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Bao buns in San Diego

Made for those who prioritize the pillowy, steamed texture of a well-made bao bun above all other handheld snacks.

Based on 518 Opinions
+515
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Updated May 2026
01
Steamy Piggy Point Loma image 1
Steamy Piggy Point Loma image 2
Steamy Piggy Point Loma image 3
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Asian restaurant

Asian spot buzzes with photo-worthy decor and loud, chill music. Cocktails like lychee mix well with soft dumplings and flavorful chicken rolls. Bao buns are super filling and a fun, tasty choice.

Bao buns here are super filling and very yummy. They stand out as a fun and satisfying choice to eat.

People are saying

"I found the food to be delicious and the portions huge."

"The servers here are so friendly and quick with recommendations for the Bao Buns."

"The soup dumplings here are amazing and tasty."

Good to know

1

Happy hour starts at 8pm with $1 wings and late night deals.

2

The $1 wings are a popular choice during happy hour.

3

Parking is easier at this location compared to others in the area.

02
The Whaling Bar image 1
Restaurant

Vintage decor and historic elements create a warm, nostalgic vibe perfect for romantic dinners and casual drinks. Halibut bao shines with generous portions and great flavor, while cocktails and food earn high praise for enhancing the top-tier atmosphere.

Halibut bao stands out with its delicious flavor and generous portions. Lamb Shawarma bao offers a great taste, while the Rioja braised short rib bao is flavorful but less impressive.

People are saying

"The bar staff here is so welcoming and kind."

"The cocktails here are inventive, fun, and perfectly balanced."

"The whipped ricotta on the Bao Buns is so tasty."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 4-5 p.m. with limited menu options.

2

Valet parking is available at the connected hotel.

3

The kitchen closes at 10 p.m., not 11 p.m.

03
Diamond Palace image 1
Chinese restaurant

Spacious dining area shines with modern silver decor and lively yellow lighting. Dim sum arrives on traditional pushcarts amid soft jazz and festive lion dances. Baked pork bao offers a crispy exterior while steamed char siu bao delights with soft, fluffy texture.

Baked pork bao stands out with its crispy exterior and rich filling. Steamed char siu bao offers a soft, fluffy texture with savory pork inside.

People are saying

"I found the dim sum here to be fantastic and freshly made."

"I loved the authentic dim sum experience with push carts."

"The steamed and baked char siu bao were surprisingly good."

Good to know

1

Dim sum is served all day, but cart service ends at 2 PM.

2

Live music happens on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

3

Expect a 20% service fee for parties of 8 or more.

04
Super Dumpling image 1
Restaurant

Open glass kitchen shows chefs making handmade dumplings fresh daily. Bright dining area offers many vegetarian options alongside pork xiao long bao and spicy wontons. Variety of bao buns includes Crab/Pork and BBQ pork, all consistently delicious.

Xiao Long Bao come in several varieties including Crab/Pork and are consistently delicious. The BBQ pork bao buns and a long bao sampler offer a good range of flavors and textures.

People are saying

"The Chinese food here, especially the dumplings, is so juicy and flavorful."

"The shrimp and pork wontons in chili oil were my favorite."

"The bao buns here are so flavorful and juicy, I wanted to keep eating them."

Good to know

1

Reservations are not accepted, so expect to wait during busy hours.

2

Takeout is recommended to avoid long wait times for a table.

3

Parking is convenient nearby, making it easy to access the restaurant.

05
TopSail image 1
Restaurant

Rooftop dining offers breathtaking ocean views and a chill atmosphere with fire pits and lounge seating. Pork Bao Buns deliver very tasty flavor, while banh mi baos need more acidity to hit the mark. Music plays softly, enhancing the relaxed vibe.

Pork Bao Buns stand out with very tasty flavor. Banh mi baos offer a decent take but miss the full banh mi flavors and need more acidity from pickled carrots and daikon.

People are saying

"I loved the great view of the harbor and sunset."

"The ambience here is so chill and inviting."

"The pork belly bao buns here are very tasty."

Good to know

1

Happy hour offers cocktails and small plates, but food specials are limited.

2

The rooftop bar provides stunning views, ideal for sunset dining.

3

Reservations are recommended for large groups to avoid long wait times.

06
TP Banh Bao 3 image 1
Vietnamese restaurant

Vietnamese spot serves steamed buns and egg rolls with grab-and-go service and no seating. Friendly staff offer fresh or frozen baos, ideal for quick microwaving. Prices stay affordable, and unique items appear alongside classics.

Many delicious baos come in bulk, perfect for freezing and quick microwaving. Service is friendly and grab and go, with staff willing to warm baos on request.

People are saying

"I loved the fluffy and tasty Vietnamese food buns."

"I found the Vietnamese bao buns here to be the best and most delicious."

"The food here is very good, some of the best Banh Bao."

Good to know

1

Reservations are not required, but calling ahead for large orders is recommended.

2

The restaurant accepts EBT, but confirm payment methods before ordering.

3

Parking is ample nearby, making it easy to access the spot.

07
Facing East Noodle & Bar image 1
Asian restaurant

Asian spot shines with cozy atmosphere and retro decor. Pork belly and egg custard baos offer rich flavors, while spicy wontons add a kick. Ordering upfront keeps the flow simple and quick.

Pork belly and egg custard baos stand out with rich flavors. The pork Xiao Long Bao takes longer to arrive and could use more filling. Bao options come alongside spicy wontons and fried dumplings.

