Mr Bao (Restaurant)

Top 10 things you need to know about Mr. Bao:

1) Friends, family and lovers will all be susceptible to Mr. Bao’s steamy, sweet buns. You’ll spot first daters, friends with beards, work outings, birthdays, friends without beards, and in-law introductions at this cosy restaurant in Peckham Rye.

2) Smacked cucumber is a thing here. We’re yet to confirm whether the cucumber suffered at the hand of the chef, but the fresh and simple chopped veg (or is it a fruit?) tossed in garlic, soy sauce and vinegar is a great way to balance out the sticky, rich sweetness of the bao.

3) Let the team order for you and let them order everything. Fried chicken with miso mayo is borderline addictive; sweet potato chips with wasabi mayo (they’re big on funky mayo) are a crispy delight; and the main event is, of course, the bao.

4) Alongside the specials, gorge yourself silly on light, white bao stuffed with slow braised pork, pickles and peanut powder; the Bao Diddley with fried chicken and kimchi; slow-cooked lamb and fried prawn with pickled mooli and spiced spring onion.

5) Don’t forget dessert. The Bao S’More is a heart attack waiting to happen and totally worth the ride. Two spoons are recommended to tackle this pile of crispy fried bao, smooth melted chocolate and sticky toasted marshmallow.

6) It’s OK to talk to your neighbours. Despite the British stiff upper lip, this is a community joint and you are positively encouraged to wax lyrical with the other diners. (We had a crackin’ chat with the couple next door).

7) The laid back design is inspired by Asian docks, mixing industrial bashed steel and copper with the building’s original brickwork. It’s cool without trying too hard.

8) Go back for an Asian twist on brunch classics. The chef is dishing up Bao Benedict with slow braised pork; or go for the Full Taiwanese, guaranteed to banish any hangover with sausage, spring onion pancake, spiced eggs and more bao. Queue drool.

9) Not convinced? Check out @mrbaouk on Instagram for Taiwanese food porn guaranteed to get you through the door.

10) If you unwittingly manage to over do it on steamed buns and get a hankering for Western flavours, pop down the road to Miss Tapas, the hip and happenin’ Spanish spot run by the wife of Mr. Bao!...read more