The Bao Shoppe

New York
Chinese Restaurant
$$$$

PERMANENTLY CLOSED

Taiwanese <em>gua bao</em> -- meat in a steamed bun, at its most elemental -- is the main focus of The Bao Shoppe, whose Chinatown outpost is a follow-up to the Astoria original. The place is simple but the food is complex, fusing comforting Asian and American flavors in interesting ways. The handheld, three-bite bao are pretty straightforward with fillings like seasoned beef or panko-crusted chicken, but it's the sides and alternatives that really shine. The "Philly Cheesesteak" here eschews the East Coast sandwich's typical white bread in favor of crispy scallion pancakes, while spring rolls are filled with mac & cheese. Grab a milky bubble tea before you leave, if only because it's fun to shoot those balls through the straw.

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