People are saying

"The ramen broth here is rich, savory, and truly the soul of the dish."

"The soup dumplings here are delicious and delicate."

"The pork belly bao was tremendous."

Good to know

1

Customers order themselves through their phones using a QR code on each table.

2

Prepaying for food is common here, which is unusual for sit-down restaurants.

3

Parking is challenging around the area, so plan accordingly.

08
Dumplings N More image 1
Chinese restaurant

Small, cozy spot with handmade dumplings visible through a window creates a warm, homey vibe. Pork bao buns shine with rich flavor, while vegetarian options ensure everyone enjoys a satisfying meal.

Pork bao buns stand out with their rich flavor and satisfying texture. The Kung Pao Bao Bun offers a nice balance of flavors that complements the meat well.

People are saying

"I found the dumplings here to be authentically delicious."

"This lunch spot's special was excellent and delicious."

"These dumplings are stuffed full with thin, handmade skins."

Good to know

1

Parking can be tough around the restaurant, so plan accordingly.

2

Lunch specials offer great deals for budget-conscious diners.

3

The restaurant is family-run and known for handmade dumplings.

09
Shanghai Bun Chinese Tapas Bar image 1
Shanghainese restaurant

Shanghainese spot offers a laid-back beach vibe with a casual, chill atmosphere perfect for relaxing. Bao buns come steamed or fried, with xiao long bao featuring a thicker wrapper and light soup. Vegan options and great cocktails add to the hand-crafted dishes experience.

Variety includes steamed and fried bao buns plus rolls and bao tacos. Xiao long bao have a slightly thick wrapper and are light on soup but rank among the better ones around.

People are saying

"The Chinese food here, especially the dumplings and wontons, is so flavorful."

"The dim sum here is delicious and arrived quickly."

"You can pick your protein and flavor for the bao buns."

Good to know

1

Happy hour offers a large selection of plates for budget-friendly dining.

2

Tapas Tuesdays provide a unique dining experience with various small plates.

3

The restaurant closes promptly at 9pm, so plan to leave by then.

10
Harumama Ramen by Blue Ocean Sushi image 1

Ramen spot boasts a pet-friendly patio with stunning ocean views and a warm atmosphere. Bao buns vary, with pork and crab wanton standing out, while some need sauce to shine. Crowd mixes ramen lovers and sake drinkers, making it lively yet chill.

Bao buns here come in several varieties like pork, spam, and crab wanton. Some, like the shrimp and eggplant, taste bland and depend heavily on sauce, while others hold up well on their own.

People are saying

"I thought the ramen here was very good and spicy."

"The ramen here is amazing, perfect for date spots."

"I thought the bao buns were some of the best I had."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited and mostly street parking; expect to drive around for a spot.

2

The restaurant closes at 9 PM, and the last seating is at that time.

3

Happy hour runs from 4 PM to 6 PM with discounted drinks and appetizers.

11
Sunny Dumpling House image 1
Chinese restaurant

Open kitchen shows skilled cooks hand-rolling fresh baos with juicy fillings like pork and shrimp. Small, family-run spot offers authentic northern Chinese flavors in a chill, outdoor setting. Prices stay affordable, making it great for quick, tasty takeout.

Fresh daily baos come in many flavors like pork, chicken and mushroom, and pork and shrimp xiao long bao with big shrimp chunks. The dough is hand-rolled in an open kitchen, and the baos are plump and juicy with meat fillings slightly better than frozen versions.

People are saying

"The bao buns here are made fresh daily and taste like China."

"This breakfast's Green Onion Twist Roll is fluffy and chewy."

"I found plenty of parking available in front or back."

Good to know

1

Parking is usually easy, with plenty of free spots available in front and back.

2

Credit cards are accepted, but there may be issues with the payment system.

3

All baos are made fresh daily, ensuring quality and taste.

12
Tasty Noodle House image 1
Shanghainese restaurant

Small space fills quickly with a lively, noisy atmosphere and tight seating perfect for fast dining. Generous portions include gigantic xiao long bao with a smokey filling that satisfy big appetites. Walls are bare, amplifying sound and creating an energetic vibe.

Xiao long Bao feature a scrumptious, almost smokey filling and come in gigantic sizes that satisfy big appetites. The bao series offers a stunning bite experience with rich flavors.

People are saying

"The beef chow mein here has great flavor."

"These pork dumplings are so juicy and tasty."

"The Bao Buns here are gigantic and make for a great meal."

Good to know

1

Parking can be hectic on weekends, so arrive early or consider street parking.

2

Expect long wait times during peak hours, especially on weekends.

3

The prices at Tasty Noodle House are great considering the portion sizes.

13
Harumama Ramen + Sushi (Little Italy) image 1

Small space with adorable chick decor offers a cozy vibe and soft lighting for a romantic atmosphere. Bao buns are light and fluffy with standout fillings like crunchy shrimp and pork belly. Window views add to the inviting feel despite occasional loud music.

Bao buns come light and fluffy with well seasoned fillings. Varieties like crunchy shrimp, pork belly, pork, and beef stand out for their flavors.

People are saying

"The salmon poke bowl and beef bulgogi udon were delicious."

"The ramen here is creamy, peanutty, and totally different."

"These bao buns are adorable and delicious!"

Good to know

1

Parking is challenging; consider using nearby street parking.

2

Reservations are not accepted, so expect potential wait times.

3

Happy hour runs from 4-6pm with discounted drinks and appetizers.

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San Diego, California

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