BAO Soho
A tiny Soho spot serving Taiwanese gua bao, where the classic pork belly bao has become one of London's iconic street eats.
BAO's Soho branch is very small, with around 30 seats, and is famous for its Taiwanese gua bao. The Infatuation calls the Classic Bao one of London's iconic dishes—tender pork belly topped with peanut powder, finished in three bites. The confit pork bao, Taiwanese fried chicken, and Chiayi soy milk chicken rice are also highly recommended, with the fried Horlicks ice cream bao for dessert. Solo diners can sit at the bar and order the Long Day meal deal. While queues are shorter than they were a decade ago, it still fills up quickly. Booking policies vary by source, so it is best to check their official website before heading out, or aim to arrive before 18:00. Average spend is around £20–40 per person. About a 400-meter walk from Piccadilly Circus station.
Opening hours
Mon–Thu 12:00–15:00, 17:00–22:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–22:30; Sun from 12:00, closing times vary by source (17:00 or 21:00)
Nearby sights
- Piccadilly Circus
- National Gallery
- Trafalgar Square
- British Museum
- Buckingham Palace
- Churchill War Rooms
- Covent Garden
- Westminster Abbey