Soft, steamy and packed with flavor, bao buns are like little clouds of pure joy. These pillowy pockets of deliciousness have taken Denver by storm, popping up at all kinds of hot spots around town. Whether you’re craving a classic with pork belly, inventive fusion fillings or veg-friendly options – Denver’s bao game is growing strong – and we’ve got the list to prove it. Here is a rundown of the tastiest, top-tier baos in town.
Vinh Xuong Bakery
Where: 2370 W Alameda Ave., Denver
When: Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Lowdown: This Vietnamese bakery might come to mind first for their banh mi sandwiches that are out of this world and packed with flavor – but behind the scenes, they are baking up so much more. Vinh Xuong Bakery is serving up some of the most simple yet satisfying baked pork bao buns – steamed to perfection, full of expertly seasoned and tender pork, with an ever so gentle crisp exterior. Family owned and operated; you would be hard pressed to find better Vietnamese bites in town.
Kawa Ni
Where: 1900 W 32nd Ave., Denver
When: Tuesday – Friday 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Saturday and Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The Lowdown: Kawa Ni serves the quintessential white and fluffy bao in the sliced and loaded form. With three options on the menu, you can get your fix from tofu to Biang Biang chicken – but the real star here is the Spam Bao – with house-made spam, Japanese mustard and pickles. Take a bite and be transported to the childhood you never had – but wish you did. It’s like the fried bologna sandwich you wanted after school with the crisp of a perfectly snappy hot dog. Even better? These bao buns are only $5 during happy hour.
Uncle
Where: 2215 W 32nd Ave., Denver and 95 S Pennsylvania St., Denver
When: Highlands location is open Monday – Thursday 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Friday – Saturday 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.; West Wash Park is open Monday – Thursday 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and Friday – Saturday 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
The Lowdown: Come for the piping hot ramen and stay for the steamed and pillowy bao buns – any of them. Uncle is a local favorite for comfort food on cold days, and even in the summer, you will see a line quickly form when the doors open. The stand-out bao here is the soft shell crab bun – with green papaya slaw, coconut mayo and cilantro nam prik. It is a magical harmony of crunch, creamy and tang – and while you COULD share, you’re probably just going to want your own.
Bryan’s Dumpling House
Where: 2851 W 120th Ave., #100, Wheat Ridge and 8000 E Belleview Ave., #B45, Greenwood Village
When: Daily 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Lowdown: If you are seeking traditional dumplings made in-house combined with a wide variety of flavors bringing vibrant color to the table – Bryan’s Dumpling House is your go-to. With several buns to choose from, you can explore many flavors and styles. Opt for a classic like the sesame bun – wheat flour and black sesame paste – or the BBQ pork bun – another traditional Hong Kong-style Cha Shu bun. They have plenty of veg-friendly selections as well, including the loaded Vegetable bun- with cabbage, vermicelli, mushroom, green bean, corn and celery. With an entire menu full of dim-sum, Bryan’s is a great option to go with a group and taste your way through the menu one dumpling at a time.
MAKfam
Where: 39 W 1st Ave., Denver
When: Daily 11 a.m. – 8:45 p.m., Closed Tuesday;
Lowdown: Head to MAKfam and curb your inventive cravings with their now famous Mala Mozz Sticks – but don’t sleep on snagging a bao bun while you’re there. These soft, milky buns are filled with umami and with another three options to choose from – you just can’t go wrong. Opt for all and bao down – or pick your favorite, like the Diced Spicy Chicken Bao with cilantro, pickled radish, spicy mayo and sesame seed. The Fried Marinated Tofu with scallion, pickled radish, thai basil ranch and sesame seed will make you forget meat even exists with its crunch, herbaceous kick and perfectly steamed goodness.
READ: MAKfam – From Dining Hall to a Baker Neighborhood Staple
Seoul ManDoo
Where: 2222 S Havana St., #J, Aurora
When: Closed Monday – Tuesday, Wednesday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Lowdown: If you are looking for a variation on the traditional Chinese bao bun, Seoul ManDoo presents a Korean version known as Mandu – or Mandoo. Tucked into an Aurora strip mall, you can find an authentic menu loaded with what it calls “giant dumplings” – handmade and fluffy to perfection while being nearly overstuffed with fillings such as kimchi, veggie, shrimp and meat. Its menu will not break the bank, and with the portion sizes, there is no doubt you will be leaving satisfied. These are an incredible variation to the typical sandwich-style bao buns we know and love.
Star Kitchen
Where: 2917 West Mississippi Ave., Denver
When: Monday – Tuesday 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Closed Wednesday, Thursday – Friday 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
The Lowdown: Boasting one of the most popular dim sum menus in town, it’s no wonder Star Kitchen is repeatedly voted as a diner favorite across the crowds. With over 51 items to choose from, its dim sum offerings include steamed and stuffed versions of the bao with fillings like BBQ pork, pan-fried with chicken and veggies and even a steamed sweet cream option. This is a great spot for a date night or an outing with friends – the more people you bring, the more food you get to share!
Baker’s Palace
Where: 550 S Federal Blvd., #B, Denver
When: Daily 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Closed Tuesday
The Lowdown: If you are looking for authentic and ridiculously affordable Vietnamese cuisine in a sea of wannabes, Baker’s Palace is where it’s at. Think of a bakery that just happens to make some of the fluffiest yet crunchiest bread for bahn mi’s – and with over a dozen variations to choose from, it’s nearly impossible not to find a bahn you love. But for every good sammy, you need a side to go with – and the steamed pork buns at Baker’s Palace are the perfect option no matter what.
Yuan Wonton
Where: 2878 Fairfax St., Denver
When: Closed Saturday – Monday; Tuesday – Wednesday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Thursday – Friday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The Lowdown: There is nothing that Penelope Wong can’t do – from a food truck all-star to an extremely worth-the-wait brick and mortar – Yuan Wonton has set a standard for “Canto-American” cuisine, and you’d be hard-pressed to find ANYTHING not to love on this menu. The flavors change seasonally – and sometimes weekly – but one thing is for sure: these buns are worth the hype – whatever flavor they may be. Expect variations of stuffed and steamed bao ranging from Taiwanese Fried Chicken to a pan-fried Chinese Chive – but if you’re REALLY lucky, you might find the infamous Pineapple Bun on the menu – fluffy, crispy, savory and sweet all in one perfectly handmade vessel.