Bao Kitchen

Bao Kitchen has the appearance of about any other half-baked corner restaurant in Buenos Aires that isn’t on a corner. I won’t even describe the décor other than to say it’s mundane and boring. Service is sufficiently attentive with a staff that’s trying to do it right but hasn’t really ever been taught how to do that. I tolerate that little bit of confusion for two reason .. the smiles and enthusiasm of the folks working there and the food. Eating Asian in Buenos Aires is a hit-miss proposition. No. Let me rephrase that. It’s a “miss-miss” proposition. There are less than a handful of restaurant that even come close.

But this food at Bao Kitchen is surprisingly good. They specialize in Asian steamed-bun sandwiches. These things are good. The buns are fluffy and delicious. The fillings, from shredded pork to pickled veggies are all very good. But it’s not just about the buns at Bao Kitchen.

I put them to the ultimate test and ordered some Taiwanese dumplings. Spot on. Something nowhere else I’ve been to in Buenos Aires can claim.

Low prices make the good food taste even better.

My only complaint is that I wish someone would show this tag-team group of cooks how to make pot stickers out of those dumplings.