This is one of the most random fast food restaurants I've ever been to. I love the concept - fast food focusing on multi-flavored bao. I mean, I love bao. Bao are great. These bao.....eeehhhhh. I got the Thai Curry Chicken and Coconut Custard. I didn't like the Thai Curry Chicken, it tasted pretty "flat." The Coconut Custard was better, good coconut flavor but not too sweet. I didn't like the texture of the filling, however. Overall, I wouldn't go out of my way to get these flavors again. Also, per the restaurant's nutritional info, each bao is around 179 calories. As I ordered a combo, my bao came with a choice of "cool pad thai salad," "asian vegetable salad," or "spicy peanut noodles." I chose the peanut noodles and wasn't too impressed. They were chilled, which I didn't expect, and didn't like. However, the spicy peanut sauce saved the dish. It was actually spicy! But, just cold noodles in peanut sauce is pretteh boring. No thanks. Combos are $6.19 and come with 2 bao or 5 potstickers. They also offer soups and bowls.
(3)
Sofia J.
No one likes cold bao. We ran the risk anyway. As the last stop of our "made in Chicago/located in the Loop" dinner menu for Chicago In White, we had high hopes that the bao would keep their temperature for the duration of our walk to the Harmonization Point ... assembly time ... and transport to the final destination. They were wrapped in napkins, boxed, and bagged and guess what! Steamy bao for the win!! Featured duck flavor and curry flavors were delicious :)
(4)
Sara P.
During my 1st visit, I ordered a 6-pack of bao to-go, along with the homemade ginger ale to take back to my hotel. While I found the traditional option of BBQ pork and the kung pao chicken to be especially tasty, the edamame and mongolian beef options were not as flavorful and the filling seemed a bit dry. I can't recall the other two (2) bao flavor options off the top of my head, so they must have been neither memorable nor disapointing. The homemade ginger ale was fantastic, especially thirst-quenching on a hot Chicago day; I definitely recommend it for ginger-root lovers. I would visit Wow Bao again to sample its other menu items, but would be more picky over the bao.
(3)
William K.
Service was very quick. The pot stickers were really good. Also had the teriyaki chicken which was just ok. It didn't had a lot of flavor. I would return to try a different bowl.
(4)
Dinna Y.
The pumpkin, coconut custards are wunderkind tasty melt in your mouth yumminess! Very fast, high tech, hearty, authentic Asian food with a modern twist. I'm coming back for more to make sure it's a 5 star rating.
(4)
Melissah L.
I love Wow Bao! What a cute idea, right? Baozi are my favorite snack when I go to Asia, and I was so tickled to see all the different fillings they had! I got a 6-pack, one of each meat filling. So good! I loved the Thai Curry bao. My only complaint is that the girl at the cashier wasn't too sharp and charged me for and gave me 7 bao instead of 6 (after a prolonged discussion where I thought I made my order clear)... but more bao isn't that bad of a problem I guess! Open a Wow Bao in Ann Arbor please!
(3)
Raphael B.
Good location! Yummy little addictive treats, Mmm to those bao's! Friendly staff. Small selection but convenient location. Very rare have I experienced mistakes by them, but when I have they have done a great job at rectifying the situation.
(4)
Samuel C.
Stopped in here for a quick bite before heading to o'hare... Never had anything remotely close to Bao. or asian buns. It was pretty delicious. It felt like eating a sandwich.. the bun was like a moist bread. stuffed with meats... I had the pork and curry chicken bao. super tasty. I am hoping to find something here in LA that comes close... I also had their spicy mongolian beef bowl.... i wasn't too crazy about it. It's spicy. It looked like ground beef. Reminded me of a sloppy joe on top of rice. eh. I would return for Bao... that $h!t is amazing.
(4)
Caron S.
Hot asian buns? And they're only $1.49? Sign me up. My first time in, I'd already eaten but was intrigued by fast-casual, yet pseudo-healthy, WOW BAO. I went with a coconut custard bun. It did not disappoint. The squishy outer texture of the warm steamed bun, and the custary delicious filling was a great combo. Happy tastebuds! The next day we stopped in again. I had seen the whole wheat bun with edamame on the menu when I got my coconut custard bun and knew I wanted to try one when I had available stomach real estate. Glad I did! So tasty. Edamame and other veggies (red pepper, broccoli) was satisfying. One of my favorite things about WOW BAO is the cleanliness and speed. They have their stuff together. It was packed at lunch but thanks to an easy-to-use electronic ordering system where you order and pay outside the door, my bun was quickly available.
(4)
Wesley W.
Three-ish (maybe 2.75) stars for a quick fix of BBQ pork buns and free wifi. The baos are average at best but they do have a variety of flavours. I wouldn't come here on the regular but if you're short on time and need something quick and easy, this is it. Not a fan of the ginger ale.
(3)
Jenn L.
2 and a half stars. We came here for a bite after the Stanley Cup parade. We ordered six of the baos (2 bbq pork, 2 teriyaki chicken, 1 thai curry chicken, 1 coconut custard) and the teriyaki chicken rice bowl. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that the teriyaki chicken in the rice bowl would be the same as the filling in the bao. I think I actually preferred the rice bowl. All in all, it was okay. Definitely a more western take on the more traditional Chinese baos I've had in the past. I wasn't a a fan of the ginger ale, it gave me a weird heart burn sensation afterwards, which I never get. We did stop by the Michigan Avenue location to grab some bao on the go for the plane ride home. Nothing to write home about though.
(2)
Luis D.
The Bao's are awesome. None of them suck, but hey unless you are a really fatty 2-3 should be all you need. The bowls are where it is at. They are all good. Perfect for a quick and not expensive meal. Do it.
(4)
Harold J.
Would have eaten here because I love dumplings, but after glancing at how inattentive the staff was I knew I would be wasting my money. When you walk by a shop and see the staff sitting on the prep counters, it gives you a bad vibe.
(1)
Vince V.
It was a random stop walking around the city post Blackhawks Stanley Cup parade ceremonies. My buddy and I picked up a few baos (bbq pork, Thai curry chicken, spicy mongolian beef and teriyaki chicken). Quick and tasty though not particularly memorable. Bao after all refers to the steamed bread and that is a component of the product that can be improved. The bao while more than an adequate vessel for the tasty fillings would not have held up as well against a proper cha siu bao from any decent dimsum restaurant. Still good, reasonably priced for the location, and provided a momentary cushion for the next bar stop on this celebratory walk-a-rama.
(3)
Terry M.
People are friendly, food is just okay. They messed up our order which was a concern because one person in our party is allergic to peanuts and two of the bun types have nuts. The amount of dough in the buns kind of overwhelms the filling. Also, the only sauce we could find was packets of soy.
(2)
Ashley L.
Uh...horrible "Chinese food. Wow Bao is NOT Chinese or Asian! Chicago's Chinatown barely seems sufficient and Wow Bao is not even on par with places in Chinatown. - kiosk located outside for fast ordering - pot sticker and rice combo is a good deal but the quality of food is BELOW AVERAGE - free water cups next to soda machine - bathrooms are locked, request a token to unlock from the cashier Would NEVER go back. Would NEVER recommend.
(1)
Leah C.
My first meal from Wow Bao was via GrubHub and it was amazing! My boyfriend and I ordered 6 bao (1 teriyaki chicken, 2 spicy Mongolian beef, 1 spicy kung pao chicken, and 2 BBQ pork). My favorite was the spicy kung pao chicken - It definitely has a decent kick. My least favorite was the BBQ pork as I thought it was a little too sweet. Overall, the bao bread was perfect - light and fluffy, not doughy and the filling was perfectly portioned. We also ordered the cold peanut noodle salad and the fried dumplings. The fried dumplings were crispy and came with a great (but standard) ginger soy dipping sauce. The cold peanut noodle salad was okay but could have been better. However, I did like that the peanut sauce came in a separate container so we could pour it on ourselves. I can't wait to go back and try the dessert baos! Tip: If you order take-out/delivery, make sure to check the wrappers underneath the bao to see what kind it is. We didn't figure this out until AFTER we ate all of our bao so we were playing the guessing game the whole time. You live and you learn, right? =]
(4)
Vanitha S.
Wow bao is such a great alternative to heavy greasy fast food. At first they started off with a simple menu of baos but then started expanding their menu to stir fry bowls where you can choose from a list that will stump you...brown rice? Quinoa? White rice? Lettuce cups? What are you in the mood for? There are also low calorie combos which look intriguing but haven't tried yet. They also have breakfast baos now which also seem like a good idea for an affordable healthy fast meal if you're in a rush in the mornings. Getting back to the baos and bowls which I know. The thai curry is a bit salty which I knocked off a star for. But it is fresh and healthy and light. If you don't like overwhelming coconut it's a good dish to try. The Kung pao delivers the true spice to its word along with the peanuts. The teriyaki is really tasty. The bowls are only $7 and for $3 extra you can add any 2 baos or 2 potstickers. I chose the potstickers and those were just ok. Also a little salty. The baos though are my favorite and you can't go wrong with those! They are steamed so they're not heavy at all. The savory fillings are yummy with the teriyaki chicken and thai curry chicken being favorites. I love the sweet boas too. The coconut custard are similar to the kolakotai that sound Indians eat with a the custard giving it a nice twist. During the holidays they have some pumpkin spice bao which is also very tasty! Service is always done w a smile. Don't pass up this option if looking for steamy asian buns!! Now if only they would expand to other states...
(4)
Jeff F.
I visited a second time. I ordered the bowl combo with two BBQ pork bao. The bao were wet to the point that it was almost dripping. The damp dough easily overpowered what little meat I found inside the bao. It felt like I was eating a kitchen sponge. Remembering the Teryaki Chicken bowl packed some cilantro, I asked the clerk taking my order to hold the cilantro. He assured me there would be no cilantro. Surprise of surprises, there was cilantro. And just like that, Wow Bao drops to two stars and blandly elbows its way onto my "last resort" list.
(2)
Lisa S.
I love this place! You have the option to use their two kiosks or go to a cashier to order. I used the super fast kiosk. I LOVE their little hot buns! You can get them in several different flavors and the service is super fast. I was just there about two weeks ago and I am craving more. The best is their homemade ginger ale with real ginger. It is so good and better than the usual Coke, Sprite, etc. options. What was special about this particular location was, I accidentally spilled my heavenly ginger ale drink on the floor. It was a total accident! I told the workers at the counter so no one would slip and fall on it. Not only did they mop it up right away, but they automatically gave me a brand new ginger ale drink at no extra cost. I was willing to pay for another one since it was MY fault. Kudos for the yummy, fast food but also the superior customer service!!!!!! :) Thank you, Wow Bao!
(5)
Lisa T.
I wish there was a Wow Bao in Seattle...it would do awesome here. But luckily I had a work trip out to chicago and there was one right by my hotel! I swung by what I expected to be a busy lunch rush, but b/c of their handy dandy self-ordering kiosks (super easy to use), I placed my order and in minutes, they called my number. I had their spicy mongolian beef noodle bowl. I added a bit more chili sauce to make it really spicy. It was a little oily, but tasty nonetheless. I ate up every last bit. And I tacked on two bao's: spicy kung pao chicken and BBQ pork. YUM. Their bao is so soft and pillowy, which flavorful fillings inside. Easy to eat on the go!
(4)
Deven B.
More like Boo Whoo - this place was awful. Def not bao by any stretch of the imagination, though it does attempt to resemble it's namesake. The service was SO slow, the tables were not cleaned off, and just an all around bad experience. The dumplings were so odd tasting. You can just tell they made them in huge quantities with little regard for quality let alone your taste buds. It should be a crime, really. And the noodles were no different - extremely bland, no flavor, absolutely unsatisfying on all accounts. I'd rather eat cardboard.
(1)
Kory R.
Saw this place when we were walking to the Chicago Theater. I was interesting in what it was because of the sign that said "Hot Asian Buns". I didnt really think about it until we were exhausted and didnt want to go out. I called my boyfriend in CA to see what time they closed and he said 7pm... we put on our shoes and hauled butt down there from Hotel 71 because it was 6:45pm!!! For around $8, I was able to get a combo with 5 potstickers, Peanut Noodles, and a Kung Pao Bao Bun. It was surprisingly delicious and I was entertained by the idea of this fast food, tasty Asian cuisine. My friend got a 3 for $5 combo that included 2 potstickers, rice bowl, and spicy peanut noodles. Definatley a good choice for those who want to get some tasty food for a good price! I wish they had one of these in California!
(4)
Cassandra F.
I was staying at the Renaissance and decided to try lunch here. It was really good. I got the Curry Chicken rice bowl and two Baos (coconut and chocolate). The rice was great it had just the right amount of spicey for me, and I loved the coconut cream bao! The chocolate one was so-so, but the coconut cream is fantastic! Very affordable, nice atmosphere, and really convenient to the big hotels along the river.
(4)
Riley'sMama s.
I just returned to this place after several years. I tried the original Water Tower one a long time ago and liked it, so decided to stop here. It was pretty busy when we arrived on Saturday afternoon. I ordered the chicken teriyaki bao, the chicken curry bao, one chocolate bao, and one coconut bao. The chicken teriyaki bao was my favorite. I also liked the chicken curry one. The chocolate one was just ok, and the coconut one was delicious. The service here was just so-so. They weren't very friendly, but not really rude either. On a good note though, the bathroom was surprisingly clean, and the restaurant was pretty clean also. The baos are like $1.50 each, and if you check in on Foursquare you get a buy-one-get-one-free coupon. When you factor in the price, this place is a good value for the money, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return here.
(3)
Colin M.
I dig the menu and the slick, automated ordering process. I didn't find a WiFi network to join, so I'm not sure about the WiFi designation on this page. But it's not really a place you'd want to hang around to surf the Web anyway. This is definitely a grab/eat-and-go kind of place.
(4)
Chelsea F.
Considering this is a "fast food" place, I'm a fan. You can't beat the spicy chicken teriyaki bao or the potstickers. The homemade gingerale is good too and my favorite part about this place? You can order on your computer and come pick it up or you can order right outside their store without even talking to anyone.
(4)
Steve S.
I really like this place...Its hard to find these three words together in a restaurant...original, tasty and cheap. A Bao is a steamed breadlike dumpling with different fillings like Kung Pao or Teriayki. A decent value for only $2 a Bao. Theere is also different bowls as well.....Add a star for the easy kiosk ordering as well as having the guts to publish the nutritional value of the meal I wish Wow Bao was in Boston
(4)
Rilindo F.
Mmmm. . . Hot Asian Americanized buns. . . Of all things that could come to the mainstream fast-food cuisine, who would we guess that Bao would be it? But I guess I should not be surprised with Chicago being a notable foodie town. As soon as I noticed they serve breakfast, I knew I have to try it. So before for "home", I stopped by for some nibbles. The rice bowl with egg, bacon and cheddar was a nice surprise (Of course, I am always a sucker for bacon and rice). As for the bao(s) themselves, the BBQ pork tasted great. Egg + Spicy Spicy sausage, is alright, but not as good. Overall, a nice departure from your usual fast food breakfast. Hopefully I'll try out the other dishes on my trip back to Chicago in November.
(3)
Sabrina M.
Ode to Wow Bao, by Sabrina M. (With apologies to Dr. Seuss) I do so love Hot Asian Buns I love to eat them on the run I love to eat them sitting down I cannot eat them with a frown I eat them filled with poultry and veggies They are steamed, so they're not heavy Secret Wednesday Word will get you one Bao free Go see for yourself, don't take it from me! Eat those hot yummy Asian buns! Eat them there or on the run And when you're full and all else fails Wash them down with that fabulous, homemade, Pomegranate Ginger Ale!
(5)
Melanie K.
Reliability. Walkability. Super-quickability. Satisfy-ability. Lunch-combo availability. These, my friend, are the hallmarks of a good downtown midday meal establishment. And this is what Wow Bao offers. No, it is not a solace for authentic dim sum or dishes. And it doesn't try to be. It's all about streamlining and satisfaction. My favorite? - Peanut noodle salad with chocolate and coconut baos -Thai vegetable salad with steamed veggie potstickers. They have never failed me. Ever. And I lost count of my check ins a long time ago. Other memorable notes: Easy check in kiosks, summer sidewalk eating (sun is a bit intense though-umbrellas?), text enrollment for free promos, homemade drinks
(4)
Tonia O.
Tastylicious. Nice quick bite to eat, no long lunch waits. Just good eats. I particularly like the bowls and highly recommend the Teriyaki chicken bowl. I remember when this place was just a little hub in the WaterTower Place, now they have expanded throughout Chicago (successful they have been). Originally the portion sizes were much smaller, but now for under 10 bucks, you get left overs to take home! Speaking of which, I have some to finish. Nom...nom...nom...
(4)
Britini R.
Worth the wait for coconut bao! Straight out of the steamer, freshly filled bun; my mouth is watering just thinking about putting that little hottie inside of me. OM NOM NOM. I've been going to Water Tower Wow Bao since 2005, but now this location is way easier to get to after I get off of work. Different menu slightly. Same tasty buns. There's a lot to like about Wow Bao. Bicycle delivery in the Loop; ordering app for pick-ups; free bao Wednesdays from their Facebook page; free wi-fi; great location to people watch from. If you ask very politely, my favorite non-menu thing to do is get a thai curry chicken bowl with half rice/ half cabbage. OM NOM NOM.
(5)
Tanya M.
I've eaten here many times. Everything is delicious, especially the baos. but I only recently discovered that they serve breakfast baos! say what?! I thought the egg spinach and mushroom bao would be bland but it's perfection. although nothing can beat the egg and spicy sausage bao. holy. crap. mind is blown *swoon* so good and filling. they have a breakfast special, 2 bao and a cup of intelligensia coffee for $4. apparently not many people know about this since it's always dead in the morning, but then again then just means no wait:) Try the breakfast baos. you will not be sorry.
(5)
Jen B.
Hi, can we talk about the curry quinoa bowl for a second? Because it is the fucking JAM. I have cravings for it. Probably because it's heavily salted and that's what salt does to you, but screw it, I just want more. I seriously get excited when I'm hungry nearby and I can pop in for a quick CQB. Hell, even if I'm not hungry, I'm stopping in anyway. Wow Bao, you're blatant mass appeal has won you a spot in my taste buds...and my heart. Aww.
(4)
April W.
They are ok. For a pretty small bun that is not absolutely delish, merely slightly below average, I probably wouldn't return. But if you're not an asian food purist like me (I like my cha siu baos!) then you shouldn't run away from this place. The bbq pork bun is an americanized pork bun. Same delicious, poofy outside, but they might actually be using american bbq sauce for the pork. A solid meh.
(3)
Dennis L.
I am so glad that I finally had the opportunity to visit Wow Bao! It is a great quick-service concept with a superb product. On my visit, I ordered the 2 bao combo with noodle salad. The Curry and Kung Pao steamed buns were flavorful and delicious. They were a bit smaller than I expected, but the meal was perfectly sized overall due to the noodle salad. The noodles were excellent as well. I am a fan of Wow Bao, and I will certainly return.
(4)
Danielle S.
When it comes to ethnic cuisine, you can't expect a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant to serve anything more than well-marketed Americanized food. Sure, you can probably get better bao elsewhere, but for fun, convenient, quick, and tasty, Wao Bao does not disappoint. The Bao are surprisingly filling, the salads are good, and the ginger ale is not to be missed. I do wish they would have more veggie bao options, but the edamame IS very tasty.
(4)
Dora C.
I'm asian so the concept of paying more than $1 for a bun blows my mind. However, if you're in the city and craving pacific noms... DO IT. But stick with the BBQ pork. Anything else questions my childhood.
(4)
Justin O.
Nothing special- affordable fast asian food.
(2)
Brian M.
If you're from the West Coast and you miss having a semi-healthy Asian food choice at a decent price, this is the place. 3 item combos for $5. Bowls for $5.99. Good pot stickers. The peanut noodles are tasty. Service is very fast. I've been looking for this type of place for 5 years.
(5)
Darkling S.
Call me a grinch but i just tried this unit at Wacker based on the stars issued by Yelpers ... and i was disappointed at best. Frankly eating the two bao buns was like trying to cut, chew and swallow mildly sweet pie dough - unbaked! yuk. the fillings were spot on. their potstickers are well, potstickers. it is hard to improve on those.... they should have more than three choices ... there will be a next time as it is so near my office and it's quick and cheap (by Loop standards). perhaps i'll try the noodles ....
(2)
Mary B.
I love Wow Bao, esp. the spicy mongolian beef!! I also had the curry one and chicken teriyaki, they're delish too. Their chicken pot stickers are awesome, make sure you dip them in the soy/ginger sauce. This location is great too.
(5)
Val B.
Pretty yummy. We came in right around opening time today (a Sunday), around noon. I've had bao a couple times but my boyfriend was a bao virgin, so it was all very exciting and new for him. We split a 6-pack, trying about all the baos. I had edamame, chicken curry, and bbq pork. The edamame one was delicious, especially with a little red chili sauce on it. Chicken curry was also quite good, and the bbq pork was just okay. Boyfriend's were similarly okay - he had mongolian beef, kung pao chicken, and another bbq pork. We also split 5 potstickers, which were rather unnecessary since the bao was really filling. They were just okay, nothing special. Overall, good and quick experience, and boyfriend is happy to have tried bao. They deliver (on bike!) and we only live a few blocks away, so we'll definitely be back.
(3)
Zeke A.
It's not real bao of course, but dammit we are so great at making things fun and American! Chocolate Bao - WOW! I love all the chicken options and think that the kung pao and curry are my favorite. The custard one is a real good dessert too! Next time you want some Americanized Bao then check this place out - it's delicious!
(4)
Carol M.
One thing about these Loop-y food joints is that they are aces when it comes to speed. The line was out the door and I barely had enough time to pick what I wanted before it was my turn to order. My friend's soup soaked through her paper bag straight to the floor and they replaced it w/o judging or hesitation!. I got the teriyaki chicken bao and the chicken noodle soup. It was light and it totally hit the spot. mmm Next time I want to get my hands on some hot Asian buns I know where to go! P.S. I'm right there w/ Zach C. on the sleek design! 49/52
(4)
Heather M.
I really like the breakfast bao here. The egg and sausage one is delicious, and somehow feels healthier than a bagel or something... For other meals, I like the bbq pork and the thai curry chicken. Fast and easy, this place is def worth a stop in.
(4)
Tripline T.
I am one of those lazy guys that only review things that are worth (good or bad) reviewing. I have to saw that I was impressed with my first time here. Everything is self served. There are 2 machines outside where you can order you own food with a credit card. Big pictures and everything. They also have nice cups and a soda machine with H20. Their food was also at a good size so I got the combo for around 6$. The bad thing about this place is that it can draw a line, since there is only 2 ordering machines during lunch hour. they probably have their own audio jack to plug in their own Ipod. Why am I listening to Rap and Mexican music at a "Asian" dine in? The SEATS are my biggest complaint. Standing at 5'10 1/2, my legs were not comfortably positioned on the floor. I can only imagine how childlike the 5'5 and under people would feel with both feet, sitting with both feet off the ground eating lunch. If seats are the biggest complaint, you have done a good job for fast food.
(4)
#NAME?
Today was my first time here, came here for lunch-I had looked at the reviews, read them fully to understand what I would expect when I came here- I stood in line for the kiosk to place my order, but the guy in front of me got me annoyed so I just went in and ordered- FOOD: Got the mongolian beef Bao and 5 chicken potstickers wtih both sauces- The Bao was so soft, it kind of reminded me of a spicy sloppy joe sandwich-It was not my usual lunch, but glad I was brave and tried it- The line may look long but it took no time at all for my food to come and for me to eat it- It's very compact in here, the drink station and where you obtain eating utensils are right next to one another so it gets a little crowded there- For 1 Bun, 5 Potstickers and a fountain drink it was $8-
(4)
Tom S.
I believe Wow Bao to be a Philip Zimbardo-esque psych experiment, and in that regard it deserves 5 stars but as a restaurant not so many. First off, the address is wrong as listed here. It is at least a block west of Wabash and it's not on Wacker. It is approximately 200 N. State. They have two entances sort of kitty corner yet facing each other and each entrance has a line that merges into one line. So you have to do some compromising and negotiating with total strangers to figure out where you are in line. Then after placing your order you have to wait for them to call out your number. "Hwalf!" "Hwalf!" Female Customer: "Excuse me did you call thirteen?" "No, I say HWAAAALF!!" Finally the non-english speaking man called "Hoor-tan!" which meant my order was ready. Or was it? Half of it seemed to be missing. After much squinting at the receipt and convincing arguments by me, he conceded and gave me my noodles. The place is really cramped so if you want napkins and utensils you have to play human chess to get to them. Then you sit down in the mostly communal seating area but that's okay because there now exists a camaraderie amongst you and the other victims. The food was okay, pretty standard except for my chocolate bao that was filled with custard. Do you really want to get back in line to return a half masticated bao? No, no you do not. Also, they use these weird, long, tube shaped ice cubes that turn your 16oz ginger ale into 3oz of ginger ale and a fuckload of ice. The only good thing about my visit was that WLS anchorman Ron Magers was in front of me in line. I hope he was there as part of an expose on unethical psychology experiments happening in our city but I suspect it has more to do with the fact that the WLS studios are just across the street.
(1)
Jenni E.
So, I am not a huge fan of this place - though I thought I would be. I love Asian Fusion, but I have had a few things from here and everything tastes like ginger. I have had the Mongolian Beef, Kung Pao Chicken, and BBQ Beef and all of it tastes like ginger to me. I do love the Baos; they are soft, doughy and warm - but still the filling tastes somewhat like ginger. I would like to taste some additional flavors here.
(3)
Brett K.
Wow Bao definitely does a lot of things right. I've followed the herd here several times for work lunch. The "Bao"s are pretty good, basically you just get your choice of meta filling inside a big doughy pastry ball. I can only handle a couple before the dough becomes too much but the fillings are actually really good. If you've never had a Bao, give one or two a try but normally I would suggest ordering a combo with the pot stickers and the spicy peanut satay noodles, very tasty.
(3)
Gardenia H.
Wow Bao Soup fanatics love the Hot and Spicy Dumpling Soup with a choice of pork or chicken to taste. A surprising savory treat with three pork dumplings, shredded cabbage, scallions, ginger, and spices. A steaming bright dumpling soup bowl gets you going ... before trying Wow Bao "Hot Asian Buns on the Run", Potstickers, Combo Salads...and Homemade Ginger Ale with Fresh Ginger!
(5)
Zack P.
I can't imagine another quick-service place that could get me giddy like Wow Bao. I gush over their text message coupons, which unlike some other companies' opt-in messages, are actually valuable. They'll just give you free bao, rather than giving you a percent off or making you buy one to get one. I think that's phenomenal, especially in a time when a lot of business are pinching pennies. I do love the bao but I tend to get the bowls unless I'm just looking for a snack. Really yummy, and the location is remarkably clean and well designed. Their ginger ale is the perfect summertime drink. I used to go there at least twice a week when I lived downtown. I only go once in a while now since there isn't a location near me (hint hint, northside's hurting for some bao) but whenever I go it's just as great as I remember it, and they even have a little automated ordering system which is really speedy and smart. Can't believe I'm giving five stars to a franchise but it's as close to flawless as fast food gets.
(5)
Kevin L.
Cute place - trendy ambiance with lots of red and white. It's fun to see the giant metal steamers at work. Their bao are pretty decent and make for some yummy breakfast food. Definitely not on the same level as what my grampa used to make from scratch, but you can only ask for so much in a mass-produced fast-food joint. They apparently also have potstickers and something resembling rice congee here, neither of which I tried. Note to those that stop by for breakfast - apparently they only make up to four of any particular type of bao at a time during their early hours. I tried getting a six pack of the BBQ and the cashier checked on how many were already steamed up before apologizing that I'd have to either wait or pick two of something else. That was fine - I discovered that their teriyaki wasn't bad, either. Two or three of their bao here should be enough to ensure that you're not going to be hungry for the rest of the morning. If you're a glutton like me, you'll wolf down that many right away, then snack on another three until lunch.
(4)
Jill M.
Yay for fresh ginger ale! You can't find ginger ale like this anywhere else, unless you make it yourself. Tips: Stick with the bao or the rice bowl. The noodle bowl is like the bao filling over spaghetti! Sick! I really love the teriyaki chicken or the spicy mongolian beef. I don't come here often because it's a very touristy place, but each bao is cheap and makes for a tasty snack!
(4)
Kyle P.
really liked it. had the kung pao chicken and chicken bao......good times try it out
(4)
Eric S.
Hot asian buns are so yummy, so unexpected, so Chinese, so much fun to eat, so close to Beard Papa's Japanese chocolate-dipped cream puffs, and outdoor seating is so available so that you combine these two Asian imports and have the sort of cheap lunch downtown that everyone so deserves to regret.
(4)
Lisa H.
Two words. AMAZING SERVICE. With the ease of this downtown location, I love picking up a lunch order during the week. You won't get the most authentic Chinese food / paos here, but the Mongolian beef beats Panda Express anyday. Combo deals of a Bowl + 2 paos for $9? I remained dazed from WowBao-induced-food-coma for the rest of the afternoon. Now... I stumbled into Wow Bao after a movie screening at Gene Siskle's down the road one evening. Caught the store RIGHT BEFORE it closed at 8pm, ordered by food and sank into the comfy leather seats. The cashiers + cooks on the line were all incredibly smiley & friendly, even though I was literally the last customer barging in before the EOD. Check this out : at closing, restaurants always have a lot of leftover food that they either throw out or take-out for the employees. Have you ever been to a place where they give the customers FREE FOOD? Wow Bao was raining bowls & paos!! On top of my order, I scored 5 paos + 1 bowl. The super smiley cashier guy came around the tables and simply doughed out extra food, no questions asked, no judgement. I love you Wow Bao. Thank you for making my day with your amazing staff!!
(5)
Audrey F.
I have to review this place. How can you pass on a place that sells awesome buns! They are soo good that they are called "hot asian buns"! Loved homemade freshly made ginger beer: either plain, with pomegranate or with green tea. Their buns (bao in Cantonese) are like the size of White Castle burgers so you can easily eat 3 or 4 in a sitting. Roast pork and coconut custard were not as yummy as Chinatown's but still good. The dumplings were small and even though they were not as good as those in a Chinese dim sum joint, they still are tasty with chopped cilantro and scallions. Gotta return for some noodles next time. Please please someone bring this franchise to CT!!! Either that or build a Chinatown.
(4)
Rebekka T.
Further proof, that I am obsessed with Wow Bao for good reason - every Wednesday they have a "Word of the Day" which you can see on their Facebook page (u don't have to log in). When you say it at Wow Bao, you get a free Bao!! Also, they have a text service that sends you texts coupons for free bao, ginger ale etc. There is nothing like free, delicious food. I love Wow Bao.
(5)
Angel S.
Pot sticker and salad combo is a great lunch pick! A great quick lunch after a morning on the run.
(4)
Cam C.
I love this place. I was here every morning when I was in Chicago. The place is clean and the staff is very friendly. My favorites are the bbq pork and thai curry chicken. It is not authenic dim sum but it is definitely worth trying.
(5)
Tiff H.
So came in and tried the chicken curry and bbq pork bun. With a bottle of water, I spent $3 due to a fellow yelper's four square discount. (What is four square?) It would have been closer to $6 including tax without the discount. The buns tasted as tho they had been frozen. The guy who took my order looked like he hated life and didn't want to be there. What's the big fuss about this place anyway? No hot Asian buns here...except for mine! (heehee)
(2)
Dane K.
I tried 4 different baos and they were all OK. The Thai Curry was by far my favorite and worth going back for... I also tried the mogolian beef, kung pao chicken, and bbq pork. The other three all had decent flavors but I couldn't tell chicken from the pork if I wanted to. It was very mushy. But tasty still. They have a 6 pack, I don't think I could eat more than 4 of these in one sitting. After they started to get cold they got less and less tasty, and even start tasting a little too doughy... So I wouldn't unwrap them until you're actually eating them. Their combos don't seem to be significantly cheaper than ordering a la carte (a 6 pack saves you maybe 30 cents vs ordering fewer individually). One of the owners was standing by the line answering people's questions and chit chatting... The line wasn't so bad when we showed up, and moved pretty fast (though the line was out the door still). Once ordered, our food was up in less than a minute. By the time we sat down with our food, the line was at least 50 people long out the door, crazyness. Despite the crazy crowd, there was adequate seating available. I had the homemade ginger ale, which was pretty good... Though there was a lot of ice in it so I was still thirsty once I was done with it. Price-wise, the baos being $1.29/each, the place is pretty decently priced if you ask me. I like that they have breakfast baos, I imagine I'd only want one, maybe 2 anyway for breakfast, so that's an inexpensive breakfast. Next time I think I'll get the combo with 2 baos and spicy peanut noodles... On another visit I had the combo of 2 bao and spicy peanut noodles. Annoyed to get back to the office and realize they didn't include any utensils! The noodles were decent. Last time I went they had added mochi ice cream (didn't try, but they're usually store bought anyway, i'm sure they're great!!!)... and a new dessert bao... the chocolate one. it's fantastic! chocolate and coconutty goodness
(3)
Caitlin L.
Last time we were here we came to Wow Bao for lunch and for whatever reason, my boyfriend really loves this place. So when we came back for a second visit this was a definite place to come to, according to him! We both ordered a rice bowl, mine with teryiaki chicken and his with kung pao chicken. My rice bowl came with two bao, one was bbq pork and the other was kung pao chicken. Nothing was awesome. Not even great. Just go somewhere else.
(2)
Tuyen N.
Hot Asian Buns! I love the tagline. I love the concept. I love the order kiosk. I just don't care so much for the food. I had the 2 bao + salad combo today. 1 BBQ Pork (good), 1 spicy kung pao (eww), asian salad (yuck) and I had the ginger ale (ok). I have to say the creators have definitely found a fun way to bring bao to mainstream. However, they are definitely not the best bao I've ever had. It tastes like they only incorporated 50% of the Chinese flavor, everything tasted half-assed, as if they were afraid the authenticity would offend people. I say--bring it on! I give Wow Bao major kudos for being the on the forefront of integration. Online ordering, delivery, in-store order kiosks, social media mavens and one of the best concept stores I've seen in a while.
(3)
Sean R.
it's fast food but it's good! what a treat, i can't get enough :)
(5)
Craig R.
I love Wow Bao .... little carb sensations of meaty delicacies! The buns ar ethe perfect food ... self contained, with yummy insides ... i love them. I have to say the spicy mongolian beef was my favorite. My mouth is watering just thinking of these yummy little pieces of heaven!
(4)
Kim N.
Fun touch screen ordering - check. Super fast service - check. Delicious food - check. Great prices - check. Awesome slogan - check! check! check! Couldn't ask for any more. Except more visits to this place!
(4)
Paul B.
Chinese food in a bun... interesting concept... I've been to this location now 3x and the food is very tasty but I will say I can only handle 2-3 Baos. I've noticed I get a dough overload with any more. Having said that, it's great (healthy? steam cooked, not fried) Chinese food. Everything in the cooking area is Stainless Steel and appears very clean. Definitely try the spicy peanut noodles, salad is good too! Pass on the authentic Ginger Ale unless that's something you're into. I was thinking it would be more like Schwepps Ginger Ale...
(3)
Dan M.
This is a fast food franchise. My opinion means absolutely nothing. But damn it, it's delicious food. Great bao and their rice bowls are filling and delicious.
(4)
Joshua N.
Hit this Wow Bao right at the lunch rush, but the line moved quick and the food was still awesome!! Really enjoyed it.
(4)
Jeff R.
yea Wow Bao is super cool. I like everything on the menu and return often to keep the rotation. I'd say the Bao's are my least favorite and I prefer the dumplings and the noodles/rice bowls. The combination dumplings and thai peanut salad is my go-to. very good, very fast and not too bad on the pocket book.
(4)
Elizabeth S.
I ordered a chicken teriyaki bowl to go, got home and discovered they gave me spicy beef. it was gross
(1)
Elizabeth B.
When I moved in down the street from this place, all I heard was, "You HAVE to try Wow Bao!" Not one to be stupid and ignore glowing recommendations, I headed over tonight and ordered some dinner. Here's what I got: Chicken potstickers with mustard sauce: AWESOME. DELICIOUS. Would go back for more of those. Kung Pao Bao: SPICY! Mongolian Beef Bao: SPICY! BBQ Bao: Yummy! The bread they use for the bao is delicious and I think with flavors that don't set my tongue/mouth on fire, it's a tasty little treat. I just happened to pick some majorly hot items and I'm someone who avoids spice and burning like herpes. I think I'll go back and try some of the rice dishes or salads to get a better idea of the overall quality.
(3)
Mickey A.
I came to this location during lunch hour to pick up some frozen buns (hee hee..I said frozen buns) for my parents. Wow...I was not expecting a line out of the restuarant. Okay, I am not a fan of the buns, but I do like the teriyaki (sp?) chicken rice bowls. The rice bowls are small but are filling enough for a nice lunch or dinner meal. My parents, on the other hand, love the baos esp. the bbq flavored ones. They visit the Water Tower location when in town. Anyway, back to my story, I bought a couple boxes from the freezer to bring them home for the holiday. Instead of waiting in line, I was taken care of right away by one of the employees. (Honestly, the line isn't as bad as it looks...it seemed to go by swiftly.) She had a portable credit card thingy, and I was on my merry way. Sweet. Note to self: lunch is a popular time...come back later because they close at 8 PM.
(4)
Kwan N.
I ordered the spicy kung pao chicken and the spicy mongolian. The mongolian one was mediocre while the kung pao is different than expected from a normal kung pao chicken dish. I prefer the kung pao one though. I also got to eat the bao with custard and coconut. It's bomb! Music was good, service was fast; overall I had a good time.
(3)
mikey m.
This is a place to be avoided like plague. I cant even list everything that is wrong with this place. Let me list the good, the rest room was equipped with soap so you can clean up before eating at dirty tables
(1)
Jacob K.
This is the chic Asian fast food place these days. For whatever reason this place is always crowded, but it has a nice atmosphere although its usually super crowded during lunch. Their main cuisine- the bow (hot asian buns) are nothing great but I did enjoy the peanut noodle salad. The pot stickers are pretty good as well. Its a nice place to go if you are in the area and want some different fast food to go.
(3)
Kellie T.
Spicy. Peanut. Noodles. HOLLA!!! I always get the 2 bao combo with the spicy peanut noodles. This cold noodle dish is refreshing, especially with the added cilantro. My favorite bao is the Thai curry. Least favorite might be the BBQ pork--too sweet for my taste. This is a small place, so it's better if you do one of three things: a.) arrive early so you can grab a seat b.) arrive well past the lunch rush, so you can grab a seat c.) pack that shit up and take it somewhere else! Kudos to WB for the ordering kiosks. The whole place has a very "mechanized" feel. The ordering line is a well-oiled machine. Hell, you even get to press a lever on the clever fork dispenser! Good, fast eats.
(3)
Jean Z.
I havent been to wow bao since it opened in the watertower place mall years ago. This store is actually beautiful, with contemporary seating and an electronic(if you dare) ordering device outside the entrance. Great scheme for a busy location!
(5)
Casey M.
I have always wanted to try Wow Bao. I was already downtown one day and stopped into Wow Bao to have a late lunch. I ordered the 2 Buns (Baos) and 1 Noodle dish combo. They offer an assortment of Baos from the Teriyaki Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken all the way to the healthy Whole Wheat edamame. I ordered two Whole Wheat Edamame Baos and the Spicy Peanut Noodles, served cold. The Baos were savory, steamy and satisfying. The noodles were al-dente and served with a peanut sauce and fresh cilantro and, like stated above, they are served cold. I would prefer them warm, but they were good cold at the same time. It was a light meal, but was just the right amount. The combo cost me only $5.99 and with a soda pop it cost about $7 total. Wow Bao I just might have to meet up with you again soon.
(4)
Dina K.
Love this place!!!
(5)
Henry D.
I was told by some to check Wow Bao out, but my closest friends told me there was nothing to go crazy out. I finally tried Wow Bao out, and went all out with a couple others. We ordered almost everything they had on the menu. The bao itself is not too bad, although not very remarkable in taste and certainly overpriced. The chocolate bao was probably the best thing we tried. The teriyaki bowls are tasty as well, although at $5.99 a piece they are well over-priced and will not get you anywhere near satiated. The salad was also small-portioned, overpriced and unfortunately not as tasty as the other items. The ginger ale was good. I can see why people enjoy stopping in here because it is trendy. It's good if you want to buy something small for taste, but it is nowhere to be if you want to get your money's worth or spend good money to be fed. If you want better bao with similar unique fillings for a better price, you could try Famima.
(2)
Allison M.
We had time to kill before our climb to the top of the Hancock. Wow Bao was there to curb our appetites. I loved the edamame bun! After our pilgrimage to experience 360 degrees of Chicago from up in the air, we came back for more and took it back to our hotel. Delicious indeed!
(5)
Tiffany K.
The buns are okay, but what's really worth your money here would be their ginger & green tea frozen yogurt. Seriously delicious! Their ginger pomegranate drink is really ginger-y and yummy as well. But The ginger & green tea fro yo is a taste I had never tasted before, and it blew my mind. Trust me.
(3)
Nicolas H.
These are pretty good, although a little small when it comes to pork buns. However, two buns and a side just about does it and it's not too expensive. I've tried the bbq pork of course as well as the kung pao chicken and terriyaki chicken. The pork was the best but the kung pao was pretty good too. The spicy peanut noodles are simple yet good and the thai salad is decent as well...
(4)
Linda N.
Stopped by for lunch. Seemed like a good concept, but the food disappointed. Far below the quality you'd find at Asian restaurants but at the same or a higher price. In addition, the staff seemed to confuse orders quite often which resulted in an unreasonably long waiting time to get the food we'd ordered. I still like the concept, but would use other lunch alternatives unless the quality of the food improves quite a bit.
(2)
Michael C.
I'm a sucker for spicy food and for trying something different, and in that light, this place couldn't have been more different and more satisfying. This is a fast-food style Asian fusion place where you can order at the counter, then slide a tray down and wait for your food, or you can order on a computer screen outside the door and then go in an wait for your food--we chose the computer, the future of ordering food (or the past, if you've ever been to a Sheetz in Pennsylvania). As adverstised, we got a big, three-person order in about 3 minutes, hot and steaming. Aside from bowls, pretty popular at a lot of Asian places now, this place specializes in bao, or hot Asian buns, which are what they (kind of) sound like: buns. They're kind of spongy, but are different than most breads, and are filled with different things, mostly the same things you get in the bowls, e.g., kung pao, BBQ, or teriyaki. And they're great. They're easy to eat, warm, tasty, and provide the new and adventurous factor that I crave (though I had them once before in Chinatown in NYC). Everything, in general, was tasty, quicky, and spicy, which makes me overlook the slight priciness ($10, about, for a bowl-bun combo, not including a drink), and the fact one of our buns had the wrong filling. We will go back, and I highly recommend.
(5)
Paul C.
Great place to pop in and grab a quick, little snack while you're on the go. They have more than just bao. There are rice bowls, soups, potstickers. But we only had a chance to try the bao. The bao were very tasty. All the ones we had were very good (mongolian beef, thai curry, kung pao chicken, bbq pork). The coconut custard was perfect as a dessert bun. We went there for breakfast and liked it so much we stopped by before we went to the airport so we could have some snacks on the plane. Hot Asian Buns. Very clever. Wow Bao!
(5)
Megan L.
I've been meaning to try Wow Bao for a while, so since I finally got myself in there, I decided to try a little bit of everything. Unfortunately, I wasn't all that impressed. I thought the baos were a nice size, and the dough was rather good. The fillings on the other hand... meh. I tried the BBQ pork, teriyaki chicken, kung pao chicken and mongolian beef. I didn't particularly care for any of them, unfortunately. They weren't poorly made or lacking quality; I just didn't care for the flavors. The BBQ pork was probably the one I liked best. I expected something a little more like pulled pork on the inside in terms of consistency, so I was surprised to find small pieces of pork. Not bad, just different. I would have liked a little bit stronger flavor of the BBQ sauce, but it was still ok. The teriyaki was a little less sweet than I prefer, and had some bell peppers in it, which I don't care for. Again, not really their fault, but not my thing. The kung pao chicken was actually quite hot, and a little overwhelming (and I love hot food!). The mongolian beef was also pretty spicy, but somehow also lacking flavor. So, since I didn't like the food really, why am I giving them three stars? A couple reasons, actually. I thought the restaurant was a nice space and it was very clean. The staff was super friendly and helpful. Lastly, I don't think it was not-good food - it was just flavors I wasn't thrilled with. It's still a good product, just not my proverbial cup of tea.
