The 3 Best Bao Bars in Ottawa That’ll Win Your Heart (and Stomach)
A few days ago, my friends and I were chatting about where to grab lunch when our conversation suddenly shifted to bao buns. We had all tried out different bao bars but we couldn’t figure out which spots were the best.
This started our quest to find the best bao bars in the city. We spent our whole day trying out different spots, each time amazed at the variety of flavors and fillings that they had.
By the end of our journey, I was stuffed but I came out knowing for sure what the best bao bars were in Ottawa. After that, I couldn’t wait to share the places that stood out the most. Should you find yourself craving for bao, here’s my list of the best in the city!
1. Gongfu Bao
– Media credit: gongfubao
Website: https://www.gongfu.ca/
Location: 365 Bank Street
Contact Details: 613-454-5963
Business Hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday to Tuesday: Closed
Must order: Berkshire Pork Bao
Gongfu Bao is a well-known diner/cafe by day and bao bar by night. They’ve got some of the best handcrafted steamed buns and a whole lot more.
Their Berkshire Pork Baos are unlike anything you’ve ever had. It’s a combination of juicy Berkshire pork and cucumber slaw topped with crispy garlic. This is a local favorite that you absolutely must try!
This is best paired with their Pepper-Salt Chicken Bites. Dip these in their salad cream dip and you’re full even before your baos are served.
Pro tip:
Order some of their Broken Jasmine Rice to go along with your meal. It’s simply the tastiest and goes well with everything!
2. Datsun
– Media credit: eatdatsun
Website: https://eatdatsun.com/
Location: 380 Elgin Street, Ottawa
Contact Details: 613-421-7411
Business Hours:
- Sunday: Closed
- Monday to Thursday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 5:00 PM – Late
Must order: Crispy Cod Bao
Datsun is an upscale Asian-fusion restaurant that offers a trendy take on bao.
The main attraction is their Crispy Cod Bao, a tasty cod bao drizzled with a sweet soy sauce and kewpie mayo. Paired with their toasted nori, it’s a crispy treat that explodes with flavor!
If you’re looking for a bit of spice, their House Made Chili Sauce does not disappoint! Dip your baos and your taste buds are in for a wild ride.
Their Ex’s Sweater cocktail is the perfect drink to go with your baos. The sweet hint of passionfruit simply hits differently!
Pro tip:
Their Crispy Chicken Bao is a great choice as well! You can’t go wrong with the furikake and ranch dressing.
3. YiMin Dimsum House
– Media credit: teafortwo.c
Website: http://www.yimindimsumhouse.com/
Location: 662 Somerset Street
Contact Details: 613-238-8828
Business Hours: Daily: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Must order: Steamed BBQ Pork Bun
For more dim sum-style bao, no one does it quite like YiMin.
Their Steamed BBQ Pork Buns are a local favorite. The pork captures the perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness, and when paired with their house sauce, I’d be surprised if you don’t come back for seconds.
If you’re looking for a sweet treat, their Deep Fried Apples are perfect! Take a bite of the crispy outer layer of the apple and taste the sweet juices. It’s just amazing.
To wash it all down, try the Ice Milk Tea. It’s the smoothest and richest milk tea I’ve tasted.
Pro tip:
If you’re not in the mood for milk tea, give their house-blend iced tea a shot!