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BAO Soho - Restaurant in Soho, London
Restaurant

BAO Soho

Erchen Chang and the Chung siblings' original Lexington Street bun counter, Bib Gourmand Taiwanese, queue-only on the corner

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Reviewed by Mes Prestiges Editorial Team Last reviewed May 2026
Soho |
$$ Mid-range for Restaurant
|
12:00 - 15:00, 17:00 - 22:00 (Mon-Thu); 12:00 - 22:30 (Fri-Sat); 12:00 - 21:00 (Sun)
| Last reviewed: May 2026

BAO Soho opened on the Lexington Street corner in April 2015 as the first room from Erchen Chang, Shing-Tat Chung and Wai-Ting Chung, a thirty-seat counter and bench room dedicated to Taiwanese gua bao with a tight rotation of xiao chi small eats around it. The Classic bao with braised pork and the Confit Pork bao are the menu's reasons for being; the fried chicken bao runs them close. Bib Gourmand-held since the early days, still queue-only, still cheaper than three plates at most casual chef-led rooms in the same postcode. The honest first stop on a Soho walk and a benchmark the audience always recognises.

Editor's Tip

Queue starts twenty minutes before opening; lunch is the quieter window. Order the Classic bao, the Confit Pork bao, and the Taiwanese fried chicken, three of you can comfortably eat for twenty pounds a head. Save BAO Fitzrovia for the sit-down version with sake.

At a Glance

View
Street Scene, London Skyline

Views & Setting

View Type

Street Scene, London Skyline

View Quality

Good

Indoor Terrace

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about BAO Soho, reservations, hours, dress code, and price range.

Where is BAO Soho?
BAO Soho is located in Soho, London, 53 Lexington Street, London W1F 9AS.
What are the opening hours of BAO Soho?
BAO Soho is open 12:00 - 15:00, 17:00 - 22:00 (Mon-Thu); 12:00 - 22:30 (Fri-Sat); 12:00 - 21:00 (Sun).
What is BAO Soho best for?
BAO Soho is especially popular for Lunch, Solo Dining, Casual.

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