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Bao bun spots in San Francisco

There is a specific comfort in tearing into a warm, pillowy bao bun.

Based on 592 Opinions
+589
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Updated May 2026
01
Bao Bao Dumpling image 1
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Chinese restaurant

Modern space with glass panel kitchen offers a quiet, cozy vibe like old Shanghai. Authentic Shanghainese dishes attract families and locals seeking stylish, low-key dining. Shengjian Bao shines with juicy, pan-fried pork and soft, fluffy buns loved by all ages.

Shengjian Bao stands out with its pan-fried, juicy pork filling, offering a taste authentic to Shanghai. The bao buns here are consistently great, combining a soft, fluffy texture with flavorful fillings that appeal to both kids and adults.

People are saying

"The pan-fried dumplings here are amazing and sublime."

"The smoked fish here is perfectly crispy and tender."

"I thought the pan-fried Bao Buns were the best I'd ever had."

Good to know

1

Parking could be challenging in the area.

2

The restaurant offers authentic Shanghainese taste and affordable pricing.

3

The owner mentioned that more dishes are coming soon, like crab xiaolongbao.

02
Altamirano Restaurant & Bar image 1
Peruvian restaurant

Covered patio with a fireplace table and live Spanish guitar sets a stylish, intimate mood. Cocktails like pisco sours pair well with authentic Peruvian dishes. Bao buns shine with fresh lobster and crab flavors, including a unique Black lobster option.

Sea flavors stand out in the lobster bao and crab bao roll, both tasting fresh and rich. The Black lobster bao offers a unique twist alongside other well-made options.

People are saying

"The dinner here is incredible, especially the ceviche and Lomo Saltado."

"The cocktails here are divine and works of art."

"The lobster bao here is incredible and has a unique flavor."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs from 4 to 6pm with a special menu.

2

Pisco tasting events occur occasionally; check the schedule.

3

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

03
Dumpling King image 1
Dumpling restaurant

Open kitchen shows chefs folding dumplings, creating a cozy vibe. Handmade baos like BBQ pork and custard shine alongside fresh noodles. Menu offers four bao special and flavorful dishes at fair prices.

Handmade baos stand out with BBQ pork, custard buns, and a four bao special featuring dried fried chicken and beef roll. Mushu pork and soup dumplings also complement the selection well.

People are saying

"These dumplings are the best I've had in the city."

"I found the pan-fried pork baos to be flavorful and handmade."

"The Thai Tea here is very, very good."

Good to know

1

Dumpling King offers two menus: one for regular Chinese food and one for dumplings.

2

Expect to pay around $25 per person for a meal, including drinks.

3

Dumpling King has a solid selection of vegan and vegetarian options.

04
Dynasty Dumpling image 1
Dumpling restaurant

Bright, modern space with a homey feel offers Sheng jian bao that shines as the star. Casual ambiance with Mandarin ballads suits relaxed dinners. Unique ginger hint in pork bao adds a special touch to the flavorful menu.

Sheng jian bao tastes close to Shanghai style and stands out as the real star. Xiao long bao and pork bao offer fantastic flavors with a hint of ginger in the pork bao that makes it unique.

People are saying

"The soup dumplings here are fantastic and flavorful."

"The dinner spots here serve delicious, flavorful food with generous portions."

"The Xiao Long Bao here are really well prepared."

Good to know

1

Parking may be challenging; street parking is limited.

2

They offer a 10% discount on meals this month for their opening.

3

Reservations are not required but calling ahead for pickup is recommended.

05
Village Tea House image 1

Spacious spot with minimalist design buzzes with energy and high noise. Known for authentic dumplings like Sheng Jian Bao with hot soup and moist filling. Quick, affordable service keeps noodles and buns popular among locals.

Sheng Jian Bao stands out with its piping hot soup inside and flavorful, moist filling. It takes about 15-20 minutes to prepare and is a consistent favorite alongside BBQ pork buns and Xiao Long Bao.

People are saying

"The dan dan noodles and pan-fried buns are a must-try."

"The hot and sour soup here is some of the best I've ever had."

"The pork sheng jian bao here is a must-try."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for lunch to avoid long wait times.

