The best places for delicious bao buns in Belfast

Located in the heart of Belfast, Yugo is an absolute must-visit if you want to enjoy a truly unforgettable Asian dining experience. A warm and contemporary Asian dining experience with various small plates and plenty of vegan options, there’s something for everyone here. Bringing together a combination of traditional and modern, creative Asian cooking styles, you can expect a wide range of flavours and ingredients here, offering a true feast for the senses.

When it comes to bao buns, Yugo is one epic city centre spot you simply can’t miss. Offering a high-quality selection of delicious baos with various flavours and fillings, you’ll be spoilt for choice by what’s on offer here from their beef brisket bao served with wholegrain mustard to their panko prawn bao served with wasabi tartare to their kimchi, cucumber, and pickled ginger bao. 

When it comes to bao buns in Belfast, the one place you simply can’t miss is, the appropriately named Bao Bun. Can you guess what they specialise in? This Taiwanese restaurant and takeaway offers various locations across the city – one on the Lisburn Road, one on Botanic Avenue, and one new addition in Ballyhackamore. With plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, Bao Bun served a vast selection of Taiwanese-style baos that keep Asian food fans across the city coming back time and time again.

You can either choose from their pre-made menu offerings or make your own loaded traditional bao bun or bao burger. Fillings include char siu pork, crispy chicken, teriyaki beef, popcorn cauliflower, walnut mushroom, jackfruit, and tofu. You can then choose your combo and additions, with an array of pickled vegetables, sauces, seeds, and more. They also offer a great selection of loaded fries, sides, and phos, so you can truly embrace all the Asian flavours on offer here.

Located in the beautiful St Anne’s Square at the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, Dumpling Library is the perfect place to catch up with friends and enjoy a varied selection of delicious Asian dishes. Specialising in Chinese dumplings and taking inspiration from all across Asia, Dumpling Library also offers a great selection of tasty baos. A unique offering compared to anywhere else in the city, diners can either choose to have their bao buns served steamed in the traditional way or deep-fried.

You can choose from their array of delicious fillings, which includes honey chilli chicken with shredded red cabbage, spring onion, and chilli flakes, char siu pork with shredded carrot, lettuce, and pickled ginger, meat-free chicken with shredded red onion, cherry tomatoes, and crispy onion, smoked beef short rib with lambs lettuce, shredded onion, and roasted sesame, or their hoi sin duck with shredded cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and hoi sin sauce. If you fancy something a little bit different, why not try their Japanese Unagi sweet water eel bao bun, which comes with pickled radish, salad leaves, and roasted sesame?

A stylish Asian fusion restaurant also set in the heart of St Anne’s Square and owned and operated by the team that run Dumpling Library, House of Zen is a must-visit for fantastic Asian dining and an atmosphere you won’t forget. First opened in 2012, this spot has over a decade of experience serving the people of Belfast, so there’s no denying that they know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to delicious Asian cuisine. Hence why people from far and wide return time and time again to enjoy what’s on offer here.

With a vast array of big and small Asian-inspired plates and an incredible selection of creative cocktails, you’re sure to leave feeling more than satisfied. We highly recommend their flavourful Xiao Long Bao, a steamed dumpling served with minced pork and chilli soya dip.

Located in the heart of the University Quarter on the bustling Stranmillis Road, Kanto is the perfect place for a slightly healthier take on Asian dining. Offering an array of fresh and flavourful dishes that are just as nutritious as they are delicious, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the vast array of menu items available here. Making use of only the finest, wholesome ingredients, you can expect true high quality dining here with plenty of options to suit all tastes and dietary requirements.

When it comes to bao buns, Kanto offers one of the biggest selections you’ll find in Belfast. Maybe you’re in the mood for a delicious Mongolian Chicken Bao served with stir-fried carrot, mushroom, scallion, red chilli, ginger, and garlic, all coated with Mongolian sauce and finished with mixed leaves, scallion, and sesame seed garnish. Or perhaps the Honey Oyster Bao is more your thing, complete with stir-fried crispy tofu with garlic, pak choi, broccoli, and chinese cabbage, drizzled with soy and sweet chilli sauce and served with steamed rice, scallion, and sesame seed garnish. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to be blown away by the epic flavours that greet your senses.