(3)
Sue Janna T.
I struggled a bit on how many stars to give Wow Bao. Its not particularly special, but they do serve food that I could eat until I died. I love that they offer a decent variety baos. I usually get the whole wheat edamame one, but the other baos are pretty good too. The only complaint I have is that sometimes they can be a bit salty. I've recently tried their banana bao and I've been having a daily craving for it ever since. I love their light brothy soups. It makes me feel healthier with every bite. I also love that nobody uses the kiosks to order their food, allowing me to bypass the line and slip in and out during my lunch break. Suckers.
(4)
Jessica Y.
Decent place for a quick, affordable bite of dinner on the go if you're shopping on State and don't want a sit down experience but also don't wanna eat at the Macy's food court. I also like their breakfast baos if you in the area that time of day.
(4)
James B.
This is a great place! Everyone is friendly, it's open late, and it's great food! I went in at 6:45 on a cold January night, 15 minutes before closing. They were out of the Peanut Thai dish, but they let me get the dressing (the best part, IMHO) with the asian veggie salad. And the 2 baos were taking a while, so they gave me a free small soda while I waited! Also, don't forget to check in on Foursquare, you can get a free bao with each checkin!
(5)
Robyn T.
Dear LEYE Friends (specifically those who are putting the Wow into Bao) Please give me back the veggies you used to use in your Veggie Rice Bowls. I am an omnivore but I just loved my veggies. You remember don't you? Corn? Green Beans? Where did they go? I ordered my rice bowl last night and was accosted by warm beats and an overload of spinach. I like these veggies, but I miss my old rice bowl. Don't worry I still love you. My friend hates (but tells people she's allergic to) mushrooms and your friendly staff actually called the chef on his cell phone to see if the entree she ordered had any mushrooms! That is SO above and beyond! My other friend, who had never tasted a deliciously fluffy bao before, deemed it heavenly and she loved your perfectlysized combo portion. She especially liked the peanut sauce on the side that allows diners to pour on their desired amount of peanuty goodness. Don't worry I'll continue to sing your praises, drink my dark Intelligentsia coffee and accrue my LEYE frequent diner points, but I'm just a little saddened about the veggie bowl situation. You know how to contact me. Your Wow-loving friend, Robyn
(5)
Puja A.
The food is good and cheap. The buns always seem fresh and are very flavorful. I typically get a rice bowl which is very good. I like the Mongolian beef best, but have tried the Thai one which is also good. The flavored ginger ales are so refreshing and yummy! I can't go without getting one. The service is fast. It is a great place for lunch. This one closes at 8 so it is hard to make it there in time for dinner. There are a few other locations throughout the city (e.g. water tower) and they might stay open later. Lastly, they are a part of the LEYE chain. If you are a member, you can use your card to get points!
(4)
Charles C.
I was too excited to eat bao, but about 1 1/2 bao in I started feeling nauseous. There was an excessive amount of dough, and the filling were so bland that I couldn't finish the rest :/ I guess if you want some quick, fast-food-style bao on the go this would be a good stop, but I will most-likely not be returning.
(2)
Emily D.
We carried out our baos. Our doughy baos. Hot Asian Baos. It's so explicit, I can't stop saying it. Tourette's. Bao, bao, bao. Do yourself a favor and just go here. Keep your expectations far away from high-end and know they will be warm and doughy and spicy when you want them to be. Don't ask too much of the bao, but embrace the experience. We had a box of six and split between the two of us it was perfection. And top it off with a dessert bao. We especially loved the chocolate coconut. Yum-o. (Ew, sorry. . . me no likey Ray Ray.) Bao out.
(4)
Jess L.
I went straight from O'Hare to Wow Bao. Love the baos! I know many would say they're not "authentic" bu it's still yum-tastic. I think they've been experimenting with new flavors in the last year, but I still recommend the edamame and thai curry chicken bao. Their chocolate and coconut baos, recent additions, are also tasty. Thai salad is also surprisingly filling. Service is fast, and quality of food is consistent. Outdoor seating is also a plus.
(4)
Krystyna B.
Wow Bao wows! After overloading on Chipotle for the last several weeks, I was ready for a change. Thanks, KrisB, for suggesting Wow Bao as our meeting place today. If you are looking for large, yeasty, steamy and authentic bao, then head south to Chinatown, but if what you want is a healthy, fresh, and tasty alternative to processed fast foods in the city, then Wow Bao is your place. My recommendation? Mix and match, baby! That's right, try a little of this and a little of that. I love the BBQ pork and Mongolian beef bao accompanied by the cold noodle or pad Thai salads. Trying to cool off? Order the yummy ginger ale or the Thai iced coffee. Service is courteous, friendly and efficient. Sometimes, just a tad too efficient. When the lunch rush died down, my date and I were still sitting at the counter choking on ammonia fumes. It seems one of WB's staff got a little impatient and busted out the cleaner. It didn't matter if a table was half occupied or not. It received a dusting of cleaner and a clean washcloth buffing. Now, normally, I would appreciate this attention to cleanliness. But, the smell of the ammonia was overpowering. Similar to one of Colleen's recent reviews, I'm going to mark this WB down a star for this interference with my olfactory experience of the resto. Otherwise, head on down. This place is great for an eat-in or take-out lunch. Congestion in line has been considerably improved by the addition of touchscreens that allow patrons to order their meals themselves and pay using their credit cards. This way, you bypass the line inside and just wait for your number to be called before heading off... I'll be back. WB is too tasty of an alternative to my current sloppy burrito obsession to be scared away by an overzealous cleaner.
(3)
Jennie M.
I'm mildly obsessed. I love the little baos, they are super cheap and you can get 2 or 3 as a great base for a night of drinking. Get the ginger drink. GET IT, DAMMIT!!!! I'm not a fan of the green tea one, but all the others I've tried have been awesome. I think the whole wheat edemame or the kung pao chicken are my favorite. And HOLY CRAP YOU GUYS- BREAKFAST BAOS!!!! BACON AND EGG IN A BAO?!?!?!?!?! A.MAZ.ING.
(5)
Diane N.
I came here upon the suggestion of a cousin so I could try the fresh ginger ale. It did not disappoint...after walking in the rain, it was quite refreshing with a yummy bao! The BBQ Pork is my fave of the moment and as a dessert I ate the coconut custard bao. This spot was nice and the service was fast and courteous. We came about 10 minutes to closing and the guy was so still happy to help us. HOT ASIAN BUNS!
(4)
mel s.
Hot Asian Buns Come on, that's the best tag line ever! Slightly pricy but the food is definitely a couple notches above basic Chinese fare. The bao were perfect, with different filling options : predictable BBQ pork, Kung pao chicken, Mongolian beef, veggie, and ooh couple good dessert options. My mind said no but my taste buds said yes yes yes to the chocolate bao. Oh, I checked into foursquare before ordering so got a second bao free!
(4)
Kristin S.
The fourth star is entirely for the ordering kiosk that completely added to the fun of our meal. I had the 6 piece bao and shared potstickers with some friends, so we got to try quite a few. My favorite was the Kung Pao Chicken, but I also really liked the spicy mongolian beef, the edamame and the coconut custard buns. While they're not super complex or gourmet, they were hot and tasty. If I worked closer, I could see myself here quite often for lunch. The prices are much higher than Chinatown, but it's fun food in a friendly, fun atmosphere. They did mix up one of our orders, but since you can customize your order to try 6 different buns, I didn't mind. Next time I'm downtown and looking for a quick bite, I'll definitely stop in.
(4)
Faith H.
I was a little worried when I showed up to Wow Bao with a coworker for lunch and the tiny place was packed. I figured we'd be waiting for an hour. Not so. The restaurant has these touch screen ordering machines, so you place your order, pay for it, and the machine pops out a number. Then you wait for your number to be called...which surprisingly only took about 5 minutes. I had the chicken teriyaki rice bowl and a bite of my coworkers bbq pork bao. Yum. I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Babs H.
Ok so, basically, I just love that their slogan is "Hot Asian Buns". Also, the bbq pork bao is delish. But mostly I love the slogan.
(4)
Andrew B.
Giving this 4 stars was a slight stretch, but when ranked in the Asian fast food category it is at the top. The baos are one of a kind and the pot-stickers are good as well. They could add some more meat to the middle of the baos as sometimes they are pretty doughy. The bao filling selection is great and is able to cater to both vegans and BBQ meat lovers. My favorite item from Wow Bao is the Asian noodles with peanut sauce. It is slightly spice, but that is offset by the dish being served cold. It is a refreshing dish to enjoy after eating a thick BBQ pork bao. The service here is excellent and fast. I have never had an order messed up and never had to wait more than 3-4 minutes even during peak lunch hours. If you prefer not to order from a human they have self serve ordering machines available. I would definitely recommend this for a fast and well portioned lunch in the loop.
(4)
Leanna S.
My first two bao I tasted were from here. The filling was good, but the dough on both tasted undercooked. Maybe that's just how bao are supposed to taste?
(2)
Mary O.
I read the reviews and expected the buns to be the worst. Not really. The bread on my Teriyaki chicken buns was good, meat just okay...kind of mushy. The fried dumplings were a bit too crisp, as if they weren't defrosted properly. The cold noodles were the worst. Veggies with blah rice noodles. People seemed to like Wow Bao. Maybe because it's so convenient to eat. Saw people noshing on it while on the escalators for shopping at the Water Place Tower.
(3)
Devi R.
5 stars for LUNCH during the work day. I've never been for breakfast and would be depressed to ever be there for dinner. But for lunch... it is awesome. First of all, you can order online and by the time you walk over, it's ready. Amazing. I usually like human interaction, but not during my 5 minutes of free time to dart out and grab lunch at work. I like that that's automated. Tons of options for vegetarians. The veggie bao are a tasty treat, and made with edamame, not wholly devoid of protein. Dumplings come steamed or pan fried, depending on which side of my yo-yo diet I'm on. The asian salad is yummy and I love it as a combo with a couple of bao or dumplings. My latest is the veggie bowl with quinoa. Seriously... so good. It's not as cheap as other lunch options, but much healthier and feels better. Only word of caution: If you like a lot of sauce, like I do, ask for it - they don't always put it in the bag. Ask for hot chilli oil if you want something spicy... they have it behind the counter :)
(5)
Roy H.
We have had this catered a few times here at work. This is a very unique and delicous place. Pot stickers arent bad, the baos are very yummy and the curry flavored stuff is amazing!!
(4)
Yb W.
The bun is a humble but beloved asian staple that has nourished us since forever. I am thrilled that it is being popularized outside of asia. The parent company of Wow Bao, megacorporation Lettuce Entertain You (yes, that's the real name), appears to be strategically planting these restaurants along busy downtown street corners. Although the buns themselves are of no better quality than the frozen kind--the same goes for the dumplings--I would not oppose continued expansion of Wow Bao. It does provide a welcome new lunch option that is not Subway or McDonald's.
(3)
Colleen S.
Am I obligated to make some stupid joke about hot asian buns or can I just review the place? I could eat here everyday. And I sorta do. All I've ever had is the buns - specifically the 8 veggie green tea, the veggie edamame and the BBQ Pork bao. I love the BBQ but there's this odd flavor in it that I *think* I don't like but then I eat it every time so I must like it. Maybe I'm just nuts. They're always really fast but I do go at a slow time. I've never been there for lunch. I love that they are sold frozen and one day I will try some just to see if they taste the same at home.
(5)
Phillip G.
There is a great little restaurant in Little Falls, MN that has a slogan - "Why do I keep coming back here?" Wow Bao why do I keep coming back to all your goodness wrapped up in a steamed asian bun. Yes its doughy, yes its delicious. I can't stop. I crave. Its not for every one. If you don't like bread or anything related to dough then the Bao is certainly not going to be to your liking. But I have yet to take someone there who doesn't instantaneously become a fan.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
I love you Wow Bao. Love Love Love. I could eat your Baoz all day long. That said... I'm so glad they added another vegetarian bao to the menu! The whole wheat edamame one is outstanding (affirmed by carnivorous friends who generally fear both wheat and edamame) and the new mixed veggie one was really flavorful too. I love the potstickers, the spicy peanut noodles, and the thai herb soup. Seriously, the soup, which comes in a coffee-style sippy cup, is nicer to walk around town with on a cold Chicago's winter day than a cup of coffee. I'd never have tried it on my own, but I sipped a friend's and was amazed. It's just the right combination of salty and aromatic. I also love the coconut custard bao for desert and the homemade ginger ale. In fact, there's really nothing I have tried here that hasn't made me want to dance with glee. It's one of my ultimate comfort-food stops, favorite lunch places, and would be my top choice for lunches during the week if they delivered or were closer to my office.
(5)
David G.
Last night, I had a dream about hot asian buns. Mmmm. But instead of waking up with morning wood, my stomach was growling. Weird. Then it hit me, I had a serious urge to eat at Wow Bao. My memories are still vivid of their sweet (but not too sweet) buns with piping hot meat inside as well as their juicy pot stickers. Defuckinglicious (sorry, I refuse to say "YUM-O"). Then I remembered Wow Bao is only in Chicago. Dammit. In consolation, I had myself an extra long shower...and had at myself.
(4)
Lisa Z.
Yummy hot asian buns. You have to give the thai curry buns a try. I wish they would open some Wow Baos in SF.
(4)
Lenora C.
I am such a fan of wow bao. I tried the one at water tower place before I discovered this location right up the street from my school. I usually get the pot stickers or the beef bao.. I really haven't had the guts to try the homemade ginger ale although I love the ale!
(4)
Josh B.
I've go here often and it is a popular work destination. The Bao are these really doughy won tons and are great. I always get the chicken teryaki it's great. They sell them per bao and you only need 3. I've tried the pot stickers and they are good but the bao is better. Also if you still have room dessert the chocolate bao is bao filled with dark chocolate and is delicious. There usually is a wait but I haven't had to wait more than 5 minutes and you get your food very fast! Great lunch place!
(4)
Janna V.
I heart Wow Bao! Ive been stopping in a few times a week for coffee as it is the only decent cup of coffee between the Clark/Lake Station and the Wrigley Building. The accessibility of a large dark roast has seriously made me easier to be around during morning time at the office. I also love their Oatmeal, with all the yummy fixins...although there is no way any normal sized human could possibly finish it. I feel really bad throwing it out every time. I love Bao, although havent had any at this location ----
(5)
Si R.
For cheap, fast food of the Asian persuasion, I can't complain. Plus, any restaurant that proclaims, "Hot Asian Buns" in giant letters on its wall is a winner in my eyes. The buns: tender, chewy and filled with all kinds of delciousness. I got a six pack of different flavors (among them: kung pao chicken, edamame and curry) and experienced the East! My gripe: This place was dirty. Yes, it had an intriguing modern design and airiness to it, yet there was trash all over the floor, dirty tables everywhere and a big mess of a condiment bar. I guess I can't complain for good eats on a budget.
(3)
Quynh-An P.
Hot Asian Buns. Ok, so the slogan's pretty awesome. I'm surprised they haven't set up a permanent picture taking spot for the Asians (cough the boyfriend and I cough) who are so inclined to take pictures in front of the sign. Anyhow, we were both very skeptical about this place, as we're both pretty traditional when it comes to our food. He's Chinese and I'm Viet, so we've both grown up with lots of baos. We were both surprised about how tasty the actual bao was...our only problem was with the filling. It wasn't really bbq pork, in any way at all. I also ordered the rice bowl with chicken teriyaki. Seriously, that wasn't chicken teryiaki either. It tasted weird. The potstickers, however, were pretty tasty. Overall, it was just ok...but not somewhere I'd likely go again.
(3)
Todd P.
Taking the El and craving Potbelly (which is across the street) I came upon Wao's 3 for $5 combo deal. I've been there before and have paid a bit more (not complaining). So i tried the combo and it definitely hit the spot and NOT the wallet! The place in general is clean and friendly. Love the uniforms and overall style of the place. Music is appropriate too. Bathrooms are clean (yet hard to find and one at a time). But you leave feeling full and fullfilled.
(5)
Misty B.
Love the whole wheat edameme bao but i wish they had vegan options.
(3)
Dave S.
If you are a bit of a puss and afraid to try some authentic Asian food, then this is the place for you. Everything is very Gringo friendly. White meat chicken, sweet teriyaki sauce, ect. ect. That being said, the food is really solid here. I really enjoy the chicken curry that they have. The steamed buns are flavorful. The prices are cheap too. It is more than possible to get two meals out of an eight dollar lunch. If you are on the run in the loop, I'd check it out.
(3)
Christina T.
Hot Asian Buns - yes, they have them! I tried the thai chicken curry and the spicy kung pao and both had a lot of flavor but I love the dough! Being a carb junkie, the dough hit the spot and the hibiscus lemonade is super refreshing on a hot day.
(4)
Brandon B.
Well then...thanks to Crister & the P&W gang for showing me this cute little place...such an interesting and refreshing menu. I had the "bao six pack" which was like eating little firm doughy mashed potato blobs stuffed with different meats and spices. I love the dough, I could eat a human shaped/sized portion alone! (most parts). Not terribly expensive and a simple, fun idea for quick food. Now I need to move to a neighborhood that has one....
(5)
Brandi W.
I have been to the Wow Bao at Water Tower Place and fell in love with the locations. When i found there was one a lot closer to my office I so had to go there. One of my co-workers and I decided since it was our one buy lunch that week we decided to go to Wow Bao on Lake and State. Such a great idea. I walked down for the order to go and found that there was a nice little kiosk located outside of the restaurant and thought I would give it a try. I mean how bad could it be to order from a machine, right? It was the easiest thing i had ever done and it takes your payment! Within 5 minutes of having placed the order I was walking out the door. I love the Mongolian beef, but be prepared for it to be spicy. I love the Curry Chicken Bao and I have found a new love for the Coconut Custard Bao. My co-worker had the Kung Pow Chicken and loved it! I can see this as a future lunch place, and more frequent when the weather gets warmer!!!
(5)
Ling L.
What Wow Bao got going for it is the fast-food concept. I was excited and scared at the same time to try it for the first time. Scared because I was fearful the bun would be thick and rubbery. Not so. It is fluffy, soft and chewy Perfection. The BBQ pork got our best-of vote, followed by the curry, spicy kung pao, and Mongolian beef. I was bummed they didn't have the typical red bean bao for dessert. That's a common Chinese variety. But I can see how most people would shun the concept of bean paste. Although the suburbs of Schaumburg area has its share of dim-sum offerings, it will be nice to have a Wow Bao for instant gratification.
(4)
Jason P.
I walked in to here and said to myself "what the crap is a wow bao?" Well I'll tell you what it is..sweet little goodnesses of steamed dumplings with any filling you can imagine. From Asian inspired dinner dumplings to dessert dumplings, they deliver in quality and taste. However, they fall short on service. This place is a little pricey, but the coffee drinks are amazing and make up for it while you wait for your dumplings to be put on the plate.
(3)
Pilker K.
Used to have a great lunch buy with their 3 for $5 deal. It just went up to $6 and it's overpriced. Sorry, Wow Bao, you just lost me.
(2)
Arnab M.
On my way back to the hotel to work more, I passed by Wow Bao which only caught my eye because of the massive banners on the building. I though it would be a welcome change from room service.I walked in to almost to no lines and all the attention from this wonderful and spunky server. I ordered 4 Asian buns with 4 different fillings (basically 4 of the 6 they had, the ones I didn't get were the pork and beef ones), I got a plate of potstickers and both their flavors of mochi (mango and coconut). My total was something like $15, not bad at all! I walked to my hotel and scarfed all this down within 10 minutes and granted it wasn't as warm as it should have been thanks to the weather outside, it still tasted delish! Eating this food made me miss my Koreans, ha-ha, i.e. the 5 awesome Koreans I lived with my senior year.
(4)
Harley S P.
Had lunch at Wow Bao. First time having a Bao, was pretty impressed with the flavor. Even my co-workers that have experienced Bao in the past thought they were good. Also had the chicken bowl...very good. Will probably go again, nice that it's right around the corner from work.
(3)
Frances E.
So I was shopping around the Loop and I was in the mood for Chinese food. I went on my app for Yelp! and this was one of the closest places to me. I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowl w/ a BBQ Pork Bao. The rice bowl was pretty good but it still needed something more to really enhance the taste of the teriyaki. It wasn't bad at all, but for me it just needed that little something. OMG, but the BAO?! D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!!!!! I have never eaten something soooo yummy! And I noticed that maybe like 80% of the customers that go there, just order BAOs! I next time I go, I'm just gonna order like 20 BAOs just for me! Haha...
(4)
Chris S.
I've wanted to go in here for about a year, but never got around to it. Yesterday was the day. The space itself is clean, bright, and shiny. The people working there seem a little more invested than their counterparts at the local sandwich shops. The food was served immediately-everything is already steamed and ready to go. I had my 2 bao in 10 seconds. The food is good, not great, but it's passable. It's kind of hard to tell how good it is since you really only get a little spoonful of filling inside the bun. 2 bao (small meal, big snack) were about $4, so it's pretty cheap. They have other items on the menu like potstickers and rice bowls, but the bao is where it's at. A nice alternative to the same old stuff in the loop.
(3)
sarah l.
Mmmmmm...bbq pork bun...yum!
(4)
Olga L.
I had the spicy kung pao chicken bowl with lo mein noodles. Yummy and cheap.
(4)
Mike E.
Simple. Cheap. Fast and delicious.
(4)
Anya P.
WOW BAO is really over rated, When here got 2 bows, Wasnt really worth it , Its too doughy the whole kiosk thing is really off putting. I mean good for a cheap Im on the move I dont really care about taste lunch, but other then that meh. I love the ginger ale which is the highlight of my going there if I go.
(1)
Zach C.
Okay, this place is pretty awesome. The atmosphere was kind of that eurosterility vibe. I just made up that word but I think it works. This was the first time I actually had these Bao buns but have had a few other varieties since. For some reason Wao Bao's were fresher and they had a nice variety. Their potstickers were also delicious and they had some really good iced tea. P.S. They got the fifth star for their awesome design. I am a sucker for good logos.
(5)
Stacey M.
I'm all about Hot Asian Buns...but the disorganization of my experience gives it just an A-OK. Preparing to have breakfast delivered to my work for my 10year anniversary (woot!), I ordered six 6paks of breakfast baos. I got one 6 pak free (happened to see on the Lettuce Entertain You website!)! I had a gift card, and my frequent diner card (with monies on it I was going to use for the balance)..and somehow this seemed foreign to the person taking my order for delivery. When calling back for a total - they had charged me for seven 6packs..I had to remind them one was free! They came to deliver it the next morning - again charging me for seven 6 paks, and charging the rest on my credit card (I left here for my receptionist since she'd be accepting the delivery) in case there was a problem, since I got the feeling over the phone that someone just didn't get it. Needless to say - I had to walk over to Wow Bao (only a 2 blk walk, but that's not the point) to get it all straightened out! An extra shout out for the manager JEFF..who was SUPER nice, accomodating and helpful - and never batted an eye at having to help me. Even during their super busy rush lunch time! Willing to give it another shot! :)
(3)
Cathy H.
I walked by this place a billion times, always wanting to pop in. I finally did, and it was...a disappointment. The pot stickers were pretty decent, but nothing I couldn't buy frozen for 1/10 of the price and cook at home. The buns were decent, too, but nothing to write home about. In fact, for a better cha siu, try any dimsum restaurant, or even frozen stuff from Chinatown Market (steam at home). Kudos to them for the creativity, though: I think I saw a bacon-and-egg bao (or something similar). In short: eat here when you're super hungry and in the area. Otherwise, do yourself a favor and eat somewhere else.
(2)
Brad C.
Loved the baos at the Water Tower location and now that there is a closer location it is even better. This one is faster also. There are a couple boas they don't have at this one. Being able to get breakfast is what makes this location better then the Water Tower one. One veggie option and two other meat breakfast boas. Plus you can get coffee deal also.
(5)
Jay K.
everything is awesome! effect ordering with kiosk... the tea was amazing
(5)
Gayle G.
Tasty and cheap for breakfast! 2 baos and a cup of coffee for less than $4. I'm not an egg eater, so breakfast often poses a problem for me. I'm happy that I could order just a chicken teryaki and a bbq pork bao for breakfast. Very flavorful and easy to eat when you're on the move. Yum!
(4)
Bryan Y.
Great food at a reasonable price. Very fast and efficient. There are several healthy choices (ie brown rice). My favorite part is ordering from the computer. Get to browse their selections without a cashier breathing down your neck.
(4)
Mike K.
Let's not get too carried away here - this is still a fast food place. I don't know what pops up in your mind when I say "fast food" but whatever it is, the words "authentic", "healthy" and "fresh" should probably be kept in check. I'm not necessarily saying this establishment doesn't deliver on these fronts but you and I both know a meal which is prepackaged frozen to a given place only to have them steam it back to edible status isn't going to be at the top of any ranking for "authenticity", "freshness" nor "healthiness". The deal is this - this place is really decent and "decent" is the operative word here. The atmosphere will remind you of a high(er) end eatery w/ its soothing interior, shiny workers and open-kitchen giving you the illusion of quality and freshness. It's a good trick, mind you, and it's a trick that's very welcome. You can't fault the management for trying to make its place presentable and nice. I wish more establishments would follow this line of thinking and cleaned their places up. The food, again, is decent. Baos are warm (as they should be) and edible. I found the Thai Curry to be the best on their menu, if you're looking for advice on where to start. If you go, I highly recommend getting the Hot & Sour broth. They serve this in a cup usually reserved for coffee so when you order and they give you an unmarked cup, don't be shocked. That's your broth. You will enjoy it. Trust me. I have no idea what's in this broth but it really is the sole reason I'm giving this place 4 stars. I think after you try it, you'll begin to understand what I mean.
(4)
Diane D.
I am a serious lover of dim sum foods, especially the pork bao. I have been known to go on missions in whatever city I'm in to find said bao if I realize I haven't had any in a while. So imagine my joy when I discovered this restaurant, which I don't think we have on the east coast, is cleverly attached to my weekly hotel in Chicago! Oh there IS a God! But, now, a few weeks later... meh. They are not my favorite pork buns. Don't get me wrong, the noodle dishes and pot stickers are tasty. And there are many kinds of interesting bao to try, which are all decent. Best of all, it's open pretty late for those long days in the office when I'm getting back late and just need something quick. But, for the price, I feel like I will now continue my search for excellent pork bao in Chicago.
(3)
Sue K.
It's like Chipotle - choose your meat filling, and you can have it in a bun or on rice bowl. Thai curried chicken was just ok. What an ingenious way to charge $7 for macerated dumpling filling on top of rice. Still I'd go back to try the other fillings and sit at the patio.
(3)
Sarah L.
Wow Bao has an amazing cool pad thai salad with chicken that is pretty darn tasty! The entire salad is gluten free and that makes me a happy camper! The salads are located near the grab & go cooler and they have other salad options as well. The dressing is to die for and the total cost is $6 and change!
(4)
Steve S.
The food here is pretty tasty. I think the portions are a bit small for the price. Reminds me of an Asian version of Vapiano. There aren't a ton of choices on the menu either, which I guess makes ordering quicker.
(3)
Zach T.
Inexpensive fast food. The fresh ginger soda is good. Easy to order using touch screen tech.
(3)
JASON c.
THE SEAT GREAT the nuts with out warning was DEATHDEFYING thank god i was on a date n they ran in got me water .I COULD HAVE DIED. u should warn people who eat chines food that u americannize it ....
(2)
Vincenzio S.
WORST FOOD EVER! The bowls were very oily- and why is the meat GROUND! Mongolian Beef looked like ALPO dog food. I don't understand why this place has good reviews....... Never again! I actually took it back horrible and not worth it, unless you want rot gut!
(1)
Tracey M.
Wow Bao was just ok. We grabbed a bite there because it's right around the corner from the Chicago Theater. It was fine for "fast food" Chinese. I had the Mongolian Beef bowl. It was a little spicier than I expect, or had a taste for that particular evening, but nothing to lodge a major complaint again. Would I go back? Most likely, but I wouldn't necessarily be running back there every chance I get. . .
(3)
- chicagobiker -.
Don't let the name "bao" confuse you. It's the same thing as those tasty little BBQ pork buns you've had at dim sum and loved. There is a big variety here, as well as potstickers, noodles, rice bowls and dessert buns. The combo is a good deal for lunch downtown--for $5.99 you get the choice of potstickers or bao, and choice of pad thai salad, peanut noodles or vegetable salad. The fresh ginger ale is much like that at Big Bowl. Good! Seems like a big wait at lunch but the line moves fast.
(4)
Albert K.
This place is in my work building, so it's convenient. But that's about the only thing that appeals to me. And I've stopped raising my eyebrows after my coworkers ask if I want "Hot Asian Buns." I think I'm over Wow Bao b/c the smell of sesame seed oil permeates the entire first floor of the building, so I have an automatic Pavlovian response of disgust. The food is okay, but I feel that the portions are tiny and overpriced. The buns taste synthetic, like the frozen ones in a Korean or Chinese grocery store. But they are fast. Oh, if you're a Chicago news junkie, you can expect to see ABC 7 Chicago anchormen and women waiting in line next to you. Like Ron Magers!
(2)
Mark M.
Nice friendly take out place with a good amount of seating. Clean, modern facilities/decor. Staff was so friendly and helpful. I tried the spicy Mongolian Beef bowl w/ two Bao combo for takeout. I had just the right amount of kick and the right amount of food for under 10 bucks. I'll definitely return to try their breakfast Bao!!
(4)
David S.
My first time at WowBao because they just opened a new location in my work building. My initial hope and anticipation of yummy vegan options were dashed when i found out the baos have egg in them and the pad thai salad had fish sauce. The soup broth is also made with chickens. I ended up getting the green vegetable potsticker combo with spicy peanut noodles. The potstickers tended to fall apart spilling the contents and the peanut noodles were a little tough like they were stale or old. I also had a fresh ginger ale with pomegranate which was tasty. Overall not spectacular (it IS fast food though i guess) but edible. The flavors did err on the brighter side of standard fast food though. Service was quick and friendly.
(3)
Heather K.
I've been to the Water Tower location a bunch of times, but usually to grab some bao as a snack. Now that Wow Bao is in the Loop, I thought I'd try it out as a lunch option. Here's what I like - you can basically fill up for about $6, which is comparable to a good majority of the Loop fast food spots. Because all/most of the food is already cooked, it only takes a few minutes once you place your order for your meal to be ready. I'll only comment on the food that I've tried so far at this location, not Water Tower. The curry chicken bao was tasty, but honestly if it didn't have curry in the title, I don't think I'd be able to tell what the flavor was. I liked it anyway. The teriyaki chicken was very onion-y and a bit oversteamed, which left the bun soggy on the bottom. Probably won't order that one again. The hot and sour soup tasted exactly like chicken broth - not seasoned whatsoever. Dumpling noodle soup...very filling, there were like 3-4 dumplings plus lots of noodles, so the portion size was right. The broth had an overwhelming ginger taste that I wasn't prepared for, and the chicken dumplings were filled with some questionable meat. Tasted fine but looked kind of unappetizing. Because they have good combo deals, Wow Bao is the sort of place that you can hit up a few times, try a bunch of different menu items, and then decide what's worth returning for. Wanted to end on a positive note and praise the hibiscus iced tea, which is tasty and refreshing, even on a cold day.
(3)
Tennyson M.
Although the food here is nothing but emtpy carbs and goes straight to my zebra-like thighs, it's still a guilty pleasure of mine when I crave that Asian fix. If you have the foursquare app, "check in" when you get here, and you get 2 baos for the price of 1 (if you're the "mayor" you get 6 free).
(3)
P S.
Laden with several Lettuce Entertain You gift cards and certificates, I opted to spend a few donated bucks at Wow Bao. I was pleasantly surprised, I must say. The yellow curry chicken bowl was decent, the bao was a little doughy, but the innards were tasty. The house-made ginger ale was divine and the counter help really friendly. It made me wish for one closer to me, for I would probably stop in more often than just the few times I did. Wow Bao has made the radar!
(3)
Heather H.
Excellent choice for good, healthy, fast & cheap food downtown. The steam buns were as good as any I've had at dim sum but the pot stickers were only so-so -- I wouldn't go out of my way for them.
(4)
Lemonjelly L.
Fun! Came upon this fast food joint while exiting my hotel and was immediately drawn in. My town has NO dim sum, so an opportunity to have fresh bao is an opportunity I will take full advantage of. The interior is bright and clean, with shiny silver urns puffing out steam. The queue is quick and efficient. My combination order plus an additional bao was ready perhaps a minute after I cleared the register. This was during the busy lunch hour, too. I ordered: 5 pot stickers - pork and cabbage 1 cha siu bao Spicy peanut noodle salad It cost just a smidge over $8 and was very filling. Wow Bao does brisk business with lots of customer turn over, so finding a spot for two to eat was a snap. My pot stickers weren't as good as the ones I make, a couple fell apart very quickly. Then again, I have OCD when folding my dumpling wrappers perfectly, and I know that won't cut it in a fast food situation. Lots of other bao and drink options are available, but I went with the old standards for my first time. Yay! I'm a fan.
(4)
Liz P.
love me some hot asian buns... yea, i don't care if that "joke" is overused. those little suckers are delish.
(4)
Erin Y.
wow bao! i thought my coworkers were joking when I first heard the name... so i had to check it out. been here a couple of times now. you don't really come here for authentic baos, although i do admit the bun part is pretty fluffy and tasty! i'm less a fan of the fillings. for some reason they all taste the same, except for the edamame one. i also hate ginger and can taste little bits of ginger in every type of bao. i tried the thai curry rice bowl last time i went. it was ok but a little smaller than i was expecting. i think i would stick to the baos. overall a good lunch choice - they are fast, not greasy, and it's a nice change from sandwiches!
(3)
Phuong H.
I prefer their "dessert" baos like custard bao. They got one of my baos mixed up and we came back to try their rice/noodles but the portions are so tiny and the rice combo was so bland and the peanut sauce was so overwhelming and tangy that I couldn't finish my salad.
(3)
Tyler M.
Dumpling soup was tasty. Vegetable dumplings were only ok, kinda plastic.
(3)
Brandon W.
I have been to this location twice and have NO complaints. I have yet to try something that was bad. The other thing I really like about WB, is how the food tatse pretty fresh for a fast food restaurant. The buns as well have a great steamed flavor to them and they are always the right temperature keeping the fillings inside tasty. It gets a bit crowded if you come at around 12:30pm. So you should probably try and get in between 11:30 and 12:30 if you dont want to wait in line. However, the wait in line is probably 5 minutes at best, but a lot of the people that come in here are really, GO GO GO, and cant stop in a line for anything.
(3)
Jennifer A.
I thought I'd try this place. It was in the office building shared by the hotel I was staying in. They seemed busy, which is usually a good sign at 2:30 in the afternoon. Decided to try the chicken teriyaki bowl instead of a bao, perhaps that was my mistake. I am not sure what I expected, but what I received was far from it. It was some sort of finely chopped meat mixed with sauce over a bowl of rice with scallions on the top. I cannot tell you with certainty it was even chicken! At first taste it seemed ok, however, the further I got into it the less tasty it was. Thank goodness for Tums, I am not sure I would have survived it otherwise. I did find the signs quite fun though, Hot Asian Buns...
(2)
daynia S.
Yummy to my tummmy!!!!!!!!!!
(4)
Anastasia K.
Granted I went for dinner during the week, post-working hours, so there was not much of a line, but I swear it was less than 60 seconds between ordering and getting my food from the counter. The baos are decent - I had the teriyaki chicken which was quite tasty. It's a little weird that you don't get a plate and the only thing between your food and the table surface is a thin tissue. Yikes! Their homemade ginger ale is really tasty but very strong, don't expect the same thing you get at the supermarket. You can't beat the price, and seating was a breeze, but I'm sure it's much more competitive at lunchtime.
(3)
Christine Allen C.
It's fusion cheap eats fast food. I will choose this over McDonald. Steam bun and beef noodles are ok. Pot stickers are so so. Thai herb soup is so tasty!!!
(4)
David L.
More like "meh" bao. Bland and a bit boring. Boo.
(2)
Dan O.
Looking for a good bowl of soup, I headed into Wow Bow since I work upstairs and didn't want to go outside. I could deal with the annoyingly loud music and the overly simplified menu if I liked the result. In the end, I paid $4.10 for a cup of soup that was all salt and water (few ingredients, no bread, crackers, etc.). Should have gone across the street to the 7 Eleven.
(1)
Brooke M.
Great place for the downtown workers - offers a quick, healthy lunch option which I love (who's had enough of Cosi, Corner Bakery, etc. sammys that are 1000 calories?). I always have the Thai Chicken Soup which is simply lovely - esp w. the hot/spicy sauce (YUM)! I've also had the pot stickers and bows - they are very good, but the best part = sauces! The mustard sauce is absolutely gorgeous and I dream of it often. Also, when Starbucks is too busy - head to Wow Bao for a cheap cup of Intelligentsia joe.
(4)
Colleen B.
Good. Cheap. Fast. Easy. Potstickers weren't the best... dryyyyyyy, sad, and disappointing. I think they'd just been sitting around for hours. Baos... I tried 3 kinds and they were all good. I'll be back the next time I need a quick nip while I'm in the Loop.
(4)
Jonathan A.
I love baos. The only problem is that i eat them so fast, by the time I finish them, I realize I've had too many. If you get the variety six-pack, it's like getting a sampling of Asian meals in finger food form. You can also pick up frozen packs for home which are just about as good. This location is better because it has breakfast baos and tables for dining. And is generally faster.
(4)
Ang R.
I like this Wow Bao waaaay better than the one at Water Tower. For one, the menu is much more extensive. I thought the potstickers were fine, though they're not so exciting as the Baos. I'd definitely be interested in trying the rice bowls, as I assume they are just the fillings from the Baos on top of rice. But my absolute favorite thing at this location are the sweet baos. Oh my god, I don't even LIKE coconut, and the coconut creme bao was awesome. Just awesome. I think my boyfriend thought he could have that one for himself--as I did--and I couldn't stop eating it. So good. Perfect for a quick cheap meal before a Chicago Theatre show too, if you're ok with fast food.
(4)
Tom H.
I love the idea of fancy, fast buns, but the execution yields a resounding meh. The buns are not very good. They are thrice as expensive as the vastly more delicious buns available at any good dim sum restaurant (of which, of course, there are sadly few in Chicago). I suppose it might be a convenient lunch spot for someone working downtown, but I would never recommend going there because of the food.
(2)
Josh Q.
This place rules! Our only experience prior to this, with asian pork buns, was frozen ones from Trader Joes. We were so excited when we saw a whole restaurant concept built around it. Please open one of these in Columbus. I will eat there daily. Promise.
(5)
Travis C.
I looooove this place! Almost without exception the food is delicious (the exceptions being anything with Edamame or that weird cabbage stuff). The staff is friendly and the service is prompt, even when it is SLAMMIN' during the lunch rush. My recommendations are the Thai Curry bao or rice bowl, and the pot-stickers.
(5)
Alan Z.
Always up for some wow bao.
(4)
Ariel B.
Wow! I like the Wow Bao! I've had one or to bao buns at parties, but I'd never been to Wow Bao. I always thought it was some crazy bun place in Water Tower Place. To be clear: IT IS NOT! Met a friend for lunch today and had the 2 bun combo with noodles. Way more than enough food for me. I had the Mongolian Beef bun and curry chicken. Very spicy and yummy. I enjoyed the buns and the noodles very much. Great for a quick snack or a meal!
(4)
carmen c.
I never get tired of this place. Surely, not the most authentic bao in the world, or even the city (though I haven't done much exploring on that end) but stopping in for a snack or a light meal always leave me satisfied. My favorite are the pork and curry chicken as well as the chocolate, but when I am feeling "healthy" I throw in an edamame bao. The salads are alright but get a bit boring after you've had them a few times but the bao and yummy drinks never get old. Good place to stop if you are late to work or class and need something to gulp down on the way!
(4)
Nicole V.
This location just opened up and I was really excited to give it a try. I have heard about the bao dumplings and how great they are. My selection was a Mongolian beef rice bowl and one teriyake chicken bao. The pricing was relative to the other "high end" fast food places in the loop. Upon getting back to my desk I dug right in....trying the bao first. It was um...doughy? Yeah, very doughy and not much stuff in the middle. Don't know that I was very impressed. The rice bowl was a decent size, but all the meat and ingredients were chopped up into tiny pieces. It wasn't very substantial and made the dish much harder to eat. I guess I would rank this above some of the other fast food chains out there...but it isn't going to be on my list of favorite loop lunch spots.
(3)
Ruben B.
I came here on the strength of a name drop in Esquire's recent Best Fast Food in America feature. I was happy I made the trip. For $5.99 you can choose between 2 bao or 5 potstickers plus a side of pad thai salad, asian vegetable salad or spicy peanut noodles. I opted for the spicy Mongolian beef and Thai curry chicken bao(s?) and the spicy peanut noodles. I'd never had this style of Asian buns before and found the soft texture surprising but very tasty. I would definitely order the Mongolian beef again but probably not the Thai curry just because the amount of filling was kinda weak. Overall for a fast food option, Wow Bao is definitely worth stopping by for a quick and delicious meal.
(4)
Jesse L.
I love this place, mostly for the shear novelty. Its a great spot to go for lunch with a few coworkers, especially when the weather is nice because of the large outdoor patio. Honestly, the bao are good, but I prefer the pot stickers. Who wouldn't love pot stickers for lunch? The one problem is that the inside is a mess in terms of layout and design. It can be difficult to navigate and find a table during the lunch hour rush. if its nice, the outdoor area makes it a little easier to find seating. I haven't had the breakfast, but I'm curious and hope to try it soon.
(4)
keRi M.
i come here often from river north to meet friends for lunch who work in the loop. its quick, easy, and cheap, and they have a decent sized patio when it's nice (although i think last time we were hovering waiting for a table to open up, but it didn't take long). the edamame and the chicken teriyaki edamame make my mouth very happy. only thing is i usually order 4 bao for lunch, and wind up often wishing i'd gotten one more, but then at that point u think maybe u should have gone for the deal because they're slightly cheaper i think when you buy 6. but delish. they sell them frozen too, which i've considered buying and bringing home for dinner some night.
(4)
Quantas G.
Great atmosphere, great service, great cooking presentation, good prices, good selection. Not a fan of baos but I did enjoy the dumplings and kung pao chicken.
(3)
Liz C.
This place knows what it's doing and does it right. It's a desperately needed oasis of mediocre, moderately priced, westernized pan-asian in a sea of crappy wilted salads and mushy meat sandwiches. It's saved me many a time from the depressing trifecta of cosi, corner bakery, and cafe baci. It also provides something impossible to find elsewhere in the vicinity - an actual savory snack, for under 5 dollars. Go to items are the green tea gingerale (delicious), thai chicken curry bao (pretty good), bbq pork bao (almost a desert), and coconut or chocolate bao (definitely a desert). The 3 for 5 deal is also good. Be forewarned - all their food is from a packet or previously frozen; it's just better and tastier than the other previously frozen food in the loop. For that small accomplishment, they get 4 stars and my unending devotion. I agree with the poster who mentioned the straws, what is up with that? Just move them! Everything else about this place is pretty efficient.
(4)
Simmone S.
I love Wow Bao! For a fast food establishment I think that there food and service is pretty quality. It is not hard to find cheap Asian food places in Chicago, but the quality of the food is often questionable.... Wow Bao offers a good variety and everything is super tasty..not too greasy, slimy, or containing any unidentified objects. Wow Bao also uses compostable/biodegradable containers and disposables, making it more environmentally friendly than most all fast food establishments.
(4)
Gfiddy F.
Coconut puffy pastry is tasty!
(5)
Dominic B.
The employees are very efficient which allows them to handle the lunch time rush well. The food is alright, but nothing exciting and the facility is standard fast food feeling. One thing I did really like was the little cup of gummy candies for a buck. Just a simple pleasure that went a long way.
(3)
Alysson L.
I am absolutely in love with Wow Bao, and have been since it first appeared on State Street. I've always loved traditional Bao, and the pork buns certainly suit me fine, but I'm even more delighted by the range of more non-traditional bao available-- I particularly like the Thai curry, and my boyfriend loves the Teriyaki chicken, and a few of the dessert bao. The fresh gingerale is definitely delicious, and I also am a big fan of ordering via the monitor outside (it makes for short lines, since most people are inexplicably terrified of machines). Best if all? It's right next to the 6 bus stop, so it's a perfect place to pop in to grab some food before jumping on the bus and heading back to Hyde Park. My boyfriend and I now have a rule that if one of us goes into the Loop, they must bring back Wow Bao for the other.
(5)
Matt M.
