Golden Steamer Sweet pork bao: Here’s another bao from Golden Steamer in NYC. Filled with sweetened pork in a thick savory gravy, it’s like the enhanced version of a dim sum favorite. Lightly sweetened, pillowy white bread is the centerpiece - there’s much more of it than the meaty filling, and that’s fine by me. It costs $0.90. 3.5/5.0
recommended bao nyc bread goldensteamer sweet pork 3.5
Golden Steamer Egg Yolk Bao: This is one of my favorites from Golden Steamer, which I liked so much that I purchased it twice (I haven't done that for any other bun, mostly because I wanted to try buns I hadn't had before every time I went). It is a steamed white bun filled with an egg custard, textured like a cross between pudding and paste. It is very simple yet delicious and costs only $0.90. The best of the dessert bao offerings at this hole-in-the-wall bakery in NYC's Chinatown. 4.0/5.0
recommended chinatown nyc dessert bread goldensteamer egg yolk bao 4.0
Golden Steamer Hot dog bao: This savory hot dog bao comes in a swirled conical shape reminiscent of pigs in a blanket and contains a small Chinese sausage, about the size of a frozen American breakfast sausage - in other words, a sort of cultural crossover from an alternate universe. The bread is slightly sweetened and chewy. Overall, it’s a good sweet and savory option, but if you’re looking for protein, go for the Big Bun. Still, it’s tasty for what it is and costs only $1. Note: Unfortunately, I will no longer be ba... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended nyc chinatown bread goldensteamer hot dog bao 3.5
Kimbo Sesame Bun: I no longer live close to an Asian grocery store, so on my last day with a rental car, I made a trip to Albany's Ranch 99 and stocked up on frozen asian foods, like dumplings and buns. There were many brands I recognized from my days reviewing frozen buns from Hmart, but I decided to take a risk and purchase one I hadn't seen before named Kimbo. Lucky enough, these Taiwanese buns turned out to be quite good. Steamed in my rice cooker, the bread is soft and fluffy and barely sweetened. Th... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended ranch99 taiwanese bao kimbo sesame bun 3.5
Maxim Bakery Pork Bun: Maxim Bakery is a local Flushing chain that sells a variety of Chinese pastries and treats. For just $1.30, you can get a sizable Asian pork bun: it has a fluffy and slightly sweetened steamed bun exterior and meaty interior with a thick, savory sauce. This bun puts all food truck baos to shame, both in terms of flavor and value (you could easily pay 5x as much for 1/4 of the size). No one seems to speak any English, but they are accommodating and friendly nonetheless. 4.0/5.0
recommended flushing bao maximbakery pork bun 4.0