Just moved into the neighbourhood and was walking by when I saw a sign that said "Mean Bao" on my way to shoppers. On a spur of the moment, I decided to take some take out. Decor inside was clean and pretty, I had my dog with me so I couldn't really dine in. Staff there was friendly and efficient. I ordered a pork belly bao, shrimp dumplings and sui mai.
Pork belly bao was smaller than I expected it to be since Ive been to Banh Mi Boys a few times, but to me, it tasted better. Not the meat and ingredients in itself, but the bao. The bao was soft and a perfect ratio to the meat inside, unlike Banh Mi Boys bao where I find the bao to be too thick and heavy. I ask for no peanuts but there were still peanuts inside..Im not allergic or anything but just don't like the taste of them, but the crunch had a nice texture with the fatty pork belly and soft bao so if you are a peanut fan you would love this little bao. To me it could have used a bit more hoisin sauce but nonetheless a great little treat (its better to have less sauce and ask for more than for it to be drenched in it!)
The sui mai was a bit disappointing since I ate the bao first. I don't know what it was...It felt too tough? It looked right, but maybe its because I ordered take out so it didn't taste as good? I don't know...I have to try it again dining in to really rate it.
Shrimp dumplings were my favourite out of the three. It was just a simple shrimp dumpling that was not overcooked and just was so yummy! I ask for the sweet soya sauce on the side and had some hot sauce at home and it was like a perfect dim sum "hai how". So happy to have discovered this gem.
Definitely will be back to try all the other items!!