I'm not really one that likes to eat much Asian food, nor have I tried many places, but Wow Bao went exceptionally well for my taste buds. The flavor of my Mongolian beef melted in my mouth along with a tasty "asian sticky bun." One thing I always praise are their ice cubs in the fountain drink machine. Maybe I don't get out enough but the ice tubes are wonderful to an ice eater like me. The atmosphere is very trendy and hip for a fast food place. Sitting can be an issue during heavy lunch hours but the food makes up for it.
(3)
Michael H.
So I decided to break away from my normal routine of picking up Potbelly's after work on the way to grad school, and I tried out Wow Bao based on a recommendation. Although it didn't 'wow' me, I would have to admit that it was a welcomed change of pace. The steamed potstickers were a good value, and the bao was tasty. This place is by no means authentic, but it's a good option for a quick meal.
(3)
Valerie R.
I've had the 2 veggie options and though they tasted ok they were too bland for me. Not somewhere I'd go out of my way for.
(3)
M. Z.
Overall a solid C. The service was good, but the food was pretty bad. I got a 6 pack of teriyaki and bbq bao and not only did everything taste the same, but it made me sick. The only appreciable difference between the chicken and the pork was that the pork had hunks of fat in with the meat. I ended up throwing most of it away and trying the custard and chocolate instead. They were passable, but nothing to write home about.
(2)
Christoph B.
Awesome place for a quick lunch. I had the Thai chicken noodle soup and my bro had a rice bowl and we shared an order of potstickers. Service was fast. The dining area is bright and cheery. Will be back for more.
(4)
Stephen D.
This is a place I like to dislike and dislike to like. (It would be too much to say I love to hate it.) It's not THAT expensive and the food does taste alright. But every single time I eat there -- and all I ever eat is a chicken rice bowl -- I spend the afternoon in a food coma and not feeling very well -- yet I sometimes look forward to their food. I'm not sure why -- maybe because I work in the building? At any rate, this is the place to go to when you run out of options in the wasteland of bland lunchtime fare that we call the West Loop.
(3)
Colleen M.
Ok - these probably aren't traditional baos, but I love this place. It's a great place when I'm feeling like something other than a sandwich but need to get something to go. The service is fast (even when there's a long line) and the combo special is really cheap. My favorite baos are the whole wheat edamame and the spicy Mongolian beef...yum! I could go for one right now.
(4)
Jess R.
Eww. Enough said.
(1)
Jason S.
This Wao Bao just opened up in the theater district (loop) and I am destined to be a regular. Having never been to Wao Bao, I walked in a mere freshman and two wao bows later walked out a graduating senior. The food was quite good for fast food Chinese. The whole place seemed so fresh that I felt as if the Mongolian beef wao bow (old fashioned dough filled with choices of meat and vegetables) and the Kung Pao Chicken on rice were actually healthy. This place could very well become the next corner bakery or pot belly's with a Chineese flair. The line was out the door but we moved through pretty fast. This is such a refreshing change and offers us downtowners a little something different for a fast food lunch. I give this place 4 stars and one hell of a WOW bao!
(4)
Eric B.
Without head to Chinatown for dim sum, it's difficult to get a good pork bun in Chicago. Yummm, pork buns. All I need to say. It's not really a substitute for real dim sum, but it's a nice alternative when you are downtown. I always stop by for a quick snack when I'm in the area.
(4)
K M.
I think this place provides a really nice lunch option for those of us working on the north end of the Loop. Sure the line gets long, but we waited MAYBE 10 minutes at 12:45, and managed to get a table with no trouble, so its not as bad as the line looks. I thought the food was really good- we got the 2 baos + salad combos and I guess maybe got lucky with ordering the asian vegetable salad or whatever it was called- very tasty little salad, and to me the 2 baos were plenty! (and I'm a pretty big eater for a little girl but I was actually really full! of course also got this little dessert bao which probably put me well over the edge :) the peanut noodle salad was ok, I probably wouldn't get that again though (we just split those sides to try both) These baos seem pretty reasonable calorie-wise too if you care- I hate that about eating out in the loop, it can be really hard to gauge how much damage I'm doing, but each bao is like 160 calories according to the website, so with 2 plus the actual salad (other combo choices were far less healthy!) I would think this is not so bad and would definitely go again Yea they are mostly puff plus some of the meat filling (i got the thai chicken and agree with another reviewer in saying this was really good, and also got the kung pao chicken, good but prefered the thai), but I thought it was a good ratio And while maybe having the owner standing there greeting people (or maybe its someone they hired to stand there and say he's the owner) didn't really do much, it is nice if someone cares enough about his business to see it through the early stages like that and interact with customers they do move you along quickly through the line, and since I'm usually starving still after lunch, I was impressed that they managed to stuff me! Esepcially for about $6.00! Definitely worth checking out if you work over here
(4)
Todd H.
Passable but overrated. I work across the street from it, so I knew I would make my way there anyway. Definitely did not live up to the hype. Still, I am sure I will go there again because the curry chicken is pretty good.
(3)
Jessica N.
How happy am I that I don't have to walk a mile each way to get Wow Bao any more. This will be especially helpful once it gets to below freezing temperatures. I like that the Baos and the peanut salad is always consistent. The one I have down by the CBOT tastes exactly like the one I have at Water Tower and it tastes exactly like the one on Wacker. I tried the coconut custard bao for the first time at this location. It was scrumptious. Not too sweet, not to coconutty. I am never disappointed by the veggie bao or the peanut salad either. It is not too pricey- I think about $6.50 for the two baos and side. I still keep telling myself to get in and try a breakfast bao. That should be a delight as well. And every time, even though it happens every time, I am amazed at how fast I get my food. They usually have it handed to me before I get my soda filled up. That is some quick service. Good food fast is always a key element for lunchtime. Hopefully they will open a Wow Bao by my house so I can hit it up on weekends when we are in a hurry!
(4)
Steve T.
If you have never had a Bao, this is a decent place to go to get some quick lunch in the loop. You can get a 6-pack of Baos, which I would definitrely recommend sharing, and it's pretty good. It's a nice change from the usual suspects for quick loop lunches. They also have bowls, of a variety of items which are also pretty tasty. The spicy items are pretty spicy, so beware. My mouth was on fire one day and there wasn't enough diet coke in the world to save me for about half an hr.
(4)
Matthew P.
This is a pretty good place to eat lunch in the city. I like the BBQ bao. its a little over priced if you get the rice dishes so just stick with str8 baos. Oh one thing that does suck is the seating. I guess they decided that it would be "cool" to have these modern chairs. They feel like seating on my 7th grade shop chair. (which sucked btw)
(3)
Kelly B.
An update to my review. We ordered Wow Bao for our party. It was fairly priced, ready on time for pick up, packaged nicely, and they were a HIT. People that had never had Bao loved them and people that knew of them said they were some of the best tasting Bao they'd ever had.
(4)
Sara B.
I love this place! I stop in once a week after class to grab two buns...they are freindly, fast and the buns are always cooked perfectly.
(5)
Gretchen V.
I figured I should review the restaurant where I get lunch to go at least two if not three days a week. I should say that I don't really eat here by choice, but more out of convenience (it's in my building). That said, I like it. I like the chicken spring rolls (which are not fried, but consist of grilled chicken, carrots, cucumbers, red bell pepper and rice noodles wrapped in rice paper) and the veggie dumplings. They also have good potstickers and dumpling soup. Probably my favorite thing about Wow Bao is their sauce selection---the spicy chili is my favorite. I'm not a huge fan of bao (no matter where) or their rice bowls. The employees are usually very friendly (which I appreciate) and they are quick. I am usually in and out within five minutes. It's not the most authentic or best Chinese food you've ever had, but it's a welcome option next to Potbelly's, Subway, and Cosi in the neighborhood.
(3)
Christa R.
I am a huge fan of Wow Bao. I've probably been there about ten times and have never had a problem with anything. The pomegranate ginger ale is fantastic. The Potstickers are probably the best I have ever had (but make sure you get the ginger soy). Great for a quick lunch, a cheap dinner or even take out for Sunday's football game. GO TO WOW BAO! You will not regret it.
(4)
Kristina M.
I wish we had something like this in DC! I was pleasently surprised with the variety of options - I also like that they posted their nutritional information. These little guys are much healthier than I was expecting! It is quite unlike anything we have in DC, and I'm hoping that trend won't last for long. I tried a variety of the breakfast and lunch Baos - all of which were very tasty. The first location I tried on the mile didn't have any sauce... but this location did. The sauce was an excellent addition, especially since the buns are a little bready. It is definitely a great (and inexpensive) breakfast or lunch choice!
(4)
Eli S.
I wish this place was less expensive, but aside from that, I totally dig Wow Bao. A "Lettuce Entertain You" restaurant like Big Bowl, it's got a great selection of steamed dumplings and their Homemade Ginger Ale is FUCKING FANTAST. Their noodle and rice bowls and herb broth leave much to be imagined, but the deliciousness of their steamed dumplings (also available frozen to take home and which also come in two really great vegetarian styles) more than makes up for this. All the nutrition facts are readily available online and one could happily fill their belly without breaking one's diet, which is another reason why I love their ginger ale: it's sweet, really has strong ginger in it, and has less calories than a soft drink or lo-carb beer. Mmm.
(4)
Electrolux B.
The buns are good. We tried the whole wheat/veggie bun and it was satisfying. That wasn't enough for a good healthy lunch/dinner and I wouldn't order 4 of these and carb out. To balance our dinner we both ordered a rice bowl with the energy rice. The food was good yet a little bland. The main problem here is the portions. I didn't want nor expect a huge bowl of veggies to put me over the edge, American style. What i did expect was a decent amount of veggies complimented with a comparable amount of rice. What i got was a total different story. There was about 1/2 cup of stir fry and 2-3 cups of rice. They only put enough stir fry on there to cover the rice and that's it. So basically I paid $7 (with tax) for a bowl of rice. This happened with our other dish as well. It was tasty but very, very deceiving. I probably won't go back.
(2)
Andrew Y.
another of my go to places...the baos are so delicious...i try to mix and match my bao's differently than my rice bowls..so go with the terriyaki and bbq pork and mongolian beef...and then hit up the kung pao chicken rice bowl..with white rice...throw some of that garlic chili paste in there and your good to go...steal a couple sets of chop sticks for the house too from here...but anyway...you are in and out within 30 minutes and ate a quality meal
(4)
Kate F.
Pretty good and cheap. I didn't realize they offered anything but Bao, but was pleasantly surprised by the choices - bowls, salads, pot-stickers and bao. I went in the evening so couldn't follow anyone's direction, and I had a heck of a time figuring out how to order. Also where to find eating utensils (hint: the forks are in the dispenser decorated with a large picture of a fork). Once I found the person taking the orders, she was extremely helpful - I wanted a combo and she recommended the thai chicken and bbq pork bao, along with the peanut noodle salad. They were all very good, but calling the peanut noodle dish a salad is a bit misleading - it's a bowl of cold noodles, with a couple of sprigs of cilantro, and a container of delicious spicy peanut sauce. I picked up a $1 salad at McDonalds, mixed them together, and it was perfect! I think the nutritional information is a bit misleading, too - they list the dressing separately, and it has lots of calories and fat (maybe more than the noodles). Otherwise, I would go back. Perhaps order something different :-)
(4)
Louis A.
Wow Bao, (or Bao Wow, as I like to call it) is Chinese-American "fast-food" served up in a creative way. Since it is in the building I work in, I have the feeling that I'm going to get sick of it rather soon. Although enjoyable overall, the baos are a little too doughy. The spicy ginger ale, on the other hand, is totally kick-ass. The chicken teriyaki rice bowl was sub-par....but nothing on the menu was too expensive. I haven't tried anything else, so I'll have to get back to you. Quick, friendly service....but maybe that's because they just opened. Regardless, Wow Bao is a welcomed addition to 35 W. Wacker.
(3)
bj f.
the best bet for me at this fresh and open place is one bao and something lighter, like a soup or salad. i don't know what about anyone's constitution can support downing five stuffed doughballs, but i'm not that anyone. so go for a ricebowl, or a curry bao with soup/salad, or perhaps two bao, and enjoy. if you're tummy is hurting, i'll bet you're not 'anyone' either.
(4)
Ingrid B.
It's a bit pricey, but even though the baos look small, they fill you up. And the most amazing thing in the world is the chocolate bao. I LIVE for chocolate baos...
(5)
stephanie s.
How sad that I only just tried this place. Ordering is very quick and easy. The Baos are sweet, doughy wonderfulness filled with yummy goodness. The nutritional info is posted on their website and it is not nearly as unhealthy as one would think. Definitely a great fast food alternative when you are looking for something different.
(4)
Melissa S.
I cannot believe I forgot to write a review for this place. My co-workers and I were so excited when a new restaurant opened in our building, due to the fact that we are a)very lazy, b)it's getting cold out, and c)we're sick of all the food within walking distance. They were even giving out free lunch (!) the first few days they were open to people who worked in the building, so we had to try it. I ordered a bao, and the kung pao rice dish. The rice dish was sub-par both quality and taste wise. The bao, however, on all of my co-workers' accounts, were disgusting. The flavorless gummy dough surrounding the various ingredients they shove in the middle of these suckers is one of the most disturbing food items I have tasted in awhile. And I just ate some fungus/dead caterpillar carcass the other day in my soup (supposedly an Asian delicacy, who knows). Anyhoo, the baos were so abhorrent that we have taken to using the term to describe people we dislike. Example, if someone cuts you off in traffic, an appropriate response might be: "What a dirty bao."
(1)
wendy p.
i've only tried the bao here. i think the edamame is the most tasty, although this last time i went, it could have used more filling. the bbq pork is very sweet, too much sauce, and there's a processed flavor to the chicken curry - i can't put my finger on it - maybe it's just not as bold as a curry should be. as for the apple cinnamon, the combination of the spongy bun and apple filling was just too weird for my taste. props for cleanliness... does anyone else find their slogan "hot asian buns" to be slightly offensive? considering the hypersexualized stereotypes of asian women, i can't help think that it's a cheeky play on such images. damn, pun NOT intended.
(3)
Miss O.
what's better than hot asian buns? well besides my hot asian buns. no but this place is really good. i like the softness of the buns. very tasty. i going back for more.
(4)
Tink P.
Back about 3 years ago...they used to have one location on Michigan Avenue! I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it this time around in Chicago in multiple places.. Used to love it then and love it even now :) The best flavor for me is -- The Chicken Teriyaki Wao Bao.. if you are wondering what Wow Bao is its just a little baked dumpling...the crust mind you is like bread...and has amazing filling inside it... You need to try it once :) Their bowls are pretty good too.. and my vegetarian friends ...they have vegetarian options too :) So one more reason to try this place out... Food -- 5 Stars Hospitality/Service - 5 Stars Cleanliness - 5 Stars Location - 5 Stars Overall - 5 Stars
(5)
Stephanie L.
What can I say, I love the bao's...seriously....love. This location is slightly annoying though. The staff is mediocre at best. They mess up your order, dont give you spoons for soup, no sauce, etc...plus, its a very crowded seating area so to get up and get stuff is a pain. Not to mention the annoying bathroom with the tokens...literally I put in two tokens, two separate times and the door wouldnt open...ANNOYING! Baos-I love them....teriyaki and kung pao are my favorites. Add a little chili spice and we are good to go. Also, the noodle soup is fantastic. A perfect mix of noodles, veggies and broth. I absolutely love it. Plus, pretty good portion for $3.
(4)
Dylan C.
Order at the kiosk and your order is done within minutes (we had a pretty large order so I was impressed with how fast we were in and out of here). I don't know what magic they use to make the baos taste that good but they're definitely doing something right. Both the whole wheat bao and the green vegetable potstickers were fantastic. Don't forget to grab a homemade ginger ale drink with your food.
(4)
Shradha A.
Wow Bow was an addiction for a good three years. And then something changed. Their whole wheat edamame bows are no longer the same. They are more soggy than crispy and while I keep trying, now that they have a location in my office building, it's not too long before I give up.. But all said and done, I can't give it just 2 stars either because it is one of the best lunch options..
(4)
Kevin F.
The quality of the meat is a step above the run- of the mill, ( sold at grocery stores in chinatowns) Variety and convenience (meaning: chicken, beef, pork, and veg fillings, if I remember correctly) are USPs within the bun market. Not to forget, proprietary ginger ale.
(3)
Anne C.
I work a few blocks away from Wow Bao-- nut sure why I hadn't tried it earlier. The prices are pretty decent and for a quick lunch it isn't too greasy or heavy. The bao are really good and come in a variety of fillings. You only need a couple to be totally full. And their steamed dumplings are delicious. I'm a huge fan of the veggie dumpling/Asian salad combo. Oh, and LEYE frequent diner points. Awesome!
(4)
Alek Z.
I haven't eaten at a Wow Bao since I was in Chicago like a year and a half ago, but I STILL remember those things like I had them yesterday. They're delicious. Specifically, the desert ones. I mean the actual food ones are alright, but what really stood out were like the chocolate and custard ones. Oh hell yeah. Very few restaurants just take me back the way this one does. For those who may not know, baos are just like stuffed dumplings, about the size of a baseball or something. They have several different varieties, including ones stuffed with like chicken and shredded beef and pork and curry and whatnot. And then there's the desert ones, which also included coconut, I believe, and maybe one or two others. I guess they'd be good for lunch, but really they're best if you just like stop in and grab a bag of sweet baos to go. They're so good.
(4)
Lucy W.
Wow Bao is one of my greatest finds during my trip to Chicago! There's no doubt that my mom makes the best bao zi. But you can't compare Wow Bao to real Asian bao--that's not the point and because in that regard, Wow Bao is a fail. But in a world of the corner of cookies and cream rice pudding and birdhaus buns, Wow Bao is a real success. I wasn't sure what I was expecting from the dough, but it definitely wasn't the soft and slightly sweet goodness that I found. I had the Mongolian Beef, whole wheat edamame, and pumpkin with cinnamon. I think the edamame is my favorite. I was initially extremely skeptical of the pumpkin, bu surprisingly t it bought a little bit of holiday cheer to a culture that doesn't traditionally celebrate Christmas or Thanksgivings. It had strong pumpkin flavors, wasn't overly sweet, and worked really well with the dough. During my 2 day trip in downtown Chicago, I must of visited Wow Bao three times. Why doesn't this place exist in NYC or California? Tip: If you check-in on Foursquare you get a free bao with your order!
(4)
Ken H.
Wow Bao is another place I wish existed in So Cal where I live. As a "fast food" joint, it would serve as a much better, healthier option than most of the other fast food restaurants here. Wouldn't mind ordering from a place like this especially for lunch during the week at work. Of course, this place would fail in Chinese-dominated areas of Los Angeles County, but I believe it would do really well in certain areas of L.A. and also in Orange County, CA. I visited a friend in Chicago and she suggested Wow Bao for lunch after we had visited a nearby museum. I was curious to try their bao because of their unique offerings. The only place I've ever seen or heard of Thai curry chicken bao or panang duck curry bao was in Hawai'i -- never in CA. I tried both at Wow Bao and really enjoyed them. The bao were nicely steamed, and the duck and chicken were cooked really well, and not dry at all. The flavors were impressive, although nothing like the kind of curry I'm used to ordering from my favorite Thai restaurants. I imagined myself back home and thought that if Wow Bao existed in several areas or strip malls in CA, I'd much rather pay $1.69 for one bao instead of a hamburger from the dollar menu from an American fast food joint. I'd also much rather pay $1 more for a Thai chicken curry bowl with jasmine rice (which was just as impressive as the bao) instead of $5 for a bowl of anything from Panda Express! Would I choose their bao over bao from a dim sum restaurant in CA? Probably not, but I also wouldn't have time to dine at a dim sum restaurant for lunch during the week on my lunch break. Nice, modern decor, unique offerings, clean restaurant, and an awesome, fun slogan! Bring Wow Bao to CA!
(3)
Tarrah T.
Loved it! I've been wanting to visit this place since my last time in Chicago six months ago. Finally made it here...great variety of bao as well as several tasty salads. It was definitely what I had hoped it would be! Affordable, too!
(4)
Samantha E.
Need a quick, cheap, and delicious lunch? Grab a few hot buns from Wow Bao! They have a nice variety of options even though I prefer the spicy options. They have more than buns but that is all I have had thus far.
(4)
Julia J.
I first wandered into this Wow Bao location a few years ago during an all night art event. My friend and I were starving, and this was the only place nearby that was open, so we wandered in and figured we give it a try. We split a large order of the potstickers. In my drunkeness, I was in love and remember them as being some of the best potstickers I've ever had. Still, the Baos scared me a little bit, and I wasn't willing to try them. Until I came across them at a Yelp event and decided to give them a whirl. I had the kung pao Bao, and I really enjoyed it! It was a weird little dumpling that was easy to eat and flavorful. I would totally swing through here if I was shopping in the area and needed a quick snack. I don't think I'd go out of my way to get here for a full meal, though, but I'm happy to know this is out there.
(3)
Chad C.
I know Chicago isn't known for Asian food, but damn, this place sucks! I had the 3/4/5 which gives you a little taste of everything they make., and The Mongolian Beef was like a sickly sweet form of Mabo Tofu, the BBQ pork bun wasnt all that bad (but its nothing to write home about), and the peanut noddles tasted like cold spaghetti without the peanut sauce (because they forgot to give it to me). Once I got the sauce they were tolerable, but nothing I'd recommend to a fellow Yelper. I was surprised that this place had such great reviews, considering how horrible my pallet experience was. I hope they read this and make some changes pretty quick, because I think Panda Express does Asian better, and that's not something to brag about.....
(1)
NANCY m.
Today I ordered a 205 calorie lunch. As I was eating I realized that is not gotten the full order. I went to the order station. Not only they gracious, they were generous. I will go back. Good food, and kind staff!
(5)
Prachi B.
Cheap, fast food that offers great options for the health conscious as well as vegetarians. And it tastes great too! Definitely stop by here everytime im in the city.
(4)
Andrea P.
I was surprised that I had never heard of Wow Bao in the 3+ years that I lived in Chicago. I met some friends here for lunch about a month ago while visiting. The digital ordering system is great technology, but somewhat confusing. I ended up ordering the meal with an entree and two baos. The entree was pretty good, but the baos are defintely an acquired taste.
(3)
Carrie S.
Oh Wow Bao, why do have to keep breaking my heart? Why do keep acting like the boyfriend who forgets an important date and hurts my feelings? So, my beloved Wow Bao has been a go-to for me since getting pregnant. On days when my nausea overwhelmed me or I had no desire to eat anything, Wow Bao came to the rescue. Wow Bao makes tasty pan seared potstickers. These delicious potstickers have been a staple in my pregnancy diet. I can always trust a potsticker to fill me up and make me feel better when most foods wouldn't especially in the first trimester. When I discovered that they offered 8 potstickers, I was thrilled. Yeah for my potsticker fix! Potstickers everywhere! However, every single time I order from here, I get less than 8. I wish this was a joke, but it's not. The first time I ordered it, I got 7 potstickers. I was alright with that because it was close enough to the original number not to go back and unleash some pregnancy hormones and maybe some uncontrollable tears on the staff. Today, I ordered my same 8 potstickers and got 5! Last I checked, 5 doesn't equal 8. Does the staff need to go back to elementary school for basic math skills? I just want my 8 potstickers to satisfy my craving. I can't help but feel like I wasted money as well. I received significantly less than what I paid for. Wow Bao, I love you and your potstickers. However, I'm so close to breaking up with you over your counting and math skills. I don't think I can stay in this relationship much longer as you keep abusing my pocketbook and my heart by giving me far less than what I ordered. Stop being a bad boyfriend and remember to give me 8 potstickers instead of 5 or 7.
(1)
April P.
This place is delicious. I would not mind them catering my wedding. The atmosphere is fun and hip and the food is so unique and wonderful. I'm the kind of person who can't really handle messy food. It really just stresses me out. Baos are the least messy food I've ever had. You can just eat them with your hands! Yummo! Hint: The coconut custard baos are my favorite. If you like pudding and you like coconut, you HAVE to try these. My life will never be the same. Wish I had one right now...
(5)
Jenn D.
Positively OK fast buns, dumplings and noodles. I totally walked right past this place while looking for food downtown. Look up and you'll see the sign, the doors are through the arches near the entrance to the office building. Someone invited me here for a lunch and I found it the 2nd time. Sweet. When you walk in you'll see these nifty little ordering machines. I was unfamiliar with them and made a couple of ordering errors, which more than annoyed the on the go lunch crowd. Oops. You can order inside if you please, which I didn't realize until I'd played with the machines for a while. The food came out super fast, the counter guy wasn't too miffed when I asked after the fact to have some of my order boxed up to-go, and there are outdoor tables where you can sit and enjoy your meal.
(3)
Bethany W.
Between the food and the service, I'm giving it 5 stars. Great food, excellent value, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. I like the teriyaki bowl with multigrain rice, my daughter goes crazy for the teriyaki buns, and of course, the chocolate bun for dessert. The pumpkin dessert bun, seasonal, is like asian pumpkin pie (which is a good thing). Free refills on fountain sodas, although their specialty sodas are excellent too. I didn't love the mongolian beef bowl, it was a bit too spicy for me, and as another poster mentioned, it would be better if the beef wasn't so "ground". But, overall, this place is consistently great (I should know, my daughter makes me take her there practically every week). Love it!
(5)
Jen J.
Just went last night and it was quite yummy. I ordered a lot of food and walked away paying just over $16. My only disappointment was the chocolate bao. I absolutely detest coconut and nowhere on the menu does it say chocolate-coconut bao (PLEASE INCLUDE THAT IN YOUR MENUS!!). Other than that, the potstickers (pork/cabbage), chicken teriyaki, and kung pao chicken baos were tasty. I thought the teriyaki was more flavorful than the kung pao, but I'd definitely go again!
(3)
Dave H.
The novelty of eating in a random, well-decorated bao house was not lost on me, and Wow Bao earned themselves style points by emblazoning the text "HOT ASIAN BUNS" in their interior. Besides amusingly camouflaged restrooms - discretely labeled with "M" and "W" - this micro chain's claim-to-fame are their cutetastic baos, administered via friendly servers with a cafeteria-style feel. My friends and I felt their bun dough was surprisingly good. Not too yielding, and slightly sweet, the few I ordered - filled with Thai curry and Kung Pao beef - were quite tasty and perfect for a late lunch. My only regret was not going there hungrier so I could try more. Compared to their bao, their sides (tried the salad, and noodles) could use a bit of improvement to make them, er, edible. Wow Bao is classy and hip, and I'd return for their bao (they're open for breakfast!) if I worked in the area.
(3)
Louise G.
I've never had a bao before this place and was really impressed. They are small but extremely filling; I had a couple of the teriyaki ones for my main course and the chocolate one (very rich) for desert. They are also a good price and really quick. It can get pretty crowded at lunch time but that's most places downtown
(5)
Doug M.
Serves a variety of Bao, most very tasty. Very unique - hope we can get one near us soon!
(4)
Tiffany L.
I looooove you Wow Bao. Super yum steamed buns. You must try them all in order to determine your own personal faves. I'm a kung pao and coconut custard fan. I used to be a BBQ pork fan but it seems like maybe they've changed a bit. Love the peanut noodles and the fancy homemade ginger ales. Great ordering set up. Food comes out quick and hot.
(4)
Carl G.
Yes, there are Wow Bao haters out there, but they are bone fide idiots. Wow Bao is awesome. Honestly, if you've ever made a steamed pork bun from scratch (and I have indeed made many a bun), then you know that perfection in a pork bun is literally (okay figuratively) the holy grail of tasty Asian treats... Wow Bao pulls it off and takes your order via text message. So there. In your face. Literally this time. Like literally take a steamed pork bun and cram it into your face.
(4)
Di N.
FYI, by 'dumplings' they really just mean non fried pot stickers - so steamed. I was hoping for shumai. Fast and delicious nonetheless.
(4)
Jeffrey C.
As we strolled through downtown Chicago, we kept seeing the Wow Bao signs pop up everywhere and finally decided we had to try it. Marketing at its finest, I guess. As non-pork eaters, the girlfriend and I were intrigued at these delectable buns ("bao" in Mandarin) that were non-pork filled. Completely full when we finally arrived, we settled on trying two. The thai curry chicken was surprisingly good, the spicy kung pao not so much. We also picked up a homemade ginger ale, which tasted nothing like Canada Dry. Too much ginger, too much cane sugar. It's a neat little place, but the prices are steep. So if you're looking for a franchise venture, I strongly recommend Wow Bao. It's a bit amazing that this restaurant hasn't been franchised past the city of Chicago. But if you're looking for a truly delicious bao, you should probably check out Chinatown. Or come down to Houston; I'll let you know where to go.
(3)
Kurt M.
Weak. Super weak. Maybe I'm spoiled by Chinatown. The dough tastes like styrofoam smells and the meat tastes like hot-pocket filling mixed with candy. The sides are a joke. It may be easy to get to, but Chinatown restaurants deliver, duke.
(1)
Theo E.
I must admit, I am a huge Wow Bao fan. It's cheap, fast and delicious. My favorites are the BBQ pork and the curry chicken. The potstickers are also quite tasty. I enjoy the different types of ginger ale they have available. The fact that you can order from a touch screen and then it's ready when you walk in make this the pinnacle of fast food.
(4)
Catherine B.
No wow. I have no idea what anyone could be raving about. The dumplings were meh, and the chicken teriyaki on cabbage had less then no flavor.
(2)
Heather P.
Holy sweet mother of bao. I was so excited when Wow Bao opened, then I stopped working downtown for awhile, then I left town entirely for awhile. I've been working in the Loop for a year at this point... what took me so long? Wow Bao is everything I have ever wanted in "fast casual" dining. I'm actually composing poetry. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thy soft and squishy buns Spicy, warm that set my mouth ablaze (Especially the kung pao chicken ones) I love thee for thy iced tea of hibiscus No sugar, carbs, or caffeine to be found Bright purple, fresh-brewed and delicious So quickly disappeared the cup I downed I love thee with a passion put to use In ravenously eating bao-shaped sweets I ordered both; for I could not but choose Twixt coconut -or cho-co-late-filled treats And once my banquet has been all devoured I love the way I stay sated for hours. Even the hiccups at this location (when I went, they had no pot-stickers, so I couldn't try them, and it made me sad, and also, the staff could have definitely been more friendly and less hipster-surly) aren't worth a demerit. Normally I would drop one star, at least. But after consuming a bao heavy with what tasted exactly like uncooked brownie batter, I just didn't care. I left Wow Bao feeling that all was right with the world, full of love for my fellow man, even that creepy guy on the train who sits a little too close so he keeps "accidentally" touching your leg. The Thai chicken was amazing, the kung pao also great (and yes, there are peanuts). The only thing I would say is to not bother with the cold-noodle-salad combos. The Pad Thai salad has almost nothing in common with Pad Thai, and why use up precious tummy-space and cash when you could use both for MORE BAO? ALWAYS MORE BAO.
(5)
Melissa T.
My side salad was the highlight of my meal. I mixed the chinese mustard dressing with chili sauce and a little soy. I'd eat that again for sure. The baos, however, were extremely disappointing having had the real deal in the past. I love the idea of commercializing a good, ethnic cuisine item to make it more available to a larger variety of consumers so long as the product remains true to its original conception. This rarely ever happens though; in most cases such products become so americanized that people don't even recognize the real deal when they see or taste it. As a result, commercialization = bastardization of the bao. They were overly breaded, and the fillings were meh to bleh in flavor. If I wanted a salad, I'd go back, but that's about it.
(2)
Dan T.
Not expecting Chinatown cheap, but yet they manage to keep the prices from soaring into the ridiculous stratosphere of NYC food prices to which I am more accustomed. Props to the spicy mongolian beef bun and any other bun with heat-related monikers. They deliver an undiluted punch of spicy hotness that kao tows to no underdeveloped taste buds of what good spicy food should be. The dumplings are expectedly overpriced, but still deliver on the goods. The skins are thin and firm, strong enough to hold in the generous fillings of pork and cabbage (are steamed dumplings REALLY meant to be enjoyed any other way?). I never got the chance to order a bowl of noodles because a) I was getting pretty full with only so much real estate left to fill, and b) I was mesmerized by the homemade ginger ale. You should know by now that I have an unrequited love for ginger based drinks. Wow Bao's particular paramour holds back nothing and indulges you with nothing but blocks of fresh ginger barreling through the cup to show you how the drinks are done right. There is no subtlety in this drink, but it sure tastes great.
(3)
Kymberly J.
I am wowed by the Bao. I loved the baos and all the interesting flavors including the whole wheat edemame. I wasn't expecting to like it. I don't like chewy stuffed things...not a fan of dim sum either as it is along the same lines. The baos had decent sized fillings and the dough wasn't bland, it kind of a sweet taste. I also ordered the cool pad Thai salad...on a 5 degree night. It was noodles, iceberg lettuce (would have like romaine or something else), peanuts and a crisp light sauce. To balance out the cool I got the Thai broth. Super comforting on a cold night and perfectly seasoned. 2 Bao, 1 pad Thai salad, cup o' broth and a hibiscus iced tea for about $11.00. Perfect! The atmosphere is pretty cool too. Loungy music in a clean, bright ,modernly decorated environment took me to another world.
(4)
Heather F.
First time in so I sampled way more than an ave person should consume at 11:30am. The cashier recommended 4 bao (dumplings) for a meal. I think 2-3 would have been plenty. I especially loved the chicken curry bao and the spicy Mongolian beef bao. Quick, fast and a decent meal for under $10. I found the BBQ and teriyaki too sweet for my taste.
(4)
David L.
Wow, only in Chicago... I thought I'd try this place for fun. With a name like Wow Bao, I was expecting Americanized Chinese food. By the modern decor and clean look, I was expecting unreasonably high prices as well. Both of my expectations were fully met. This place would not survive anywhere else, at least not anywhere with a large Asian population and restaurants to support it. Baos are supposed to be just over 50 cents a piece and whole wheat should not even be an option. The food was still good, but just felt so wrong.
(2)
A W.
They put the yum-yum into my heart They send my soul sky high when the munchin' starts Yummy taste into my brain Goes a bang-bang-bang 'til my feet do the same But something's bugging me Something ain't right I know you went downtown last night Left me sleepin' in my bed I was dreaming, but I should have been with you instead. Pick me up a yummy wow bao When you know that you'll be downtown Pick me up a yummy wow bao Forget this time, and get punched in the eye Pick me up a yummy wow bao I'm not playin' don't act brand new, now. Pick me up like 4 wow baos And some pork postickerrrrrrrrrrrrs I want some desserrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt (yeah, yeah) [inspiration: "Jitterbug" by Wham]
(4)
Debbie T.
Hubby and I were looking for a healthy-ish fast food option. Let me say that we just did not get the concept of finely ground up meat and vegetables- I got the Mongolian beef- it was spicy- that was the only saving grace. Hubby got kung pao chicken that he described as completely tasteless. The manager was cleaning tables all around us as we ate and then proceeded to spread out her paperwork in the middle of the restaurant to work on timesheets. Will not be back.
(1)
David L.
I had a hard time finding it, not knowing it was so small and inside another larger building. The soup was okay, the baos (buns) were very, very good. I can't imagine they are too good for you, though - I stopped at 4. The salad was okay. Giving it 4 stars for great bargain, fast service (cafeteria style service - grab a tray and walk down the line and pay). I would go back.
(4)
Lolia S.
For the price of one bun here ($1.39), I could get a bun three times the size and much better tasting in Chinatown, but Wow Bao makes buns accessible to those in the downtown area and that's a good thing. They're open for breakfast and lunch and the self-serve order kiosks right outside are really convenient. Pay outside and wait for your order to be called. You can also order online or pick up some prepackaged buns. The menu includes potstickers, rice bowls, soups and combos with salads. They have sweet buns (e.g., chocolate, custard), vegetarian buns and savory buns. In the morning you can get 2 steamed buns & coffee for $4 - what a cute way to start the morning. They even have Greek yogurt. The ambiance is polished and contemporary, with the logo, hot Asian buns and reddish lighting, an open kitchen and an impressive number of metal steamers. It has a very corporate feel but still offbeat and playful. The type of bun is printed on the paper on the bottom of each bun. * Dumpling noodle soup - your choice of dumplings: $3.99 for dumpling noodle soup seems cheap but the portion is small (not enough to fill someone up, more of a side), comes with three dumplings. The dumplings are long with thin skins and look like potstickers. The chicken ones were reasonable tasty with ginger. The broth wasn't bad either, light and soy based, with soft thick egg noodles, scallions and some chopped cabbage. Hot sauce and soy sauce are provided at each table. * Thai chicken bun - This was the best bun that I tried, quite flavorful though too salty, I could detect a bit of coconut milk but it wasn't too overwhelming. The bun is really small but the dough was light, slightly sweet, and not oversteamed. The inside wasn't too saucy. I didn't like how small the chicken bits were. I also spotted some tiny bits of bell pepper and onion. * Teriyaki chicken bun - The sauce is really dark and salty, tiny chicken bits again * Mongolian beef bun - This was okay but the beef bits were really small and the sauce was too salty, surprisingly, it's somewhat spicy What I'd like to see in the future: larger buns, larger pieces of meat - Asian buns should be bigger, meatier and juicier.
(3)
tinybubbletoes L.
Good food, fast and friendly service, affordable prices. In my home town, there are only a handful of good asian restaurants. This has quickly become one of my favorites as it is conveniently located within walking distance from my office and apartment in Chicago. I usually eat here 2-3 times a week. My favorites so far are the veggie potstickers, pork bbq, and spicy mongolian baos.
(4)
Kyle W.
Need something quick, easy, and cheap, to hold you over? Wow Bao son. For about $8 you get 6 fairly decent sized baos in about 1-2 minutes, where the pre-made buns go through a quick resteaming process. Also, they even label the paper that sits on the bottom of the bao to let you know which bao you are eating. Surprisingly, it was pretty decent. Not Chinatown authentic, but just does the job as a snack around the Loop area. Probably the closest thing to authentic would be the BBQ Pork one. Personal favorite was the Thai Curry bao. Will be back for an afternoon snack next time I'm working in Chicago.
(3)
Jon H.
Pros: Ginger Ale, actually legit bao breading, they don't skimp on the fillings, touch screen ordering, fast service, easy to eat on the run Cons: Pricey. Some weird flavorings (does anyone get the chocolate ones? they don't sell their t-shirts (I 3 BUNS...i would rock it) Overall, this place is surprisingly legit in terms of buns. I wish they were more like $1 instead of almost $2.
(4)
Susan D.
The day Wow Bao saved my life. A very windy, cold chill walking along Michigan Ave. April -- a sudden cold day that caught me by surprise. Two days before, it was 80! Ah, love Chicago. Walking along, I really wanted some nice, quick, healthy, affordable Asian food. Enter Wow Bao. The broth was so delicious and just the right thing to warm me up! I also got a bowl of food to go for eating later. If you're ever cold on Michigan Ave. and want a quick pick up, Wow Bao's broth will hit just the spot.
(5)
Cyn C.
I came here for a snack, and when I entered, my expectations were low. It looks like a fast food fake asian eatery. Ok. It might be. But compared to places like Panda Wok or Manchu Wok? Wow Bao offers fast and tasty food. The spicy peanut noodles are actually SPICY, as is the spicy kung pao chicken bao. The pan fried dumplings had a nice proportion of filling to skin ratio. Beware of the veggie dumplings if you don't like parsley or cilantro. My vegetarian friend loved hers, but I preferred the pork and cabbage ones. Four stars because it is cheap, fast, easy, and tasty. I'd love for a location to open up in Boston near my school.
(4)
Teri Y.
Wow Bao is another one of Lettuce Entertain You's establishment that I see as successful. If you are of Asian heritage, you will most probably think that except for the BBQ Pork bao offered by Wow Bao, all the other baos are far from authentic. Baos are traditionally filled with BBQ pork and sweet bean paste among others. But the baos offered at Wow Bao have fillings such as chicken teriyaki, Mongolian beef, and Kung pao chicken and these types of baos are totally unheard of in Asia (people eat these as dishes with rice, and not as bao fillings). And what Wow Bao does is to create fusion and innovative combinations of baos and fillings. Nothing wrong with "untraditional" food, IMHO, as long as it's executed correctly. And Wow Bao delivers. For those who complain that Wow Bao is not authentic, Wow Bao never claimed to be so. And hey, if they did, they'd be located in Chinatown. But they aren't.
(5)
Peter K.
I was a little worried because there weren't a lot of other Asians eating here. Usually seeing an Asian place full of non-Asians is not a good sign. These buns are not as good as what you'd get in Chinatown but I guess that's to be expected. We got a couple of different kinds of bao. None of them really wowed me. You can order using a touch screen right outside the place -- saves you from having to wait in line.
(3)
Kim W.
a.k.a. overpriced shitty food that white people like to eat the bowls are bland. the dumplings are bland. the bao is so-so. the iced tea is so-so. how this manages to come across as remotely american-chinese food, i will never know. even panda express can boast to be tastier. and that's just embarrassing.
(2)
Clara L.
I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, but the buns were highlighted on seriouseats.com for a good and cheap eats spot in the loop. Naturally I was intrigued and gave it a try. I guess since I've had amazingly delicious and authentic chinese buns before, these just couldn't compete.
(2)
Jaci Y.
I will give this establishment 2 stars, because I have simply two important things to say about these WOW BOAS. 1) I can get these steam BBQ pork buns in Chinatown dim sum restaurant, for about $1.50 for for Boas. 2) Give them props for making such a cheap thing like boas to be worth $3! And they made them smaller than the normal size you would get in Chinatown. I had these little guys awhile back, when a Friend had brought them to me in a to go container. I thought it was cute, and the boas tasted fine, but nothing out of the normal, expect for the price and the size.
(2)
Jose G.
Try the dim sum...
(4)
Amy K.
OVERALL:3.1 FOOD:2.5 SERVICE:4 AMBIANCE:2 VALUE:4 Order your hot Asian buns online AND via touchscreen! Countertops, seating, and interior have seen shinier days, but the buns are perky, soft, fresh, and steamy, so take-out is the obvious way to go. 2 buns took less than 2 minutes...downtown packaging & convenience for almost-Chinatown prices ($1.39 ea)! THAI CURRY CHICKEN: mild curry is nicely fragrant & surprisingly tasty in bun form, but wouldn't be as enjoyable over rice. COCONUT CUSTARD: why would you ruin a perfectly perfect bun with gag-inducing, extra-thick goo pudding? and why did I voluntarily pay for one?! Soooo many other good options--skip this one :(
(3)
Simon C.
Applaud the owner to "mainstream" Chinese baozi via this fast food restaurant but along the way, the ingredients and the standard have been "Westernized down".
(3)
Angeline E.
Went right before lunch rush and got my food quickly. Baos were not very warm, and the bbq pork filling was overly gingered. Pad thai salad was...interesting. Would go back to try different bao fillings.
(3)
Sean B.
Very good. I can't believe it took me so long to try this place. I could easily see this concept becoming a nationwide chain like Jamba Juice or Noodles & co. It has that level of "corporate detail" to it. I went for the 5.99 combo, with 2 buns and a side (I got the spicy peanut noodle salad, very tasty peanut sauce btw). The chocolate bun was very tasty, almost a little too runny, but it was quite good. The BBQ pork bun was excellent with a good amount of pork in it. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased that they wrapped the buns separate and labeled the pork one with a BBQ paper wrap. There are some details here that caught my attention, from the credit card swipe reader, to the fork dispenser. They are really laying the groundwork for a restaurant concept that could franchise and multiply. The service was extremely friendly. Definitely friendlier than average for any quick service place, despite, as someone else suggested, a few rude customers. One suggestion, they have the Wow Bao logo on the paper bag, but not the plastic for combos. They should do this so people can see these as you walk down the street! I'll definitely be back here...
(4)
Chanele B.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in the Loop (and also one of the places that won't break the bank). It's fast, the service is friendly (I've seen some rude customers, and even then the service maintained), and it's good. I can be one of those annoying people that worry what is in things, but my first impression of Wow Bao was positive when I asked about ingredients and they were able to produce a list. The facility seems clean enough, too, which is a bonus. Location is a real selling point, and when I lived in this area, I could count on Wow Bao for reliable, fast service. (I wish the same could be said for the Potbelly's across the street, which probably has the worst service in the city, but that's another review.)
(4)
Liz G.
This Wow Bao, like it's sibling in the Water Tower, should be at 4 stars but I'm taking one away because of the hours. This location closes at 8 on the weekdays. In the summer! The baos are still very delicious but when you get there at 8:07 and stand outside wondering why the doors won't open you don't get to eat any of that deliciousness. But if you happen to be around here when they are open, stop in for a cheap meal. Made even cheaper with a 4square check in, I only foursquare for the discounts!
