Bao Borough

Bao Borough has the general culinary approach, as is the system of ordering by ticking courses off a menu. You will feel here like a Taiwanese bar is in full force, but with one of the most delicious selections of non-alcoholic drinks in London to go alongside the booze: the Yakult float in particular is heaven, as is Bao’s own beer. There’s a karaoke room in the basement for when a few drinks turn into the desire to sing a few tunes.

The menu blends expertise and pleasures perfectly: the chicken nugget bao is given a new level of complexity by its fluffy, smoky bun. The curry cheese bao is so savoury and rich that you just want to giggle like a schoolboy who just got away with something. The short rib bao – full of gooey, rich meat and topped with the most opulent mayo you’ll ever try – is bananas in all the right ways. The most outstanding dish is probably is the 40 day-aged beef atop butter rice with a raw egg yolk. Once it's all worked in together it is smoky, velvety, creamy, rich, punchy, spicy... every adjective, all at once. You’ll be fighting away from your companion’s chopsticks for the last bite.

Address: 13 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD

Website: https://baolondon.com/restaurant/bao-borough/