Nestled among the locksmiths, barbers and various cafes lies Bao Bar, serving delicious twists on the classic Chinese buns.

Yolli and I have been to Bao Bar a few times before, but decided now was the perfect opportunity to put pen to paper and document just what makes this unassuming shopfront one of Newcastle’s finest places to eat.

Liam: Yolli, let’s make a start. If you could sum up Bao Bar in one sentence, what would it be?

Yolli: Light fluffy buns of perfection stuffed thoughtfully with yummy shit. You?

Liam: Yummy shit indeed. Honestly, I couldn’t put it better myself. This is the third time we’ve been to Bao Bar in as many months, and I have to say, it seems to get better with every visit. We ordered off Just Eat on this particular occasion – a recent addition that makes securing tasty buns a breeze – and got the following:

• 2 x Fried Chicken Bao (with sriracha mayonnaise)
• 1 x Beer Battered Cod Loin Bao (with lemon mayonnaise)
• 1 x Sweet Potato Bao (with chickpea and tahini dressing)
• 1 x Korean Rice Bowl (with a sticky pork belly and crispy prawn skewer and kimchi)

Let’s start with the Korean Rice Bowl because, as i’m sure you’ll agree, holy moly that was some good food.

Yolli: Absolutely, it was clear that we were in agreement whilst eating it – given the noises we made during. The beautifully tender pork belly was the winning bit for me, with the crispy prawn not far behind. Whatever they were glazed with really rounded off the flavours. I was expecting the accompanying rice to be plain sticky rice, however, it was incredibly flavoursome thanks to the addition of kimchi and topped generously with spring onions – I loved it.

Would you add anything? How you would rate the bao in order of your favourites?

Liam: The pork belly was heavenly. I’d even go as far as saying it was perfect. Everything pork belly should be. Crispy on the outside, tender meat, soft delicious fat. Oh, and that glaze! That sweet glaze! I’ve been thinking about that pork ever since we ate it, and as someone who isn’t particularly big on pig bits, that’s saying something.

As always, I really enjoyed the baos. The fried chicken bao (which we both ordered) was very tasty. Moist crispy chicken paired with sriracha mayo is a winning combination and hard to beat. However, my other bao, the beer-battered cod, was my personal favourite. Delicious, fluffy cod fried in a batter so light it was almost like tempura. The lemon mayo was subtle and those buns! God those buns are so delicious. Soft, chewy and perhaps most importantly, thick without being overwhelming.

You get so much filling in these things, I definitely wouldn’t have two next time. There was so much food! How did you find yours? Although I only had a bite of your sweet potato bao, it seemed to be a little less flavoursome than the pair I ordered.

Yolli: I admire the passion behind your descriptions! The passion is warranted. I never thought I could feel so loving towards those fluffy little bastards. (I do mean bao, just to clarify).

I agree that we ordered too much food, I don’t think we have ever not done this though, right? I must admit, the sweet potato bao was my least favourite. I felt very aware of the number of fried meats/fish that were already in the other bits, so I thought I’d give it a go. PLUS I like to attempt to go for a vegan/veggie option where I can. I don’t think it was less flavoursome than the other two, in fact, it was probably more flavoursome, but there was a taste I couldn’t quite past and therefore didn’t finish it, unfortunately.

It is probably also worth mentioning the pastries they offer too. I didn’t on this occasion, but I usually order a Vanilla Crown (filled with custard and glazed with salted caramel). Liam, you won’t be able to comment on this because of your “nut allergy”, but I can confirm that the quality here lives up to the rest of the scran!

Liam: OK, I do have a nut allergy for starters, so please stop trying to kill me. Secondly, I did have a dessert from here the first time we went! It was a red bean paste… thing, and it was delicious. Asian flavours blended with European pastries. What’s not to love?

Bao Bar’s menu changes every month or so, and they even do special bao’s on a Sunday as well as breakfast options for early risers. I really would recommend this place for anyone looking for a reasonably priced eatery that is completely delicious. It’s quickly becoming one of my favourites and I can’t wait to go back as soon as possible.

Yolli, any final thoughts?

Yolli: Agreed, the menu change keeps me wanting more and guarantees my FOMO to kick in if there is a bao I have yet to try. As much as I love that this has become a favourite to order in at home, are you up for dining in when we get a chance? I hear they do Asahi on tap now! You must have been thinking, what could make this eating experience more perfect? Well Liam, it’s Asahi.

Liam: I mean at this point, dining indoors at a McDonalds sounds like a dream, so it’s fair to say I’m excited to sit inside as soon as they re-open their doors to the public. Asahi on tap does sound like a dream though. What a beer. What a place!

I think that’s everything. Bao Bar is open every day between 10 – 4 and more information can be found by visiting their website.

Seriously, those buns? Heavenly. Make sure you check this place out.