Bank Bao, started by young restaurateur Josie Nguyen, is a fast-casual spot for homemade bao that promises the taste of Asian-fusion flavours. 

Located in the heart of Chinatown, Bank Bao offers street food with a contemporary approach, fusing various Asian influences from Vietnam, Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, and Taiwan. 

Nguyen, a recent marketing graduate who came to Canada seven years ago from Vietnam, was inspired by the traditional gua bao after a trip to Taiwan in 2020.

Having grown up around her parents who worked in the hospitality industry, opening her own venture alongside partners Harry Ngo and Long Nguyen seemed only fitting. 

Friendly and charismatic, Nguyen cares about the customer experience.

"My goal is to get people excited about Asian flavours in the form of the traditional bao and deliver good food, fast," she shared.

A classic gua bao is filled with tender, sticky pork belly. At Bank Bao, the 5 Spice bao ($7.95) pays homage to the popular Taiwanese street food.

It features a 5-spice braised pork belly, sliced cucumber, pickled daikon and carrot, garlic mayo, and fresh cilantro. The pork belly was rich and savoury, with alternating fatty and crispy bites.  

The bao gets made in-house every morning. The steamed buns are warm, soft and fluffy, with a texture that can only be described as cloud-like. They make the perfect vehicle for all of the savoury fillings, or if you’ve never had a bao before, it’s worth sampling all on its own ($3.50).

Bank Bao is also known for their sauce. 

Featuring an impressive portfolio of 12 homemade sauces, they have everything from Hoisin Garlic Mayo to a secret Vietnamese Nước Chấm, adapted from Nguyen’s Mother’s recipe. Each bao typically has two to three sauces.

One of my favourite bao, the Vina Chicken ($8.45), is coated in this secret sauce. Savoury, slightly sweet, with a well-balanced amount of spice and acidity, I wanted to bottle the sauce and take it home with me. It complements the chicken perfectly, although I suspect it would pair well with just about anything. 

The Vina Chicken also has Thai Basil Mayo, shredded lettuce, pickled daikon, and green onions. 

Other popular offerings include BB Beef, Richie Duck, and BB Fried Chicken. 

The BB Beef ($8.75) is a nod to Southeast Asia. It has a generous amount of thinly sliced grilled beef, fresh mango, more secret Bank Bao sauce, garlic mayo, cilantro, and crispy fried onions. 

The Richie Duck ($9) is filled with tender, melt-in-your-mouth Peking-style roast duck, hoisin garlic mayo, cucumber, and green onion. 

The BB Fried Chicken ($8.45) is similar to many classic fried chicken sandwiches, with house mayo and shredded lettuce, but unlike most has a sweet soy glaze. If you’re looking for something simple with no frills, this is what you want to order. 

A newer addition to the mix and Nguyen's current favourite is the Deluxe Mushroom ($8.45). The panko-coated mushroom is meaty in texture and flavour and comes with a truffle mayo that offers the perfect amount of umami without being too overpowering. 

Alternatively, each of the bao fillings can come on a baguette, but the soft bao is truly what makes this dining experience memorable. Depending on how hungry you are, two are typically the way to go. 

And the menu doesn't end with bao. There are fun sides as well, including Kimchi Fries (small $7.75, large $11.25), House Wings ($11.50) tossed in Bank Bao sauce, and Duck Poutine ($14.95).

The Duck Poutine has all the quintessential elements of any good poutine - cheese curds and a rich hot gravy over a mountain of fries, plus the addition of the roast duck. 

Hungry diners looking to get the best bang for their buck can save with one of the weekly deal offerings or the always-on Bank Deal of 2 bao with your choice of side and drink for a reduced price. 

To drink, try the Vietnamese Iced Coffee ($5) or the Vietnamese Lime Tea ($5.50). 

The coffee beans come from Vietnam, thanks to Nguyen's Mother, and they pack a punch. While strong, the coffee has lots of ice and creamy condensed milk to dilute it and together make for an enjoyable cup. 

For something more refreshing, the Lime Tea is similar to a lemonade. It’s made with green tea, a little sugar, and a whole lot of lime. 

There's also a traditional Thai Milk Tea ($5.50), a well-known street food drink made with sweetened condensed milk. 

For dessert, there’s Fried Bao Ice Cream ($5.50). Comparable to a fried donut, the bao has a crispy golden exterior while remaining soft on the inside. Served hot, it’s an enjoyable treat with a cold scoop of vanilla. 

Throughout the moody black and orange space, you’ll spot colourful neon signs and an adorable-looking bao. The logo, designed by Nguyen's brother, captures the fun and playful essence of the restaurant.  

Bank Bao is located at 375 Spadina Avenue.