First Glance: Bao House in Taikoo Li

Robynne Tindall, Contributing Editor | Aug 15, 2014 9:00 am | 1 comment | 4022 reads

It seems the food truck trend that has been sweeping the US and the UK over the past few years has finally reached Beijing and we are definitely better off for it.

Beijing's first proper food truck comes courtesy of the Opposite House. Stationed on a sunny patch of their forecourt in Taikoo Li North, Bao House's short-but-sweet food menu is all about gourmet baozi and mantou, fusing Southeast Asian flavors with traditional techniques. The dishes have been characterized with cute names like "The Baofather" and "Captain Bao".

The baozi come in four flavors, with three per portion: wagyu beef and black truffle (RMB 48), Thai pork and red curry (RMB 28), curried seabass and sweet potato (RMB 38), and traditional pork and spring onion (RMB 18). It was a close tie between the luxurious wagyu beef and the expertly-spiced Thai pork and red curry for our favorite. Prodigious mantou sandwiches err on the porky side, both containing belly or minced pork.

Wash it all down with a frothy metal mug of Slow Boat Honey Helmsman Ale (RMB 40) or keep it local with a beibingyang (RMB 15). Very happy to see local options available (alcoholic or otherwise).