(3)
Jessica K.
You know the old saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover"? If I were writing this review based on my initial reaction to opening my bowl of food, I would give Wow Bao one star. I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki bowl (and an edemame bao b/c I'd had one before and they're SO GOOD), and was super excited for lunch. Quinoa! I love quinoa so much! Anyhow, I brought my food back to work, opened up the bowl and was pretty sure they'd gotten my order wrong. There was cilantro EVERYWHERE. I hate cilantro (I'm one of the "it tastes like soap!" people), and it was definitely the last thing I expected. Also, the Chicken looked like beef and had weird pepper-looking flakythings, which I assumed would make the food spicy, which I was just not in the mood for. However, having paid for it and being hungry, I picked off the cilantro ate it. And then I freakin' inhaled it, because it was DELICIOUS. Just to back up real quick: I went around lunch time (scary lunch rush), and while it was crazy busy, every who worked there was friendly AND everyone's orders were pretty prompt! If you're a picky eater, just clarify what you don't want on your food. I've started doing that, rather than asking what stuff comes with and wasting people's time. Also, of course, the whole wheat edemame bao was awesome. And, bowl of food + one bao, still less than ten dollars. Heck yes I'll be back!
(4)
Lauren H.
Nice place to go and get some hot Asian buns. It's super convenient in the Loop and you can avoid the line and order at one of 2 kiosks. Eating inside can be tough during lunch hour, but I am always able to grab a seat. I usually get the chicken noodle soup with a bao. The Thai chicken curry and Mongolian beef are a-ok. Try the coconut custard, it's really yummy. I wouldn't go out of my way for one of these, but I'll definitely be back for lunch. By El: right off the State and Lake stop in the Loop.
(3)
Natalie D.
I remember coming to Wow Bao the very first time I went to Chicago. I tried one of their rice bowls and was underwhelmed. A couple years later, I was eager to try it again because my mom brings home their bao almost every weekend and it tastes so good. They have two kiosks outside where you can order your food to go or for dine-in. Great for convenience! The workers are friendly and I like how clean it is inside. Also, their oatmeal is SO GOOD. It's hand-rolled oats with Chinese red dates, goji berries and brown sugar (you can opt out of any one of these add-ons). Seriously, I wish they had this available for delivery to Houston. And since it's only available in the morning, I wish they extended breakfast until 11 (breakfast stops at 10). They may or may not run out of oatmeal closer to the end of breakfast time, so it helps to call ahead of time to make sure they're in stock. As for bao, I'm a fan of their BBQ Pork, Mongolian Beef and Edamame. Yum! I make my own chili sauce at home (vinegar, sombal and Maggi) to dip them in and it's really good. Wish they had a place like this in H-Town. It's convenient, quick and easy. Is it the best bao I've ever had in my life? Of course not. But I love places that provide hospitality and efficiency. It's an easy place for a quick lunch or to buy a couple boxes and keep in your freezer for future use. Hot Asian buns. I'm a fan.
(5)
Tom X.
Having walked past this place more than a few dozen times in the past, it looks like a super americanized chinese restaurant from the outside... and the name itself doesn't really yell authentic chinese food either so I was not expecting a whole lot from this place. While feeling in the mood for some chinese food and having a hard time finding a viable option on a saturday in the loop while being too lazy to goto chinatown, we stumbled into this place really expecting to fill our stomachs and nothing more. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by what we got. First of all, the kiosks for ordering outside the restaurant definitely lends a modern touch to the place. It actually makes ordering alot easier as one can browse and choose things at his leisure, which I very much love. Now this might be different during busy weekday lunch hours but you can always skip the kiosk and order inside, so choices are always good. Got the 1) Bao: the spicy mongolian was by far the best, followed by the thai curry and bbq pork..... and a distant last in my book was the spicy kung pao chicken. The bao all tasted like what you'd expect when you steam frozen bao that you can get at any chinese grocery store. It's not bad, just overpriced for what it is methinks. 2) Spicy Sesame Noodles: now this was pretty darn good, in general it's pretty hard to screw up sesame noodles but nonetheless, not bad. 3) Spicy mongolian beef bowl with noodles: this was AMAZING, loved it. You just have to try this for yourself. I would probably go back next time just for this dish.
(3)
Amy N.
My friend and I went to the city a few days ago and we were in the mood for steamed buns so we searched online and found this place. It looked pretty good from the reviews, so we decided that we would try it out. I ordered a BBQ pork steamed bun and chicken pot stickers, but I didn't know that the steamed bun was going to be really small! Otherwise, I would've ordered two or three! But regardless of that, it was still really good, and so were the pot stickers! I wish there was a location closer to where I live, but I'm definitely going to be coming back to try out the other steamed bun flavors and some of their other items on the menu!
(4)
Raul N.
While wandering around downtown, my friend and I passed a Wow Bao shop. I'm a big fan of dumplings and buns, which are sadly all too hard to find back at home. Since my stomach was grumbling, I figured I'd pop in for a quick snack before we could sit down for a proper lunch later in the afternoon. These are certainly an Americanized take on classic steamed buns, with more gourmet ingredients and unusual fillings--I doubt you'd find pumpkin bao over in Chinatown. My friend and I ordered three steamed bao buns to share: the curry chicken, Kung pao chicken and the pumpkin dessert bun. The buns were very light, steamed ever so gently. Steamed bao are surprisingly delicate and all too often turn gummy or sticky, especially under mass production, so I was impressed by the texture of the buns here. The fillings were flavorful--the curry had a touch of sweet and savory, the kung pao chicken was sweet and spicy. There was a good ratio of meaty filling to the light bun. I wasn't sold on the pumpkin bun--it was flavorful, with hints of cinnamon, but I'm not convinced the combination of pumpkin pie filling worked with the texture and flavor of the steamed bun. Is this the most authentic Chinese street food? Not exactly, but it's a nicer option for a cheap and fast lunch--or snack--on the go.
(4)
Luna H.
I work in the same building and this restaurant is a life saver! It's really fast, food is great and the price is just unbeatable. Con: everything has a similar flavor so not for every day. UPDATE: Actually I am done with this place! I am sick of it already, so going from 4 stars to 3 stars right now! UPDATE: After 3 months working here, every time I walk in the building the smell is so strong that makes me want to vomit. Down to 1 star and the promise that I will never eat there again!
(1)
Christopher L.
Since I'm Chinese, I did not like Wow Bao. Believe me, I was excited to try it, but severely disappointed... we tried the panang curry bao and the pork/veggie potstickers. The bun itself is OK, but the flavor balance of the innards is just wrong =[ As for the potstickers, you'll be a lot happier with Linglings from Costco!
(2)
Sneha P.
Not sure why I love this place so much, but the thai chicken and mongolian beef bao make me happy. And I love that I can order on the machines outside inside of standing in line. Good for a quick snack when downtown.
(4)
Neetha V.
Healthy and Tasty Bao's! All my friends and family miss the Bao they tasted, when they visited us in Chicago...A Bao as an appetizer, Bowl of rice and Coconut/Choclate Bao as a dessert!! Full course meal under $9!! One of the my fav places and must visit places in Downtown Chicago.. Can't complain about the location!! In water tower place!! Get tired shopping, get refreshed with a couple Bao's :)
(5)
Christina J.
I love buns (bao zi) and Wow Bao does them very nicely. I had the BBQ pork buns with some pork and cabbage dumplings. Both items were delicious. Next time I go, I'll have to try a different bao along with a rice or quinoa bowl and report my findings. Customer service was pretty good, especially if you're undecided and the cooks are pretty quick at getting the food out. Give it a try if you haven't yet.
(4)
Fred G.
Wow Bao is a very trendy restaurant with good food. I've had their rice bowls, salads, bao and pot stickers; all of which were delicious. My coworkers and I often eat lunch at Wow Bao. On one occasion there was construction/repairs being done on the ceiling, which required most of the seating area to be closed. We only go to Wow Bao because we want to eat there, and when the owner overheard our unhappiness about having to eat our food elsewhere, he promptly offered to move the "caution" tape away and set up a table for us. My favorite things about Wow Bao are the service and trendiness. My least favorite thing is that the price is a little higher than other options in the area.
(4)
Amy H.
It makes me laugh when I see the "People Love us on Yelp" sticker on the door of Wow Bao, because I remember that my review for this place is mainly about my friend's rump. I've been back to Wow Bao a few times since I wrote that review and have not had any baos. I have discovered the wonderful Thai herb broth, which is perfect for a cold winter's day. Also, the ginger tea is delicious. The pot-stickers aren't too bad either. I mainly go for the herb broth, but today when I went to Wow Bao I saw a bowl of mongolian beef that the guy in front of me had ordered and I think I might try that next. Bottom line: I do not like baos, but I will go to Wow Bao and eat the other non-bao options. :)
(4)
Kelly R.
A good friend of mine suggested one night that we "Bao it". What a neat place! I was new to these hot Asian buns, and found something that I like! It's not type of food I would eat regularly, but a really good taste of something different. I liked the teriyaki chicken and bbq pork bao. Can't beat the inexpensive choices.
(4)
Shalin D.
Here are the top 5 reasons to go to Wow Bao: 1. When you crave Asian food (Chinese, Thai, whatever) but you don't want to wait 30 minutes for take-out, delivery, or walking/driving/busing/training to a restaurant. 2. When you feel like a fatty but still want a taste of Thai Curry or Teriyaki. 3. When it's cold outside and you want something warm and hot chocolate just won't cut it. 4. When it's hot outside and you're sick of cold coffee get the hibiscus iced tea here instead. 4a. Scratch that: get the home-made ginger ale. 5. When you're walking to the Clark/Lake stop from work and you realize it's 9 PM and you don't want to cook... not even mac 'n' cheese from the blue box.
(5)
Lauren D.
As I looked around the restaurant most everyone appeared to be enjoying these white fluffy savory balls filled with meat......or as the sign at the restaurant indicated "Asian Steamed Buns." Like the old movie, "When Harry Met Sally," I said to my husband, "I'll have what she's having!" The Baozis were definitely ubiquitious and ethereal! We indulged in the bar-b-que pork Baozi (Bapao). I would describe these as the Asian equivalent to sandwiches in the West or a delectable Empanada (only not fried), but not a dumpling. With a savory meat, and in some cases vegetable filling wrapped in dough and steamed, they make a complete meal that can be eaten on the go. You like tomato and I like tomahto. Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto....Who cares how these are spelled or pronounced! Purse-shaped bao zi (roughly translated as "wrapped around thing") are made with a fluffy, sweet, yeast-leavened dough housing sweet or savory fillings and are regarded as their own species: Steamed Buns. The texture of the dough was smooth, light and springy. They were exquisitely shaped. We really enjoyed our bar-b-que pork Baozis which contained the perfect amount of meat. We ordered the box of six for $9; we also ordered the combination spicy noodles with six pot stickers (one was chicken pot stickers; the other pork). The spicy peanut sauce came in a small plastic container with a lid, so one can make one's own noodles as spicy hot as one would like. The noodles are in a clear plastic container with fresh cilantro and served very cold. Don't expect them to be hot like the pot stickers. I dumped my noodles in the red bowl with my pot stickers. It worked. The only negative that we experienced was that we didn't know which pot stickers were chicken and/or pork. Both tasted the same -- we couldn't tell the difference. It came to $13 and change, but it was very average. Nothing spectacular. Traditionally, dumplings (such as pot stickers) were reserved for the most special, festive occasions of the year. They were associated with ringing in the Chinese New Year, Weddings and VIP Guests. They symbolized wealth, fortune and family. This is no longer the case today. When we went to China on vacation, we noticed that Baozi, or "Steamed Bun", is one of the staples of Chinese cuisine, sold and served up by street vendors and enjoyed anytime of the day. It is a popular breakfast dish in China. We really enjoyed the bar-b-que pork Baozis. NOTE TO SELF: Go back to China Town in Chicago to get the "authentic" not-so-Americanized Bao. (This restaurant is super small, cramped, tables are close together and there isn't a lot of seating space especially if you are with a large group. Good Luck finding a spot). Service was efficient and fast. Pay for your order, go grab a table ASAP, and listen for your number (they shout out the numbers). Pick up your food at the front counter and ask your friend, spouse or family member to "save" your table/seats.
(4)
Nessie V.
I love steam buns (bao) and potstickers. I just wish they had more kinds, especially more veg kinds. I also would prefer that they didn't have edamame in the bao and potstickers, as they create a jarring change in texture for me. Other than that, they were tasty and cheap and the service was top rate. I also like how you can order from online or with a kiosk outside. I'll eat here again when i'm around in the area, but eagerly await an expanded menu.
(3)
Amit G.
This local chain is awesome! Great, affordable, fresh, relatively healthy, fast food. Cool contemporary design, music and general atmosphere, and an efficient, fun way of utilizing technology (app, order kiosk). They should grow it into a national chain, sort of a Chipotle for Asian Food.
(5)
Michael K.
Wish we had one in NYC :-( Pumpkin buns were ridiculous when they were in season.
(4)
Betsy A.
For vegetarians, this place is a bit bland. Baos are a bit dry/ filling isn't too interesting (chopped edamame and carrots). Also had a noodle bowl - thick noodles with chopped edamame... 2 packets of soy sauce & chili sauce came on the side. Pricey for a small bowl of noodles and veggies ($12).
(2)
Kim L.
If I want something fast and filling in here at the kiosk Discovered this from a walk shopping Bought some bao for my parents and they are enjoying the flavors! I really enjoyed the hot broth tho the ginger ale was. Bit too sweet without the ginger bite
(4)
Anya A.
I was hungry and looking for something inexpensive. Wow Bao had a lot of different options from salads and noodles to potstickers and Bao. I decided to go with their signature item - Bao. I ordered the Thai curry chicken and the BBQ pork. My order was ready almost immediately. The Bao were fine, nothing exciting, but nothing was wrong with them either. While Wow Bao did not wow me, it is more than you would normally expect of fast food.
(3)
Todd N.
A modern, quick serve, fusion asian bun place??? Coming from LA, I've seen a lot of bao places but nothing like this! I loved the modern touch of this asian fusion restaurant as not only do they serve bao but also other asian noodle and rice dishes. I also love how they have multiple locations throughout Chicago, so you're never too far from one! My only critique about this place is that their hours aren't good as they should be open for breakfast hours! I wanted to get a fresh bao for breakfast just like I would get for dimsum but then I go all the way to any of their locations, and the earliest they open was 11am! Bao is traditionally served as part of dim sum and that's in the morning, and I know that they would be serving a lot of bao in the morning as a quick breakfast treat. Each bao is a little more than $1.50 each which is actually quite pricey for these little things especially compared to an asian restaurant. I got the bbq pork, whole wheat edamame, and apple cinnamon. I love how they have such an assortment of bao and really took bao and modernized it to include other flavors. I'm a fan of the bbq pork and the edamame one but the apple cinnamon was just gross. Maybe I couldn't help but think that the apple filling was like an apple pie but I was eating bao. For me, the flavors didn't mesh well.
(4)
Abhinav S.
Me and my brother were tired after going to comic con the previous day. Had some chinese food craving. Excellent place. We ordered the Spicy teriyaki bowl with jasmine rice, bun with sri racha chicken and bao with kung pao. Pao in Bao (Has a nice ring to it right?) It is a wee bit pricey, but the service is fast, place is hygienic and the meat/food quality was good and it was all delicious Go for it, you won't have any regrets
(5)
Yaofu Z.
Fast service. I like the ordering machine outside. I had four different bao and they are decent. They are basically frozen bao steamed for you. You can get the frozen ones probabaly for $4 a bag. With the price, I think their quality could be better. I also had the gingerale and it is standard.
(5)
Carley N.
This place is great! I went here for the first time this weekend and I am craving more. The service was fast, friendly, and efficient. The prices were fair. And the food was awesome. I had the teriyaki chicken with rice, a hoisin pork bun, and a thai curry chicken bao.
(5)
Noelle H.
My friend and I had just arrived from the airport with our luggage, and were walking to our hotel in the rain. We stopped here just for a quick bite. I ordered the spicy chicken steamed bun and she ordered the pork belly steamed bun. The spicy chicken was just chicken covered with sriacha. A bit pricy for what you get as well. Ehh, pass
(2)
Dee M.
May 2015 We were downtown and starving. We needed something quick and yelp said Wow Bao was nearby.They are like the fast food of Steamed buns and noodle bowls and dumplings. You could get a fountain soda or Drinks that were pre-poured and stored in a cooler and were very well priced. So was the food. We got both our noodle bowls and dumplings in a fast and efficient manner. The seating was comfortable and clean. The person taking our order was pleasant and professional. Good for a lunch on the run.
(3)
Rebecca B.
Wow Bao tends to be a tasty and reliable lunch or dinner option when I'm downtown. I think the star rating is pretty spot on - Wow Bao is A-OK. This location is incredibly convenient, and the service is usually pretty speedy, even during the lunch rush. I love the kiosks right outside the door that allow you to order electronically. Just follow the prompts on the touch screen, make your selections, run your card, and then wait for you number to be called. In my experience, ordering this way tends to be faster than ordering from the person at the counter, though it does mean that you have to use a card instead of cash. The chicken noodle soup has a generous serving of noodles and is pretty tasty, especially on colder days. It has been my go to lunch at Wow Bao all winter. The chocolate bao are pretty tasty if you are in the mood for dessert, just be aware that they are incredibly sweet and a little messy to eat. I also like the spicy Mongolian beef bao and the BBQ pork bao, though I'm not a huge fan of the curry or the teriyaki bao. I love to sip on the Thai herb broth when I'm sick - it is warm and delicious and makes me feel better. I am not a fan of the potstickers or dumplings, however. Both always seem kind of sad and flavorless. And the different bowl options (rice, noodles, etc) tend to be hit or miss. I do recommend double checking your order if you are getting carry out, as I have arrived back at work excited for my lunch, only to open the bag and find the wrong order one too many times.
(3)
Kendra N.
This place, along the lines of Chipotle and Noodles & Co, is delicious! All of the options are tasty and the menu is very simple. I've been here a handful of times since I live next door and I've always had a good experience - quick service and hot food! I'll usually get a rice bowl with a couple of baos and share it with my hubby - it's plenty of food for two for lunch. It's right on par price-wise with any other QSR. I'd definitely recommend giving this place a try if you haven't already!
(5)
Andreas D.
Love this Place, sometimes it appears that "weekends" are not as good as weekdays, staff is friendly and the manager is a class act - she defenetely runs his place in a good way.
(5)
Hanne G.
Good gluten buns (bao) ! I hd the BBQ pork and it was delicious, as good as high quality dim sum places. Service was super fast, and the location was super convenient for a quick snack In between sightseeing/shopping down town, and they have free wifi!
(4)
Fei C.
The worst the pork open bao I ever tried. The pork is dark and hard to chew. I also ordered dumplings and a normal bao. They were okay. At least this place is very fast. We got the food 5 minutes after we ordered.
(3)
Andrew S.
While this place is good for a quick meal, its not best. Its only good for one person meal, not for a group of 5.
(3)
Mark H.
Wow Bao is not so Wow. Like the concept but their execution is weak sauce. So I sampled their flagship product...the round steamed buns with inside fillings from teriyaki chicken to meats to even chocolate. This is ok. But what limits me to give only two stars are the other bowl and noodle dishes. The toppings are the same fillings you get from the buns which is really a sign of laziness on their part. Cheers to the end of a two visit love affair.
(2)
Anne T.
The place is good and affordable for downtown Chicago, but as other reviewers have mentioned, there are cheaper options in Chinatown and Argyle. Nonetheless, I appreciate their ability to innovate and create flavor combinations you do not typically see in a bao. My favorites are the thai chicken curry, whole wheat edamame, and coconut custard. The portions are fairly small and even for a small girl like me, it would take me three to four to be filled up for lunch. The vegetarian food options are really great. I would say I actually prefer their vegetarian options to their more traditional meat baos like the BBQ pork or teriyaki chicken. In my eyes, Lettuce Entertain You enterprises can never go wrong. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the Loop. I love to stop at their Water Tower location for a quick pick-me-up snack when shopping.
(5)
Jennifer C.
Wifi unacceptably slow. Pan fried potstickers were sub-par: falling apart, dry on the edges as if it came right from freezer to pan, the skins were also way too floppy. For 8 potstickers at $7, they could have done better. So this place was just ok. House music in the background was alright but a bit loud.
(3)
Chuck S.
I feel I cant give a fair review of this place. I liked it, I really did. But I would rather just go to China town and get some dim sum. I came here for lunch, I got a bowl with quinoa and some pork buns. It was good. But I just love the dim sum places in Chinatown so much better. I have a few problems, which others here have mentioned. The buns are smaller and more expensive then Chinatown. Now, I know this is in the loop and everything is more expensive, but I guess I was just under whelmed. I might go back, but I think you know where I would rather be...
(2)
Keri F.
Ok, I love this place. EVERY TIME I go to Chicago, we stop here. I think personally it's cuz we have nothing even close to this in Madison, but really, of the times I've tried dim sum style food, these are actually quite good (in the Americanized version). PLUS they have CHICKEN items, more than one! Most dim sum is pork. So really, you guys rock. Nom nom
(5)
Kimsy S.
Meh. I've been to the Wow Bao at Water Tower Place, and I was blown away. Excellent food and service. This location just doesn't seem like it's trying. The cashier practically rushed me through my order, even though there were no other customers behind me in line. Only part of my order was ready (not a problem), but the staff left the part that was ready on the counter (a problem, at least it didnt get completely cold). And the food is just average. The potstickers were bland, and the ends were overcooked. The Bao was delicious, but I would have liked more filling and less bread. Overall, if I happened to be near the Theater District and had a Bao craving, I'd come here. But I'm sure I can find better elsewhere.
(3)
Gerry S.
Two blocks from my home, and on my way to work. I should buy stock in Wow Bao, because then at least I'd get a return on the significant amount of money I will surely spend here in the future. Everything here is right. The food is perfectly sized so you can eat as little or as much as you want. The flavors are all that you love about Asia - curries, soy, ginger, star anise - and without too much mental stretch, you can convince yourself you're making healthy choices. Add to it the fact that this is essentially street food - meaning it's PORTABLE - and yeah, I'm going to eat here a LOT.
(5)
Sandra T.
3.5 stars Had a craving for Asian food during our trip to Chicago and decided to step in to Wow Bao for an afternoon pick-me-up. This isn't like any Asian place that's dirty and delicious, it's half the opposite - its modern, clean but still delicious. My husband and I shared a combo with two baos (thai chicken curry, spicy mongolian beef), one rice bowl (kung pao chicken on jasmine white rice), and one homemade ginger ale. The menu is pretty well organized. You first decide just small snacks like baos, potstickers, or something bigger like a noodle or rice bowl. You then choose what meat or filling you'd like, and if a bowl then you choose your bed of carbs you want the filling to sit on. Menu is large enough and not overwhelming that it makes you stand there for 10 minutes deciding what you want. They had other stuff on the menu but I didn't pay much attention to it. Both the baos and the rice bowls we had were pretty good!! Pretty fresh tasting and soothing for my Asian soul. I'm not a ginger fan but my husband really loved his ginger ale as it was extra ginger'y compared to your regular canned stuff. Would recommend if you wanna grab something small or quick! Not AMAZING but pretty good.
(3)
Sherry Y.
Relatively gorgeous venue. Who wouldn't want this location? It's a commuter dream with a prime view. Wow Bao does a great job with their modern, contemporary decor. For what it is, Wow Bao does its job. However, I'm not sure it lives up to the name. For the price of a set here, I can probably eat a full and richer meal in Chinatown. I think this place is trendy and cute, but probably not for those seeking out a more budge-friendly approach. Wow Bao, despite it's name, develops decent cuisine for an above average price.
(3)
Terri C.
So I know it's fast food, but I really love steamed buns. This place had a nice variety. They are not like real steamed buns, but instead kind of like Chinese food in a steamed bun. The buns were the right temperature and were well labeled. This was a great grab-and-go option. Each bun was 1.89 but a six pack with 1099. my favorite was the Thai chicken but I also enjoyed the edamame and the dessert coconut cream. I plan to go back.
(5)
Jessie C.
Despite the mediocre reviews I had to try this place since I love buns of all cultures. 3 baos and a ginger ale came out to $9.50 or so. The baos were filling enough for a quick lunch but they were a lukewarm salty and sweet mess. The two savory baos tasted the same - salty and sweet. I just couldn't get over how quickly they came out, how lukewarm and dry they were. When I think of baos, I think of steaming hot buns that you have to hold with your fingertips and the filling steaming in a moist bun when you open it. Not these baos... But the ginger ale was really good, very gingery, not too sweet.
(2)
Ragan M.
I enjoy eating here. The buns and the potstickers are delicious. One day I had a co-worker try it and he agreed so delicious. The staff were really nice especially on my first visit when I had a million questions on the menu.
(5)
Shuang Y.
Good version of Dim Sum from China, although changed quite a bit comparing to the original Baozi version, but still good enough for a quick lunch or dinner. Would come again~
(4)
Rachel A.
There's certain guilty pleasures associated with hotel stays. Room service, roof top partying, bubble baths, trysts, chocolate chip cookies, and my personal favorite: Wow Bao! To say I was a little obsessed with Wow Bao during my Chicago trip is an understatement. I think I stopped by every day for a week. It first started off with a potsticker snack and then it fueled to every day baos. I tried all the flavors and mixed and matched. We first did individual meals and then said, "Who are we kidding?" Six packs it were! Wow Bao was all too easy to acquire and consume. It was located across the street from The Wit and near the el train. We could have baos in two minutes if we wanted. On one of the nicer days we washed them down with hibiscus iced tea while sitting in front of Crown Fountain. Very refreshing and relaxing. Wow Bao is not exactly authentic Chinatown dim sum. It's Americanized and for the masses. However, I liked it. I liked it a lot. It was affordable and delicious. The bao was like pillows of dough and stuffed with tasty innards, all with a distinct flavor. My favorite was the thai curry chicken. The whole wheat edamame was also good. They were really all great and I wouldn't limit myself to just one or two flavors. We even tried the dessert ones. Wow Bao is perfect for lunch. They have salads and soups if you need something a little more filling. If you want to avoid the line you can even pre-order at the computer kiosk outside of the shop. Inside is sleek and clean. Service is friendly and quick. I prefer Wow Bao much more over Potbelly. So yum!
(4)
Linda M.
This place seemed so interesting. However, I just did not care for the buns. I tried the chocolate, spicy Mongolian beef, and teriyaki chicken buns. I don't know what they put in it (maybe a little ginger and something) to make them taste like Asian food. However, I just don't like them.
(1)
David N.
On my last trip to Chicago, our living quarters was literally right around the corner, so each day when we got on the rail we would walk right past it. It was not on my places to try so we just kept on walking. On this particular trip it wasn't on our list of places to check out but we were about an hr earlier to go to the airport so we decided to stop by for a late lunch. We ordered a wide variety of baos. My gf had them on her last trip and swore by the bbq pork. Luckily, I didn't dive all in because we both agreed they were just meh this time around. I tried the mongolian beef and curry chicken baos and both were terrible. I was ready to write this place off until my very last bao. The coconut custard! DAMN this thing is amazing. I had to get 2 more to go, which was devoured at the airport. Skip all the meat ones and just get the coconut dessert bao.
(4)
Valerie B.
I liked this place even though my and my friends order got a little screwed up. It was fine because the baozi we ordered was good. Lucky we didn't get a mix up with one we don't like. I love love that you can read which baozi is which from the wrappers on the bottom. That's so handy! And cute. Sorry but their ginger ale is disgusting. I like ginger ale but obviously, I've learned, just the soda stuff you get in supermarkets. This homemade stuff was terrible. Guess it kinda hurts that I hate ginger. Ha ha whoops.
(4)
Allan C.
I wouldn't come here. I had a review a couple years back talking about how I should give Wow Bao a chance because I'm a fan of the Kolache factory. yelp.com/biz/kolache-fac… Fuck that. I've now given them a chance and I'm not a fan. The baos here are on the super sweet side, high on the ginger side. Not just the filling was sweet, but the dough itself was super sweet too. They're on the small side, and thus, on the expensive side. I was really hoping I could have a decent lunch here for under 5 bucks but no luck. Of all the things they could have chosen for "takeout stir fry in a bun", I think they could go with a lot of other routes that are healthier and just plain better.
(2)
Joe P.
Way back when, like during Qin's Wars of Unification--you know, the war when the Qin state conquered the six other major states in China to unify the country under the Qin Dynasty (see Jet Li's 2002 movie titled "Hero")--all those Chinese warriors woke up to sharpening swords and munchin' on their Boazi, a breakfast food in China. Likely, those baozi were probably the last things those warriors ate prior to sacrificing their lives for Emperor and country. Wow Bao has accurately captured this precious notion. When I walk into the Renaissance Hotel lobby, order my Wow Bao form two robots outside, and pick up my food without ever having to talk to a human being, I feel like the bao was specially made for me, and I get all warm and fuzzy inside. (they're alright)
(4)
Travis L.
This placs was simply delicous! I love how your able to customize your food experience! The food was simply amazing and the food portions are great! The food only took a couple of minutes to serve and the location was perfect! The only reason it's not a five star is because I am quite picky with food and there was very little sauce added to my meal. Besides that this place is a must! :-)
(4)
Srishti K.
I'll admit it -- I was wow'd. I got the combo with 2 baos and the spicy peanut noodle (all for $6.29). For the baos, I tried the Kung Pao and Teriyaki chicken flavors. I loved both of them, but I really liked the sweet kick of the Teriyaki chicken. My friends, however, swore by the Kung Pao. The bao tends to be heavier on the breadier side as opposed to the filling side. I think the ratio is perfect. The only thing I found disappointing was the my side of spicy peanut noodles. It is a cold salad and I just didn't like the peanut sauce. It tasted a bit vinegar-y to me... I will definitel be coming back here for quick and yummy lunch. Tips/Comments: - Get 3 to 4 baos will fill you up - Craving a snack at home? Buy the frozen baos. They are easy to heat and absolutely addictive.
(4)
Sherwin C.
Neat idea -- nice atmopshere, hip decor, quick service buns that are decently sized. Tons of flavor choices like teriyaki chicken, bbq pork, spicy mongolian beef, coconut custard, chocolate, thai curry chicken, etc. The bun itself isn't bad but for me the filling falls quite short of expectations. More like a Panda Express or Noodles & Company type flavor instead of an authentic asian flavor. If that's the taste you like, you will absolutely love WoW Bao.
(3)
Jay L.
Based solely on the hot buns and soups, Wow Bao is a 3 in my book. The only bun that stood out was the Thai Curry Chicken, that was the best of the bunch. The whole wheat edemame was also not too bad. But the rest I would not get again, the teriyaki chicken and the spicy Mongolian beef tasted the same. I had the check the labeled paper to figure out what I was eating. The spicy Kung pao chicken was bland. Neither the spicy Kung pao or the spicy Mongolian beef were actually spicy. The thai herb broth was too salty and the dumpling noodle soup was just average. Besides the food, the service was great. I would still drop by in a pinch for the thai curry and edemame.
(3)
Beatrice G.
The place is overpriced for the amount of food you get. Other than that, I enjoyed the kung pow bowl with nappa cabbage. The seats were mildly annoying...things kept slipping over, meh. Don't bother with the open bao if you are starving, its bite size.
(3)
Lelani L.
4* - Located inside the Renaissance Hotel but right off State street 2* - thai noodle soup with chicken. Not authentic at all 2.5* - Kung pao chicken bao. Filling is kind of mushy but the bun was soft (not soft & slight sweet like the real deal) 3* - chicken pot stickers. Taste like generic frozen potstickers. Best thing is the ginger dipping sauce 3* - bbq pork bao. Bottom line- always go to a chinese establishment for your baos.
(3)
Seri V.
Hmm....not the best but okay for asian fusion. The size of the bao was so small... It took me like 2 bites and all of it was gone. Flavor was okay but I would honestly just go to Chinatown for bao. My hubby ordered the Mongolian beef bowl and it was basically ground beef stir fried with oyster sauce and some ground pepper served over rice. Flavor was lackluster and I wouldn't recommend anyone to get that bowl. If you really want a quick bite then I'd recommend this place to just help relieve those tummy growls until dinner. The only thing I really liked about this place was that there was a kiosk where you order first and then just go in and pick up your food. We didn't wait long for our food since we didn't have to wait in line to order at the register.
(3)
Shane R.
Tricked me with their cool marketing! Everything is pre-made. I got it in like 30 seconds. The potstickers were soggy and unsatisfying. Didn't finish my bowl. It day covered in cilantro.
(2)
Braden K.
on my way back home I was rushing to catch my flight!! zamn, east coast to west coast on an empty stomach? no-can-do! I saw this spot, looked interested so I popped in for a bite ordered the Edamame whole wheat bao and one spicy Mongolian bao **If I had three hands, id give the spicy mongolian three thumbs up **If I had four hands, id use one hand to throw that whole wheat edamame blob as far as I could while the other three fed me spicy mongolian baos. +PLUS 1: there are these cool ATM looking devices outside that you can order from, there wasnt any line at all but I did it anyways! by the time I walked the four steps from the ATM-esque machine to the chef he was already bagging the BAOS! bao bao!
(4)
Erin D.
I was walking around Chicago, and the name intrigued me, so I stopped in. This place gets four stars for service. Hands down, it's one of the fastest I've ever experienced. I LOVE the electronic ordering kiosks outside the restaurant. You can still order at the counter if you have questions, but at the kiosk, you pick your items (as an Asian, I didn't really have any questions, even my first time visiting), swipe your credit card, and within 3 minutes, your number is called. FYI if you get a drink at the kiosk, just take it from the drinks area (to the left of the counter). I give two stars for the food, for an average of a three star rating. The pau (as we call it in my family) is a white dough on the outside. I prefer the brown buns, which are typically sweet and sticky on the outside. Oh well. I tried a few different kinds. The Thai curry did not appeal to me at all (but hey, I tried). The BBQ pork bun was okay, but I've had better in Houston. It had an odd texture inside. I also ordered the gyoza. They were ok, but I can make better ones at home. I would've prefered they were pan-fried more. I paid less than $15 for three buns, gyoza, and a drink. I suppose that's not too bad for Chicago downtown. I'm sure there are better places to eat elsewhere, but if you want fast service, this is the place!
(3)
Karen C.
I love me some hot asian buns. The perfect lunch is either the potsticker or bun combo, and then add on a chocolate bun for dessert because duh. Good shizz, my friends. Good shizz indeed. All this for roughly $8 makes for a delightful bun lovin' good time.
(4)
Andrew H.
Love this place. Whenever I'm hungry, downtown, and in need of a quick bite, I usually save a few dollars and my appetite for a visit. The different baozi are great (tho, I haven't tried the dessert ones), and the potstickers are also tasty. My favorite is a cold noodle salad with a spicy peanut sauce. Hao chi! I have had better ( and chinatown is a good place for more authentic faire ) but for convenience to downtown, it's hard to beat Wow Bao
(4)
Brooke K.
The Thai Curry Boa is perfection. I could have eaten 100 of them. So light, fluffy and so flavorful! I also had the beef boa and the Kung poa chicken bowl over ramen. Both were just ok and I wouldn't get them again.
(4)
Hillary M.
Who doesn't love a hot bun snack while shopping? It's not your typical mall munchie - it's even better! My husband and I had the Mongolian beef bao which was outstanding, and the kung pao chicken bao - also good but not as good as the beef. Next time, I'd opt for the dessert bao buns!
(3)
Selena L.
If you don't want to wait in line (especially during lunch), use the kiosk outside and get your food faster than those in line at the cashier. Fave: curry chicken bowl and/or bao.
(4)
Liya M.
Innovative and super-easy electronic ordering screen, delicious baos (which means a lot coming from a Chinese native who is picky about her buns)! Especially the edamame bao.
(5)
Karen L.
Tried the Food Truck version of Fat Bao at Spring Awakening. I can't say it was great..just wasn't feeling the hype I guess. Coming from an Asian background, the little bread pockets weren't all that special. The bread/meat filling proportions was pretty much all bread. Meat was slightly under-seasoned. Def overpriced. Could be way better!
(2)
Sarah D.
I give four stars for their free wifi, unlimited refills of intelligentsia coffee, and being generous with giving away free bao, oatmeal, or drinks via their text message system. However, I take away one for the size of the bao. I'm accustomed to some massive, big ol' bao. Their baby baos seem a bit small for the price. Pros: wifi, free stuff, refills on dranks, super super friendly staff. Cons: small bao to price ratio.
(4)
Jennifer N.
We ordered three things: the coconut custard bao, the kung pao bao, and the passion fruit ginger ale. The kung pao bao was "meh." However, my hubby was in with the coconut custard bao and I was in love with their passion fruit ginger ale. I think we stopped by Wow Bao about four times during our weekend in Chicago just to get these two over and over again. These two items are probably the only reason they deserve four stars, everything else on the menu just doesnt seem significant enough for me to want to try. TIP: This location has a touch screen order system right outside the door. It's so easy to use and your order is pretty much done by the time you finish paying. I ordered once and saw a line inside and my food was done way before the people in the line. I guess they didnt see the machines right outside the door.
(4)
Marni P.
As a fan of steamed buns I was very excited to try this! Seven different bun choices including chocolate. It's right off of State and Lake. The people were friendly, very helpful and had great suggestions. However the buns themselves were a bit dissalointing. I'm one of those people to whom cilantro tastes like soap and there was quite a cilantro presence. So unfortunately, all the buns but the chocolate one were soapy to me. If you are a cilantro fan, you will love them though! I might try this place again for their dumplings, noodles or bowls but I'm thinking there will be a cilantro presence. Plus, it's right next to Protein Bar so I would just rather go there.
(3)
Katie P.
I decided to give this place a try for a late lunch yesterday. Pretty quiet when I came in, but the cashier still was acting really rushed. If you don't know what you want, order outside on the weird kiosk things so you can take your time. I got the mongolian beef bowl and two bao, the bbq pork and the thai chicken. Sooo disappointed when I saw the bowl. Look up mongolian beef on google images. Then come back to me. Not hamburger helper meat right?? Well here they serve you ground beef. The taste was okay but it wasn't what I was looking for at all. I didn't realize that they just use extra bao filling to make the bowls. Mehhh The baos though... I was surprised by how good they were. I love bbq pork bao and this one was really good. Yes, it doesn't taste like a traditional one, but if ya really went to a LEYE chain to get authentic bao, thats on you. The thai chicken was okay too though I'd try a different flavor if I went back. Overall, if I was in the loop and needed a snack, I'd grab a couple bao from here. But not the bowls. Nope.
(3)
Kendall G.
The worst Asian food I've ever had. The food was overly spivey, yet lacked flavor. Bao buns were equally as bad. Redeeming part of the restaurant was the potstickers. They were atleast edible.
(1)
Dex Y.
I know what the authentic bao tastes like, so I used to think this place was just some wannabe nonsense. It turned out their stuff actually tasted good, and my favorite is the BBQ flavor. Still not the authentic bao you would find in China, though. Don't try their bottled juice cuz those are effing expensive!
(4)
Peter N.
Modern concept on bao, laid back place to hang out and grab a bite! Had the following: Homemade original ginger ale: this drink is so awesome, and refreshing, do they sell this by the gallon? Pork and cabbage potstickers with soy-ginger sauce: these were delicious, but nothing special Six pack bao consisted of: Teriyaki chicken, Spicy kung pao chicken, Whole wheat edamame, Thai curry chicken, Spicy mongolian beef, and BBQ pork. My favorites has to be BBQ pork, teriyaki chicken and spicy mongolian beef. The others are also delicious, but I prefer the others. Count me in on the next visit!
(4)
Mindy L.
Easy ordering system, convenient location, and alright food. Chicken pot stickers were as expected from a fast-food place - unimpressive but not bad. The BBQ pork bao was more flavorful than the other items, but not great.
(3)
Mary K.
The baos themselves are such a letdown. It was like eating steamed dinner rolls with meh-flavored fillings. I had the Teriyaki and the Mongolian baos and they were both disgusting, the Teriyaki more so. It also didn't help that the wrapper literally stuck to the bottom of the bao so I either had to eat the wrapper or remove nearly a fourth of the bao to get the stupid thing off. Thankfully I had spicy Mongolian beef over lo mein noodles before I delved into those softened, steamed, play-dough puffs, otherwise I would've easily just thrown all that food out. The Mongolian beef and noodle bowl is the only redeeming quality about this place.
(3)
Ben B.
Mmm mmmm! Tasty! :) A rollercoaster visit. I showed up an hour before closing time - it was nice and quiet. Ordered on the touch-screen terminal outside the front door (a really nice touch and super efficient to use) and then stepped up to the counter. However.... None of my food was available :( Spicy peanut noodles was all out, and pretty much all of the buns I wanted weren't available either. However - this was expertly rescued by the staff, who suggested the other flavors I should go for (while being very encouraging about how tasty they would be!) and also offered me an extra bun for free as an apology. The noodle salad I ended up with (she described it as pad thai but honestly it was nothing like that) was 'ok' - nothing special and rescued from total disaster by the sesame dressing, but the buns were DELICIOUS. Not authentic at all, but that didn't stop them from being really really moist, well-proportioned and super super tasty. I had the mongolian beef and teriyaki chicken. Really really good, and very good value too. Not many sub-$10 dinner places out there in this city!
(4)
Reyna F.
I absolutely love Wow Boa!! The Baos are delicious and the teriyaki bowl is to die for as well. The staff is not The friendliest, but if you're looking for a quick yummy Asian lunch, Wow Bao is the place to go!!
(5)
Kevin W.
Amazing food. Amazing service. Point blank period. If you're looking for a quick bite grab some bao for sure. If you're looking for a dinner you can still come and get a bowl, with a side of bao of course! You just have to get bao If you come in!!
(5)
Liam A.
hot asian buns #same Great prices, wide assortment of bun types/flavors, close proximity to where I work, and a thai iced coffee that's just right. Wow Bao has it all covered in terms of a quick lunch get-away. It goes without saying that the line is out the door during lunchtime (there are two computerized kiosks outside for faster ordering) and they sometimes will unfortunately tell you that they're out of a certain bun flavor/type but apart from that this a great place to grab a quick bite! During less busier hours I'm often in and out in 5 minutes! You can't beat that. Try the Bao combo for ~$7. It comes with two choices of buns and a side salad/noodles (I recommend the spicy peanut noodles mmmmm). If you're deliberating between flavors I personally usually go for the Teriyaki Chicken, Curry, and BBQ Beef. Those have yet to fail me (not saying the other ones should be avoided though, try them all!). Great place as far as Americanized Asian cuisine goes.
(4)
Tiffany H.
Yum :-) love the hot sticky buns. I think I have tried all flavors and they are good as a snack or meal. The food is reasonably priced and delicious. I think the service is great at this location. The establishment is clean and pretty popular.
(4)
E S.
What a disappointment! Ordered the mongolian beef w/ noodles, plus potstickers, bao buns, kung pao noodles. Overall the potsticker was the best part. I would try other things on the menu, but not what i ordered.
(3)
Vivian T.
Excellent pan fried pot stickers. Mongolian beef bao also excellent. Not so keen on rice noodles - still stuck together. Overall pretty authentic.
(4)
Jennifer J.
Warm, tasty Asian buns. UM, YES? Hot and filling, the bao here are great on-the-go food for average prices. The pillow soft rice to flavorful filling ratio is pretty spot-on, and the insides are tasty without being greasy. The teriyaki chicken was definitely my favorite flavor, with the oh-so-sweet coconut custard coming in at a close second. I wasn't a huge fan of the bbq pork, which could have had more seasoning and fewer uncomfortably chewy pork bits (...fat?). The bbq pork also didn't taste like authentic bao that I've had before, but it has good flavor in its own right. Other fun facts: free wifi, great ginger beer, bicycle catering, and complete nutrition facts online Will def make it out here again to try the chocolate or chocolate banana bao. Yum
(4)
Christian P.
Consistently good and tasty, if not fabulous, buns / baos. Loved chocolate, curry chicken, kung pao. Liked Mongolian beef, coconut, apple cinnamon and pork ones. OK for the edamame one (I prefer with meat). Homemade ginger ale is good with them. Wishing now they open one in my hometown! hence, I could taste one of their bowls, salads,soups and dumplings!
(5)
Sally M.
