Bao Bao has handmade buns at ION Orchard
If you frequent the Orchard area, you may have come across Bao Bao, ION Orchard‘s latest opening. This new kiosk, started by Surrey Hills Grocer founder Pang Gek Teng, specialises in handmade buns priced from just $1.20 a pop.
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The inspiration behind the new brand? A retiring local bao maker who’s been selling handmade buns for close to 50 years. At this new kiosk, the bao dough is said to be handmade on-site daily, under the unnamed bao maker’s guidance. A natural yeast starter is used, along with a slow fermentation process that takes up to 14 hours, resulting in a light and fluffy texture that’s slightly chewy.
There are over 10 flavours to choose from, with staples such as the Big Pork Bao ($2.90) and Braised Pork Belly Bao ($2.90) being the priciest items. The latter features huge chunks of pork belly that could be slightly tough for some, but for the price paid, we think it’s great value for money!
There are also five items affordably priced at $1.20 each, namely Coffee Bao, Lotus Seed Bao, Bean Paste Bao, Longevity Peach Bao, and Rabbit Bao.
Though the Roasted Char Siew Bao ($1.50) was slightly smaller than the other buns, it was stuffed with a sweet and umami char siew filling that kept us wanting more.
We were pleasantly surprised that the Black Pepper Chicken Bao ($2.90) was as large as the Big Pork Bao.
This was a collective favourite as it was loaded with tender chicken chunks in a fragrant black pepper sauce that carried a kick of spice.
Those who love yam desserts will be happy to know that there’s an Orh Nee Bao ($1.60), which stars a creamy taro paste spiked with fragrant shallot oil.
Moving on to something sweet, we tried the French Chocolate Lava Bao ($2), which featured a molten dark chocolate filling that oozed out upon tearing the bao apart.
The Azuki Red Bean Mochi Bao ($1.60) contains azuki red bean paste that’s cooked with pandan leaves and a QQ mochi middle. Though a tad dry, we appreciated the generous portion of mochi stuffed within. BTW, this particular flavour sells out fast so come earlier if you’d like to try it!
Bao Bao is conveniently located at Basement 4 of ION Orchard, which is connected to Orchard MRT Station.Â
For more affordable food recommendations in the area, check out our Orchard cheap food guide. Alternatively, for something at the other end of the price spectrum, visit the world’s first AP Cafe at Raffles Hotel.
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-34, ION Orchard, Singapore 238801
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Website
Bao Bao is not a halal-certified eatery.
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Photos taken by Paula Formantes.
This was a media tasting at Bao Bao.
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