Bao to launch all-day café in King’s Cross London

Bao, the Taiwanese steamed-bun restaurant brand, will launch a new all-day site in London's King’s Cross this spring offering Yōshoku, Western-inspired Asian cuisine.

Café Bao will be the group's first site to offer breakfast, which will be served until midday, with a menu that includes twists on classic Asian and Western dishes including Bao loaf with syrup and butter; baked ham hock congee pie; as well as bacon, egg, cheese and spring onion pancake.

It will also be the home of its new BAO Bakery Goods (BBG) range, which can be eaten in the restaurant or taken away via a to-go counter. Bespoke baking services and workshops will also be available.

Co-founder and food art director, Erchen Chang said: “The inspiration for Café Bao stemmed from Yōshoku cuisine, an interpretation of western food, seen through an Asian lens. This style of cooking is something that’s always resonated with us and made us feel quite nostalgic. After a recent trip to Taipei, Hong Kong and Osaka we realised we wanted to bring it to life.”

Tat Chung, Chang and Wai Ting Chung launched Bao as a market stall in 2013 and two years later opened the first permanent Bao restaurant, followed by sites at Fitzrovia and Borough Market.

Bao has also opened a bar and the XU Teahouse & Restaurant in Soho. The brand is financially back by JKS Restaurants, the group behind Gymkhana, Lyle’s and Bubbledogs.

Cateys 2018: Menu of the Year Award – XU