I came here for dinner earlier this week, and generally found the buns to be *FAR* too dough-y / heavy / not proper seeming texture / too thick - too American-ized. Can I say all that given I am not Asian, btw?! If someone would like to correct me and school me (and they know more about bao than I and/or are Asian - i.e. know about it from years of family heritage / tradition / history) - by all means, please teach me/us. But generally, comparing this experience to restaurants in SF, I wasn't a fan. I sampled all 6 options, minus the 2 dessert options: - Teriyaki Chicken - Spicy Kung Pao Chicken - Whole Wheat Edamame (did not like!) - Thai Curry Chicken - Spicy Mongolian Beef - BBQ Pork The homemade ginger-ade was good, though. And it was cool to see a non-American food fast "slow" food. Props for variety. Not to mention the move away from predictability. (Also, I'm not a huge "American" [read: "American Traditional," not "American New"] food fan - if by this we're meaning hamburgers, hot dogs, and apple/cherry pie - or whatever [Also, what *IS* "American" food, since we're a country of immigrants?)
(3)
Nicha K.
I've been here many times and although I know that I can get just as good (ok, better) and cheaper baos in SF Chinatown... hey, I'm in Chicago and I want a bao. Well guess what, this is the perfect place to go. Every time I go to Chi-Town, I have to stop here and get a few buns. I love that they have different flavors (curry chicken, anyone? how about kung pao? are you vegetarian? how about edamame in a wheat bun?) I also love their herb soup. It's tongue-scalding hot pure (likely sodium-filled) broth but it just feels SO GOOD when you're a little hungover / have a sore throat / want something light and hot / hankering for some soup from home.
(4)
David C.
I love this fast food joint! I have come here several times and everything I have had thus far has been real good. On this visit I had the 2 bao and bowl combo...a great deal. I loved the BBQ and teriyaki baos both savory and sweet. The beef bowl was yummy too and had a slight kick. The attendant was very nice and animated and it seemed to me she must be the manager because she spoke Spanish to her employees and was providing exceptional customer service. I will be returning to this place very soon I am sure for more of these savory puffs!
(3)
Yvonne B.
Nice location with ample seating. It wasn't immediately clear which part of the counter to place my order or from where to pick up my food. It turned out that I was supposed to place my order by the registers. I asked for some baos that weren't on the morning menu but I was willing to wait five minutes for them to be steamed. I appreciated that they did that for me. I thought that my two six-packs of baos were pricey (a little over $20). I also found the charisma of the staff to be lack-luster. They were good and did their jobs but they weren't like the exuberant employees I encountered at other Wow Baos.
(4)
Fumie K.
Love their buns! Maybe a bit overpriced for just buns, but they taste great! My favorites here are the 'bbq pork', 'spicy kung pao chicken', and 'thai curry chicken'. Make sure you ask for the spicy chili paste to go with the baos for an added experience. Can't eat my baos without it now. Also if you're a Foursquare user, check-in to any of their locations for a free bao with purchase!
(5)
Lauren H.
Wow Bao is alright with me! I love the Chicken Teriyaki Baos and their ginger ale is ah-mazing!!! Their salads are tasty and I do enjoy their pot stickers, although they're not the best I've ever had. If you want "genuine" Chinese dumplings...and that's a serious pet-peeve for you...then perhaps you shouldn't come here. However, just give it a try. You may find something you like! :-)
(5)
Autumn V.
It's probably a good thing these aren't around in Minneapolis or I'd be just as round as these baos are. Haha. This place is delicious! The bao is slightly sweet and the fillings are so perfectly proportioned. And the chocolate coconut dessert bao is to die for. Heavenly. Mmmmm!
(5)
Kate Z.
Wow Bao, how are you so good? I've been a huge fan of Wow Bao since they opened at Water Tower Place. It fills me with joy to see them opening additional locations, including this one. My favorite baos are probably the Thai Curry Chicken and Coconut. If it wouldn't lead to an instant coronary, I could probably kill 2 or 3 coconut bao in a sitting, hungry or not. Their ginger ale is also extremely good, assuming you don't mind the strong natural flavor of ginger (Canada Dry it is not). It also helps that the bao are relatively inexpensive and service is fast.
(4)
Gino W.
In Near West Loop, restaurant offerings waffle between quick food and big box. Not a fan of either, and certainly not ever in the mood for a "fried" lunch, I was surprised to find a Wow Bao in the area. Thai curry rice bowl. Thai curry bao. Homemade ginger ale. Neither Thai options put me in the mind of any Thai curry dishes I have had. I like the rice bowl and the bao nevertheless. As to the ginger ale, when the cashier says to get it fresh instead of in the bottle, the recommendation is a winner. Wow Bao is not authentic Chinese or Thai. What they do is good enough, though. If you are looking for authentic Chinese, then China, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Toronto are where you'll find it. I'll even go as far as to say Chicago's China Town, but go with someone from China. Wow Bao is a pleasant Westernized escape in the meantime.
(4)
Julia K.
I stop by constantly since it's in the same building where I work. I grab 4 Bao for lunch, and I'm all set within 3 minutes. FAST food that's not gross! I highly recommend the Teriyaki Chicken and BBQ Beef bao. And fair warning: The chocolate bao was simply too much sweet/rich/overwhelming flavor for me. I'm not a huge fan of their limited menu, but since the bao are my favorite item anyway, I can't complain much.
(4)
Brittany K.
Wow Bao is a chain of bao restaurants. Boas are a steamed bun with spice meat, like BBQ pork or mongolian beef, on the inside. If you haven't had one yet, put them on your short list. This location is right next to a stop on the loop. The bao are tasty and the service is fast since most items are pre-made. The dining area consists of slightly asian designed plastic chairs and high tables. There is an order kiosk right outside the doors if the line is long. Bottom line: Bao are tasty and portable. Try them anywhere including chains.
(3)
Xi Z.
My work buddy and I returned here for lunch after encountering a heavenly aroma wafting out when we walked past it a few weeks ago. A super nice worker offered us samples of their pomegranate ginger ale, which was amazing, even though we weren't ordering. Sadly, we weren't greeted by the same delicious smells when we returned, but that didn't deter us. Service: 5 stars I attempted to order the 2 bao and side combo at the kiosk, but couldn't pick two different bao :( so I went in line and it was basically just as fast. My order came out to about $7. My friend ordered a bao and a bowl from the kiosk and it was quick and easy - her order was literally ready by the time we walked in, which took less than a minute?!? Mine was ready in about two minutes. Added bonus: since I was customer number 1 on their rotating queue, I got a free $5 coupon for next time!!! Food: 3 stars As for the food itself, it wasn't as great as the phenomenal service. As a Northern Chinese, I wasn't expecting much, given my experiences with homemade baozi. It was tasty, but clearly Americanized Chinese food, Northern instead of Southern this time, with way too much sugar (and peanuts... it wasn't bad but there were peanuts in literally everything). The Mongolian beef bao was waay too sweet but a good amount of spicy. I felt like it was more sauce than filling. The kung pao bao was better, but too much peanut again! Both were really tiny, like $0.25 cent-in-Chinatown tiny. The spicy thai peanut noodles were actually very good, and nicely spicy. It was obvious that the food was frozen so that was a little disappointing given the price. Also, I suspect that it contained a lot of MSG, because I was literally falling asleep ALL afternoon (a common occurrence for me, but not my co-worker). And I'm still pretty thirsty... This place is pretty overpriced, but if you don't care about your health, then it's a solid choice. Bottom line: I wouldn't return again (except I have that coupon...). You could probably get the same MSG-loaded meal in Chinatown for $3 and have it taste more authentic.
(4)
Kato A.
Better than average fast food. Bao filings were tasty, Pot stickers were good, salads were fresh and better than expected. Don't miss the pomegranate ginger ale. Unexpected and a big step beyond the usual fast food sodas.
(3)
Rachel S.
I stop by here frequently for lunch if i'm looking for something cheap and healthy-ish! big fan of the whole wheat edamame bao and thai herb broth. Portions are reasonable, and I can usually get lunch for around $7. If you're in the area, check it out!
(3)
Rebecca R.
Came here before hitting the Art Institute on Saturday afternoon. My partner in crime and I shared a Thai soup and one of each Bao. There were six total and each had a different flavor. Some of which I liked, and some that I would not order again. None of them were bad, just not as flavorful as the others. In my opinion, bao are pretty dry and I was hoping to find some kind of sauce to help me situation. There weren't any options without asking and the guys working the counter were trying to help someone who didn't now English very well. I was discouraged and just washed them down with water. So, it wasn't bad, but nothing to write home about. I will try something else next time.
(3)
Kristen W.
Stopped in here for lunch the other day, two baos is the perfect light lunch for me, and super light on the wallet. I had the spicy Mongolian beef bao and the BBQ pork bao. The beef was just okay probably wouldn't get that one again, but the BBQ pork was really good. Ill be back!
(3)
Mylan N.
Homemade original ginger ale is good. Not too bold. There's also a pomegranate ginger ale that sounds interesting. BBQ bao is ok. Not spectacular. I'm from houston and have tasted better at dim sum. Chicken flavored dumpling soup is sort of bland but that may be bc my tongue might be slightly frozen due to the cold weather. Note - defrost before trying. Overall - 3/5. Quick service, decent price, and ok food.
(3)
Jason S.
After spending the last 2 years in China I was surprised to find this place not far from my work. I must admit I was skeptical but this place is pretty awesome! They are pretty busy during lunch hour on weekdays but have a pretty good system for moving people through the line pretty fast. You can either order at one of the 2 kiosks outside or at the counter inside. I tried the 6 set of baozi with a glass of their homemade ginger ale. The ginger ale was phenomenal! I would come back to this place solely for it! For the baozi I mixed it up with some Thai curry, BBQ pork, teriyaki chicken, and the coconut desert one. Not surprisingly, my favorite one was the one frequently ate while in China, the BBQ pork. It was sweet and mildly spicy with a generous portion of delicious pork inside. The curry ones were really good as well although couldn't hold a flame to the BBQ pork ones. The teriyaki chicken one was my least favorite of the flavors that I tried. I'm sure if you love teriyaki chicken you will probably like it more than I did. The coconut desert bao wasn't too bad either. It was a nice finish to the meal but I think the next time I'll substitute it for another meat filled one. You can also order rice bowls and pasta dishes and combo them with 2 baozi if you are looking for something a bit heavier. The friendly staff and delicious food will keep me coming back again and again!
(4)
Heather H.
Stopped into Wow Bao for a quick bite after arriving at my hotel. We don't have these in DC but I was instantly intrigued by the set up and looking at the menu. I ordered at the kiosk outside of the restaurant door mainly because I wanted to play with the technology. I chose a combo that came with the Thai curry bowl with lettuce cups instead of rice along with a teriyaki chicken Bao and a BBQ pork Bao. For my drink I had the homemade pomegranate ginger lemonade. My meal was good. It was quick to come out but didn't feel like it was precooked and reheated. I would def eat here again and explore what else the menu has to offer. The only downside is my lettuce cups didn't have enough lettuce to match the amount of the Thai curry chicken they gave me. Otherwise all yum.
(4)
Dani R.
A bit above average pricing but this is downtown so this is expected. I love the Thai curry Chicken bowls with Jasmine rice! Baos are great and the place is convenient + quick. Always love coming here!
(4)
Patrick L.
Not exactly my type of place but overall, there were a lot of pluses. First, I like that you can place your order via a touchscreen. Second, it's nice to have the option to get no receipt, a paper receipt or an email receipt. Third, my order was ready before I even typed in my email address! Again, the food isn't quite my type. I ordered things which I'm experienced with since I don't like spiciness, however my stuff was still spicy. Probably just their style though. If it's your type of food then it's a great place to go.
(3)
M C.
Excellent. Delicious and the ordering system is really terrific.
(5)
Julia B.
Wow Bao was recommended to me by Aruna P and the friend I was visiting said it's worth having. We never planned a day to visit a location but came across it as we strolled along State Street towards dinner at Purple Pig - clearly, it was fate! The place is modern and sleek with high top tables. At $1.59 each, they're affordable and tasty. Both their Mongolian Spicy Beef and Thai Curry Chicken were delicious! Both fillings were full of flavor and the beef was indeed spicy. My friend, who is a vegetarian raves, about their Whole Wheat Edamame so she went for that. I didn't get to have a bite of hers but from her joyful face, I could tell it's as good as she remembers it. When I visit Chicago again, I'll give their Coconut Custard and Chocolate sweet baos a try!
(4)
Pete D.
The food was good, and the order mechanism was novel and interesting. I would definitely come back. The reason they get 5 stars today is because of the outstanding customer service they provided today, and it wasn't even to me. Let me tell you the story. A young lady dropped her order, with something hot in it onto her leg, and then the floor. The Wow Bao employees not only came out and gave her rags to clean herself off, but got her a new order and told her not to worry about it. Then, going above and beyond what one would expect in a fast food setting, a gallant employee went into the back somewhere and provided some aloe vera gel for the young lady's mild burn. A little human kindness is often so rare in a big city, and so today the employees of Wow Bao get 5 stars and my admiration.
(5)
Stephenie L.
Umm hot, delicious asian buns filled with tasty meat? UHH YES PLEASE. I tried the bbq pork and the teriyaki chicken. Though both were great, the teriyaki chicken was definitely the winner hands down. I'm not sure what I was expecting when it came to the price but it wasn't expensive and my belly was satisfied. No complaints! Best buns i've had in awhile.
(5)
Mindy M.
Clever in so many ways, it was fun to eat at Wow Bao. Beyond the novelty it wasn't good enough to merit a return trip. The Bao just aren't that great and everything else on the menu could be had somewhere else. It's cheap and the ginger drink is good. It's worth it to go once for the experience.
(2)
Vicki C.
FOOD: Got 2 baos- the pork bun and coconut custard. It doesn't compare to authentic steamed baos, but its not bad for fast food. Could have more flavor in both. TIP: Foursquare check in deal- buy one bao get one free! SERVICE: no wait, quick and friendly!
(3)
Tina S.
Interesting and creative concept for the most loved and easiest buns to eat. They have a variety of warm, fresh, yummy buns to eat right away or take out. You can also buy by the box to freeze at home. You can also get sides with your order. It's a fun and casual place to eat a quick lunch or snack. The customer service was fine. During peak hours, there could be a long line.
(4)
Tania S.
The night we arrived in Chicago, my husband and I were lost going to dinner and we walked by Wow Bow. As a interior designer I was quite impressed by their exterior as well as their interior design. Today I decide to go back and try this place out. I really love their hip and modern interior! The self ordering machines outside are great for those paying with a credit card. I ordered the pork and cabbage potstickers with ginger dressing and a Thai curry chicken bun. Both were very hot which was nice since its 30F degrees outside. The Thai Curry bun was pretty good. I've never had it before, in CA we usually see BBQ pork and some other ones but def. not Thai Curry. The potstickers were tasty but slightly over cooked for my taste. I would go back and try other items as a mid afternoon snack, probably not for a main meal.
(4)
Jennifer B.
Very disappointing. Shriveled up potstickers . Buns seemed like they had been sitting out for quite a while. Fast food at its worst. The only thing I enjoyed was their computerized ordering system.
(2)
Andrew G.
Had an order of potstickers and 2 bao at Wow Bao the other day, and of the orderonly one Bao was worth eating. The pork pot stickers were clearly of mass produced freezer variety. The skin was dry and tough and the filling was just ok. Potstickers are one of my favorite foods, and I was not at all impressed. The BBQ pork Bao was pretty good, nice flavor, bun was well steamed. The panang duck bun (a special) was not very good, not spicy enough for panang, and the filling was quite dry. I was so excited to see a bao restaurant downtown, but left very disappointed.
(2)
Violet V.
I love wow bao and I usually get my buns on Michigan Ave location but I was in the area and stopped by to get some quick lunch. Yummy! If you dont like buns, you can get them with rice on a bowl. I can eat the whole box!
(5)
Lola K P.
"HOT ASIAN BUNS!" screamed the banner at the Old Town Fest (maybe? One of the fests). Ummm, heck yeah, gotta go check that out. Was impressed - tasty quick food without being fast food tasting. A very yummy offering with an Americanized twist. I really enjoy this place, it's a very good approximation of a bao, and seriously, I'm not going to be comparing a pick-up-food mini-chain to "authentic" offerings (even more magnanimous given that I'm Chinese and old-school about my dim sum). Makes a great snack or whole meal, and very convenient and cheap to boot. My favs were the Mongolian Beef and BBQ Pork ones. Least fav was the Thai curry one. When our company sprang for us to stay at the WIT for meetings, I went across the street to this location every day all week just to get a snack to take back, I enjoyed them so much. Very friendly service and remembered what I wanted by the second day. Nice.
(4)
Catherine J.
For fast food at lunch, I've never come across anything as good as Wow Bao. It is absolutely optimal in (1) speed (2) healthy, fresh ingredients (3) great flavor (4) tons of options. What more could you want? My five-star rating doesn't come from comparing it to "authentic" Chinese, but rather as a dream-option for a hungry, health conscious person looking to grab a quick lunch in a limited timeframe. Ordering is fast, and you have one of several options. Order at the counter, at the kiosk in the hall, or online. A little cruising around on Yelp, and you will discover that every Wednesday they have a secret password that is released via their Facebook page (like it on FB for access), and you can receive a free bao. Of course, for this freebie you must order at the counter. The variety is huge. I'm sad I'm not in Chicago long enough to try everything on the menu. My favorite part is that you can order from lower calorie options, divvied up by calorie counts. Unlike some lighter menus, there are tons of options for these types of combos. My order was under 400 calories: curry chicken in lettuce cups with a chicken kung pao bao. The lettuce wraps came with a little cup of fresh chopped cilantro and green onions to add on top-- so fresh and tasty! Both the wraps and the bao were spicy enough that it made my nose run a little, but the heat wasn't too intense at all. The crowds are hefty for good reason. Luckily, Wow Bao is connected to my hotel (this time), so I just took it back to my room to enjoy a little break from work. Open one downtown in Columbus, Ohio, PLEASE!
(5)
Patrick B.
Been here a few times. The baos are pretty good, but none of the flavors really stand out as being great. The edamame bao was better than expected, but I didn't really like their bowls. I would go back for the baos, but I'm not in a big hurry to do so. Worth stopping by if you've never had one, and like doughy buns filled with meat.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Krista N.
This is one of the most random fast food restaurants I've ever been to. I love the concept - fast food focusing on multi-flavored bao. I mean, I love bao. Bao are great. These bao.....eeehhhhh. I got the Thai Curry Chicken and Coconut Custard. I didn't like the Thai Curry Chicken, it tasted pretty "flat." The Coconut Custard was better, good coconut flavor but not too sweet. I didn't like the texture of the filling, however. Overall, I wouldn't go out of my way to get these flavors again. Also, per the restaurant's nutritional info, each bao is around 179 calories. As I ordered a combo, my bao came with a choice of "cool pad thai salad," "asian vegetable salad," or "spicy peanut noodles." I chose the peanut noodles and wasn't too impressed. They were chilled, which I didn't expect, and didn't like. However, the spicy peanut sauce saved the dish. It was actually spicy! But, just cold noodles in peanut sauce is pretteh boring. No thanks. Combos are $6.19 and come with 2 bao or 5 potstickers. They also offer soups and bowls.
(3)Sofia J.
No one likes cold bao. We ran the risk anyway. As the last stop of our "made in Chicago/located in the Loop" dinner menu for Chicago In White, we had high hopes that the bao would keep their temperature for the duration of our walk to the Harmonization Point ... assembly time ... and transport to the final destination. They were wrapped in napkins, boxed, and bagged and guess what! Steamy bao for the win!! Featured duck flavor and curry flavors were delicious :)
(4)Sara P.
During my 1st visit, I ordered a 6-pack of bao to-go, along with the homemade ginger ale to take back to my hotel. While I found the traditional option of BBQ pork and the kung pao chicken to be especially tasty, the edamame and mongolian beef options were not as flavorful and the filling seemed a bit dry. I can't recall the other two (2) bao flavor options off the top of my head, so they must have been neither memorable nor disapointing. The homemade ginger ale was fantastic, especially thirst-quenching on a hot Chicago day; I definitely recommend it for ginger-root lovers. I would visit Wow Bao again to sample its other menu items, but would be more picky over the bao.
(3)William K.
Service was very quick. The pot stickers were really good. Also had the teriyaki chicken which was just ok. It didn't had a lot of flavor. I would return to try a different bowl.
(4)Dinna Y.
The pumpkin, coconut custards are wunderkind tasty melt in your mouth yumminess! Very fast, high tech, hearty, authentic Asian food with a modern twist. I'm coming back for more to make sure it's a 5 star rating.
(4)Melissah L.
I love Wow Bao! What a cute idea, right? Baozi are my favorite snack when I go to Asia, and I was so tickled to see all the different fillings they had! I got a 6-pack, one of each meat filling. So good! I loved the Thai Curry bao. My only complaint is that the girl at the cashier wasn't too sharp and charged me for and gave me 7 bao instead of 6 (after a prolonged discussion where I thought I made my order clear)... but more bao isn't that bad of a problem I guess! Open a Wow Bao in Ann Arbor please!
(3)Raphael B.
Good location! Yummy little addictive treats, Mmm to those bao's! Friendly staff. Small selection but convenient location. Very rare have I experienced mistakes by them, but when I have they have done a great job at rectifying the situation.
(4)Samuel C.
Stopped in here for a quick bite before heading to o'hare... Never had anything remotely close to Bao. or asian buns. It was pretty delicious. It felt like eating a sandwich.. the bun was like a moist bread. stuffed with meats... I had the pork and curry chicken bao. super tasty. I am hoping to find something here in LA that comes close... I also had their spicy mongolian beef bowl.... i wasn't too crazy about it. It's spicy. It looked like ground beef. Reminded me of a sloppy joe on top of rice. eh. I would return for Bao... that $h!t is amazing.
(4)Caron S.
Hot asian buns? And they're only $1.49? Sign me up. My first time in, I'd already eaten but was intrigued by fast-casual, yet pseudo-healthy, WOW BAO. I went with a coconut custard bun. It did not disappoint. The squishy outer texture of the warm steamed bun, and the custary delicious filling was a great combo. Happy tastebuds! The next day we stopped in again. I had seen the whole wheat bun with edamame on the menu when I got my coconut custard bun and knew I wanted to try one when I had available stomach real estate. Glad I did! So tasty. Edamame and other veggies (red pepper, broccoli) was satisfying. One of my favorite things about WOW BAO is the cleanliness and speed. They have their stuff together. It was packed at lunch but thanks to an easy-to-use electronic ordering system where you order and pay outside the door, my bun was quickly available.
(4)Wesley W.
Three-ish (maybe 2.75) stars for a quick fix of BBQ pork buns and free wifi. The baos are average at best but they do have a variety of flavours. I wouldn't come here on the regular but if you're short on time and need something quick and easy, this is it. Not a fan of the ginger ale.
(3)Jenn L.
2 and a half stars. We came here for a bite after the Stanley Cup parade. We ordered six of the baos (2 bbq pork, 2 teriyaki chicken, 1 thai curry chicken, 1 coconut custard) and the teriyaki chicken rice bowl. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that the teriyaki chicken in the rice bowl would be the same as the filling in the bao. I think I actually preferred the rice bowl. All in all, it was okay. Definitely a more western take on the more traditional Chinese baos I've had in the past. I wasn't a a fan of the ginger ale, it gave me a weird heart burn sensation afterwards, which I never get. We did stop by the Michigan Avenue location to grab some bao on the go for the plane ride home. Nothing to write home about though.
(2)Luis D.
The Bao's are awesome. None of them suck, but hey unless you are a really fatty 2-3 should be all you need. The bowls are where it is at. They are all good. Perfect for a quick and not expensive meal. Do it.
(4)Harold J.
Would have eaten here because I love dumplings, but after glancing at how inattentive the staff was I knew I would be wasting my money. When you walk by a shop and see the staff sitting on the prep counters, it gives you a bad vibe.
(1)Vince V.
It was a random stop walking around the city post Blackhawks Stanley Cup parade ceremonies. My buddy and I picked up a few baos (bbq pork, Thai curry chicken, spicy mongolian beef and teriyaki chicken). Quick and tasty though not particularly memorable. Bao after all refers to the steamed bread and that is a component of the product that can be improved. The bao while more than an adequate vessel for the tasty fillings would not have held up as well against a proper cha siu bao from any decent dimsum restaurant. Still good, reasonably priced for the location, and provided a momentary cushion for the next bar stop on this celebratory walk-a-rama.
(3)Terry M.
People are friendly, food is just okay. They messed up our order which was a concern because one person in our party is allergic to peanuts and two of the bun types have nuts. The amount of dough in the buns kind of overwhelms the filling. Also, the only sauce we could find was packets of soy.
(2)Ashley L.
Uh...horrible "Chinese food. Wow Bao is NOT Chinese or Asian! Chicago's Chinatown barely seems sufficient and Wow Bao is not even on par with places in Chinatown. - kiosk located outside for fast ordering - pot sticker and rice combo is a good deal but the quality of food is BELOW AVERAGE - free water cups next to soda machine - bathrooms are locked, request a token to unlock from the cashier Would NEVER go back. Would NEVER recommend.
(1)Leah C.
My first meal from Wow Bao was via GrubHub and it was amazing! My boyfriend and I ordered 6 bao (1 teriyaki chicken, 2 spicy Mongolian beef, 1 spicy kung pao chicken, and 2 BBQ pork). My favorite was the spicy kung pao chicken - It definitely has a decent kick. My least favorite was the BBQ pork as I thought it was a little too sweet. Overall, the bao bread was perfect - light and fluffy, not doughy and the filling was perfectly portioned. We also ordered the cold peanut noodle salad and the fried dumplings. The fried dumplings were crispy and came with a great (but standard) ginger soy dipping sauce. The cold peanut noodle salad was okay but could have been better. However, I did like that the peanut sauce came in a separate container so we could pour it on ourselves. I can't wait to go back and try the dessert baos! Tip: If you order take-out/delivery, make sure to check the wrappers underneath the bao to see what kind it is. We didn't figure this out until AFTER we ate all of our bao so we were playing the guessing game the whole time. You live and you learn, right? =]
(4)Vanitha S.
Wow bao is such a great alternative to heavy greasy fast food. At first they started off with a simple menu of baos but then started expanding their menu to stir fry bowls where you can choose from a list that will stump you...brown rice? Quinoa? White rice? Lettuce cups? What are you in the mood for? There are also low calorie combos which look intriguing but haven't tried yet. They also have breakfast baos now which also seem like a good idea for an affordable healthy fast meal if you're in a rush in the mornings. Getting back to the baos and bowls which I know. The thai curry is a bit salty which I knocked off a star for. But it is fresh and healthy and light. If you don't like overwhelming coconut it's a good dish to try. The Kung pao delivers the true spice to its word along with the peanuts. The teriyaki is really tasty. The bowls are only $7 and for $3 extra you can add any 2 baos or 2 potstickers. I chose the potstickers and those were just ok. Also a little salty. The baos though are my favorite and you can't go wrong with those! They are steamed so they're not heavy at all. The savory fillings are yummy with the teriyaki chicken and thai curry chicken being favorites. I love the sweet boas too. The coconut custard are similar to the kolakotai that sound Indians eat with a the custard giving it a nice twist. During the holidays they have some pumpkin spice bao which is also very tasty! Service is always done w a smile. Don't pass up this option if looking for steamy asian buns!! Now if only they would expand to other states...
(4)Jeff F.
I visited a second time. I ordered the bowl combo with two BBQ pork bao. The bao were wet to the point that it was almost dripping. The damp dough easily overpowered what little meat I found inside the bao. It felt like I was eating a kitchen sponge. Remembering the Teryaki Chicken bowl packed some cilantro, I asked the clerk taking my order to hold the cilantro. He assured me there would be no cilantro. Surprise of surprises, there was cilantro. And just like that, Wow Bao drops to two stars and blandly elbows its way onto my "last resort" list.
(2)Lisa S.
I love this place! You have the option to use their two kiosks or go to a cashier to order. I used the super fast kiosk. I LOVE their little hot buns! You can get them in several different flavors and the service is super fast. I was just there about two weeks ago and I am craving more. The best is their homemade ginger ale with real ginger. It is so good and better than the usual Coke, Sprite, etc. options. What was special about this particular location was, I accidentally spilled my heavenly ginger ale drink on the floor. It was a total accident! I told the workers at the counter so no one would slip and fall on it. Not only did they mop it up right away, but they automatically gave me a brand new ginger ale drink at no extra cost. I was willing to pay for another one since it was MY fault. Kudos for the yummy, fast food but also the superior customer service!!!!!! :) Thank you, Wow Bao!
(5)Lisa T.
I wish there was a Wow Bao in Seattle...it would do awesome here. But luckily I had a work trip out to chicago and there was one right by my hotel! I swung by what I expected to be a busy lunch rush, but b/c of their handy dandy self-ordering kiosks (super easy to use), I placed my order and in minutes, they called my number. I had their spicy mongolian beef noodle bowl. I added a bit more chili sauce to make it really spicy. It was a little oily, but tasty nonetheless. I ate up every last bit. And I tacked on two bao's: spicy kung pao chicken and BBQ pork. YUM. Their bao is so soft and pillowy, which flavorful fillings inside. Easy to eat on the go!
(4)Deven B.
More like Boo Whoo - this place was awful. Def not bao by any stretch of the imagination, though it does attempt to resemble it's namesake. The service was SO slow, the tables were not cleaned off, and just an all around bad experience. The dumplings were so odd tasting. You can just tell they made them in huge quantities with little regard for quality let alone your taste buds. It should be a crime, really. And the noodles were no different - extremely bland, no flavor, absolutely unsatisfying on all accounts. I'd rather eat cardboard.
(1)Kory R.
Saw this place when we were walking to the Chicago Theater. I was interesting in what it was because of the sign that said "Hot Asian Buns". I didnt really think about it until we were exhausted and didnt want to go out. I called my boyfriend in CA to see what time they closed and he said 7pm... we put on our shoes and hauled butt down there from Hotel 71 because it was 6:45pm!!! For around $8, I was able to get a combo with 5 potstickers, Peanut Noodles, and a Kung Pao Bao Bun. It was surprisingly delicious and I was entertained by the idea of this fast food, tasty Asian cuisine. My friend got a 3 for $5 combo that included 2 potstickers, rice bowl, and spicy peanut noodles. Definatley a good choice for those who want to get some tasty food for a good price! I wish they had one of these in California!
(4)Cassandra F.
I was staying at the Renaissance and decided to try lunch here. It was really good. I got the Curry Chicken rice bowl and two Baos (coconut and chocolate). The rice was great it had just the right amount of spicey for me, and I loved the coconut cream bao! The chocolate one was so-so, but the coconut cream is fantastic! Very affordable, nice atmosphere, and really convenient to the big hotels along the river.
(4)Riley'sMama s.
I just returned to this place after several years. I tried the original Water Tower one a long time ago and liked it, so decided to stop here. It was pretty busy when we arrived on Saturday afternoon. I ordered the chicken teriyaki bao, the chicken curry bao, one chocolate bao, and one coconut bao. The chicken teriyaki bao was my favorite. I also liked the chicken curry one. The chocolate one was just ok, and the coconut one was delicious. The service here was just so-so. They weren't very friendly, but not really rude either. On a good note though, the bathroom was surprisingly clean, and the restaurant was pretty clean also. The baos are like $1.50 each, and if you check in on Foursquare you get a buy-one-get-one-free coupon. When you factor in the price, this place is a good value for the money, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return here.
(3)Colin M.
I dig the menu and the slick, automated ordering process. I didn't find a WiFi network to join, so I'm not sure about the WiFi designation on this page. But it's not really a place you'd want to hang around to surf the Web anyway. This is definitely a grab/eat-and-go kind of place.
(4)Chelsea F.
Considering this is a "fast food" place, I'm a fan. You can't beat the spicy chicken teriyaki bao or the potstickers. The homemade gingerale is good too and my favorite part about this place? You can order on your computer and come pick it up or you can order right outside their store without even talking to anyone.
(4)Steve S.
I really like this place...Its hard to find these three words together in a restaurant...original, tasty and cheap. A Bao is a steamed breadlike dumpling with different fillings like Kung Pao or Teriayki. A decent value for only $2 a Bao. Theere is also different bowls as well.....Add a star for the easy kiosk ordering as well as having the guts to publish the nutritional value of the meal I wish Wow Bao was in Boston
(4)Rilindo F.
Mmmm. . . Hot Asian Americanized buns. . . Of all things that could come to the mainstream fast-food cuisine, who would we guess that Bao would be it? But I guess I should not be surprised with Chicago being a notable foodie town. As soon as I noticed they serve breakfast, I knew I have to try it. So before for "home", I stopped by for some nibbles. The rice bowl with egg, bacon and cheddar was a nice surprise (Of course, I am always a sucker for bacon and rice). As for the bao(s) themselves, the BBQ pork tasted great. Egg + Spicy Spicy sausage, is alright, but not as good. Overall, a nice departure from your usual fast food breakfast. Hopefully I'll try out the other dishes on my trip back to Chicago in November.
(3)Sabrina M.
Ode to Wow Bao, by Sabrina M. (With apologies to Dr. Seuss) I do so love Hot Asian Buns I love to eat them on the run I love to eat them sitting down I cannot eat them with a frown I eat them filled with poultry and veggies They are steamed, so they're not heavy Secret Wednesday Word will get you one Bao free Go see for yourself, don't take it from me! Eat those hot yummy Asian buns! Eat them there or on the run And when you're full and all else fails Wash them down with that fabulous, homemade, Pomegranate Ginger Ale!
(5)Melanie K.
Reliability. Walkability. Super-quickability. Satisfy-ability. Lunch-combo availability. These, my friend, are the hallmarks of a good downtown midday meal establishment. And this is what Wow Bao offers. No, it is not a solace for authentic dim sum or dishes. And it doesn't try to be. It's all about streamlining and satisfaction. My favorite? - Peanut noodle salad with chocolate and coconut baos -Thai vegetable salad with steamed veggie potstickers. They have never failed me. Ever. And I lost count of my check ins a long time ago. Other memorable notes: Easy check in kiosks, summer sidewalk eating (sun is a bit intense though-umbrellas?), text enrollment for free promos, homemade drinks
(4)Tonia O.
Tastylicious. Nice quick bite to eat, no long lunch waits. Just good eats. I particularly like the bowls and highly recommend the Teriyaki chicken bowl. I remember when this place was just a little hub in the WaterTower Place, now they have expanded throughout Chicago (successful they have been). Originally the portion sizes were much smaller, but now for under 10 bucks, you get left overs to take home! Speaking of which, I have some to finish. Nom...nom...nom...
(4)Britini R.
Worth the wait for coconut bao! Straight out of the steamer, freshly filled bun; my mouth is watering just thinking about putting that little hottie inside of me. OM NOM NOM. I've been going to Water Tower Wow Bao since 2005, but now this location is way easier to get to after I get off of work. Different menu slightly. Same tasty buns. There's a lot to like about Wow Bao. Bicycle delivery in the Loop; ordering app for pick-ups; free bao Wednesdays from their Facebook page; free wi-fi; great location to people watch from. If you ask very politely, my favorite non-menu thing to do is get a thai curry chicken bowl with half rice/ half cabbage. OM NOM NOM.
(5)Tanya M.
I've eaten here many times. Everything is delicious, especially the baos. but I only recently discovered that they serve breakfast baos! say what?! I thought the egg spinach and mushroom bao would be bland but it's perfection. although nothing can beat the egg and spicy sausage bao. holy. crap. mind is blown *swoon* so good and filling. they have a breakfast special, 2 bao and a cup of intelligensia coffee for $4. apparently not many people know about this since it's always dead in the morning, but then again then just means no wait:) Try the breakfast baos. you will not be sorry.
(5)Jen B.
Hi, can we talk about the curry quinoa bowl for a second? Because it is the fucking JAM. I have cravings for it. Probably because it's heavily salted and that's what salt does to you, but screw it, I just want more. I seriously get excited when I'm hungry nearby and I can pop in for a quick CQB. Hell, even if I'm not hungry, I'm stopping in anyway. Wow Bao, you're blatant mass appeal has won you a spot in my taste buds...and my heart. Aww.
(4)April W.
They are ok. For a pretty small bun that is not absolutely delish, merely slightly below average, I probably wouldn't return. But if you're not an asian food purist like me (I like my cha siu baos!) then you shouldn't run away from this place. The bbq pork bun is an americanized pork bun. Same delicious, poofy outside, but they might actually be using american bbq sauce for the pork. A solid meh.
(3)Dennis L.
I am so glad that I finally had the opportunity to visit Wow Bao! It is a great quick-service concept with a superb product. On my visit, I ordered the 2 bao combo with noodle salad. The Curry and Kung Pao steamed buns were flavorful and delicious. They were a bit smaller than I expected, but the meal was perfectly sized overall due to the noodle salad. The noodles were excellent as well. I am a fan of Wow Bao, and I will certainly return.
(4)Danielle S.
When it comes to ethnic cuisine, you can't expect a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant to serve anything more than well-marketed Americanized food. Sure, you can probably get better bao elsewhere, but for fun, convenient, quick, and tasty, Wao Bao does not disappoint. The Bao are surprisingly filling, the salads are good, and the ginger ale is not to be missed. I do wish they would have more veggie bao options, but the edamame IS very tasty.
(4)Dora C.
I'm asian so the concept of paying more than $1 for a bun blows my mind. However, if you're in the city and craving pacific noms... DO IT. But stick with the BBQ pork. Anything else questions my childhood.
(4)Justin O.
Nothing special- affordable fast asian food.
(2)Brian M.
If you're from the West Coast and you miss having a semi-healthy Asian food choice at a decent price, this is the place. 3 item combos for $5. Bowls for $5.99. Good pot stickers. The peanut noodles are tasty. Service is very fast. I've been looking for this type of place for 5 years.
(5)Darkling S.
Call me a grinch but i just tried this unit at Wacker based on the stars issued by Yelpers ... and i was disappointed at best. Frankly eating the two bao buns was like trying to cut, chew and swallow mildly sweet pie dough - unbaked! yuk. the fillings were spot on. their potstickers are well, potstickers. it is hard to improve on those.... they should have more than three choices ... there will be a next time as it is so near my office and it's quick and cheap (by Loop standards). perhaps i'll try the noodles ....
(2)Mary B.
I love Wow Bao, esp. the spicy mongolian beef!! I also had the curry one and chicken teriyaki, they're delish too. Their chicken pot stickers are awesome, make sure you dip them in the soy/ginger sauce. This location is great too.
(5)Val B.
Pretty yummy. We came in right around opening time today (a Sunday), around noon. I've had bao a couple times but my boyfriend was a bao virgin, so it was all very exciting and new for him. We split a 6-pack, trying about all the baos. I had edamame, chicken curry, and bbq pork. The edamame one was delicious, especially with a little red chili sauce on it. Chicken curry was also quite good, and the bbq pork was just okay. Boyfriend's were similarly okay - he had mongolian beef, kung pao chicken, and another bbq pork. We also split 5 potstickers, which were rather unnecessary since the bao was really filling. They were just okay, nothing special. Overall, good and quick experience, and boyfriend is happy to have tried bao. They deliver (on bike!) and we only live a few blocks away, so we'll definitely be back.
(3)Zeke A.
It's not real bao of course, but dammit we are so great at making things fun and American! Chocolate Bao - WOW! I love all the chicken options and think that the kung pao and curry are my favorite. The custard one is a real good dessert too! Next time you want some Americanized Bao then check this place out - it's delicious!
(4)Carol M.
One thing about these Loop-y food joints is that they are aces when it comes to speed. The line was out the door and I barely had enough time to pick what I wanted before it was my turn to order. My friend's soup soaked through her paper bag straight to the floor and they replaced it w/o judging or hesitation!. I got the teriyaki chicken bao and the chicken noodle soup. It was light and it totally hit the spot. mmm Next time I want to get my hands on some hot Asian buns I know where to go! P.S. I'm right there w/ Zach C. on the sleek design! 49/52
(4)Heather M.
I really like the breakfast bao here. The egg and sausage one is delicious, and somehow feels healthier than a bagel or something... For other meals, I like the bbq pork and the thai curry chicken. Fast and easy, this place is def worth a stop in.
(4)Tripline T.
I am one of those lazy guys that only review things that are worth (good or bad) reviewing. I have to saw that I was impressed with my first time here. Everything is self served. There are 2 machines outside where you can order you own food with a credit card. Big pictures and everything. They also have nice cups and a soda machine with H20. Their food was also at a good size so I got the combo for around 6$. The bad thing about this place is that it can draw a line, since there is only 2 ordering machines during lunch hour. they probably have their own audio jack to plug in their own Ipod. Why am I listening to Rap and Mexican music at a "Asian" dine in? The SEATS are my biggest complaint. Standing at 5'10 1/2, my legs were not comfortably positioned on the floor. I can only imagine how childlike the 5'5 and under people would feel with both feet, sitting with both feet off the ground eating lunch. If seats are the biggest complaint, you have done a good job for fast food.
(4)#NAME?
Today was my first time here, came here for lunch-I had looked at the reviews, read them fully to understand what I would expect when I came here- I stood in line for the kiosk to place my order, but the guy in front of me got me annoyed so I just went in and ordered- FOOD: Got the mongolian beef Bao and 5 chicken potstickers wtih both sauces- The Bao was so soft, it kind of reminded me of a spicy sloppy joe sandwich-It was not my usual lunch, but glad I was brave and tried it- The line may look long but it took no time at all for my food to come and for me to eat it- It's very compact in here, the drink station and where you obtain eating utensils are right next to one another so it gets a little crowded there- For 1 Bun, 5 Potstickers and a fountain drink it was $8-
(4)Tom S.
I believe Wow Bao to be a Philip Zimbardo-esque psych experiment, and in that regard it deserves 5 stars but as a restaurant not so many. First off, the address is wrong as listed here. It is at least a block west of Wabash and it's not on Wacker. It is approximately 200 N. State. They have two entances sort of kitty corner yet facing each other and each entrance has a line that merges into one line. So you have to do some compromising and negotiating with total strangers to figure out where you are in line. Then after placing your order you have to wait for them to call out your number. "Hwalf!" "Hwalf!" Female Customer: "Excuse me did you call thirteen?" "No, I say HWAAAALF!!" Finally the non-english speaking man called "Hoor-tan!" which meant my order was ready. Or was it? Half of it seemed to be missing. After much squinting at the receipt and convincing arguments by me, he conceded and gave me my noodles. The place is really cramped so if you want napkins and utensils you have to play human chess to get to them. Then you sit down in the mostly communal seating area but that's okay because there now exists a camaraderie amongst you and the other victims. The food was okay, pretty standard except for my chocolate bao that was filled with custard. Do you really want to get back in line to return a half masticated bao? No, no you do not. Also, they use these weird, long, tube shaped ice cubes that turn your 16oz ginger ale into 3oz of ginger ale and a fuckload of ice. The only good thing about my visit was that WLS anchorman Ron Magers was in front of me in line. I hope he was there as part of an expose on unethical psychology experiments happening in our city but I suspect it has more to do with the fact that the WLS studios are just across the street.
(1)Jenni E.
So, I am not a huge fan of this place - though I thought I would be. I love Asian Fusion, but I have had a few things from here and everything tastes like ginger. I have had the Mongolian Beef, Kung Pao Chicken, and BBQ Beef and all of it tastes like ginger to me. I do love the Baos; they are soft, doughy and warm - but still the filling tastes somewhat like ginger. I would like to taste some additional flavors here.
(3)Brett K.
Wow Bao definitely does a lot of things right. I've followed the herd here several times for work lunch. The "Bao"s are pretty good, basically you just get your choice of meta filling inside a big doughy pastry ball. I can only handle a couple before the dough becomes too much but the fillings are actually really good. If you've never had a Bao, give one or two a try but normally I would suggest ordering a combo with the pot stickers and the spicy peanut satay noodles, very tasty.
(3)Gardenia H.
Wow Bao Soup fanatics love the Hot and Spicy Dumpling Soup with a choice of pork or chicken to taste. A surprising savory treat with three pork dumplings, shredded cabbage, scallions, ginger, and spices. A steaming bright dumpling soup bowl gets you going ... before trying Wow Bao "Hot Asian Buns on the Run", Potstickers, Combo Salads...and Homemade Ginger Ale with Fresh Ginger!
(5)Zack P.
I can't imagine another quick-service place that could get me giddy like Wow Bao. I gush over their text message coupons, which unlike some other companies' opt-in messages, are actually valuable. They'll just give you free bao, rather than giving you a percent off or making you buy one to get one. I think that's phenomenal, especially in a time when a lot of business are pinching pennies. I do love the bao but I tend to get the bowls unless I'm just looking for a snack. Really yummy, and the location is remarkably clean and well designed. Their ginger ale is the perfect summertime drink. I used to go there at least twice a week when I lived downtown. I only go once in a while now since there isn't a location near me (hint hint, northside's hurting for some bao) but whenever I go it's just as great as I remember it, and they even have a little automated ordering system which is really speedy and smart. Can't believe I'm giving five stars to a franchise but it's as close to flawless as fast food gets.
