By: Sarena Akhter
Hello, Foodies! Here's our kick-off for the month of our series of sponsor posts (that were delayed because of COVID and school)—we're hoping that even if you weren't able to go last year, you can still find a way to go in during the upcoming months! To start it off, let's talk about one of our favourite buns: Baos!
Mr and Mrs Bao
Mr. & Mrs. Bao was established in 2017, by Mr. and Mrs. Mao. At the time, the now-husband and wife duo were students of Western when they felt that there was a need for authentic and wholesome Asian food on campus. According to Julia Mao, "[they wanted to promote] something that was convenient but also good for you."
The two started their business first as a food truck, which operated on Western Campus. Since then, their incredible success meant they are now a team of over 20 people, providing baos, bowls and various Asian-inspired snacks to London and Vaughan (and are about to open a 3rd location in St. Thomas!).
"We are so incredibly proud of how far everyone on our team has come, and we wouldn’t trade what we do with anything else in this world," Ms. Mao says, sharing how grateful they are for the continuous support from the public.
Bao Buns: Why You Need to Get Them
Bao buns are a type of yeast-leavened filled bun in various Chinese cuisines. There are many variations in fillings (meat or vegetarian) and preparations, though the buns are most often steamed.
At Mr. and Mrs. Bao, all their sauces are freshly made in-house. From savoury soy tahini to ginger miso, to chill oil to Bang Bang sauce (definitely a favourite), their flavours are definitely among those you might not find anywhere else!
Here are some of our favourite bao buns from our visit.
The Six Speciality Buns
Baos pictured: Chairman Bao, So Sausage Bao, "Soy You Thought it Was Meat" Bao, Tangy Pulled Pork Bao, Gangnam Style Bao, Jerk Chicken Bao
From the tanginess of the tangy pulled pork to the freshness of the beef, each bao was generously filled, steamed, and made fresh for our order. And for those who want to be healthier or don't want the meat, they have vegetarian options, too! Their "Soy You Though it Was Meat" Bao isn't just a witty remark by name—the bao is packed with vegetables and sauces that might even appeal to strict meat-lovers. A personal favourite was the Chairman Bao and Jerk Chicken Bao! Of course, we couldn't stop at just the baos, so let's talk about another dish some of you might be more familiar with—dumplings!
Other Steamed Dumplings
In Picture: (left) Shrimp Dumplings, (right) Pork and Shrimp Dumplings
If you're a dumpling fan, these dumplings will hit the spot. Not only do they look beautiful, but they hit the spot for a rough night and you're craving for something warm and healthy (but not too healthy, you feel?).
Iced Matcha Drink
Of course, our pitstop didn't just end with the food. We were also happy to see they have a wide variety of delicious drinks. After getting this matcha drink (which you should mix thoroughly before drinking!), we were surprised by how well it went with our meal. If there's anything you can trust from Mr and Mrs Bao, it's them knowing exactly what flavours go with their items. Even if you're not feeling like getting something to eat, we recommend at least trying their drinks if you need something refreshing.
Once again, thank you Mr and Mrs Bao for such a warm and welcoming experience.
Additional Info
Please help support your local restaurants when you can! The restaurant is also on UberEats, SkipTheDishes and DoorDash should you wish to order for takeout online.
The location is available for take-out and their hours of operation are:
• Every day: 10am-1am.
The restaurant is located at 276 Wharncliffe Rd N Unit 5, London, ON N6H 2C3.
*Disclaimer: Hours of operation and dine-in are subject to change. While London in Lockdown, please make sure to stay safe and healthy and support your local restaurants in the way you believe is most safe for you.*
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