12 Bao Buns to Try Around Denver

They’re filled with glazed pork belly, fried eggplant, and more

by Lucy Beaugard Jul 19, 2018, 11:32am MDT

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Departure’s short rib buns

| Lucy Beaugard/Eater

by Lucy Beaugard Jul 19, 2018, 11:32am MDT

Steamed Chinese bao buns are now all over Denver, stuffed with rich fillings like glazed pork belly, wild mushrooms or even Thai eggplant. The Denver dining scene welcomed these pillowy pockets just a few years back, and now street food spots, sit-down restaurants, and strip mall staples are all serving them. Here are 12 tasty bao buns to try now.

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Star Kitchen

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The dim-sum menu at Star Kitchen includes carts piled high with dumplings, rice, cakes, and buns. Steamed bun options include sweet cream, barbecue pork, and several others.

2917 W Mississippi Ave, Denver, CO 80219

(303) 936-0089

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Vinh Xuong Bakery

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Widely known across Denver for a perfectly balanced banh mi sandwich, Vinh Xuong also impresses with oversized pork buns. Stop in early morning for a warm steamed one.

2370 W Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80223

(303) 922-0999

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Uncle

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Uncle is known for cranking out some tasty ramen bowls, but the small bites here are just as delicious. Fried Chinese eggplant is served on soft steamed buns with roasted miso mayo, red cabbage, and plum vinaigrette.

2215 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211

(303) 433-3263

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Linger

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LoHi’s restaurant in a former mortuary has an eclectic mix of foods and flavors. Included are various buns like bison pastrami, Mongolian barbecue duck, and Korean fried chicken.

2030 W 30th Ave, Denver, CO 80211

(303) 993-3120

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there...

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This restaurant has the ability to make everyone who stops in feel like an old friend. On the menu are four “Pacman-shaped” buns: smokey chicken, pork and pickles, soft shell crab, and shiitake.

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3254 Navajo St, Denver, CO 80211

(720) 500-3254

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Zoe Ma Ma

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The steamed organic wheat buns at this popular Union Station street food spot can come filled with marinated pork or veggies. They’re also worth trying at the original, Boulder location.

1625 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202

(303) 545-6262

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ChoLon

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ChoLon’s happy hour and its French onion soup dumplings are local favorites, but the steamed buns with sesame honey-glazed pork belly and pickles are a sleeper hit.

1555 Blake St #101, Denver, CO 80202

(303) 353-5223

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Bao Chica Bao

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Bao Chica Bao is one of 16 food and drink stalls in the newly opened downtown Milk Market. Bun variations here include char siu pork, tofu, mushroom, pork belly, and several others.

1800 Wazee St, Denver, CO 80202

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Cho77

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With chef Ryan Gorby running the kitchen, Cho77 continues to challenge diner’s palates. The cross breed between a bao bun and banh mi becomes the bao mi served with black pepper pork belly, sriracha mayo, and pickles.

42 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

(720) 638-8179

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Bones

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Another Frank Bonanno concept, Bones serves steamed buns stuffed with braised pig, pork belly or very delicious duck confit.

3508, 701 Grant St, Denver, CO 80203

(303) 860-2929

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Ace Eat Serve

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Chef Thach Tran’s bao buns at this Capitol Hill playground are memorable with varieties such as the black pepper short rib with fried kimchi or the fried eggplant with roasted tomato chutney.

501 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80203

(303) 800-7705

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Departure Denver Restaurant + Lounge

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“Top Chef” veteran Gregory Gourdet masters pan-Asian cuisine with the creative menu at Departure Cherry Creek. The simple yet intricate short rib buns are served with kimchi and a miso barbecue sauce.