Review: Wonderbao

Bao is a fluffy, steamed bun, filled with either meat or vegetables. It is a popular dish in many Chinese cultures, often eaten for breakfast, but can be eaten at any meal, or as an on-the-go snack.

The bao in all its glory.

At the start of the year, N and I made a pact that we were going to try and avoid getting lunch at McDonalds because, being in the city, we were surrounded by so many good places to eat. This is what brought us to Wonderbao, the hub of bao love in Melbourne's CBD. All being suckers for bao, N, C, W, and I decided to grab some lunch there to celebrate finishing our last class for the week.

At the back are N and W's classic BBQ pork bao and at the front is W's almighty braised pork belly gua bao.

In Melbourne style, Wonderbao manages to be known as a hard to find secret but always be crowded. Hidden down a corridor off A'Beckett Street (behind RMIT) you can find this small cafe. The concept is pretty simple. You line up and order some bao from the short but sweet list available. Don't let the line deter you; the system works to get customers ordering and eating as quickly as possible.

A mouthwatering peak into the BBQ pork bao. 

Chinese sausage bao, chicken bao, egg custard bao, and BBQ pork bao all promise to be quality (and deliver), and if you're rerally hungry, you can also try the bigger and better gua bao: a Taiwanese version of the snack, which is essentially a steamed sandwich. Gua bao comes filled with braised pork belly and roast pork belly options, both accompanied by delicious sauces and vegetables. 

Shiitake mushroom and tofu bao, a vegetarian's dream. Both me and C scoffed these down without taking a breath. 

Vegetarians are not forgotten at Wonderbao, with two tasty bao varieties: shiitake and tofu and the sweet taro bau, as well as an extravagant gua bao, filled with fried silky tofu and delectable vegetables and sauce - a must try for every tofu lover out there. 

Wonderbao is the perfect place to spend all of your leftover poo change, providing a cheap and delicious lunchtime alternative. You only need to eat two of these delicious baos to be a full and happy customer. 

Wonderbao

4/19 - 37 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne

9654 7887

Hours: 

Mon - Fri: 8am to 6pm

Saturday: 11am to 4pm

Website: 

http://www.wonderbaokitchen.com.au/