.9/5 |
Quality of food | 4.5/5 |
– Freshness | 4/5 |
– Authenticity | 5/5 |
Professionalism of staff | 5/5 |
– Speed in responding to requests | 5/5 |
– Courteousness | 5/5 |
Fairness of price | 5/5 |
Location | 5/5 |
Moon Bear Dumpling Co was immediately on my radar in 2020 during their opening because they promised authentic Taiwanese food. Upon my visit there, I was not disappointed.
For starters, their baos are served in two versions: bao zi (enclosed) and gua bao (taco-style). For the former, they served a delicious custard and sesame peanut-filled bun that satisfied my sweet tooth.
For the gua bao, their crispy enoki option had a deliciously earthy flavor. The bread wrapping also had just the right fluffiness to it.
The service is quick, and the staff are friendly and welcoming. They also offer helpful recommendations on what to try from the menu.
In terms of downsides, however, their dining space is a bit small. Also, some found the quality of their food a bit inconsistent.
Quiet, warm, and charming atmosphere
“We absolutely enjoyed our BIG dinner at Moon Bear. At first, we were very surprised by how small the restaurant was, but instantly took a liking to its quiet, warm, and charming atmosphere..”
Food was unbelievably delicious
“Ordered food for takeaway, absolutely perfect guidance & recommendations on how much food to feed 4 adults and also the dishes that were selected. Food was unbelievably delicious and the perfect amount for our group. We really appreciate the extra mile that was gone in making and getting our food to us. Very dangerous to have such a fantastic restaurant across the road from us. Thank you for a fantastic feed!”
Georgia| Google Review
Bobibao
Address: 7 Second St, Bowden
Website: https://bobibao.com.au/
Contact Details: +61 451 108 110
Business Hours: Monday-Sunday: 11 AM-8 PM
Facebook reviews score | 4.3/5 |
Google reviews score | 4.6/5 |
Total reviews | 4.6/5 |
Score consistency | 4.3/5 |
Quality of food | 5/5 |
– Freshness | 5/5 |
– Authenticity | 5/5 |
Professionalism of staff | 4.5/5 |
– Speed in responding to requests | 4/5 |
– Courteousness | 5/5 |
Fairness of price | 4.5/5 |
Location | 5/5 |
Bobibao brings a fresh take on Taiwanese cuisine by blending authentic flavors with modern twists. Specifically, they subtly adjust the ingredients to accommodate vegan and vegetarian preferences.
The shop was established to reflect the country’s cuisine in a modern way, seen not only in its menu but also in its stylish interior.
I tried their vegan crumbled tofu, which was part of a 6-item chef’s menu (including the tasty night market satay corn ribs). The bao itself had a satisfying crunch and a delicate, light umami flavor.
Their servers are commendable for making our group feel comfortable and welcome. In addition, their plating was nice, which I appreciate.
They can improve, however, in terms of avoiding further cases of serving incomplete takeout orders. Also, their serving times are a bit long, sometimes exceeding 30 minutes.
Recommend the pork bao
“Great little food stops for a quick bite or a meal. Yummy baos and delicious drinks. Recommend the pork bao, garlic green beans with salted egg yolk, pork and the housemaid winter melon soda is a favorite.”
Isabella| Google Review
My personal favorite is the pork belly bao
“Corn ribs is an inspiring entry, surely to open up your appetite. And comes my personal favorite of the night, the pork belly bao. No gonna spoil anything about the taste as everyone deserves their own first experience. Both the chicken wing and cabbage are very well cooked, everything about their taste are pitch perfect 🤩. Taiwanese fried chicken is very special, nothing like other fried chicken I had before. My friend loves the beef, especially when they are mixed with the house-created mustard sauce. Well, I just simply love its presentation. The desserts are everyone’s must have again, as the taste of sesame ice cream is still lingering. Zesty trip. Well worth the adventure.
Nate| Google Review
Bai Long Store
Website: https://www.bailong.store/
Address: Suite 1A/32/21 South Tce
Contact Details: +61 459 505 591
Operating Hours: Monday, Wednesday-Thursday, Saturday: 6 PM-10 PM
Friday: 12 PM-10 PM
Google reviews score | 4.5/5 |
Total reviews | 4.4/5 |
Score consistency | 4.5/5 |
Quality of food | 5/5 |
– Freshness | 5/5 |
– Authenticity | 5/5 |
Professionalism of staff | 4/5 |
– Speed in responding to requests | 4/5 |
– Courteousness | 4/5 |
Fairness of price | 5/5 |
Location | 4.5/5 |
Bai Long Store may not specialize in dim sum, but their Peking duck bao earned it a spot on this list. The bao had a gamey flavor complemented by the sweet hoisin sauce, creating a harmonious balance that delighted my taste buds.
The restaurant is known for its intriguing cuisine inspired by the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cultures. With its chic modern look, the ambiance here is cool and calm.
I also appreciated the attentive service from the staff, which reminded me of Japanese servers. They provided helpful guidance about each meal’s contents, which made me feel more at ease.
In terms of downsides, however, their overall rates are pricey. Also, they only have one flavor of bao.
Each plate is thoughtfully presented
“One of my favorites, Bai Long in Adelaide offers an extraordinary dining experience that blends modern Asian flavors with a contemporary twist. The food is exceptional, with dishes like Peking duck bao, yakitori, salmon sashimi standing out for their innovative combinations and flawless execution. The atmosphere is sleek and stylish, making it ideal for both casual and special occasions. Each plate is thoughtfully presented, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to quality and creativity. Bai Long is truly a standout, delivering a memorable experience from start to finish—highly recommended for adventurous food lovers!”
Chee| Google Review
Amazing food
“Amazing food, every dish was nothing short of delicious. The staff were so incredibly friendly and welcoming, a special thanks to Jerry whose bright and positive demeanor enhanced our dinner experience and made it an extra special night! Lovely, tidy store, great ambience, couldn’t recommend higher!”
Ben| Google Review
Sit Lo
Website: http://sitlo.com.au/
Address: 30 Bank St
Contact Details: +61 456 659 841
Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 AM-9 PM
Google reviews score | 4.4/5 |
Total reviews | 5/5 |
Score consistency | 4.4/5 |
Quality of food | 5/5 |
– Freshness | 5/5 |
– Authenticity | 5/5 |
Professionalism of staff | 5/5 |
– Speed in responding to requests | 5/5 |
– Courteousness | 5/5 |
Fairness of price | 5/5 |
Location | 4/5 |
Sit Lo is a great choice if you’re in a hurry, as they serve takeout orders quickly while still maintaining good food quality.
Their place in Bank Street was very noticeable to me because of its Hoi An-inspired interior. During lunchtime, they’re usually filled with many diners and people waiting for takeouts.
The Vietnamese baos they served me were crafted with care, featuring fresh ingredients like cucumber and onions that added a welcome texture to each bite.
Their rates are also budget-friendly, solidifying their reputation as an everyday restaurant.
That said, their dining space is small. Some customers also noted inconsistencies in the amount of ingredients included in their takeout orders.
The baos were so soft
“Everything that we ordered was delicious! The crispy pork in banh mi, the beef in the noodles and the chicken were perfectly cooked. The baos were so soft and good that it would melt in your mouth. On top of that, they offered top notch service!”
Paula| Google Review
Bao buns were fantastic
“I ordered the bao buns which were fantastic. But it was the service that put this place over the top. Everyone is very welcoming and will be coming back!”
Maddie| Google Review