(5)Kevin L.
Cute place - trendy ambiance with lots of red and white. It's fun to see the giant metal steamers at work. Their bao are pretty decent and make for some yummy breakfast food. Definitely not on the same level as what my grampa used to make from scratch, but you can only ask for so much in a mass-produced fast-food joint. They apparently also have potstickers and something resembling rice congee here, neither of which I tried. Note to those that stop by for breakfast - apparently they only make up to four of any particular type of bao at a time during their early hours. I tried getting a six pack of the BBQ and the cashier checked on how many were already steamed up before apologizing that I'd have to either wait or pick two of something else. That was fine - I discovered that their teriyaki wasn't bad, either. Two or three of their bao here should be enough to ensure that you're not going to be hungry for the rest of the morning. If you're a glutton like me, you'll wolf down that many right away, then snack on another three until lunch.
(4)Jill M.
Yay for fresh ginger ale! You can't find ginger ale like this anywhere else, unless you make it yourself. Tips: Stick with the bao or the rice bowl. The noodle bowl is like the bao filling over spaghetti! Sick! I really love the teriyaki chicken or the spicy mongolian beef. I don't come here often because it's a very touristy place, but each bao is cheap and makes for a tasty snack!
(4)Kyle P.
really liked it. had the kung pao chicken and chicken bao......good times try it out
(4)Eric S.
Hot asian buns are so yummy, so unexpected, so Chinese, so much fun to eat, so close to Beard Papa's Japanese chocolate-dipped cream puffs, and outdoor seating is so available so that you combine these two Asian imports and have the sort of cheap lunch downtown that everyone so deserves to regret.
(4)Lisa H.
Two words. AMAZING SERVICE. With the ease of this downtown location, I love picking up a lunch order during the week. You won't get the most authentic Chinese food / paos here, but the Mongolian beef beats Panda Express anyday. Combo deals of a Bowl + 2 paos for $9? I remained dazed from WowBao-induced-food-coma for the rest of the afternoon. Now... I stumbled into Wow Bao after a movie screening at Gene Siskle's down the road one evening. Caught the store RIGHT BEFORE it closed at 8pm, ordered by food and sank into the comfy leather seats. The cashiers + cooks on the line were all incredibly smiley & friendly, even though I was literally the last customer barging in before the EOD. Check this out : at closing, restaurants always have a lot of leftover food that they either throw out or take-out for the employees. Have you ever been to a place where they give the customers FREE FOOD? Wow Bao was raining bowls & paos!! On top of my order, I scored 5 paos + 1 bowl. The super smiley cashier guy came around the tables and simply doughed out extra food, no questions asked, no judgement. I love you Wow Bao. Thank you for making my day with your amazing staff!!
(5)Audrey F.
I have to review this place. How can you pass on a place that sells awesome buns! They are soo good that they are called "hot asian buns"! Loved homemade freshly made ginger beer: either plain, with pomegranate or with green tea. Their buns (bao in Cantonese) are like the size of White Castle burgers so you can easily eat 3 or 4 in a sitting. Roast pork and coconut custard were not as yummy as Chinatown's but still good. The dumplings were small and even though they were not as good as those in a Chinese dim sum joint, they still are tasty with chopped cilantro and scallions. Gotta return for some noodles next time. Please please someone bring this franchise to CT!!! Either that or build a Chinatown.
(4)Rebekka T.
Further proof, that I am obsessed with Wow Bao for good reason - every Wednesday they have a "Word of the Day" which you can see on their Facebook page (u don't have to log in). When you say it at Wow Bao, you get a free Bao!! Also, they have a text service that sends you texts coupons for free bao, ginger ale etc. There is nothing like free, delicious food. I love Wow Bao.
(5)Angel S.
Pot sticker and salad combo is a great lunch pick! A great quick lunch after a morning on the run.
(4)Cam C.
I love this place. I was here every morning when I was in Chicago. The place is clean and the staff is very friendly. My favorites are the bbq pork and thai curry chicken. It is not authenic dim sum but it is definitely worth trying.
(5)Tiff H.
So came in and tried the chicken curry and bbq pork bun. With a bottle of water, I spent $3 due to a fellow yelper's four square discount. (What is four square?) It would have been closer to $6 including tax without the discount. The buns tasted as tho they had been frozen. The guy who took my order looked like he hated life and didn't want to be there. What's the big fuss about this place anyway? No hot Asian buns here...except for mine! (heehee)
(2)Dane K.
I tried 4 different baos and they were all OK. The Thai Curry was by far my favorite and worth going back for... I also tried the mogolian beef, kung pao chicken, and bbq pork. The other three all had decent flavors but I couldn't tell chicken from the pork if I wanted to. It was very mushy. But tasty still. They have a 6 pack, I don't think I could eat more than 4 of these in one sitting. After they started to get cold they got less and less tasty, and even start tasting a little too doughy... So I wouldn't unwrap them until you're actually eating them. Their combos don't seem to be significantly cheaper than ordering a la carte (a 6 pack saves you maybe 30 cents vs ordering fewer individually). One of the owners was standing by the line answering people's questions and chit chatting... The line wasn't so bad when we showed up, and moved pretty fast (though the line was out the door still). Once ordered, our food was up in less than a minute. By the time we sat down with our food, the line was at least 50 people long out the door, crazyness. Despite the crazy crowd, there was adequate seating available. I had the homemade ginger ale, which was pretty good... Though there was a lot of ice in it so I was still thirsty once I was done with it. Price-wise, the baos being $1.29/each, the place is pretty decently priced if you ask me. I like that they have breakfast baos, I imagine I'd only want one, maybe 2 anyway for breakfast, so that's an inexpensive breakfast. Next time I think I'll get the combo with 2 baos and spicy peanut noodles... On another visit I had the combo of 2 bao and spicy peanut noodles. Annoyed to get back to the office and realize they didn't include any utensils! The noodles were decent. Last time I went they had added mochi ice cream (didn't try, but they're usually store bought anyway, i'm sure they're great!!!)... and a new dessert bao... the chocolate one. it's fantastic! chocolate and coconutty goodness
(3)Caitlin L.
Last time we were here we came to Wow Bao for lunch and for whatever reason, my boyfriend really loves this place. So when we came back for a second visit this was a definite place to come to, according to him! We both ordered a rice bowl, mine with teryiaki chicken and his with kung pao chicken. My rice bowl came with two bao, one was bbq pork and the other was kung pao chicken. Nothing was awesome. Not even great. Just go somewhere else.
(2)Tuyen N.
Hot Asian Buns! I love the tagline. I love the concept. I love the order kiosk. I just don't care so much for the food. I had the 2 bao + salad combo today. 1 BBQ Pork (good), 1 spicy kung pao (eww), asian salad (yuck) and I had the ginger ale (ok). I have to say the creators have definitely found a fun way to bring bao to mainstream. However, they are definitely not the best bao I've ever had. It tastes like they only incorporated 50% of the Chinese flavor, everything tasted half-assed, as if they were afraid the authenticity would offend people. I say--bring it on! I give Wow Bao major kudos for being the on the forefront of integration. Online ordering, delivery, in-store order kiosks, social media mavens and one of the best concept stores I've seen in a while.
(3)Sean R.
it's fast food but it's good! what a treat, i can't get enough :)
(5)Craig R.
I love Wow Bao .... little carb sensations of meaty delicacies! The buns ar ethe perfect food ... self contained, with yummy insides ... i love them. I have to say the spicy mongolian beef was my favorite. My mouth is watering just thinking of these yummy little pieces of heaven!
(4)Kim N.
Fun touch screen ordering - check. Super fast service - check. Delicious food - check. Great prices - check. Awesome slogan - check! check! check! Couldn't ask for any more. Except more visits to this place!
(4)Paul B.
Chinese food in a bun... interesting concept... I've been to this location now 3x and the food is very tasty but I will say I can only handle 2-3 Baos. I've noticed I get a dough overload with any more. Having said that, it's great (healthy? steam cooked, not fried) Chinese food. Everything in the cooking area is Stainless Steel and appears very clean. Definitely try the spicy peanut noodles, salad is good too! Pass on the authentic Ginger Ale unless that's something you're into. I was thinking it would be more like Schwepps Ginger Ale...
(3)Dan M.
This is a fast food franchise. My opinion means absolutely nothing. But damn it, it's delicious food. Great bao and their rice bowls are filling and delicious.
(4)Joshua N.
Hit this Wow Bao right at the lunch rush, but the line moved quick and the food was still awesome!! Really enjoyed it.
(4)Jeff R.
yea Wow Bao is super cool. I like everything on the menu and return often to keep the rotation. I'd say the Bao's are my least favorite and I prefer the dumplings and the noodles/rice bowls. The combination dumplings and thai peanut salad is my go-to. very good, very fast and not too bad on the pocket book.
(4)Elizabeth S.
I ordered a chicken teriyaki bowl to go, got home and discovered they gave me spicy beef. it was gross
(1)Elizabeth B.
When I moved in down the street from this place, all I heard was, "You HAVE to try Wow Bao!" Not one to be stupid and ignore glowing recommendations, I headed over tonight and ordered some dinner. Here's what I got: Chicken potstickers with mustard sauce: AWESOME. DELICIOUS. Would go back for more of those. Kung Pao Bao: SPICY! Mongolian Beef Bao: SPICY! BBQ Bao: Yummy! The bread they use for the bao is delicious and I think with flavors that don't set my tongue/mouth on fire, it's a tasty little treat. I just happened to pick some majorly hot items and I'm someone who avoids spice and burning like herpes. I think I'll go back and try some of the rice dishes or salads to get a better idea of the overall quality.
(3)Mickey A.
I came to this location during lunch hour to pick up some frozen buns (hee hee..I said frozen buns) for my parents. Wow...I was not expecting a line out of the restuarant. Okay, I am not a fan of the buns, but I do like the teriyaki (sp?) chicken rice bowls. The rice bowls are small but are filling enough for a nice lunch or dinner meal. My parents, on the other hand, love the baos esp. the bbq flavored ones. They visit the Water Tower location when in town. Anyway, back to my story, I bought a couple boxes from the freezer to bring them home for the holiday. Instead of waiting in line, I was taken care of right away by one of the employees. (Honestly, the line isn't as bad as it looks...it seemed to go by swiftly.) She had a portable credit card thingy, and I was on my merry way. Sweet. Note to self: lunch is a popular time...come back later because they close at 8 PM.
(4)Kwan N.
I ordered the spicy kung pao chicken and the spicy mongolian. The mongolian one was mediocre while the kung pao is different than expected from a normal kung pao chicken dish. I prefer the kung pao one though. I also got to eat the bao with custard and coconut. It's bomb! Music was good, service was fast; overall I had a good time.
(3)mikey m.
This is a place to be avoided like plague. I cant even list everything that is wrong with this place. Let me list the good, the rest room was equipped with soap so you can clean up before eating at dirty tables
(1)Jacob K.
This is the chic Asian fast food place these days. For whatever reason this place is always crowded, but it has a nice atmosphere although its usually super crowded during lunch. Their main cuisine- the bow (hot asian buns) are nothing great but I did enjoy the peanut noodle salad. The pot stickers are pretty good as well. Its a nice place to go if you are in the area and want some different fast food to go.
(3)Kellie T.
Spicy. Peanut. Noodles. HOLLA!!! I always get the 2 bao combo with the spicy peanut noodles. This cold noodle dish is refreshing, especially with the added cilantro. My favorite bao is the Thai curry. Least favorite might be the BBQ pork--too sweet for my taste. This is a small place, so it's better if you do one of three things: a.) arrive early so you can grab a seat b.) arrive well past the lunch rush, so you can grab a seat c.) pack that shit up and take it somewhere else! Kudos to WB for the ordering kiosks. The whole place has a very "mechanized" feel. The ordering line is a well-oiled machine. Hell, you even get to press a lever on the clever fork dispenser! Good, fast eats.
(3)Jean Z.
I havent been to wow bao since it opened in the watertower place mall years ago. This store is actually beautiful, with contemporary seating and an electronic(if you dare) ordering device outside the entrance. Great scheme for a busy location!
(5)Casey M.
I have always wanted to try Wow Bao. I was already downtown one day and stopped into Wow Bao to have a late lunch. I ordered the 2 Buns (Baos) and 1 Noodle dish combo. They offer an assortment of Baos from the Teriyaki Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken all the way to the healthy Whole Wheat edamame. I ordered two Whole Wheat Edamame Baos and the Spicy Peanut Noodles, served cold. The Baos were savory, steamy and satisfying. The noodles were al-dente and served with a peanut sauce and fresh cilantro and, like stated above, they are served cold. I would prefer them warm, but they were good cold at the same time. It was a light meal, but was just the right amount. The combo cost me only $5.99 and with a soda pop it cost about $7 total. Wow Bao I just might have to meet up with you again soon.
(4)Dina K.
Love this place!!!
(5)Henry D.
I was told by some to check Wow Bao out, but my closest friends told me there was nothing to go crazy out. I finally tried Wow Bao out, and went all out with a couple others. We ordered almost everything they had on the menu. The bao itself is not too bad, although not very remarkable in taste and certainly overpriced. The chocolate bao was probably the best thing we tried. The teriyaki bowls are tasty as well, although at $5.99 a piece they are well over-priced and will not get you anywhere near satiated. The salad was also small-portioned, overpriced and unfortunately not as tasty as the other items. The ginger ale was good. I can see why people enjoy stopping in here because it is trendy. It's good if you want to buy something small for taste, but it is nowhere to be if you want to get your money's worth or spend good money to be fed. If you want better bao with similar unique fillings for a better price, you could try Famima.
(2)Allison M.
We had time to kill before our climb to the top of the Hancock. Wow Bao was there to curb our appetites. I loved the edamame bun! After our pilgrimage to experience 360 degrees of Chicago from up in the air, we came back for more and took it back to our hotel. Delicious indeed!
(5)Tiffany K.
The buns are okay, but what's really worth your money here would be their ginger & green tea frozen yogurt. Seriously delicious! Their ginger pomegranate drink is really ginger-y and yummy as well. But The ginger & green tea fro yo is a taste I had never tasted before, and it blew my mind. Trust me.
(3)Nicolas H.
These are pretty good, although a little small when it comes to pork buns. However, two buns and a side just about does it and it's not too expensive. I've tried the bbq pork of course as well as the kung pao chicken and terriyaki chicken. The pork was the best but the kung pao was pretty good too. The spicy peanut noodles are simple yet good and the thai salad is decent as well...
(4)Linda N.
Stopped by for lunch. Seemed like a good concept, but the food disappointed. Far below the quality you'd find at Asian restaurants but at the same or a higher price. In addition, the staff seemed to confuse orders quite often which resulted in an unreasonably long waiting time to get the food we'd ordered. I still like the concept, but would use other lunch alternatives unless the quality of the food improves quite a bit.
(2)Michael C.
I'm a sucker for spicy food and for trying something different, and in that light, this place couldn't have been more different and more satisfying. This is a fast-food style Asian fusion place where you can order at the counter, then slide a tray down and wait for your food, or you can order on a computer screen outside the door and then go in an wait for your food--we chose the computer, the future of ordering food (or the past, if you've ever been to a Sheetz in Pennsylvania). As adverstised, we got a big, three-person order in about 3 minutes, hot and steaming. Aside from bowls, pretty popular at a lot of Asian places now, this place specializes in bao, or hot Asian buns, which are what they (kind of) sound like: buns. They're kind of spongy, but are different than most breads, and are filled with different things, mostly the same things you get in the bowls, e.g., kung pao, BBQ, or teriyaki. And they're great. They're easy to eat, warm, tasty, and provide the new and adventurous factor that I crave (though I had them once before in Chinatown in NYC). Everything, in general, was tasty, quicky, and spicy, which makes me overlook the slight priciness ($10, about, for a bowl-bun combo, not including a drink), and the fact one of our buns had the wrong filling. We will go back, and I highly recommend.
(5)Paul C.
Great place to pop in and grab a quick, little snack while you're on the go. They have more than just bao. There are rice bowls, soups, potstickers. But we only had a chance to try the bao. The bao were very tasty. All the ones we had were very good (mongolian beef, thai curry, kung pao chicken, bbq pork). The coconut custard was perfect as a dessert bun. We went there for breakfast and liked it so much we stopped by before we went to the airport so we could have some snacks on the plane. Hot Asian Buns. Very clever. Wow Bao!
(5)Megan L.
I've been meaning to try Wow Bao for a while, so since I finally got myself in there, I decided to try a little bit of everything. Unfortunately, I wasn't all that impressed. I thought the baos were a nice size, and the dough was rather good. The fillings on the other hand... meh. I tried the BBQ pork, teriyaki chicken, kung pao chicken and mongolian beef. I didn't particularly care for any of them, unfortunately. They weren't poorly made or lacking quality; I just didn't care for the flavors. The BBQ pork was probably the one I liked best. I expected something a little more like pulled pork on the inside in terms of consistency, so I was surprised to find small pieces of pork. Not bad, just different. I would have liked a little bit stronger flavor of the BBQ sauce, but it was still ok. The teriyaki was a little less sweet than I prefer, and had some bell peppers in it, which I don't care for. Again, not really their fault, but not my thing. The kung pao chicken was actually quite hot, and a little overwhelming (and I love hot food!). The mongolian beef was also pretty spicy, but somehow also lacking flavor. So, since I didn't like the food really, why am I giving them three stars? A couple reasons, actually. I thought the restaurant was a nice space and it was very clean. The staff was super friendly and helpful. Lastly, I don't think it was not-good food - it was just flavors I wasn't thrilled with. It's still a good product, just not my proverbial cup of tea.
(3)Sue Janna T.
I struggled a bit on how many stars to give Wow Bao. Its not particularly special, but they do serve food that I could eat until I died. I love that they offer a decent variety baos. I usually get the whole wheat edamame one, but the other baos are pretty good too. The only complaint I have is that sometimes they can be a bit salty. I've recently tried their banana bao and I've been having a daily craving for it ever since. I love their light brothy soups. It makes me feel healthier with every bite. I also love that nobody uses the kiosks to order their food, allowing me to bypass the line and slip in and out during my lunch break. Suckers.
(4)Jessica Y.
Decent place for a quick, affordable bite of dinner on the go if you're shopping on State and don't want a sit down experience but also don't wanna eat at the Macy's food court. I also like their breakfast baos if you in the area that time of day.
(4)James B.
This is a great place! Everyone is friendly, it's open late, and it's great food! I went in at 6:45 on a cold January night, 15 minutes before closing. They were out of the Peanut Thai dish, but they let me get the dressing (the best part, IMHO) with the asian veggie salad. And the 2 baos were taking a while, so they gave me a free small soda while I waited! Also, don't forget to check in on Foursquare, you can get a free bao with each checkin!
(5)Robyn T.
Dear LEYE Friends (specifically those who are putting the Wow into Bao) Please give me back the veggies you used to use in your Veggie Rice Bowls. I am an omnivore but I just loved my veggies. You remember don't you? Corn? Green Beans? Where did they go? I ordered my rice bowl last night and was accosted by warm beats and an overload of spinach. I like these veggies, but I miss my old rice bowl. Don't worry I still love you. My friend hates (but tells people she's allergic to) mushrooms and your friendly staff actually called the chef on his cell phone to see if the entree she ordered had any mushrooms! That is SO above and beyond! My other friend, who had never tasted a deliciously fluffy bao before, deemed it heavenly and she loved your perfectlysized combo portion. She especially liked the peanut sauce on the side that allows diners to pour on their desired amount of peanuty goodness. Don't worry I'll continue to sing your praises, drink my dark Intelligentsia coffee and accrue my LEYE frequent diner points, but I'm just a little saddened about the veggie bowl situation. You know how to contact me. Your Wow-loving friend, Robyn
(5)Puja A.
The food is good and cheap. The buns always seem fresh and are very flavorful. I typically get a rice bowl which is very good. I like the Mongolian beef best, but have tried the Thai one which is also good. The flavored ginger ales are so refreshing and yummy! I can't go without getting one. The service is fast. It is a great place for lunch. This one closes at 8 so it is hard to make it there in time for dinner. There are a few other locations throughout the city (e.g. water tower) and they might stay open later. Lastly, they are a part of the LEYE chain. If you are a member, you can use your card to get points!
(4)Charles C.
I was too excited to eat bao, but about 1 1/2 bao in I started feeling nauseous. There was an excessive amount of dough, and the filling were so bland that I couldn't finish the rest :/ I guess if you want some quick, fast-food-style bao on the go this would be a good stop, but I will most-likely not be returning.
(2)Emily D.
We carried out our baos. Our doughy baos. Hot Asian Baos. It's so explicit, I can't stop saying it. Tourette's. Bao, bao, bao. Do yourself a favor and just go here. Keep your expectations far away from high-end and know they will be warm and doughy and spicy when you want them to be. Don't ask too much of the bao, but embrace the experience. We had a box of six and split between the two of us it was perfection. And top it off with a dessert bao. We especially loved the chocolate coconut. Yum-o. (Ew, sorry. . . me no likey Ray Ray.) Bao out.
(4)Jess L.
I went straight from O'Hare to Wow Bao. Love the baos! I know many would say they're not "authentic" bu it's still yum-tastic. I think they've been experimenting with new flavors in the last year, but I still recommend the edamame and thai curry chicken bao. Their chocolate and coconut baos, recent additions, are also tasty. Thai salad is also surprisingly filling. Service is fast, and quality of food is consistent. Outdoor seating is also a plus.
(4)Krystyna B.
Wow Bao wows! After overloading on Chipotle for the last several weeks, I was ready for a change. Thanks, KrisB, for suggesting Wow Bao as our meeting place today. If you are looking for large, yeasty, steamy and authentic bao, then head south to Chinatown, but if what you want is a healthy, fresh, and tasty alternative to processed fast foods in the city, then Wow Bao is your place. My recommendation? Mix and match, baby! That's right, try a little of this and a little of that. I love the BBQ pork and Mongolian beef bao accompanied by the cold noodle or pad Thai salads. Trying to cool off? Order the yummy ginger ale or the Thai iced coffee. Service is courteous, friendly and efficient. Sometimes, just a tad too efficient. When the lunch rush died down, my date and I were still sitting at the counter choking on ammonia fumes. It seems one of WB's staff got a little impatient and busted out the cleaner. It didn't matter if a table was half occupied or not. It received a dusting of cleaner and a clean washcloth buffing. Now, normally, I would appreciate this attention to cleanliness. But, the smell of the ammonia was overpowering. Similar to one of Colleen's recent reviews, I'm going to mark this WB down a star for this interference with my olfactory experience of the resto. Otherwise, head on down. This place is great for an eat-in or take-out lunch. Congestion in line has been considerably improved by the addition of touchscreens that allow patrons to order their meals themselves and pay using their credit cards. This way, you bypass the line inside and just wait for your number to be called before heading off... I'll be back. WB is too tasty of an alternative to my current sloppy burrito obsession to be scared away by an overzealous cleaner.
(3)Jennie M.
I'm mildly obsessed. I love the little baos, they are super cheap and you can get 2 or 3 as a great base for a night of drinking. Get the ginger drink. GET IT, DAMMIT!!!! I'm not a fan of the green tea one, but all the others I've tried have been awesome. I think the whole wheat edemame or the kung pao chicken are my favorite. And HOLY CRAP YOU GUYS- BREAKFAST BAOS!!!! BACON AND EGG IN A BAO?!?!?!?!?! A.MAZ.ING.
(5)Diane N.
I came here upon the suggestion of a cousin so I could try the fresh ginger ale. It did not disappoint...after walking in the rain, it was quite refreshing with a yummy bao! The BBQ Pork is my fave of the moment and as a dessert I ate the coconut custard bao. This spot was nice and the service was fast and courteous. We came about 10 minutes to closing and the guy was so still happy to help us. HOT ASIAN BUNS!
(4)mel s.
Hot Asian Buns Come on, that's the best tag line ever! Slightly pricy but the food is definitely a couple notches above basic Chinese fare. The bao were perfect, with different filling options : predictable BBQ pork, Kung pao chicken, Mongolian beef, veggie, and ooh couple good dessert options. My mind said no but my taste buds said yes yes yes to the chocolate bao. Oh, I checked into foursquare before ordering so got a second bao free!
(4)Kristin S.
The fourth star is entirely for the ordering kiosk that completely added to the fun of our meal. I had the 6 piece bao and shared potstickers with some friends, so we got to try quite a few. My favorite was the Kung Pao Chicken, but I also really liked the spicy mongolian beef, the edamame and the coconut custard buns. While they're not super complex or gourmet, they were hot and tasty. If I worked closer, I could see myself here quite often for lunch. The prices are much higher than Chinatown, but it's fun food in a friendly, fun atmosphere. They did mix up one of our orders, but since you can customize your order to try 6 different buns, I didn't mind. Next time I'm downtown and looking for a quick bite, I'll definitely stop in.
(4)Faith H.
I was a little worried when I showed up to Wow Bao with a coworker for lunch and the tiny place was packed. I figured we'd be waiting for an hour. Not so. The restaurant has these touch screen ordering machines, so you place your order, pay for it, and the machine pops out a number. Then you wait for your number to be called...which surprisingly only took about 5 minutes. I had the chicken teriyaki rice bowl and a bite of my coworkers bbq pork bao. Yum. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Babs H.
Ok so, basically, I just love that their slogan is "Hot Asian Buns". Also, the bbq pork bao is delish. But mostly I love the slogan.
(4)Andrew B.
Giving this 4 stars was a slight stretch, but when ranked in the Asian fast food category it is at the top. The baos are one of a kind and the pot-stickers are good as well. They could add some more meat to the middle of the baos as sometimes they are pretty doughy. The bao filling selection is great and is able to cater to both vegans and BBQ meat lovers. My favorite item from Wow Bao is the Asian noodles with peanut sauce. It is slightly spice, but that is offset by the dish being served cold. It is a refreshing dish to enjoy after eating a thick BBQ pork bao. The service here is excellent and fast. I have never had an order messed up and never had to wait more than 3-4 minutes even during peak lunch hours. If you prefer not to order from a human they have self serve ordering machines available. I would definitely recommend this for a fast and well portioned lunch in the loop.
(4)Leanna S.
My first two bao I tasted were from here. The filling was good, but the dough on both tasted undercooked. Maybe that's just how bao are supposed to taste?
(2)Mary O.
I read the reviews and expected the buns to be the worst. Not really. The bread on my Teriyaki chicken buns was good, meat just okay...kind of mushy. The fried dumplings were a bit too crisp, as if they weren't defrosted properly. The cold noodles were the worst. Veggies with blah rice noodles. People seemed to like Wow Bao. Maybe because it's so convenient to eat. Saw people noshing on it while on the escalators for shopping at the Water Place Tower.
(3)Devi R.
5 stars for LUNCH during the work day. I've never been for breakfast and would be depressed to ever be there for dinner. But for lunch... it is awesome. First of all, you can order online and by the time you walk over, it's ready. Amazing. I usually like human interaction, but not during my 5 minutes of free time to dart out and grab lunch at work. I like that that's automated. Tons of options for vegetarians. The veggie bao are a tasty treat, and made with edamame, not wholly devoid of protein. Dumplings come steamed or pan fried, depending on which side of my yo-yo diet I'm on. The asian salad is yummy and I love it as a combo with a couple of bao or dumplings. My latest is the veggie bowl with quinoa. Seriously... so good. It's not as cheap as other lunch options, but much healthier and feels better. Only word of caution: If you like a lot of sauce, like I do, ask for it - they don't always put it in the bag. Ask for hot chilli oil if you want something spicy... they have it behind the counter :)
(5)Roy H.
We have had this catered a few times here at work. This is a very unique and delicous place. Pot stickers arent bad, the baos are very yummy and the curry flavored stuff is amazing!!
(4)Yb W.
The bun is a humble but beloved asian staple that has nourished us since forever. I am thrilled that it is being popularized outside of asia. The parent company of Wow Bao, megacorporation Lettuce Entertain You (yes, that's the real name), appears to be strategically planting these restaurants along busy downtown street corners. Although the buns themselves are of no better quality than the frozen kind--the same goes for the dumplings--I would not oppose continued expansion of Wow Bao. It does provide a welcome new lunch option that is not Subway or McDonald's.
(3)Colleen S.
Am I obligated to make some stupid joke about hot asian buns or can I just review the place? I could eat here everyday. And I sorta do. All I've ever had is the buns - specifically the 8 veggie green tea, the veggie edamame and the BBQ Pork bao. I love the BBQ but there's this odd flavor in it that I *think* I don't like but then I eat it every time so I must like it. Maybe I'm just nuts. They're always really fast but I do go at a slow time. I've never been there for lunch. I love that they are sold frozen and one day I will try some just to see if they taste the same at home.
(5)Phillip G.
There is a great little restaurant in Little Falls, MN that has a slogan - "Why do I keep coming back here?" Wow Bao why do I keep coming back to all your goodness wrapped up in a steamed asian bun. Yes its doughy, yes its delicious. I can't stop. I crave. Its not for every one. If you don't like bread or anything related to dough then the Bao is certainly not going to be to your liking. But I have yet to take someone there who doesn't instantaneously become a fan.
(4)Elizabeth R.
I love you Wow Bao. Love Love Love. I could eat your Baoz all day long. That said... I'm so glad they added another vegetarian bao to the menu! The whole wheat edamame one is outstanding (affirmed by carnivorous friends who generally fear both wheat and edamame) and the new mixed veggie one was really flavorful too. I love the potstickers, the spicy peanut noodles, and the thai herb soup. Seriously, the soup, which comes in a coffee-style sippy cup, is nicer to walk around town with on a cold Chicago's winter day than a cup of coffee. I'd never have tried it on my own, but I sipped a friend's and was amazed. It's just the right combination of salty and aromatic. I also love the coconut custard bao for desert and the homemade ginger ale. In fact, there's really nothing I have tried here that hasn't made me want to dance with glee. It's one of my ultimate comfort-food stops, favorite lunch places, and would be my top choice for lunches during the week if they delivered or were closer to my office.
(5)David G.
Last night, I had a dream about hot asian buns. Mmmm. But instead of waking up with morning wood, my stomach was growling. Weird. Then it hit me, I had a serious urge to eat at Wow Bao. My memories are still vivid of their sweet (but not too sweet) buns with piping hot meat inside as well as their juicy pot stickers. Defuckinglicious (sorry, I refuse to say "YUM-O"). Then I remembered Wow Bao is only in Chicago. Dammit. In consolation, I had myself an extra long shower...and had at myself.
(4)Lisa Z.
Yummy hot asian buns. You have to give the thai curry buns a try. I wish they would open some Wow Baos in SF.
(4)Lenora C.
I am such a fan of wow bao. I tried the one at water tower place before I discovered this location right up the street from my school. I usually get the pot stickers or the beef bao.. I really haven't had the guts to try the homemade ginger ale although I love the ale!
(4)Josh B.
I've go here often and it is a popular work destination. The Bao are these really doughy won tons and are great. I always get the chicken teryaki it's great. They sell them per bao and you only need 3. I've tried the pot stickers and they are good but the bao is better. Also if you still have room dessert the chocolate bao is bao filled with dark chocolate and is delicious. There usually is a wait but I haven't had to wait more than 5 minutes and you get your food very fast! Great lunch place!
(4)Janna V.
I heart Wow Bao! Ive been stopping in a few times a week for coffee as it is the only decent cup of coffee between the Clark/Lake Station and the Wrigley Building. The accessibility of a large dark roast has seriously made me easier to be around during morning time at the office. I also love their Oatmeal, with all the yummy fixins...although there is no way any normal sized human could possibly finish it. I feel really bad throwing it out every time. I love Bao, although havent had any at this location ----
(5)Si R.
For cheap, fast food of the Asian persuasion, I can't complain. Plus, any restaurant that proclaims, "Hot Asian Buns" in giant letters on its wall is a winner in my eyes. The buns: tender, chewy and filled with all kinds of delciousness. I got a six pack of different flavors (among them: kung pao chicken, edamame and curry) and experienced the East! My gripe: This place was dirty. Yes, it had an intriguing modern design and airiness to it, yet there was trash all over the floor, dirty tables everywhere and a big mess of a condiment bar. I guess I can't complain for good eats on a budget.
(3)Quynh-An P.
Hot Asian Buns. Ok, so the slogan's pretty awesome. I'm surprised they haven't set up a permanent picture taking spot for the Asians (cough the boyfriend and I cough) who are so inclined to take pictures in front of the sign. Anyhow, we were both very skeptical about this place, as we're both pretty traditional when it comes to our food. He's Chinese and I'm Viet, so we've both grown up with lots of baos. We were both surprised about how tasty the actual bao was...our only problem was with the filling. It wasn't really bbq pork, in any way at all. I also ordered the rice bowl with chicken teriyaki. Seriously, that wasn't chicken teryiaki either. It tasted weird. The potstickers, however, were pretty tasty. Overall, it was just ok...but not somewhere I'd likely go again.
(3)Todd P.
Taking the El and craving Potbelly (which is across the street) I came upon Wao's 3 for $5 combo deal. I've been there before and have paid a bit more (not complaining). So i tried the combo and it definitely hit the spot and NOT the wallet! The place in general is clean and friendly. Love the uniforms and overall style of the place. Music is appropriate too. Bathrooms are clean (yet hard to find and one at a time). But you leave feeling full and fullfilled.
(5)Misty B.
Love the whole wheat edameme bao but i wish they had vegan options.
(3)Dave S.
If you are a bit of a puss and afraid to try some authentic Asian food, then this is the place for you. Everything is very Gringo friendly. White meat chicken, sweet teriyaki sauce, ect. ect. That being said, the food is really solid here. I really enjoy the chicken curry that they have. The steamed buns are flavorful. The prices are cheap too. It is more than possible to get two meals out of an eight dollar lunch. If you are on the run in the loop, I'd check it out.
(3)Christina T.
Hot Asian Buns - yes, they have them! I tried the thai chicken curry and the spicy kung pao and both had a lot of flavor but I love the dough! Being a carb junkie, the dough hit the spot and the hibiscus lemonade is super refreshing on a hot day.
(4)Brandon B.
Well then...thanks to Crister & the P&W gang for showing me this cute little place...such an interesting and refreshing menu. I had the "bao six pack" which was like eating little firm doughy mashed potato blobs stuffed with different meats and spices. I love the dough, I could eat a human shaped/sized portion alone! (most parts). Not terribly expensive and a simple, fun idea for quick food. Now I need to move to a neighborhood that has one....
(5)Brandi W.
I have been to the Wow Bao at Water Tower Place and fell in love with the locations. When i found there was one a lot closer to my office I so had to go there. One of my co-workers and I decided since it was our one buy lunch that week we decided to go to Wow Bao on Lake and State. Such a great idea. I walked down for the order to go and found that there was a nice little kiosk located outside of the restaurant and thought I would give it a try. I mean how bad could it be to order from a machine, right? It was the easiest thing i had ever done and it takes your payment! Within 5 minutes of having placed the order I was walking out the door. I love the Mongolian beef, but be prepared for it to be spicy. I love the Curry Chicken Bao and I have found a new love for the Coconut Custard Bao. My co-worker had the Kung Pow Chicken and loved it! I can see this as a future lunch place, and more frequent when the weather gets warmer!!!
(5)Ling L.
What Wow Bao got going for it is the fast-food concept. I was excited and scared at the same time to try it for the first time. Scared because I was fearful the bun would be thick and rubbery. Not so. It is fluffy, soft and chewy Perfection. The BBQ pork got our best-of vote, followed by the curry, spicy kung pao, and Mongolian beef. I was bummed they didn't have the typical red bean bao for dessert. That's a common Chinese variety. But I can see how most people would shun the concept of bean paste. Although the suburbs of Schaumburg area has its share of dim-sum offerings, it will be nice to have a Wow Bao for instant gratification.
(4)Jason P.
I walked in to here and said to myself "what the crap is a wow bao?" Well I'll tell you what it is..sweet little goodnesses of steamed dumplings with any filling you can imagine. From Asian inspired dinner dumplings to dessert dumplings, they deliver in quality and taste. However, they fall short on service. This place is a little pricey, but the coffee drinks are amazing and make up for it while you wait for your dumplings to be put on the plate.
(3)Pilker K.
Used to have a great lunch buy with their 3 for $5 deal. It just went up to $6 and it's overpriced. Sorry, Wow Bao, you just lost me.
(2)Arnab M.
On my way back to the hotel to work more, I passed by Wow Bao which only caught my eye because of the massive banners on the building. I though it would be a welcome change from room service.I walked in to almost to no lines and all the attention from this wonderful and spunky server. I ordered 4 Asian buns with 4 different fillings (basically 4 of the 6 they had, the ones I didn't get were the pork and beef ones), I got a plate of potstickers and both their flavors of mochi (mango and coconut). My total was something like $15, not bad at all! I walked to my hotel and scarfed all this down within 10 minutes and granted it wasn't as warm as it should have been thanks to the weather outside, it still tasted delish! Eating this food made me miss my Koreans, ha-ha, i.e. the 5 awesome Koreans I lived with my senior year.
(4)Harley S P.
Had lunch at Wow Bao. First time having a Bao, was pretty impressed with the flavor. Even my co-workers that have experienced Bao in the past thought they were good. Also had the chicken bowl...very good. Will probably go again, nice that it's right around the corner from work.
(3)Frances E.
So I was shopping around the Loop and I was in the mood for Chinese food. I went on my app for Yelp! and this was one of the closest places to me. I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowl w/ a BBQ Pork Bao. The rice bowl was pretty good but it still needed something more to really enhance the taste of the teriyaki. It wasn't bad at all, but for me it just needed that little something. OMG, but the BAO?! D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!!!!! I have never eaten something soooo yummy! And I noticed that maybe like 80% of the customers that go there, just order BAOs! I next time I go, I'm just gonna order like 20 BAOs just for me! Haha...
(4)Chris S.
I've wanted to go in here for about a year, but never got around to it. Yesterday was the day. The space itself is clean, bright, and shiny. The people working there seem a little more invested than their counterparts at the local sandwich shops. The food was served immediately-everything is already steamed and ready to go. I had my 2 bao in 10 seconds. The food is good, not great, but it's passable. It's kind of hard to tell how good it is since you really only get a little spoonful of filling inside the bun. 2 bao (small meal, big snack) were about $4, so it's pretty cheap. They have other items on the menu like potstickers and rice bowls, but the bao is where it's at. A nice alternative to the same old stuff in the loop.
(3)sarah l.
Mmmmmm...bbq pork bun...yum!
(4)Olga L.
I had the spicy kung pao chicken bowl with lo mein noodles. Yummy and cheap.
(4)Mike E.
Simple. Cheap. Fast and delicious.
(4)Anya P.
WOW BAO is really over rated, When here got 2 bows, Wasnt really worth it , Its too doughy the whole kiosk thing is really off putting. I mean good for a cheap Im on the move I dont really care about taste lunch, but other then that meh. I love the ginger ale which is the highlight of my going there if I go.
(1)Zach C.
Okay, this place is pretty awesome. The atmosphere was kind of that eurosterility vibe. I just made up that word but I think it works. This was the first time I actually had these Bao buns but have had a few other varieties since. For some reason Wao Bao's were fresher and they had a nice variety. Their potstickers were also delicious and they had some really good iced tea. P.S. They got the fifth star for their awesome design. I am a sucker for good logos.
(5)Stacey M.
I'm all about Hot Asian Buns...but the disorganization of my experience gives it just an A-OK. Preparing to have breakfast delivered to my work for my 10year anniversary (woot!), I ordered six 6paks of breakfast baos. I got one 6 pak free (happened to see on the Lettuce Entertain You website!)! I had a gift card, and my frequent diner card (with monies on it I was going to use for the balance)..and somehow this seemed foreign to the person taking my order for delivery. When calling back for a total - they had charged me for seven 6packs..I had to remind them one was free! They came to deliver it the next morning - again charging me for seven 6 paks, and charging the rest on my credit card (I left here for my receptionist since she'd be accepting the delivery) in case there was a problem, since I got the feeling over the phone that someone just didn't get it. Needless to say - I had to walk over to Wow Bao (only a 2 blk walk, but that's not the point) to get it all straightened out! An extra shout out for the manager JEFF..who was SUPER nice, accomodating and helpful - and never batted an eye at having to help me. Even during their super busy rush lunch time! Willing to give it another shot! :)
(3)Cathy H.
I walked by this place a billion times, always wanting to pop in. I finally did, and it was...a disappointment. The pot stickers were pretty decent, but nothing I couldn't buy frozen for 1/10 of the price and cook at home. The buns were decent, too, but nothing to write home about. In fact, for a better cha siu, try any dimsum restaurant, or even frozen stuff from Chinatown Market (steam at home). Kudos to them for the creativity, though: I think I saw a bacon-and-egg bao (or something similar). In short: eat here when you're super hungry and in the area. Otherwise, do yourself a favor and eat somewhere else.
(2)Brad C.
Loved the baos at the Water Tower location and now that there is a closer location it is even better. This one is faster also. There are a couple boas they don't have at this one. Being able to get breakfast is what makes this location better then the Water Tower one. One veggie option and two other meat breakfast boas. Plus you can get coffee deal also.
(5)Jay K.
everything is awesome! effect ordering with kiosk... the tea was amazing
(5)Gayle G.
Tasty and cheap for breakfast! 2 baos and a cup of coffee for less than $4. I'm not an egg eater, so breakfast often poses a problem for me. I'm happy that I could order just a chicken teryaki and a bbq pork bao for breakfast. Very flavorful and easy to eat when you're on the move. Yum!
(4)Bryan Y.
Great food at a reasonable price. Very fast and efficient. There are several healthy choices (ie brown rice). My favorite part is ordering from the computer. Get to browse their selections without a cashier breathing down your neck.
(4)Mike K.
Let's not get too carried away here - this is still a fast food place. I don't know what pops up in your mind when I say "fast food" but whatever it is, the words "authentic", "healthy" and "fresh" should probably be kept in check. I'm not necessarily saying this establishment doesn't deliver on these fronts but you and I both know a meal which is prepackaged frozen to a given place only to have them steam it back to edible status isn't going to be at the top of any ranking for "authenticity", "freshness" nor "healthiness". The deal is this - this place is really decent and "decent" is the operative word here. The atmosphere will remind you of a high(er) end eatery w/ its soothing interior, shiny workers and open-kitchen giving you the illusion of quality and freshness. It's a good trick, mind you, and it's a trick that's very welcome. You can't fault the management for trying to make its place presentable and nice. I wish more establishments would follow this line of thinking and cleaned their places up. The food, again, is decent. Baos are warm (as they should be) and edible. I found the Thai Curry to be the best on their menu, if you're looking for advice on where to start. If you go, I highly recommend getting the Hot & Sour broth. They serve this in a cup usually reserved for coffee so when you order and they give you an unmarked cup, don't be shocked. That's your broth. You will enjoy it. Trust me. I have no idea what's in this broth but it really is the sole reason I'm giving this place 4 stars. I think after you try it, you'll begin to understand what I mean.
(4)Diane D.
I am a serious lover of dim sum foods, especially the pork bao. I have been known to go on missions in whatever city I'm in to find said bao if I realize I haven't had any in a while. So imagine my joy when I discovered this restaurant, which I don't think we have on the east coast, is cleverly attached to my weekly hotel in Chicago! Oh there IS a God! But, now, a few weeks later... meh. They are not my favorite pork buns. Don't get me wrong, the noodle dishes and pot stickers are tasty. And there are many kinds of interesting bao to try, which are all decent. Best of all, it's open pretty late for those long days in the office when I'm getting back late and just need something quick. But, for the price, I feel like I will now continue my search for excellent pork bao in Chicago.
(3)Sue K.
It's like Chipotle - choose your meat filling, and you can have it in a bun or on rice bowl. Thai curried chicken was just ok. What an ingenious way to charge $7 for macerated dumpling filling on top of rice. Still I'd go back to try the other fillings and sit at the patio.
(3)Sarah L.
Wow Bao has an amazing cool pad thai salad with chicken that is pretty darn tasty! The entire salad is gluten free and that makes me a happy camper! The salads are located near the grab & go cooler and they have other salad options as well. The dressing is to die for and the total cost is $6 and change!
(4)Steve S.
The food here is pretty tasty. I think the portions are a bit small for the price. Reminds me of an Asian version of Vapiano. There aren't a ton of choices on the menu either, which I guess makes ordering quicker.
(3)Zach T.
Inexpensive fast food. The fresh ginger soda is good. Easy to order using touch screen tech.
(3)JASON c.
