I like big baos and I cannot lie.
I've already copped to being a wee bit obsessed with asian food lately. Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese - I'm all over the board. And try as I might, this late-night spot on SMU boulevard keeps me (and my wallet) coming back for more. Buuuuut I tried new stuff this time, so boo on your "geeze, she won't shut up about this place."
Original fan girl post can be found here.
Let's get this show in the road:
Thanks to Groupon, my coworkers and I were able to stuff our faces on some awesome eats. Both had never been before, but after hearing me go on, and on, and on about it, they were ready to rumble.
Pro Tip: I just barely bought my Groupon today, so I'd high-tail it over there and get to saving!
Slideshow of their updated standard menu, cool stuff not on the menu, and their bao special
Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
Full disclosure, I was not a huge fan. Different kimchi caramel karaage that I'm more than a little obsessed with (hah, massive understatement) had me thinking this version would be flavor packed. In reality, it was all up to the mayo to provide the flavor punches (nope, not about it).
Shrimp Bao
Full disclosure, I didn't actually eat this one, but one of my coworkers did and he was all.about.it (minus the avocado, but he's a weird one). Packed into this bao is crispy shrimp, corn jalapeno pico, samba sauce, basil cream aioli, avocado, and cilantro. What's not to love?
Just look at those beauties.
Philly Steak Bao
This is another one that I didn't get the joy of shoving into my gob, but if the speed at which my other coworker ate this was any indication, it was pretty dang awesome. Standard philly fare of beef, onion, bell peppers, and provolone cheese.
Angry bird bao, extra pickles
Good gravy. I always order this knowing full well how spicy it's going to be, hence the extra pickles for cool down. But my tastebuds still freak out (in a great way) because I'm a giant weenie. Murp. Hot fried chicken, American cheese, and pickles — Just can't go wrong.
Pork Belly Bao
This right here, is my go-to, the always delicious, the pork belly bao. Filled up with braised pork belly, kewpie mayo, peanuts, cilantro, and cucumber, I can't help but take forever to eat this, savoring every bite, and I don't even like mayo (seriously, I have no idea what kewpie mayo is, any nobody better tell me).
Just me, getting all up close and personal, trying to make some magic happen.
Matcha Ice Cream Bao
Holy Butts. I have had the pleasure of taking one bite of this lovely matcha green tea bao with condensed milk and topped with roasted peanuts and powdered sugar, but a whole one to myself?! Hot dog!! This little bugger was a bit awkward to eat at first, but who cares, because it was fricken awesome, hands down would eat it all over again (but later, right now I'm still struggling to keep my pants from bursting open).
Overall, we all know I love this place. While the fried chicken was an unexpected blip, I loved everything I ate, and so did my coworkers — I believe the words "5 stars, it was really good and didn't suck" were even mentioned. If that's not a stellar recommendation, I don't know what is.
Added bonus is that this place is open late, so instead of running around Friday/Saturday night after one two many and hitting the greasy drive through, hit up Sumo Shack instead (or don't, I'm not your mom).