Ever since the Bao Bar opened near the Mariahilfer Straße here in Vienna, I am a frequently returning customer to feast off their delicious Bao and sweet potato fries. Now that they added a fourth kind of bao, the time to write about them has finally come.

Vienna is home to people from different parts from all of the world with many different cultural backgrounds. Nevertheless, Austrians still prefer their plain fare, like Schnitzel, Schweinsbraten or fancy cake, and taste unknown, less traditional Austrian food with caution. As they say, old habits die hard.

This might be one of the reasons why it took so long for a bao shop to open in Austria’s capital. Of course it was possible to get them in Vienna before BAO BAR’s grand opening, but still, I would have never dreamed for a bao only shop to open here.

We’ll wait and see what happens.

“No.1 Place for Asian Bao Burgers”?

Is what they say about themselves. Well, it’s easy to be number one if you are the only one store which specializes on bao. Let’s see if they can live up to their own expectations.

Firstly, decide on what bao you want. So far, they offer one with pork belly, tofu and crispy chicken with either avocado or Korean kimchi.

Sides available are sweet potato fries, kimchi fries, sesame slaw and edamame. For drinks they offer different lemonades, water and beer as well as their homemade lemonade. They also offer set menu, their BAO BOX, with two bao, a side and a drink.

My humble Foodie Opinion

My favorite bao is the crispy chicken and avocado one, which I always get. Tofu and pork belly are also worth a try. I was really excited when they started to offer a Kimchi one but was disappointed with that one. The Kimchi is almost tasteless and not spicy at all. They probably tried to come up with a non-spicy option which is eatable for anyone and ended up with a sorry version of what should be one of Korea’s signature dish.

The sweet potato fries with their homemade dip as well as their homemade ice tea are delicious and worth a try. The fries are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, just how I like them. The ice tea is also moderately sweet and gladly not too sugary.

Sure, the taste is adjusted to the Austrian/European palate and far from how the original ones in Taiwan taste (it is hard to sell hardcore authentic Asian-style food in Austria). But they are nonetheless really delicious and skillfully made. The different ingredients with lots of different textures are enjoyable to eat, and to tell you the truth: I prefer the crunchy chicken over the too soft Asian originals.

Mister Wong’s Foodie Barometer

BAO BAR’s bao are not completely authentic like the ones you will be served in Asia. But their Austrian twist in taste makes them really delicious in their own way and they are definitely worth a try. Although their small shop might look like a fast food place, their slightly expensive prices will teach you otherwise. You definitely should not go their for a snack but a whole meal. Then the price is perfectly reasonable and you will go out full and satisfied. Oh and by the way: in summer you can also sit outside in front of the shop.

Taste: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Price: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Authenticity: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Are you looking for more delicious recommendations? How about these?

Kojiro Fish Shop – Authentic Japanese Sushi
TATA & Rice Time – Vietmanese Fusion Cuisine
Mochi – Fine Japanese Fusion Dining
Mochi Ramen Bar – Japanese Ramen
ALL REIS – Bangkok Street Food

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