THE SEAT GREAT the nuts with out warning was DEATHDEFYING thank god i was on a date n they ran in got me water .I COULD HAVE DIED. u should warn people who eat chines food that u americannize it ....
(2)Vincenzio S.
WORST FOOD EVER! The bowls were very oily- and why is the meat GROUND! Mongolian Beef looked like ALPO dog food. I don't understand why this place has good reviews....... Never again! I actually took it back horrible and not worth it, unless you want rot gut!
(1)Tracey M.
Wow Bao was just ok. We grabbed a bite there because it's right around the corner from the Chicago Theater. It was fine for "fast food" Chinese. I had the Mongolian Beef bowl. It was a little spicier than I expect, or had a taste for that particular evening, but nothing to lodge a major complaint again. Would I go back? Most likely, but I wouldn't necessarily be running back there every chance I get. . .
(3)- chicagobiker -.
Don't let the name "bao" confuse you. It's the same thing as those tasty little BBQ pork buns you've had at dim sum and loved. There is a big variety here, as well as potstickers, noodles, rice bowls and dessert buns. The combo is a good deal for lunch downtown--for $5.99 you get the choice of potstickers or bao, and choice of pad thai salad, peanut noodles or vegetable salad. The fresh ginger ale is much like that at Big Bowl. Good! Seems like a big wait at lunch but the line moves fast.
(4)Albert K.
This place is in my work building, so it's convenient. But that's about the only thing that appeals to me. And I've stopped raising my eyebrows after my coworkers ask if I want "Hot Asian Buns." I think I'm over Wow Bao b/c the smell of sesame seed oil permeates the entire first floor of the building, so I have an automatic Pavlovian response of disgust. The food is okay, but I feel that the portions are tiny and overpriced. The buns taste synthetic, like the frozen ones in a Korean or Chinese grocery store. But they are fast. Oh, if you're a Chicago news junkie, you can expect to see ABC 7 Chicago anchormen and women waiting in line next to you. Like Ron Magers!
(2)Mark M.
Nice friendly take out place with a good amount of seating. Clean, modern facilities/decor. Staff was so friendly and helpful. I tried the spicy Mongolian Beef bowl w/ two Bao combo for takeout. I had just the right amount of kick and the right amount of food for under 10 bucks. I'll definitely return to try their breakfast Bao!!
(4)David S.
My first time at WowBao because they just opened a new location in my work building. My initial hope and anticipation of yummy vegan options were dashed when i found out the baos have egg in them and the pad thai salad had fish sauce. The soup broth is also made with chickens. I ended up getting the green vegetable potsticker combo with spicy peanut noodles. The potstickers tended to fall apart spilling the contents and the peanut noodles were a little tough like they were stale or old. I also had a fresh ginger ale with pomegranate which was tasty. Overall not spectacular (it IS fast food though i guess) but edible. The flavors did err on the brighter side of standard fast food though. Service was quick and friendly.
(3)Heather K.
I've been to the Water Tower location a bunch of times, but usually to grab some bao as a snack. Now that Wow Bao is in the Loop, I thought I'd try it out as a lunch option. Here's what I like - you can basically fill up for about $6, which is comparable to a good majority of the Loop fast food spots. Because all/most of the food is already cooked, it only takes a few minutes once you place your order for your meal to be ready. I'll only comment on the food that I've tried so far at this location, not Water Tower. The curry chicken bao was tasty, but honestly if it didn't have curry in the title, I don't think I'd be able to tell what the flavor was. I liked it anyway. The teriyaki chicken was very onion-y and a bit oversteamed, which left the bun soggy on the bottom. Probably won't order that one again. The hot and sour soup tasted exactly like chicken broth - not seasoned whatsoever. Dumpling noodle soup...very filling, there were like 3-4 dumplings plus lots of noodles, so the portion size was right. The broth had an overwhelming ginger taste that I wasn't prepared for, and the chicken dumplings were filled with some questionable meat. Tasted fine but looked kind of unappetizing. Because they have good combo deals, Wow Bao is the sort of place that you can hit up a few times, try a bunch of different menu items, and then decide what's worth returning for. Wanted to end on a positive note and praise the hibiscus iced tea, which is tasty and refreshing, even on a cold day.
(3)Tennyson M.
Although the food here is nothing but emtpy carbs and goes straight to my zebra-like thighs, it's still a guilty pleasure of mine when I crave that Asian fix. If you have the foursquare app, "check in" when you get here, and you get 2 baos for the price of 1 (if you're the "mayor" you get 6 free).
(3)P S.
Laden with several Lettuce Entertain You gift cards and certificates, I opted to spend a few donated bucks at Wow Bao. I was pleasantly surprised, I must say. The yellow curry chicken bowl was decent, the bao was a little doughy, but the innards were tasty. The house-made ginger ale was divine and the counter help really friendly. It made me wish for one closer to me, for I would probably stop in more often than just the few times I did. Wow Bao has made the radar!
(3)Heather H.
Excellent choice for good, healthy, fast & cheap food downtown. The steam buns were as good as any I've had at dim sum but the pot stickers were only so-so -- I wouldn't go out of my way for them.
(4)Lemonjelly L.
Fun! Came upon this fast food joint while exiting my hotel and was immediately drawn in. My town has NO dim sum, so an opportunity to have fresh bao is an opportunity I will take full advantage of. The interior is bright and clean, with shiny silver urns puffing out steam. The queue is quick and efficient. My combination order plus an additional bao was ready perhaps a minute after I cleared the register. This was during the busy lunch hour, too. I ordered: 5 pot stickers - pork and cabbage 1 cha siu bao Spicy peanut noodle salad It cost just a smidge over $8 and was very filling. Wow Bao does brisk business with lots of customer turn over, so finding a spot for two to eat was a snap. My pot stickers weren't as good as the ones I make, a couple fell apart very quickly. Then again, I have OCD when folding my dumpling wrappers perfectly, and I know that won't cut it in a fast food situation. Lots of other bao and drink options are available, but I went with the old standards for my first time. Yay! I'm a fan.
(4)Liz P.
love me some hot asian buns... yea, i don't care if that "joke" is overused. those little suckers are delish.
(4)Erin Y.
wow bao! i thought my coworkers were joking when I first heard the name... so i had to check it out. been here a couple of times now. you don't really come here for authentic baos, although i do admit the bun part is pretty fluffy and tasty! i'm less a fan of the fillings. for some reason they all taste the same, except for the edamame one. i also hate ginger and can taste little bits of ginger in every type of bao. i tried the thai curry rice bowl last time i went. it was ok but a little smaller than i was expecting. i think i would stick to the baos. overall a good lunch choice - they are fast, not greasy, and it's a nice change from sandwiches!
(3)Phuong H.
I prefer their "dessert" baos like custard bao. They got one of my baos mixed up and we came back to try their rice/noodles but the portions are so tiny and the rice combo was so bland and the peanut sauce was so overwhelming and tangy that I couldn't finish my salad.
(3)Tyler M.
Dumpling soup was tasty. Vegetable dumplings were only ok, kinda plastic.
(3)Brandon W.
I have been to this location twice and have NO complaints. I have yet to try something that was bad. The other thing I really like about WB, is how the food tatse pretty fresh for a fast food restaurant. The buns as well have a great steamed flavor to them and they are always the right temperature keeping the fillings inside tasty. It gets a bit crowded if you come at around 12:30pm. So you should probably try and get in between 11:30 and 12:30 if you dont want to wait in line. However, the wait in line is probably 5 minutes at best, but a lot of the people that come in here are really, GO GO GO, and cant stop in a line for anything.
(3)Jennifer A.
I thought I'd try this place. It was in the office building shared by the hotel I was staying in. They seemed busy, which is usually a good sign at 2:30 in the afternoon. Decided to try the chicken teriyaki bowl instead of a bao, perhaps that was my mistake. I am not sure what I expected, but what I received was far from it. It was some sort of finely chopped meat mixed with sauce over a bowl of rice with scallions on the top. I cannot tell you with certainty it was even chicken! At first taste it seemed ok, however, the further I got into it the less tasty it was. Thank goodness for Tums, I am not sure I would have survived it otherwise. I did find the signs quite fun though, Hot Asian Buns...
(2)daynia S.
Yummy to my tummmy!!!!!!!!!!
(4)Anastasia K.
Granted I went for dinner during the week, post-working hours, so there was not much of a line, but I swear it was less than 60 seconds between ordering and getting my food from the counter. The baos are decent - I had the teriyaki chicken which was quite tasty. It's a little weird that you don't get a plate and the only thing between your food and the table surface is a thin tissue. Yikes! Their homemade ginger ale is really tasty but very strong, don't expect the same thing you get at the supermarket. You can't beat the price, and seating was a breeze, but I'm sure it's much more competitive at lunchtime.
(3)Christine Allen C.
It's fusion cheap eats fast food. I will choose this over McDonald. Steam bun and beef noodles are ok. Pot stickers are so so. Thai herb soup is so tasty!!!
(4)David L.
More like "meh" bao. Bland and a bit boring. Boo.
(2)Dan O.
Looking for a good bowl of soup, I headed into Wow Bow since I work upstairs and didn't want to go outside. I could deal with the annoyingly loud music and the overly simplified menu if I liked the result. In the end, I paid $4.10 for a cup of soup that was all salt and water (few ingredients, no bread, crackers, etc.). Should have gone across the street to the 7 Eleven.
(1)Brooke M.
Great place for the downtown workers - offers a quick, healthy lunch option which I love (who's had enough of Cosi, Corner Bakery, etc. sammys that are 1000 calories?). I always have the Thai Chicken Soup which is simply lovely - esp w. the hot/spicy sauce (YUM)! I've also had the pot stickers and bows - they are very good, but the best part = sauces! The mustard sauce is absolutely gorgeous and I dream of it often. Also, when Starbucks is too busy - head to Wow Bao for a cheap cup of Intelligentsia joe.
(4)Colleen B.
Good. Cheap. Fast. Easy. Potstickers weren't the best... dryyyyyyy, sad, and disappointing. I think they'd just been sitting around for hours. Baos... I tried 3 kinds and they were all good. I'll be back the next time I need a quick nip while I'm in the Loop.
(4)Jonathan A.
I love baos. The only problem is that i eat them so fast, by the time I finish them, I realize I've had too many. If you get the variety six-pack, it's like getting a sampling of Asian meals in finger food form. You can also pick up frozen packs for home which are just about as good. This location is better because it has breakfast baos and tables for dining. And is generally faster.
(4)Ang R.
I like this Wow Bao waaaay better than the one at Water Tower. For one, the menu is much more extensive. I thought the potstickers were fine, though they're not so exciting as the Baos. I'd definitely be interested in trying the rice bowls, as I assume they are just the fillings from the Baos on top of rice. But my absolute favorite thing at this location are the sweet baos. Oh my god, I don't even LIKE coconut, and the coconut creme bao was awesome. Just awesome. I think my boyfriend thought he could have that one for himself--as I did--and I couldn't stop eating it. So good. Perfect for a quick cheap meal before a Chicago Theatre show too, if you're ok with fast food.
(4)Tom H.
I love the idea of fancy, fast buns, but the execution yields a resounding meh. The buns are not very good. They are thrice as expensive as the vastly more delicious buns available at any good dim sum restaurant (of which, of course, there are sadly few in Chicago). I suppose it might be a convenient lunch spot for someone working downtown, but I would never recommend going there because of the food.
(2)Josh Q.
This place rules! Our only experience prior to this, with asian pork buns, was frozen ones from Trader Joes. We were so excited when we saw a whole restaurant concept built around it. Please open one of these in Columbus. I will eat there daily. Promise.
(5)Travis C.
I looooove this place! Almost without exception the food is delicious (the exceptions being anything with Edamame or that weird cabbage stuff). The staff is friendly and the service is prompt, even when it is SLAMMIN' during the lunch rush. My recommendations are the Thai Curry bao or rice bowl, and the pot-stickers.
(5)Alan Z.
Always up for some wow bao.
(4)Ariel B.
Wow! I like the Wow Bao! I've had one or to bao buns at parties, but I'd never been to Wow Bao. I always thought it was some crazy bun place in Water Tower Place. To be clear: IT IS NOT! Met a friend for lunch today and had the 2 bun combo with noodles. Way more than enough food for me. I had the Mongolian Beef bun and curry chicken. Very spicy and yummy. I enjoyed the buns and the noodles very much. Great for a quick snack or a meal!
(4)carmen c.
I never get tired of this place. Surely, not the most authentic bao in the world, or even the city (though I haven't done much exploring on that end) but stopping in for a snack or a light meal always leave me satisfied. My favorite are the pork and curry chicken as well as the chocolate, but when I am feeling "healthy" I throw in an edamame bao. The salads are alright but get a bit boring after you've had them a few times but the bao and yummy drinks never get old. Good place to stop if you are late to work or class and need something to gulp down on the way!
(4)Nicole V.
This location just opened up and I was really excited to give it a try. I have heard about the bao dumplings and how great they are. My selection was a Mongolian beef rice bowl and one teriyake chicken bao. The pricing was relative to the other "high end" fast food places in the loop. Upon getting back to my desk I dug right in....trying the bao first. It was um...doughy? Yeah, very doughy and not much stuff in the middle. Don't know that I was very impressed. The rice bowl was a decent size, but all the meat and ingredients were chopped up into tiny pieces. It wasn't very substantial and made the dish much harder to eat. I guess I would rank this above some of the other fast food chains out there...but it isn't going to be on my list of favorite loop lunch spots.
(3)Ruben B.
I came here on the strength of a name drop in Esquire's recent Best Fast Food in America feature. I was happy I made the trip. For $5.99 you can choose between 2 bao or 5 potstickers plus a side of pad thai salad, asian vegetable salad or spicy peanut noodles. I opted for the spicy Mongolian beef and Thai curry chicken bao(s?) and the spicy peanut noodles. I'd never had this style of Asian buns before and found the soft texture surprising but very tasty. I would definitely order the Mongolian beef again but probably not the Thai curry just because the amount of filling was kinda weak. Overall for a fast food option, Wow Bao is definitely worth stopping by for a quick and delicious meal.
(4)Jesse L.
I love this place, mostly for the shear novelty. Its a great spot to go for lunch with a few coworkers, especially when the weather is nice because of the large outdoor patio. Honestly, the bao are good, but I prefer the pot stickers. Who wouldn't love pot stickers for lunch? The one problem is that the inside is a mess in terms of layout and design. It can be difficult to navigate and find a table during the lunch hour rush. if its nice, the outdoor area makes it a little easier to find seating. I haven't had the breakfast, but I'm curious and hope to try it soon.
(4)keRi M.
i come here often from river north to meet friends for lunch who work in the loop. its quick, easy, and cheap, and they have a decent sized patio when it's nice (although i think last time we were hovering waiting for a table to open up, but it didn't take long). the edamame and the chicken teriyaki edamame make my mouth very happy. only thing is i usually order 4 bao for lunch, and wind up often wishing i'd gotten one more, but then at that point u think maybe u should have gone for the deal because they're slightly cheaper i think when you buy 6. but delish. they sell them frozen too, which i've considered buying and bringing home for dinner some night.
(4)Quantas G.
Great atmosphere, great service, great cooking presentation, good prices, good selection. Not a fan of baos but I did enjoy the dumplings and kung pao chicken.
(3)Liz C.
This place knows what it's doing and does it right. It's a desperately needed oasis of mediocre, moderately priced, westernized pan-asian in a sea of crappy wilted salads and mushy meat sandwiches. It's saved me many a time from the depressing trifecta of cosi, corner bakery, and cafe baci. It also provides something impossible to find elsewhere in the vicinity - an actual savory snack, for under 5 dollars. Go to items are the green tea gingerale (delicious), thai chicken curry bao (pretty good), bbq pork bao (almost a desert), and coconut or chocolate bao (definitely a desert). The 3 for 5 deal is also good. Be forewarned - all their food is from a packet or previously frozen; it's just better and tastier than the other previously frozen food in the loop. For that small accomplishment, they get 4 stars and my unending devotion. I agree with the poster who mentioned the straws, what is up with that? Just move them! Everything else about this place is pretty efficient.
(4)Simmone S.
I love Wow Bao! For a fast food establishment I think that there food and service is pretty quality. It is not hard to find cheap Asian food places in Chicago, but the quality of the food is often questionable.... Wow Bao offers a good variety and everything is super tasty..not too greasy, slimy, or containing any unidentified objects. Wow Bao also uses compostable/biodegradable containers and disposables, making it more environmentally friendly than most all fast food establishments.
(4)Gfiddy F.
Coconut puffy pastry is tasty!
(5)Dominic B.
The employees are very efficient which allows them to handle the lunch time rush well. The food is alright, but nothing exciting and the facility is standard fast food feeling. One thing I did really like was the little cup of gummy candies for a buck. Just a simple pleasure that went a long way.
(3)Alysson L.
I am absolutely in love with Wow Bao, and have been since it first appeared on State Street. I've always loved traditional Bao, and the pork buns certainly suit me fine, but I'm even more delighted by the range of more non-traditional bao available-- I particularly like the Thai curry, and my boyfriend loves the Teriyaki chicken, and a few of the dessert bao. The fresh gingerale is definitely delicious, and I also am a big fan of ordering via the monitor outside (it makes for short lines, since most people are inexplicably terrified of machines). Best if all? It's right next to the 6 bus stop, so it's a perfect place to pop in to grab some food before jumping on the bus and heading back to Hyde Park. My boyfriend and I now have a rule that if one of us goes into the Loop, they must bring back Wow Bao for the other.
(5)Matt M.
I'm not really one that likes to eat much Asian food, nor have I tried many places, but Wow Bao went exceptionally well for my taste buds. The flavor of my Mongolian beef melted in my mouth along with a tasty "asian sticky bun." One thing I always praise are their ice cubs in the fountain drink machine. Maybe I don't get out enough but the ice tubes are wonderful to an ice eater like me. The atmosphere is very trendy and hip for a fast food place. Sitting can be an issue during heavy lunch hours but the food makes up for it.
(3)Michael H.
So I decided to break away from my normal routine of picking up Potbelly's after work on the way to grad school, and I tried out Wow Bao based on a recommendation. Although it didn't 'wow' me, I would have to admit that it was a welcomed change of pace. The steamed potstickers were a good value, and the bao was tasty. This place is by no means authentic, but it's a good option for a quick meal.
(3)Valerie R.
I've had the 2 veggie options and though they tasted ok they were too bland for me. Not somewhere I'd go out of my way for.
(3)M. Z.
Overall a solid C. The service was good, but the food was pretty bad. I got a 6 pack of teriyaki and bbq bao and not only did everything taste the same, but it made me sick. The only appreciable difference between the chicken and the pork was that the pork had hunks of fat in with the meat. I ended up throwing most of it away and trying the custard and chocolate instead. They were passable, but nothing to write home about.
(2)Christoph B.
Awesome place for a quick lunch. I had the Thai chicken noodle soup and my bro had a rice bowl and we shared an order of potstickers. Service was fast. The dining area is bright and cheery. Will be back for more.
(4)Stephen D.
This is a place I like to dislike and dislike to like. (It would be too much to say I love to hate it.) It's not THAT expensive and the food does taste alright. But every single time I eat there -- and all I ever eat is a chicken rice bowl -- I spend the afternoon in a food coma and not feeling very well -- yet I sometimes look forward to their food. I'm not sure why -- maybe because I work in the building? At any rate, this is the place to go to when you run out of options in the wasteland of bland lunchtime fare that we call the West Loop.
(3)Colleen M.
Ok - these probably aren't traditional baos, but I love this place. It's a great place when I'm feeling like something other than a sandwich but need to get something to go. The service is fast (even when there's a long line) and the combo special is really cheap. My favorite baos are the whole wheat edamame and the spicy Mongolian beef...yum! I could go for one right now.
(4)Jess R.
Eww. Enough said.
(1)Jason S.
This Wao Bao just opened up in the theater district (loop) and I am destined to be a regular. Having never been to Wao Bao, I walked in a mere freshman and two wao bows later walked out a graduating senior. The food was quite good for fast food Chinese. The whole place seemed so fresh that I felt as if the Mongolian beef wao bow (old fashioned dough filled with choices of meat and vegetables) and the Kung Pao Chicken on rice were actually healthy. This place could very well become the next corner bakery or pot belly's with a Chineese flair. The line was out the door but we moved through pretty fast. This is such a refreshing change and offers us downtowners a little something different for a fast food lunch. I give this place 4 stars and one hell of a WOW bao!
(4)Eric B.
Without head to Chinatown for dim sum, it's difficult to get a good pork bun in Chicago. Yummm, pork buns. All I need to say. It's not really a substitute for real dim sum, but it's a nice alternative when you are downtown. I always stop by for a quick snack when I'm in the area.
(4)K M.
I think this place provides a really nice lunch option for those of us working on the north end of the Loop. Sure the line gets long, but we waited MAYBE 10 minutes at 12:45, and managed to get a table with no trouble, so its not as bad as the line looks. I thought the food was really good- we got the 2 baos + salad combos and I guess maybe got lucky with ordering the asian vegetable salad or whatever it was called- very tasty little salad, and to me the 2 baos were plenty! (and I'm a pretty big eater for a little girl but I was actually really full! of course also got this little dessert bao which probably put me well over the edge :) the peanut noodle salad was ok, I probably wouldn't get that again though (we just split those sides to try both) These baos seem pretty reasonable calorie-wise too if you care- I hate that about eating out in the loop, it can be really hard to gauge how much damage I'm doing, but each bao is like 160 calories according to the website, so with 2 plus the actual salad (other combo choices were far less healthy!) I would think this is not so bad and would definitely go again Yea they are mostly puff plus some of the meat filling (i got the thai chicken and agree with another reviewer in saying this was really good, and also got the kung pao chicken, good but prefered the thai), but I thought it was a good ratio And while maybe having the owner standing there greeting people (or maybe its someone they hired to stand there and say he's the owner) didn't really do much, it is nice if someone cares enough about his business to see it through the early stages like that and interact with customers they do move you along quickly through the line, and since I'm usually starving still after lunch, I was impressed that they managed to stuff me! Esepcially for about $6.00! Definitely worth checking out if you work over here
(4)Todd H.
Passable but overrated. I work across the street from it, so I knew I would make my way there anyway. Definitely did not live up to the hype. Still, I am sure I will go there again because the curry chicken is pretty good.
(3)Jessica N.
How happy am I that I don't have to walk a mile each way to get Wow Bao any more. This will be especially helpful once it gets to below freezing temperatures. I like that the Baos and the peanut salad is always consistent. The one I have down by the CBOT tastes exactly like the one I have at Water Tower and it tastes exactly like the one on Wacker. I tried the coconut custard bao for the first time at this location. It was scrumptious. Not too sweet, not to coconutty. I am never disappointed by the veggie bao or the peanut salad either. It is not too pricey- I think about $6.50 for the two baos and side. I still keep telling myself to get in and try a breakfast bao. That should be a delight as well. And every time, even though it happens every time, I am amazed at how fast I get my food. They usually have it handed to me before I get my soda filled up. That is some quick service. Good food fast is always a key element for lunchtime. Hopefully they will open a Wow Bao by my house so I can hit it up on weekends when we are in a hurry!
(4)Steve T.
If you have never had a Bao, this is a decent place to go to get some quick lunch in the loop. You can get a 6-pack of Baos, which I would definitrely recommend sharing, and it's pretty good. It's a nice change from the usual suspects for quick loop lunches. They also have bowls, of a variety of items which are also pretty tasty. The spicy items are pretty spicy, so beware. My mouth was on fire one day and there wasn't enough diet coke in the world to save me for about half an hr.
(4)Matthew P.
This is a pretty good place to eat lunch in the city. I like the BBQ bao. its a little over priced if you get the rice dishes so just stick with str8 baos. Oh one thing that does suck is the seating. I guess they decided that it would be "cool" to have these modern chairs. They feel like seating on my 7th grade shop chair. (which sucked btw)
(3)Kelly B.
An update to my review. We ordered Wow Bao for our party. It was fairly priced, ready on time for pick up, packaged nicely, and they were a HIT. People that had never had Bao loved them and people that knew of them said they were some of the best tasting Bao they'd ever had.
(4)Sara B.
I love this place! I stop in once a week after class to grab two buns...they are freindly, fast and the buns are always cooked perfectly.
(5)Gretchen V.
I figured I should review the restaurant where I get lunch to go at least two if not three days a week. I should say that I don't really eat here by choice, but more out of convenience (it's in my building). That said, I like it. I like the chicken spring rolls (which are not fried, but consist of grilled chicken, carrots, cucumbers, red bell pepper and rice noodles wrapped in rice paper) and the veggie dumplings. They also have good potstickers and dumpling soup. Probably my favorite thing about Wow Bao is their sauce selection---the spicy chili is my favorite. I'm not a huge fan of bao (no matter where) or their rice bowls. The employees are usually very friendly (which I appreciate) and they are quick. I am usually in and out within five minutes. It's not the most authentic or best Chinese food you've ever had, but it's a welcome option next to Potbelly's, Subway, and Cosi in the neighborhood.
(3)Christa R.
I am a huge fan of Wow Bao. I've probably been there about ten times and have never had a problem with anything. The pomegranate ginger ale is fantastic. The Potstickers are probably the best I have ever had (but make sure you get the ginger soy). Great for a quick lunch, a cheap dinner or even take out for Sunday's football game. GO TO WOW BAO! You will not regret it.
(4)Kristina M.
I wish we had something like this in DC! I was pleasently surprised with the variety of options - I also like that they posted their nutritional information. These little guys are much healthier than I was expecting! It is quite unlike anything we have in DC, and I'm hoping that trend won't last for long. I tried a variety of the breakfast and lunch Baos - all of which were very tasty. The first location I tried on the mile didn't have any sauce... but this location did. The sauce was an excellent addition, especially since the buns are a little bready. It is definitely a great (and inexpensive) breakfast or lunch choice!
(4)Eli S.
I wish this place was less expensive, but aside from that, I totally dig Wow Bao. A "Lettuce Entertain You" restaurant like Big Bowl, it's got a great selection of steamed dumplings and their Homemade Ginger Ale is FUCKING FANTAST. Their noodle and rice bowls and herb broth leave much to be imagined, but the deliciousness of their steamed dumplings (also available frozen to take home and which also come in two really great vegetarian styles) more than makes up for this. All the nutrition facts are readily available online and one could happily fill their belly without breaking one's diet, which is another reason why I love their ginger ale: it's sweet, really has strong ginger in it, and has less calories than a soft drink or lo-carb beer. Mmm.
(4)Electrolux B.
The buns are good. We tried the whole wheat/veggie bun and it was satisfying. That wasn't enough for a good healthy lunch/dinner and I wouldn't order 4 of these and carb out. To balance our dinner we both ordered a rice bowl with the energy rice. The food was good yet a little bland. The main problem here is the portions. I didn't want nor expect a huge bowl of veggies to put me over the edge, American style. What i did expect was a decent amount of veggies complimented with a comparable amount of rice. What i got was a total different story. There was about 1/2 cup of stir fry and 2-3 cups of rice. They only put enough stir fry on there to cover the rice and that's it. So basically I paid $7 (with tax) for a bowl of rice. This happened with our other dish as well. It was tasty but very, very deceiving. I probably won't go back.
(2)Andrew Y.
another of my go to places...the baos are so delicious...i try to mix and match my bao's differently than my rice bowls..so go with the terriyaki and bbq pork and mongolian beef...and then hit up the kung pao chicken rice bowl..with white rice...throw some of that garlic chili paste in there and your good to go...steal a couple sets of chop sticks for the house too from here...but anyway...you are in and out within 30 minutes and ate a quality meal
(4)Kate F.
Pretty good and cheap. I didn't realize they offered anything but Bao, but was pleasantly surprised by the choices - bowls, salads, pot-stickers and bao. I went in the evening so couldn't follow anyone's direction, and I had a heck of a time figuring out how to order. Also where to find eating utensils (hint: the forks are in the dispenser decorated with a large picture of a fork). Once I found the person taking the orders, she was extremely helpful - I wanted a combo and she recommended the thai chicken and bbq pork bao, along with the peanut noodle salad. They were all very good, but calling the peanut noodle dish a salad is a bit misleading - it's a bowl of cold noodles, with a couple of sprigs of cilantro, and a container of delicious spicy peanut sauce. I picked up a $1 salad at McDonalds, mixed them together, and it was perfect! I think the nutritional information is a bit misleading, too - they list the dressing separately, and it has lots of calories and fat (maybe more than the noodles). Otherwise, I would go back. Perhaps order something different :-)
(4)Louis A.
Wow Bao, (or Bao Wow, as I like to call it) is Chinese-American "fast-food" served up in a creative way. Since it is in the building I work in, I have the feeling that I'm going to get sick of it rather soon. Although enjoyable overall, the baos are a little too doughy. The spicy ginger ale, on the other hand, is totally kick-ass. The chicken teriyaki rice bowl was sub-par....but nothing on the menu was too expensive. I haven't tried anything else, so I'll have to get back to you. Quick, friendly service....but maybe that's because they just opened. Regardless, Wow Bao is a welcomed addition to 35 W. Wacker.
(3)bj f.
the best bet for me at this fresh and open place is one bao and something lighter, like a soup or salad. i don't know what about anyone's constitution can support downing five stuffed doughballs, but i'm not that anyone. so go for a ricebowl, or a curry bao with soup/salad, or perhaps two bao, and enjoy. if you're tummy is hurting, i'll bet you're not 'anyone' either.
(4)Ingrid B.
It's a bit pricey, but even though the baos look small, they fill you up. And the most amazing thing in the world is the chocolate bao. I LIVE for chocolate baos...
(5)stephanie s.
How sad that I only just tried this place. Ordering is very quick and easy. The Baos are sweet, doughy wonderfulness filled with yummy goodness. The nutritional info is posted on their website and it is not nearly as unhealthy as one would think. Definitely a great fast food alternative when you are looking for something different.
(4)Melissa S.
I cannot believe I forgot to write a review for this place. My co-workers and I were so excited when a new restaurant opened in our building, due to the fact that we are a)very lazy, b)it's getting cold out, and c)we're sick of all the food within walking distance. They were even giving out free lunch (!) the first few days they were open to people who worked in the building, so we had to try it. I ordered a bao, and the kung pao rice dish. The rice dish was sub-par both quality and taste wise. The bao, however, on all of my co-workers' accounts, were disgusting. The flavorless gummy dough surrounding the various ingredients they shove in the middle of these suckers is one of the most disturbing food items I have tasted in awhile. And I just ate some fungus/dead caterpillar carcass the other day in my soup (supposedly an Asian delicacy, who knows). Anyhoo, the baos were so abhorrent that we have taken to using the term to describe people we dislike. Example, if someone cuts you off in traffic, an appropriate response might be: "What a dirty bao."
(1)wendy p.
i've only tried the bao here. i think the edamame is the most tasty, although this last time i went, it could have used more filling. the bbq pork is very sweet, too much sauce, and there's a processed flavor to the chicken curry - i can't put my finger on it - maybe it's just not as bold as a curry should be. as for the apple cinnamon, the combination of the spongy bun and apple filling was just too weird for my taste. props for cleanliness... does anyone else find their slogan "hot asian buns" to be slightly offensive? considering the hypersexualized stereotypes of asian women, i can't help think that it's a cheeky play on such images. damn, pun NOT intended.
(3)Miss O.
what's better than hot asian buns? well besides my hot asian buns. no but this place is really good. i like the softness of the buns. very tasty. i going back for more.
(4)Tink P.
Back about 3 years ago...they used to have one location on Michigan Avenue! I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it this time around in Chicago in multiple places.. Used to love it then and love it even now :) The best flavor for me is -- The Chicken Teriyaki Wao Bao.. if you are wondering what Wow Bao is its just a little baked dumpling...the crust mind you is like bread...and has amazing filling inside it... You need to try it once :) Their bowls are pretty good too.. and my vegetarian friends ...they have vegetarian options too :) So one more reason to try this place out... Food -- 5 Stars Hospitality/Service - 5 Stars Cleanliness - 5 Stars Location - 5 Stars Overall - 5 Stars
(5)Stephanie L.
What can I say, I love the bao's...seriously....love. This location is slightly annoying though. The staff is mediocre at best. They mess up your order, dont give you spoons for soup, no sauce, etc...plus, its a very crowded seating area so to get up and get stuff is a pain. Not to mention the annoying bathroom with the tokens...literally I put in two tokens, two separate times and the door wouldnt open...ANNOYING! Baos-I love them....teriyaki and kung pao are my favorites. Add a little chili spice and we are good to go. Also, the noodle soup is fantastic. A perfect mix of noodles, veggies and broth. I absolutely love it. Plus, pretty good portion for $3.
(4)Dylan C.
Order at the kiosk and your order is done within minutes (we had a pretty large order so I was impressed with how fast we were in and out of here). I don't know what magic they use to make the baos taste that good but they're definitely doing something right. Both the whole wheat bao and the green vegetable potstickers were fantastic. Don't forget to grab a homemade ginger ale drink with your food.
(4)Shradha A.
Wow Bow was an addiction for a good three years. And then something changed. Their whole wheat edamame bows are no longer the same. They are more soggy than crispy and while I keep trying, now that they have a location in my office building, it's not too long before I give up.. But all said and done, I can't give it just 2 stars either because it is one of the best lunch options..
(4)Kevin F.
The quality of the meat is a step above the run- of the mill, ( sold at grocery stores in chinatowns) Variety and convenience (meaning: chicken, beef, pork, and veg fillings, if I remember correctly) are USPs within the bun market. Not to forget, proprietary ginger ale.
(3)Anne C.
I work a few blocks away from Wow Bao-- nut sure why I hadn't tried it earlier. The prices are pretty decent and for a quick lunch it isn't too greasy or heavy. The bao are really good and come in a variety of fillings. You only need a couple to be totally full. And their steamed dumplings are delicious. I'm a huge fan of the veggie dumpling/Asian salad combo. Oh, and LEYE frequent diner points. Awesome!
(4)Alek Z.
I haven't eaten at a Wow Bao since I was in Chicago like a year and a half ago, but I STILL remember those things like I had them yesterday. They're delicious. Specifically, the desert ones. I mean the actual food ones are alright, but what really stood out were like the chocolate and custard ones. Oh hell yeah. Very few restaurants just take me back the way this one does. For those who may not know, baos are just like stuffed dumplings, about the size of a baseball or something. They have several different varieties, including ones stuffed with like chicken and shredded beef and pork and curry and whatnot. And then there's the desert ones, which also included coconut, I believe, and maybe one or two others. I guess they'd be good for lunch, but really they're best if you just like stop in and grab a bag of sweet baos to go. They're so good.
(4)Lucy W.
Wow Bao is one of my greatest finds during my trip to Chicago! There's no doubt that my mom makes the best bao zi. But you can't compare Wow Bao to real Asian bao--that's not the point and because in that regard, Wow Bao is a fail. But in a world of the corner of cookies and cream rice pudding and birdhaus buns, Wow Bao is a real success. I wasn't sure what I was expecting from the dough, but it definitely wasn't the soft and slightly sweet goodness that I found. I had the Mongolian Beef, whole wheat edamame, and pumpkin with cinnamon. I think the edamame is my favorite. I was initially extremely skeptical of the pumpkin, bu surprisingly t it bought a little bit of holiday cheer to a culture that doesn't traditionally celebrate Christmas or Thanksgivings. It had strong pumpkin flavors, wasn't overly sweet, and worked really well with the dough. During my 2 day trip in downtown Chicago, I must of visited Wow Bao three times. Why doesn't this place exist in NYC or California? Tip: If you check-in on Foursquare you get a free bao with your order!
(4)Ken H.
Wow Bao is another place I wish existed in So Cal where I live. As a "fast food" joint, it would serve as a much better, healthier option than most of the other fast food restaurants here. Wouldn't mind ordering from a place like this especially for lunch during the week at work. Of course, this place would fail in Chinese-dominated areas of Los Angeles County, but I believe it would do really well in certain areas of L.A. and also in Orange County, CA. I visited a friend in Chicago and she suggested Wow Bao for lunch after we had visited a nearby museum. I was curious to try their bao because of their unique offerings. The only place I've ever seen or heard of Thai curry chicken bao or panang duck curry bao was in Hawai'i -- never in CA. I tried both at Wow Bao and really enjoyed them. The bao were nicely steamed, and the duck and chicken were cooked really well, and not dry at all. The flavors were impressive, although nothing like the kind of curry I'm used to ordering from my favorite Thai restaurants. I imagined myself back home and thought that if Wow Bao existed in several areas or strip malls in CA, I'd much rather pay $1.69 for one bao instead of a hamburger from the dollar menu from an American fast food joint. I'd also much rather pay $1 more for a Thai chicken curry bowl with jasmine rice (which was just as impressive as the bao) instead of $5 for a bowl of anything from Panda Express! Would I choose their bao over bao from a dim sum restaurant in CA? Probably not, but I also wouldn't have time to dine at a dim sum restaurant for lunch during the week on my lunch break. Nice, modern decor, unique offerings, clean restaurant, and an awesome, fun slogan! Bring Wow Bao to CA!
(3)Tarrah T.
Loved it! I've been wanting to visit this place since my last time in Chicago six months ago. Finally made it here...great variety of bao as well as several tasty salads. It was definitely what I had hoped it would be! Affordable, too!
(4)Samantha E.
Need a quick, cheap, and delicious lunch? Grab a few hot buns from Wow Bao! They have a nice variety of options even though I prefer the spicy options. They have more than buns but that is all I have had thus far.
(4)Julia J.
I first wandered into this Wow Bao location a few years ago during an all night art event. My friend and I were starving, and this was the only place nearby that was open, so we wandered in and figured we give it a try. We split a large order of the potstickers. In my drunkeness, I was in love and remember them as being some of the best potstickers I've ever had. Still, the Baos scared me a little bit, and I wasn't willing to try them. Until I came across them at a Yelp event and decided to give them a whirl. I had the kung pao Bao, and I really enjoyed it! It was a weird little dumpling that was easy to eat and flavorful. I would totally swing through here if I was shopping in the area and needed a quick snack. I don't think I'd go out of my way to get here for a full meal, though, but I'm happy to know this is out there.
(3)Chad C.
I know Chicago isn't known for Asian food, but damn, this place sucks! I had the 3/4/5 which gives you a little taste of everything they make., and The Mongolian Beef was like a sickly sweet form of Mabo Tofu, the BBQ pork bun wasnt all that bad (but its nothing to write home about), and the peanut noddles tasted like cold spaghetti without the peanut sauce (because they forgot to give it to me). Once I got the sauce they were tolerable, but nothing I'd recommend to a fellow Yelper. I was surprised that this place had such great reviews, considering how horrible my pallet experience was. I hope they read this and make some changes pretty quick, because I think Panda Express does Asian better, and that's not something to brag about.....
(1)NANCY m.
Today I ordered a 205 calorie lunch. As I was eating I realized that is not gotten the full order. I went to the order station. Not only they gracious, they were generous. I will go back. Good food, and kind staff!
(5)Prachi B.
Cheap, fast food that offers great options for the health conscious as well as vegetarians. And it tastes great too! Definitely stop by here everytime im in the city.
(4)Andrea P.
I was surprised that I had never heard of Wow Bao in the 3+ years that I lived in Chicago. I met some friends here for lunch about a month ago while visiting. The digital ordering system is great technology, but somewhat confusing. I ended up ordering the meal with an entree and two baos. The entree was pretty good, but the baos are defintely an acquired taste.
(3)Carrie S.
Oh Wow Bao, why do have to keep breaking my heart? Why do keep acting like the boyfriend who forgets an important date and hurts my feelings? So, my beloved Wow Bao has been a go-to for me since getting pregnant. On days when my nausea overwhelmed me or I had no desire to eat anything, Wow Bao came to the rescue. Wow Bao makes tasty pan seared potstickers. These delicious potstickers have been a staple in my pregnancy diet. I can always trust a potsticker to fill me up and make me feel better when most foods wouldn't especially in the first trimester. When I discovered that they offered 8 potstickers, I was thrilled. Yeah for my potsticker fix! Potstickers everywhere! However, every single time I order from here, I get less than 8. I wish this was a joke, but it's not. The first time I ordered it, I got 7 potstickers. I was alright with that because it was close enough to the original number not to go back and unleash some pregnancy hormones and maybe some uncontrollable tears on the staff. Today, I ordered my same 8 potstickers and got 5! Last I checked, 5 doesn't equal 8. Does the staff need to go back to elementary school for basic math skills? I just want my 8 potstickers to satisfy my craving. I can't help but feel like I wasted money as well. I received significantly less than what I paid for. Wow Bao, I love you and your potstickers. However, I'm so close to breaking up with you over your counting and math skills. I don't think I can stay in this relationship much longer as you keep abusing my pocketbook and my heart by giving me far less than what I ordered. Stop being a bad boyfriend and remember to give me 8 potstickers instead of 5 or 7.
(1)April P.
This place is delicious. I would not mind them catering my wedding. The atmosphere is fun and hip and the food is so unique and wonderful. I'm the kind of person who can't really handle messy food. It really just stresses me out. Baos are the least messy food I've ever had. You can just eat them with your hands! Yummo! Hint: The coconut custard baos are my favorite. If you like pudding and you like coconut, you HAVE to try these. My life will never be the same. Wish I had one right now...
(5)Jenn D.
Positively OK fast buns, dumplings and noodles. I totally walked right past this place while looking for food downtown. Look up and you'll see the sign, the doors are through the arches near the entrance to the office building. Someone invited me here for a lunch and I found it the 2nd time. Sweet. When you walk in you'll see these nifty little ordering machines. I was unfamiliar with them and made a couple of ordering errors, which more than annoyed the on the go lunch crowd. Oops. You can order inside if you please, which I didn't realize until I'd played with the machines for a while. The food came out super fast, the counter guy wasn't too miffed when I asked after the fact to have some of my order boxed up to-go, and there are outdoor tables where you can sit and enjoy your meal.
(3)Bethany W.
Between the food and the service, I'm giving it 5 stars. Great food, excellent value, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. I like the teriyaki bowl with multigrain rice, my daughter goes crazy for the teriyaki buns, and of course, the chocolate bun for dessert. The pumpkin dessert bun, seasonal, is like asian pumpkin pie (which is a good thing). Free refills on fountain sodas, although their specialty sodas are excellent too. I didn't love the mongolian beef bowl, it was a bit too spicy for me, and as another poster mentioned, it would be better if the beef wasn't so "ground". But, overall, this place is consistently great (I should know, my daughter makes me take her there practically every week). Love it!
(5)Jen J.
Just went last night and it was quite yummy. I ordered a lot of food and walked away paying just over $16. My only disappointment was the chocolate bao. I absolutely detest coconut and nowhere on the menu does it say chocolate-coconut bao (PLEASE INCLUDE THAT IN YOUR MENUS!!). Other than that, the potstickers (pork/cabbage), chicken teriyaki, and kung pao chicken baos were tasty. I thought the teriyaki was more flavorful than the kung pao, but I'd definitely go again!
(3)Dave H.
The novelty of eating in a random, well-decorated bao house was not lost on me, and Wow Bao earned themselves style points by emblazoning the text "HOT ASIAN BUNS" in their interior. Besides amusingly camouflaged restrooms - discretely labeled with "M" and "W" - this micro chain's claim-to-fame are their cutetastic baos, administered via friendly servers with a cafeteria-style feel. My friends and I felt their bun dough was surprisingly good. Not too yielding, and slightly sweet, the few I ordered - filled with Thai curry and Kung Pao beef - were quite tasty and perfect for a late lunch. My only regret was not going there hungrier so I could try more. Compared to their bao, their sides (tried the salad, and noodles) could use a bit of improvement to make them, er, edible. Wow Bao is classy and hip, and I'd return for their bao (they're open for breakfast!) if I worked in the area.
(3)Louise G.
I've never had a bao before this place and was really impressed. They are small but extremely filling; I had a couple of the teriyaki ones for my main course and the chocolate one (very rich) for desert. They are also a good price and really quick. It can get pretty crowded at lunch time but that's most places downtown
(5)Doug M.
Serves a variety of Bao, most very tasty. Very unique - hope we can get one near us soon!
(4)Tiffany L.
I looooove you Wow Bao. Super yum steamed buns. You must try them all in order to determine your own personal faves. I'm a kung pao and coconut custard fan. I used to be a BBQ pork fan but it seems like maybe they've changed a bit. Love the peanut noodles and the fancy homemade ginger ales. Great ordering set up. Food comes out quick and hot.
(4)Carl G.
