It’s a good day for fans of steamed milk buns, with the news that BAO London is opening its new BAO City outlet. This will be the seventh restaurant from the Taiwanese group that has an extraordinary reach across London, with outlets in Soho, Marylebone, Borough, and King's Cross. Not to mention a noodle shop in Shoreditch and the most recent opening at Battersea Power Station. They'll be coming to Bloomberg Arcade, taking over the old Ekte space.
In the main dining room of BAO City, all cherrywood veneer panelling and dark red-satin-finished walls, there’ll be the usual BAO classics (xiao chi and BAO buns), alongside some new large sharing specials that you’ll see chalked up on a blackboard, including:
- Fermented plum-sauce-glazed duck breast
- Grilled Taiwanese pork neck with soy glaze and a side of pickled garlic and daikon
- Grilled whole fish with a yu-xiang sauce
Drinks veer towards the indulgent side, with promises of frosty beer towers for diners to pour their own glasses at leisure. They'll even have a whisky cabinet, lined with regular guests’ personal bottles, no less.
But BAO City’s big drawing card, in addition to its massive sharing plates and group-seating appeal, will undoubtedly be the two KTV rooms. What’s KTV? Private karaoke rooms (already up and running in Borough, Battersea and Shoreditch venues).
At BAO City you can choose from the smaller (10-seater) room inspired by the 1987 film Wall St (yes, we see their nod to the London financial district location) or larger (22-seater) room modelled on the 1985 film, Taipei Story. Your next decision is what to select from the 300,000 songs. Or whether you want to order a fried chicken bucket topped with caviar to the room or a platter of mini BAOs. Or a bottle of spirits, a sake bomb or one of the monthly rotating cocktail specials. We can see you getting out your party hat.
More about BAO City
Where is it? 2-8 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR
When does it open? 26 September 2024
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @bao_london.
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