2

The Sheng Jian Bao takes 15-20 minutes to prepare, so expect a wait.

3

Prices are reasonable compared to other dim sum places in the area.

06
Smokin D’s BBQ SF image 1
Barbecue restaurant

Small barbecue spot offers Texas-style BBQ with bold, salty flavors in a cozy, chill setting. Brisket baos deliver juicy smoked meat in a perfect grab-and-go form. Limited seating makes it ideal for takeout lovers seeking authentic taste.

Brisket baos feature Texas smoked meats with a big, meaty, and juicy profile. Execution is flawless, making them a satisfying grab-and-go treat.

People are saying

"The American Food here, especially the brisket, is tender and perfectly cooked."

"The brisket bao buns were so tender and flavorful."

"The pulled pork sandwich tasted great, full of flavor."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is takeout only, with limited seating available.

2

Pricing is reasonable for the quality, with meals around $200 for a family.

3

Bao buns are available only from Friday to Sunday.

07
Go Duck Yourself 去你鸭的 image 1

Industrial-style interior with steampunk design sets a cozy, modern tone. Soft bao buns with scallions and hoisin highlight the menu, especially paired with roast duck. Warm, inviting vibe makes it a great spot for casual dining and enjoying bone-free Cantonese barbecue duck.

Bao buns come incredibly soft with scallions and hoisin, pairing well with roast duck. A bao trio dessert offers a fun mix of unique flavors to finish the meal.

People are saying

"The Cantonese Roast Duck here has incredibly crispy skin and juicy meat."

"Parking was fairly easy off Cortland Avenue."

"The roast duck bao buns were juicy, tender, and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Reservations are necessary on weekends to secure a table.

2

The duck dish costs $30, which may be considered high for the portion size.

3

Parking is generally easy to find off Cortland Avenue.

08
Mongkok Dim Sum image 1
Dim sum restaurant

Dim sum spot buzzes with a busy atmosphere and tight seating. Cha siu bao shines with rich BBQ pork, paired well with shrimp dumplings and siu mai. Cash-only and early hours keep a steady crowd coming.

Cha siu bao stands out with its generous BBQ pork fillings. Other dim sum items like ha gow and siu mai also complement the bao selection.

People are saying

"The food here is great and cheap."

"The cha siu bao here has so much BBQ pork filling."

"The shrimp dumplings here have an out-of-this-world flavor."

Good to know

1

Mongkok Dim Sum is a cash-only establishment.

2

The prices for dim sum are very affordable.

3

Baked pork buns are not available until 11am.

09
Fuwa Dumpling image 1
Chinese restaurant

Simple, clean space offers authentic handmade dumplings in generous portions. Enjoy xiao long bao alongside boiled and pan-fried options. Calm, family-friendly vibe keeps energy easygoing and unpretentious.

Xiao long bao come in pork and are a key item alongside Napa cabbage & pork dumplings and pan-fried options. The menu offers a variety of dumplings including boiled, pan-fried, and xiao long bao styles.

People are saying

"I had some of the best dumplings I've ever experienced."

"These pot stickers have a crunchy, chewy skin and leak delicious juice."

"These bao buns are the most delicious I've ever had."

Good to know

1

The restaurant serves a variety of dumplings, including boiled, pan-fried, and soup dumplings.

2

Prices are very low compared to other dumpling places in the city.

3

Portions are generous, with 14 dumplings per order.

10
Dumpling Bites image 1
Dumpling restaurant

Spacious two-level spot offers modern design and a casual vibe. Known for Ultra Mega Juicy Xiao long bao and affordable dim sum, it draws steady crowds. Large balcony tables make it great for groups seeking quality Shanghai dumplings.

Sheng Jian Bao features a thin skin with a great pan-fried crust that might challenge beginners. Xiao long bao stands out as super juicy and flavorful, especially the Ultra Mega Juicy version.

People are saying

"The Chinese food's soup dumplings are incredibly juicy."

"I thought the ham fried rice was very good."

"These soup dumplings are some of the best I've had, super juicy."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times during weekends, especially for dinner.

2

Free parking is available a block or two away from the restaurant.

3

Dumpling Bites offers a 50% discount on select dishes during their anniversary.

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