Yes, there are Wow Bao haters out there, but they are bone fide idiots. Wow Bao is awesome. Honestly, if you've ever made a steamed pork bun from scratch (and I have indeed made many a bun), then you know that perfection in a pork bun is literally (okay figuratively) the holy grail of tasty Asian treats... Wow Bao pulls it off and takes your order via text message. So there. In your face. Literally this time. Like literally take a steamed pork bun and cram it into your face.
(4)Di N.
FYI, by 'dumplings' they really just mean non fried pot stickers - so steamed. I was hoping for shumai. Fast and delicious nonetheless.
(4)Jeffrey C.
As we strolled through downtown Chicago, we kept seeing the Wow Bao signs pop up everywhere and finally decided we had to try it. Marketing at its finest, I guess. As non-pork eaters, the girlfriend and I were intrigued at these delectable buns ("bao" in Mandarin) that were non-pork filled. Completely full when we finally arrived, we settled on trying two. The thai curry chicken was surprisingly good, the spicy kung pao not so much. We also picked up a homemade ginger ale, which tasted nothing like Canada Dry. Too much ginger, too much cane sugar. It's a neat little place, but the prices are steep. So if you're looking for a franchise venture, I strongly recommend Wow Bao. It's a bit amazing that this restaurant hasn't been franchised past the city of Chicago. But if you're looking for a truly delicious bao, you should probably check out Chinatown. Or come down to Houston; I'll let you know where to go.
(3)Kurt M.
Weak. Super weak. Maybe I'm spoiled by Chinatown. The dough tastes like styrofoam smells and the meat tastes like hot-pocket filling mixed with candy. The sides are a joke. It may be easy to get to, but Chinatown restaurants deliver, duke.
(1)Theo E.
I must admit, I am a huge Wow Bao fan. It's cheap, fast and delicious. My favorites are the BBQ pork and the curry chicken. The potstickers are also quite tasty. I enjoy the different types of ginger ale they have available. The fact that you can order from a touch screen and then it's ready when you walk in make this the pinnacle of fast food.
(4)Catherine B.
No wow. I have no idea what anyone could be raving about. The dumplings were meh, and the chicken teriyaki on cabbage had less then no flavor.
(2)Heather P.
Holy sweet mother of bao. I was so excited when Wow Bao opened, then I stopped working downtown for awhile, then I left town entirely for awhile. I've been working in the Loop for a year at this point... what took me so long? Wow Bao is everything I have ever wanted in "fast casual" dining. I'm actually composing poetry. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thy soft and squishy buns Spicy, warm that set my mouth ablaze (Especially the kung pao chicken ones) I love thee for thy iced tea of hibiscus No sugar, carbs, or caffeine to be found Bright purple, fresh-brewed and delicious So quickly disappeared the cup I downed I love thee with a passion put to use In ravenously eating bao-shaped sweets I ordered both; for I could not but choose Twixt coconut -or cho-co-late-filled treats And once my banquet has been all devoured I love the way I stay sated for hours. Even the hiccups at this location (when I went, they had no pot-stickers, so I couldn't try them, and it made me sad, and also, the staff could have definitely been more friendly and less hipster-surly) aren't worth a demerit. Normally I would drop one star, at least. But after consuming a bao heavy with what tasted exactly like uncooked brownie batter, I just didn't care. I left Wow Bao feeling that all was right with the world, full of love for my fellow man, even that creepy guy on the train who sits a little too close so he keeps "accidentally" touching your leg. The Thai chicken was amazing, the kung pao also great (and yes, there are peanuts). The only thing I would say is to not bother with the cold-noodle-salad combos. The Pad Thai salad has almost nothing in common with Pad Thai, and why use up precious tummy-space and cash when you could use both for MORE BAO? ALWAYS MORE BAO.
(5)Melissa T.
My side salad was the highlight of my meal. I mixed the chinese mustard dressing with chili sauce and a little soy. I'd eat that again for sure. The baos, however, were extremely disappointing having had the real deal in the past. I love the idea of commercializing a good, ethnic cuisine item to make it more available to a larger variety of consumers so long as the product remains true to its original conception. This rarely ever happens though; in most cases such products become so americanized that people don't even recognize the real deal when they see or taste it. As a result, commercialization = bastardization of the bao. They were overly breaded, and the fillings were meh to bleh in flavor. If I wanted a salad, I'd go back, but that's about it.
(2)Dan T.
Not expecting Chinatown cheap, but yet they manage to keep the prices from soaring into the ridiculous stratosphere of NYC food prices to which I am more accustomed. Props to the spicy mongolian beef bun and any other bun with heat-related monikers. They deliver an undiluted punch of spicy hotness that kao tows to no underdeveloped taste buds of what good spicy food should be. The dumplings are expectedly overpriced, but still deliver on the goods. The skins are thin and firm, strong enough to hold in the generous fillings of pork and cabbage (are steamed dumplings REALLY meant to be enjoyed any other way?). I never got the chance to order a bowl of noodles because a) I was getting pretty full with only so much real estate left to fill, and b) I was mesmerized by the homemade ginger ale. You should know by now that I have an unrequited love for ginger based drinks. Wow Bao's particular paramour holds back nothing and indulges you with nothing but blocks of fresh ginger barreling through the cup to show you how the drinks are done right. There is no subtlety in this drink, but it sure tastes great.
(3)Kymberly J.
I am wowed by the Bao. I loved the baos and all the interesting flavors including the whole wheat edemame. I wasn't expecting to like it. I don't like chewy stuffed things...not a fan of dim sum either as it is along the same lines. The baos had decent sized fillings and the dough wasn't bland, it kind of a sweet taste. I also ordered the cool pad Thai salad...on a 5 degree night. It was noodles, iceberg lettuce (would have like romaine or something else), peanuts and a crisp light sauce. To balance out the cool I got the Thai broth. Super comforting on a cold night and perfectly seasoned. 2 Bao, 1 pad Thai salad, cup o' broth and a hibiscus iced tea for about $11.00. Perfect! The atmosphere is pretty cool too. Loungy music in a clean, bright ,modernly decorated environment took me to another world.
(4)Heather F.
First time in so I sampled way more than an ave person should consume at 11:30am. The cashier recommended 4 bao (dumplings) for a meal. I think 2-3 would have been plenty. I especially loved the chicken curry bao and the spicy Mongolian beef bao. Quick, fast and a decent meal for under $10. I found the BBQ and teriyaki too sweet for my taste.
(4)David L.
Wow, only in Chicago... I thought I'd try this place for fun. With a name like Wow Bao, I was expecting Americanized Chinese food. By the modern decor and clean look, I was expecting unreasonably high prices as well. Both of my expectations were fully met. This place would not survive anywhere else, at least not anywhere with a large Asian population and restaurants to support it. Baos are supposed to be just over 50 cents a piece and whole wheat should not even be an option. The food was still good, but just felt so wrong.
(2)A W.
They put the yum-yum into my heart They send my soul sky high when the munchin' starts Yummy taste into my brain Goes a bang-bang-bang 'til my feet do the same But something's bugging me Something ain't right I know you went downtown last night Left me sleepin' in my bed I was dreaming, but I should have been with you instead. Pick me up a yummy wow bao When you know that you'll be downtown Pick me up a yummy wow bao Forget this time, and get punched in the eye Pick me up a yummy wow bao I'm not playin' don't act brand new, now. Pick me up like 4 wow baos And some pork postickerrrrrrrrrrrrs I want some desserrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt (yeah, yeah) [inspiration: "Jitterbug" by Wham]
(4)Debbie T.
Hubby and I were looking for a healthy-ish fast food option. Let me say that we just did not get the concept of finely ground up meat and vegetables- I got the Mongolian beef- it was spicy- that was the only saving grace. Hubby got kung pao chicken that he described as completely tasteless. The manager was cleaning tables all around us as we ate and then proceeded to spread out her paperwork in the middle of the restaurant to work on timesheets. Will not be back.
(1)David L.
I had a hard time finding it, not knowing it was so small and inside another larger building. The soup was okay, the baos (buns) were very, very good. I can't imagine they are too good for you, though - I stopped at 4. The salad was okay. Giving it 4 stars for great bargain, fast service (cafeteria style service - grab a tray and walk down the line and pay). I would go back.
(4)Lolia S.
For the price of one bun here ($1.39), I could get a bun three times the size and much better tasting in Chinatown, but Wow Bao makes buns accessible to those in the downtown area and that's a good thing. They're open for breakfast and lunch and the self-serve order kiosks right outside are really convenient. Pay outside and wait for your order to be called. You can also order online or pick up some prepackaged buns. The menu includes potstickers, rice bowls, soups and combos with salads. They have sweet buns (e.g., chocolate, custard), vegetarian buns and savory buns. In the morning you can get 2 steamed buns & coffee for $4 - what a cute way to start the morning. They even have Greek yogurt. The ambiance is polished and contemporary, with the logo, hot Asian buns and reddish lighting, an open kitchen and an impressive number of metal steamers. It has a very corporate feel but still offbeat and playful. The type of bun is printed on the paper on the bottom of each bun. * Dumpling noodle soup - your choice of dumplings: $3.99 for dumpling noodle soup seems cheap but the portion is small (not enough to fill someone up, more of a side), comes with three dumplings. The dumplings are long with thin skins and look like potstickers. The chicken ones were reasonable tasty with ginger. The broth wasn't bad either, light and soy based, with soft thick egg noodles, scallions and some chopped cabbage. Hot sauce and soy sauce are provided at each table. * Thai chicken bun - This was the best bun that I tried, quite flavorful though too salty, I could detect a bit of coconut milk but it wasn't too overwhelming. The bun is really small but the dough was light, slightly sweet, and not oversteamed. The inside wasn't too saucy. I didn't like how small the chicken bits were. I also spotted some tiny bits of bell pepper and onion. * Teriyaki chicken bun - The sauce is really dark and salty, tiny chicken bits again * Mongolian beef bun - This was okay but the beef bits were really small and the sauce was too salty, surprisingly, it's somewhat spicy What I'd like to see in the future: larger buns, larger pieces of meat - Asian buns should be bigger, meatier and juicier.
(3)tinybubbletoes L.
Good food, fast and friendly service, affordable prices. In my home town, there are only a handful of good asian restaurants. This has quickly become one of my favorites as it is conveniently located within walking distance from my office and apartment in Chicago. I usually eat here 2-3 times a week. My favorites so far are the veggie potstickers, pork bbq, and spicy mongolian baos.
(4)Kyle W.
Need something quick, easy, and cheap, to hold you over? Wow Bao son. For about $8 you get 6 fairly decent sized baos in about 1-2 minutes, where the pre-made buns go through a quick resteaming process. Also, they even label the paper that sits on the bottom of the bao to let you know which bao you are eating. Surprisingly, it was pretty decent. Not Chinatown authentic, but just does the job as a snack around the Loop area. Probably the closest thing to authentic would be the BBQ Pork one. Personal favorite was the Thai Curry bao. Will be back for an afternoon snack next time I'm working in Chicago.
(3)Jon H.
Pros: Ginger Ale, actually legit bao breading, they don't skimp on the fillings, touch screen ordering, fast service, easy to eat on the run Cons: Pricey. Some weird flavorings (does anyone get the chocolate ones? they don't sell their t-shirts (I 3 BUNS...i would rock it) Overall, this place is surprisingly legit in terms of buns. I wish they were more like $1 instead of almost $2.
(4)Susan D.
The day Wow Bao saved my life. A very windy, cold chill walking along Michigan Ave. April -- a sudden cold day that caught me by surprise. Two days before, it was 80! Ah, love Chicago. Walking along, I really wanted some nice, quick, healthy, affordable Asian food. Enter Wow Bao. The broth was so delicious and just the right thing to warm me up! I also got a bowl of food to go for eating later. If you're ever cold on Michigan Ave. and want a quick pick up, Wow Bao's broth will hit just the spot.
(5)Cyn C.
I came here for a snack, and when I entered, my expectations were low. It looks like a fast food fake asian eatery. Ok. It might be. But compared to places like Panda Wok or Manchu Wok? Wow Bao offers fast and tasty food. The spicy peanut noodles are actually SPICY, as is the spicy kung pao chicken bao. The pan fried dumplings had a nice proportion of filling to skin ratio. Beware of the veggie dumplings if you don't like parsley or cilantro. My vegetarian friend loved hers, but I preferred the pork and cabbage ones. Four stars because it is cheap, fast, easy, and tasty. I'd love for a location to open up in Boston near my school.
(4)Teri Y.
Wow Bao is another one of Lettuce Entertain You's establishment that I see as successful. If you are of Asian heritage, you will most probably think that except for the BBQ Pork bao offered by Wow Bao, all the other baos are far from authentic. Baos are traditionally filled with BBQ pork and sweet bean paste among others. But the baos offered at Wow Bao have fillings such as chicken teriyaki, Mongolian beef, and Kung pao chicken and these types of baos are totally unheard of in Asia (people eat these as dishes with rice, and not as bao fillings). And what Wow Bao does is to create fusion and innovative combinations of baos and fillings. Nothing wrong with "untraditional" food, IMHO, as long as it's executed correctly. And Wow Bao delivers. For those who complain that Wow Bao is not authentic, Wow Bao never claimed to be so. And hey, if they did, they'd be located in Chinatown. But they aren't.
(5)Peter K.
I was a little worried because there weren't a lot of other Asians eating here. Usually seeing an Asian place full of non-Asians is not a good sign. These buns are not as good as what you'd get in Chinatown but I guess that's to be expected. We got a couple of different kinds of bao. None of them really wowed me. You can order using a touch screen right outside the place -- saves you from having to wait in line.
(3)Kim W.
a.k.a. overpriced shitty food that white people like to eat the bowls are bland. the dumplings are bland. the bao is so-so. the iced tea is so-so. how this manages to come across as remotely american-chinese food, i will never know. even panda express can boast to be tastier. and that's just embarrassing.
(2)Clara L.
I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, but the buns were highlighted on seriouseats.com for a good and cheap eats spot in the loop. Naturally I was intrigued and gave it a try. I guess since I've had amazingly delicious and authentic chinese buns before, these just couldn't compete.
(2)Jaci Y.
I will give this establishment 2 stars, because I have simply two important things to say about these WOW BOAS. 1) I can get these steam BBQ pork buns in Chinatown dim sum restaurant, for about $1.50 for for Boas. 2) Give them props for making such a cheap thing like boas to be worth $3! And they made them smaller than the normal size you would get in Chinatown. I had these little guys awhile back, when a Friend had brought them to me in a to go container. I thought it was cute, and the boas tasted fine, but nothing out of the normal, expect for the price and the size.
(2)Jose G.
Try the dim sum...
(4)Amy K.
OVERALL:3.1 FOOD:2.5 SERVICE:4 AMBIANCE:2 VALUE:4 Order your hot Asian buns online AND via touchscreen! Countertops, seating, and interior have seen shinier days, but the buns are perky, soft, fresh, and steamy, so take-out is the obvious way to go. 2 buns took less than 2 minutes...downtown packaging & convenience for almost-Chinatown prices ($1.39 ea)! THAI CURRY CHICKEN: mild curry is nicely fragrant & surprisingly tasty in bun form, but wouldn't be as enjoyable over rice. COCONUT CUSTARD: why would you ruin a perfectly perfect bun with gag-inducing, extra-thick goo pudding? and why did I voluntarily pay for one?! Soooo many other good options--skip this one :(
(3)Simon C.
Applaud the owner to "mainstream" Chinese baozi via this fast food restaurant but along the way, the ingredients and the standard have been "Westernized down".
(3)Angeline E.
Went right before lunch rush and got my food quickly. Baos were not very warm, and the bbq pork filling was overly gingered. Pad thai salad was...interesting. Would go back to try different bao fillings.
(3)Sean B.
Very good. I can't believe it took me so long to try this place. I could easily see this concept becoming a nationwide chain like Jamba Juice or Noodles & co. It has that level of "corporate detail" to it. I went for the 5.99 combo, with 2 buns and a side (I got the spicy peanut noodle salad, very tasty peanut sauce btw). The chocolate bun was very tasty, almost a little too runny, but it was quite good. The BBQ pork bun was excellent with a good amount of pork in it. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased that they wrapped the buns separate and labeled the pork one with a BBQ paper wrap. There are some details here that caught my attention, from the credit card swipe reader, to the fork dispenser. They are really laying the groundwork for a restaurant concept that could franchise and multiply. The service was extremely friendly. Definitely friendlier than average for any quick service place, despite, as someone else suggested, a few rude customers. One suggestion, they have the Wow Bao logo on the paper bag, but not the plastic for combos. They should do this so people can see these as you walk down the street! I'll definitely be back here...
(4)Chanele B.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in the Loop (and also one of the places that won't break the bank). It's fast, the service is friendly (I've seen some rude customers, and even then the service maintained), and it's good. I can be one of those annoying people that worry what is in things, but my first impression of Wow Bao was positive when I asked about ingredients and they were able to produce a list. The facility seems clean enough, too, which is a bonus. Location is a real selling point, and when I lived in this area, I could count on Wow Bao for reliable, fast service. (I wish the same could be said for the Potbelly's across the street, which probably has the worst service in the city, but that's another review.)
(4)Liz G.
This Wow Bao, like it's sibling in the Water Tower, should be at 4 stars but I'm taking one away because of the hours. This location closes at 8 on the weekdays. In the summer! The baos are still very delicious but when you get there at 8:07 and stand outside wondering why the doors won't open you don't get to eat any of that deliciousness. But if you happen to be around here when they are open, stop in for a cheap meal. Made even cheaper with a 4square check in, I only foursquare for the discounts!
(3)Jessica K.
You know the old saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover"? If I were writing this review based on my initial reaction to opening my bowl of food, I would give Wow Bao one star. I ordered the Chicken Teriyaki bowl (and an edemame bao b/c I'd had one before and they're SO GOOD), and was super excited for lunch. Quinoa! I love quinoa so much! Anyhow, I brought my food back to work, opened up the bowl and was pretty sure they'd gotten my order wrong. There was cilantro EVERYWHERE. I hate cilantro (I'm one of the "it tastes like soap!" people), and it was definitely the last thing I expected. Also, the Chicken looked like beef and had weird pepper-looking flakythings, which I assumed would make the food spicy, which I was just not in the mood for. However, having paid for it and being hungry, I picked off the cilantro ate it. And then I freakin' inhaled it, because it was DELICIOUS. Just to back up real quick: I went around lunch time (scary lunch rush), and while it was crazy busy, every who worked there was friendly AND everyone's orders were pretty prompt! If you're a picky eater, just clarify what you don't want on your food. I've started doing that, rather than asking what stuff comes with and wasting people's time. Also, of course, the whole wheat edemame bao was awesome. And, bowl of food + one bao, still less than ten dollars. Heck yes I'll be back!
(4)Lauren H.
Nice place to go and get some hot Asian buns. It's super convenient in the Loop and you can avoid the line and order at one of 2 kiosks. Eating inside can be tough during lunch hour, but I am always able to grab a seat. I usually get the chicken noodle soup with a bao. The Thai chicken curry and Mongolian beef are a-ok. Try the coconut custard, it's really yummy. I wouldn't go out of my way for one of these, but I'll definitely be back for lunch. By El: right off the State and Lake stop in the Loop.
(3)Natalie D.
I remember coming to Wow Bao the very first time I went to Chicago. I tried one of their rice bowls and was underwhelmed. A couple years later, I was eager to try it again because my mom brings home their bao almost every weekend and it tastes so good. They have two kiosks outside where you can order your food to go or for dine-in. Great for convenience! The workers are friendly and I like how clean it is inside. Also, their oatmeal is SO GOOD. It's hand-rolled oats with Chinese red dates, goji berries and brown sugar (you can opt out of any one of these add-ons). Seriously, I wish they had this available for delivery to Houston. And since it's only available in the morning, I wish they extended breakfast until 11 (breakfast stops at 10). They may or may not run out of oatmeal closer to the end of breakfast time, so it helps to call ahead of time to make sure they're in stock. As for bao, I'm a fan of their BBQ Pork, Mongolian Beef and Edamame. Yum! I make my own chili sauce at home (vinegar, sombal and Maggi) to dip them in and it's really good. Wish they had a place like this in H-Town. It's convenient, quick and easy. Is it the best bao I've ever had in my life? Of course not. But I love places that provide hospitality and efficiency. It's an easy place for a quick lunch or to buy a couple boxes and keep in your freezer for future use. Hot Asian buns. I'm a fan.
(5)Tom X.
Having walked past this place more than a few dozen times in the past, it looks like a super americanized chinese restaurant from the outside... and the name itself doesn't really yell authentic chinese food either so I was not expecting a whole lot from this place. While feeling in the mood for some chinese food and having a hard time finding a viable option on a saturday in the loop while being too lazy to goto chinatown, we stumbled into this place really expecting to fill our stomachs and nothing more. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by what we got. First of all, the kiosks for ordering outside the restaurant definitely lends a modern touch to the place. It actually makes ordering alot easier as one can browse and choose things at his leisure, which I very much love. Now this might be different during busy weekday lunch hours but you can always skip the kiosk and order inside, so choices are always good. Got the 1) Bao: the spicy mongolian was by far the best, followed by the thai curry and bbq pork..... and a distant last in my book was the spicy kung pao chicken. The bao all tasted like what you'd expect when you steam frozen bao that you can get at any chinese grocery store. It's not bad, just overpriced for what it is methinks. 2) Spicy Sesame Noodles: now this was pretty darn good, in general it's pretty hard to screw up sesame noodles but nonetheless, not bad. 3) Spicy mongolian beef bowl with noodles: this was AMAZING, loved it. You just have to try this for yourself. I would probably go back next time just for this dish.
(3)Amy N.
My friend and I went to the city a few days ago and we were in the mood for steamed buns so we searched online and found this place. It looked pretty good from the reviews, so we decided that we would try it out. I ordered a BBQ pork steamed bun and chicken pot stickers, but I didn't know that the steamed bun was going to be really small! Otherwise, I would've ordered two or three! But regardless of that, it was still really good, and so were the pot stickers! I wish there was a location closer to where I live, but I'm definitely going to be coming back to try out the other steamed bun flavors and some of their other items on the menu!
(4)Raul N.
While wandering around downtown, my friend and I passed a Wow Bao shop. I'm a big fan of dumplings and buns, which are sadly all too hard to find back at home. Since my stomach was grumbling, I figured I'd pop in for a quick snack before we could sit down for a proper lunch later in the afternoon. These are certainly an Americanized take on classic steamed buns, with more gourmet ingredients and unusual fillings--I doubt you'd find pumpkin bao over in Chinatown. My friend and I ordered three steamed bao buns to share: the curry chicken, Kung pao chicken and the pumpkin dessert bun. The buns were very light, steamed ever so gently. Steamed bao are surprisingly delicate and all too often turn gummy or sticky, especially under mass production, so I was impressed by the texture of the buns here. The fillings were flavorful--the curry had a touch of sweet and savory, the kung pao chicken was sweet and spicy. There was a good ratio of meaty filling to the light bun. I wasn't sold on the pumpkin bun--it was flavorful, with hints of cinnamon, but I'm not convinced the combination of pumpkin pie filling worked with the texture and flavor of the steamed bun. Is this the most authentic Chinese street food? Not exactly, but it's a nicer option for a cheap and fast lunch--or snack--on the go.
(4)Luna H.
I work in the same building and this restaurant is a life saver! It's really fast, food is great and the price is just unbeatable. Con: everything has a similar flavor so not for every day. UPDATE: Actually I am done with this place! I am sick of it already, so going from 4 stars to 3 stars right now! UPDATE: After 3 months working here, every time I walk in the building the smell is so strong that makes me want to vomit. Down to 1 star and the promise that I will never eat there again!
(1)Christopher L.
Since I'm Chinese, I did not like Wow Bao. Believe me, I was excited to try it, but severely disappointed... we tried the panang curry bao and the pork/veggie potstickers. The bun itself is OK, but the flavor balance of the innards is just wrong =[ As for the potstickers, you'll be a lot happier with Linglings from Costco!
(2)Sneha P.
Not sure why I love this place so much, but the thai chicken and mongolian beef bao make me happy. And I love that I can order on the machines outside inside of standing in line. Good for a quick snack when downtown.
(4)Neetha V.
Healthy and Tasty Bao's! All my friends and family miss the Bao they tasted, when they visited us in Chicago...A Bao as an appetizer, Bowl of rice and Coconut/Choclate Bao as a dessert!! Full course meal under $9!! One of the my fav places and must visit places in Downtown Chicago.. Can't complain about the location!! In water tower place!! Get tired shopping, get refreshed with a couple Bao's :)
(5)Christina J.
I love buns (bao zi) and Wow Bao does them very nicely. I had the BBQ pork buns with some pork and cabbage dumplings. Both items were delicious. Next time I go, I'll have to try a different bao along with a rice or quinoa bowl and report my findings. Customer service was pretty good, especially if you're undecided and the cooks are pretty quick at getting the food out. Give it a try if you haven't yet.
(4)Fred G.
Wow Bao is a very trendy restaurant with good food. I've had their rice bowls, salads, bao and pot stickers; all of which were delicious. My coworkers and I often eat lunch at Wow Bao. On one occasion there was construction/repairs being done on the ceiling, which required most of the seating area to be closed. We only go to Wow Bao because we want to eat there, and when the owner overheard our unhappiness about having to eat our food elsewhere, he promptly offered to move the "caution" tape away and set up a table for us. My favorite things about Wow Bao are the service and trendiness. My least favorite thing is that the price is a little higher than other options in the area.
(4)Amy H.
It makes me laugh when I see the "People Love us on Yelp" sticker on the door of Wow Bao, because I remember that my review for this place is mainly about my friend's rump. I've been back to Wow Bao a few times since I wrote that review and have not had any baos. I have discovered the wonderful Thai herb broth, which is perfect for a cold winter's day. Also, the ginger tea is delicious. The pot-stickers aren't too bad either. I mainly go for the herb broth, but today when I went to Wow Bao I saw a bowl of mongolian beef that the guy in front of me had ordered and I think I might try that next. Bottom line: I do not like baos, but I will go to Wow Bao and eat the other non-bao options. :)
(4)Kelly R.
A good friend of mine suggested one night that we "Bao it". What a neat place! I was new to these hot Asian buns, and found something that I like! It's not type of food I would eat regularly, but a really good taste of something different. I liked the teriyaki chicken and bbq pork bao. Can't beat the inexpensive choices.
(4)Shalin D.
Here are the top 5 reasons to go to Wow Bao: 1. When you crave Asian food (Chinese, Thai, whatever) but you don't want to wait 30 minutes for take-out, delivery, or walking/driving/busing/training to a restaurant. 2. When you feel like a fatty but still want a taste of Thai Curry or Teriyaki. 3. When it's cold outside and you want something warm and hot chocolate just won't cut it. 4. When it's hot outside and you're sick of cold coffee get the hibiscus iced tea here instead. 4a. Scratch that: get the home-made ginger ale. 5. When you're walking to the Clark/Lake stop from work and you realize it's 9 PM and you don't want to cook... not even mac 'n' cheese from the blue box.
(5)Lauren D.
As I looked around the restaurant most everyone appeared to be enjoying these white fluffy savory balls filled with meat......or as the sign at the restaurant indicated "Asian Steamed Buns." Like the old movie, "When Harry Met Sally," I said to my husband, "I'll have what she's having!" The Baozis were definitely ubiquitious and ethereal! We indulged in the bar-b-que pork Baozi (Bapao). I would describe these as the Asian equivalent to sandwiches in the West or a delectable Empanada (only not fried), but not a dumpling. With a savory meat, and in some cases vegetable filling wrapped in dough and steamed, they make a complete meal that can be eaten on the go. You like tomato and I like tomahto. Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto....Who cares how these are spelled or pronounced! Purse-shaped bao zi (roughly translated as "wrapped around thing") are made with a fluffy, sweet, yeast-leavened dough housing sweet or savory fillings and are regarded as their own species: Steamed Buns. The texture of the dough was smooth, light and springy. They were exquisitely shaped. We really enjoyed our bar-b-que pork Baozis which contained the perfect amount of meat. We ordered the box of six for $9; we also ordered the combination spicy noodles with six pot stickers (one was chicken pot stickers; the other pork). The spicy peanut sauce came in a small plastic container with a lid, so one can make one's own noodles as spicy hot as one would like. The noodles are in a clear plastic container with fresh cilantro and served very cold. Don't expect them to be hot like the pot stickers. I dumped my noodles in the red bowl with my pot stickers. It worked. The only negative that we experienced was that we didn't know which pot stickers were chicken and/or pork. Both tasted the same -- we couldn't tell the difference. It came to $13 and change, but it was very average. Nothing spectacular. Traditionally, dumplings (such as pot stickers) were reserved for the most special, festive occasions of the year. They were associated with ringing in the Chinese New Year, Weddings and VIP Guests. They symbolized wealth, fortune and family. This is no longer the case today. When we went to China on vacation, we noticed that Baozi, or "Steamed Bun", is one of the staples of Chinese cuisine, sold and served up by street vendors and enjoyed anytime of the day. It is a popular breakfast dish in China. We really enjoyed the bar-b-que pork Baozis. NOTE TO SELF: Go back to China Town in Chicago to get the "authentic" not-so-Americanized Bao. (This restaurant is super small, cramped, tables are close together and there isn't a lot of seating space especially if you are with a large group. Good Luck finding a spot). Service was efficient and fast. Pay for your order, go grab a table ASAP, and listen for your number (they shout out the numbers). Pick up your food at the front counter and ask your friend, spouse or family member to "save" your table/seats.
(4)Nessie V.
I love steam buns (bao) and potstickers. I just wish they had more kinds, especially more veg kinds. I also would prefer that they didn't have edamame in the bao and potstickers, as they create a jarring change in texture for me. Other than that, they were tasty and cheap and the service was top rate. I also like how you can order from online or with a kiosk outside. I'll eat here again when i'm around in the area, but eagerly await an expanded menu.
(3)Amit G.
This local chain is awesome! Great, affordable, fresh, relatively healthy, fast food. Cool contemporary design, music and general atmosphere, and an efficient, fun way of utilizing technology (app, order kiosk). They should grow it into a national chain, sort of a Chipotle for Asian Food.
(5)Michael K.
Wish we had one in NYC :-( Pumpkin buns were ridiculous when they were in season.
(4)Betsy A.
For vegetarians, this place is a bit bland. Baos are a bit dry/ filling isn't too interesting (chopped edamame and carrots). Also had a noodle bowl - thick noodles with chopped edamame... 2 packets of soy sauce & chili sauce came on the side. Pricey for a small bowl of noodles and veggies ($12).
(2)Kim L.
If I want something fast and filling in here at the kiosk Discovered this from a walk shopping Bought some bao for my parents and they are enjoying the flavors! I really enjoyed the hot broth tho the ginger ale was. Bit too sweet without the ginger bite
(4)Anya A.
I was hungry and looking for something inexpensive. Wow Bao had a lot of different options from salads and noodles to potstickers and Bao. I decided to go with their signature item - Bao. I ordered the Thai curry chicken and the BBQ pork. My order was ready almost immediately. The Bao were fine, nothing exciting, but nothing was wrong with them either. While Wow Bao did not wow me, it is more than you would normally expect of fast food.
(3)Todd N.
A modern, quick serve, fusion asian bun place??? Coming from LA, I've seen a lot of bao places but nothing like this! I loved the modern touch of this asian fusion restaurant as not only do they serve bao but also other asian noodle and rice dishes. I also love how they have multiple locations throughout Chicago, so you're never too far from one! My only critique about this place is that their hours aren't good as they should be open for breakfast hours! I wanted to get a fresh bao for breakfast just like I would get for dimsum but then I go all the way to any of their locations, and the earliest they open was 11am! Bao is traditionally served as part of dim sum and that's in the morning, and I know that they would be serving a lot of bao in the morning as a quick breakfast treat. Each bao is a little more than $1.50 each which is actually quite pricey for these little things especially compared to an asian restaurant. I got the bbq pork, whole wheat edamame, and apple cinnamon. I love how they have such an assortment of bao and really took bao and modernized it to include other flavors. I'm a fan of the bbq pork and the edamame one but the apple cinnamon was just gross. Maybe I couldn't help but think that the apple filling was like an apple pie but I was eating bao. For me, the flavors didn't mesh well.
(4)Abhinav S.
Me and my brother were tired after going to comic con the previous day. Had some chinese food craving. Excellent place. We ordered the Spicy teriyaki bowl with jasmine rice, bun with sri racha chicken and bao with kung pao. Pao in Bao (Has a nice ring to it right?) It is a wee bit pricey, but the service is fast, place is hygienic and the meat/food quality was good and it was all delicious Go for it, you won't have any regrets
(5)Yaofu Z.
Fast service. I like the ordering machine outside. I had four different bao and they are decent. They are basically frozen bao steamed for you. You can get the frozen ones probabaly for $4 a bag. With the price, I think their quality could be better. I also had the gingerale and it is standard.
(5)Carley N.
This place is great! I went here for the first time this weekend and I am craving more. The service was fast, friendly, and efficient. The prices were fair. And the food was awesome. I had the teriyaki chicken with rice, a hoisin pork bun, and a thai curry chicken bao.
(5)Noelle H.
My friend and I had just arrived from the airport with our luggage, and were walking to our hotel in the rain. We stopped here just for a quick bite. I ordered the spicy chicken steamed bun and she ordered the pork belly steamed bun. The spicy chicken was just chicken covered with sriacha. A bit pricy for what you get as well. Ehh, pass
(2)Dee M.
May 2015 We were downtown and starving. We needed something quick and yelp said Wow Bao was nearby.They are like the fast food of Steamed buns and noodle bowls and dumplings. You could get a fountain soda or Drinks that were pre-poured and stored in a cooler and were very well priced. So was the food. We got both our noodle bowls and dumplings in a fast and efficient manner. The seating was comfortable and clean. The person taking our order was pleasant and professional. Good for a lunch on the run.
(3)Rebecca B.
Wow Bao tends to be a tasty and reliable lunch or dinner option when I'm downtown. I think the star rating is pretty spot on - Wow Bao is A-OK. This location is incredibly convenient, and the service is usually pretty speedy, even during the lunch rush. I love the kiosks right outside the door that allow you to order electronically. Just follow the prompts on the touch screen, make your selections, run your card, and then wait for you number to be called. In my experience, ordering this way tends to be faster than ordering from the person at the counter, though it does mean that you have to use a card instead of cash. The chicken noodle soup has a generous serving of noodles and is pretty tasty, especially on colder days. It has been my go to lunch at Wow Bao all winter. The chocolate bao are pretty tasty if you are in the mood for dessert, just be aware that they are incredibly sweet and a little messy to eat. I also like the spicy Mongolian beef bao and the BBQ pork bao, though I'm not a huge fan of the curry or the teriyaki bao. I love to sip on the Thai herb broth when I'm sick - it is warm and delicious and makes me feel better. I am not a fan of the potstickers or dumplings, however. Both always seem kind of sad and flavorless. And the different bowl options (rice, noodles, etc) tend to be hit or miss. I do recommend double checking your order if you are getting carry out, as I have arrived back at work excited for my lunch, only to open the bag and find the wrong order one too many times.
(3)Kendra N.
This place, along the lines of Chipotle and Noodles & Co, is delicious! All of the options are tasty and the menu is very simple. I've been here a handful of times since I live next door and I've always had a good experience - quick service and hot food! I'll usually get a rice bowl with a couple of baos and share it with my hubby - it's plenty of food for two for lunch. It's right on par price-wise with any other QSR. I'd definitely recommend giving this place a try if you haven't already!
(5)Andreas D.
Love this Place, sometimes it appears that "weekends" are not as good as weekdays, staff is friendly and the manager is a class act - she defenetely runs his place in a good way.
(5)Hanne G.
Good gluten buns (bao) ! I hd the BBQ pork and it was delicious, as good as high quality dim sum places. Service was super fast, and the location was super convenient for a quick snack In between sightseeing/shopping down town, and they have free wifi!
(4)Fei C.
The worst the pork open bao I ever tried. The pork is dark and hard to chew. I also ordered dumplings and a normal bao. They were okay. At least this place is very fast. We got the food 5 minutes after we ordered.
(3)Andrew S.
While this place is good for a quick meal, its not best. Its only good for one person meal, not for a group of 5.
(3)Mark H.
Wow Bao is not so Wow. Like the concept but their execution is weak sauce. So I sampled their flagship product...the round steamed buns with inside fillings from teriyaki chicken to meats to even chocolate. This is ok. But what limits me to give only two stars are the other bowl and noodle dishes. The toppings are the same fillings you get from the buns which is really a sign of laziness on their part. Cheers to the end of a two visit love affair.
(2)Anne T.
The place is good and affordable for downtown Chicago, but as other reviewers have mentioned, there are cheaper options in Chinatown and Argyle. Nonetheless, I appreciate their ability to innovate and create flavor combinations you do not typically see in a bao. My favorites are the thai chicken curry, whole wheat edamame, and coconut custard. The portions are fairly small and even for a small girl like me, it would take me three to four to be filled up for lunch. The vegetarian food options are really great. I would say I actually prefer their vegetarian options to their more traditional meat baos like the BBQ pork or teriyaki chicken. In my eyes, Lettuce Entertain You enterprises can never go wrong. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the Loop. I love to stop at their Water Tower location for a quick pick-me-up snack when shopping.
(5)Jennifer C.
Wifi unacceptably slow. Pan fried potstickers were sub-par: falling apart, dry on the edges as if it came right from freezer to pan, the skins were also way too floppy. For 8 potstickers at $7, they could have done better. So this place was just ok. House music in the background was alright but a bit loud.
(3)Chuck S.
I feel I cant give a fair review of this place. I liked it, I really did. But I would rather just go to China town and get some dim sum. I came here for lunch, I got a bowl with quinoa and some pork buns. It was good. But I just love the dim sum places in Chinatown so much better. I have a few problems, which others here have mentioned. The buns are smaller and more expensive then Chinatown. Now, I know this is in the loop and everything is more expensive, but I guess I was just under whelmed. I might go back, but I think you know where I would rather be...
(2)Keri F.
Ok, I love this place. EVERY TIME I go to Chicago, we stop here. I think personally it's cuz we have nothing even close to this in Madison, but really, of the times I've tried dim sum style food, these are actually quite good (in the Americanized version). PLUS they have CHICKEN items, more than one! Most dim sum is pork. So really, you guys rock. Nom nom
(5)Kimsy S.
Meh. I've been to the Wow Bao at Water Tower Place, and I was blown away. Excellent food and service. This location just doesn't seem like it's trying. The cashier practically rushed me through my order, even though there were no other customers behind me in line. Only part of my order was ready (not a problem), but the staff left the part that was ready on the counter (a problem, at least it didnt get completely cold). And the food is just average. The potstickers were bland, and the ends were overcooked. The Bao was delicious, but I would have liked more filling and less bread. Overall, if I happened to be near the Theater District and had a Bao craving, I'd come here. But I'm sure I can find better elsewhere.
(3)Gerry S.
Two blocks from my home, and on my way to work. I should buy stock in Wow Bao, because then at least I'd get a return on the significant amount of money I will surely spend here in the future. Everything here is right. The food is perfectly sized so you can eat as little or as much as you want. The flavors are all that you love about Asia - curries, soy, ginger, star anise - and without too much mental stretch, you can convince yourself you're making healthy choices. Add to it the fact that this is essentially street food - meaning it's PORTABLE - and yeah, I'm going to eat here a LOT.
(5)Sandra T.
3.5 stars Had a craving for Asian food during our trip to Chicago and decided to step in to Wow Bao for an afternoon pick-me-up. This isn't like any Asian place that's dirty and delicious, it's half the opposite - its modern, clean but still delicious. My husband and I shared a combo with two baos (thai chicken curry, spicy mongolian beef), one rice bowl (kung pao chicken on jasmine white rice), and one homemade ginger ale. The menu is pretty well organized. You first decide just small snacks like baos, potstickers, or something bigger like a noodle or rice bowl. You then choose what meat or filling you'd like, and if a bowl then you choose your bed of carbs you want the filling to sit on. Menu is large enough and not overwhelming that it makes you stand there for 10 minutes deciding what you want. They had other stuff on the menu but I didn't pay much attention to it. Both the baos and the rice bowls we had were pretty good!! Pretty fresh tasting and soothing for my Asian soul. I'm not a ginger fan but my husband really loved his ginger ale as it was extra ginger'y compared to your regular canned stuff. Would recommend if you wanna grab something small or quick! Not AMAZING but pretty good.
(3)Sherry Y.
Relatively gorgeous venue. Who wouldn't want this location? It's a commuter dream with a prime view. Wow Bao does a great job with their modern, contemporary decor. For what it is, Wow Bao does its job. However, I'm not sure it lives up to the name. For the price of a set here, I can probably eat a full and richer meal in Chinatown. I think this place is trendy and cute, but probably not for those seeking out a more budge-friendly approach. Wow Bao, despite it's name, develops decent cuisine for an above average price.
(3)Terri C.
So I know it's fast food, but I really love steamed buns. This place had a nice variety. They are not like real steamed buns, but instead kind of like Chinese food in a steamed bun. The buns were the right temperature and were well labeled. This was a great grab-and-go option. Each bun was 1.89 but a six pack with 1099. my favorite was the Thai chicken but I also enjoyed the edamame and the dessert coconut cream. I plan to go back.
(5)Jessie C.
Despite the mediocre reviews I had to try this place since I love buns of all cultures. 3 baos and a ginger ale came out to $9.50 or so. The baos were filling enough for a quick lunch but they were a lukewarm salty and sweet mess. The two savory baos tasted the same - salty and sweet. I just couldn't get over how quickly they came out, how lukewarm and dry they were. When I think of baos, I think of steaming hot buns that you have to hold with your fingertips and the filling steaming in a moist bun when you open it. Not these baos... But the ginger ale was really good, very gingery, not too sweet.
(2)Ragan M.
I enjoy eating here. The buns and the potstickers are delicious. One day I had a co-worker try it and he agreed so delicious. The staff were really nice especially on my first visit when I had a million questions on the menu.
(5)Shuang Y.
Good version of Dim Sum from China, although changed quite a bit comparing to the original Baozi version, but still good enough for a quick lunch or dinner. Would come again~
(4)Rachel A.
There's certain guilty pleasures associated with hotel stays. Room service, roof top partying, bubble baths, trysts, chocolate chip cookies, and my personal favorite: Wow Bao! To say I was a little obsessed with Wow Bao during my Chicago trip is an understatement. I think I stopped by every day for a week. It first started off with a potsticker snack and then it fueled to every day baos. I tried all the flavors and mixed and matched. We first did individual meals and then said, "Who are we kidding?" Six packs it were! Wow Bao was all too easy to acquire and consume. It was located across the street from The Wit and near the el train. We could have baos in two minutes if we wanted. On one of the nicer days we washed them down with hibiscus iced tea while sitting in front of Crown Fountain. Very refreshing and relaxing. Wow Bao is not exactly authentic Chinatown dim sum. It's Americanized and for the masses. However, I liked it. I liked it a lot. It was affordable and delicious. The bao was like pillows of dough and stuffed with tasty innards, all with a distinct flavor. My favorite was the thai curry chicken. The whole wheat edamame was also good. They were really all great and I wouldn't limit myself to just one or two flavors. We even tried the dessert ones. Wow Bao is perfect for lunch. They have salads and soups if you need something a little more filling. If you want to avoid the line you can even pre-order at the computer kiosk outside of the shop. Inside is sleek and clean. Service is friendly and quick. I prefer Wow Bao much more over Potbelly. So yum!
(4)Linda M.
This place seemed so interesting. However, I just did not care for the buns. I tried the chocolate, spicy Mongolian beef, and teriyaki chicken buns. I don't know what they put in it (maybe a little ginger and something) to make them taste like Asian food. However, I just don't like them.
(1)David N.
On my last trip to Chicago, our living quarters was literally right around the corner, so each day when we got on the rail we would walk right past it. It was not on my places to try so we just kept on walking. On this particular trip it wasn't on our list of places to check out but we were about an hr earlier to go to the airport so we decided to stop by for a late lunch. We ordered a wide variety of baos. My gf had them on her last trip and swore by the bbq pork. Luckily, I didn't dive all in because we both agreed they were just meh this time around. I tried the mongolian beef and curry chicken baos and both were terrible. I was ready to write this place off until my very last bao. The coconut custard! DAMN this thing is amazing. I had to get 2 more to go, which was devoured at the airport. Skip all the meat ones and just get the coconut dessert bao.
(4)Valerie B.
I liked this place even though my and my friends order got a little screwed up. It was fine because the baozi we ordered was good. Lucky we didn't get a mix up with one we don't like. I love love that you can read which baozi is which from the wrappers on the bottom. That's so handy! And cute. Sorry but their ginger ale is disgusting. I like ginger ale but obviously, I've learned, just the soda stuff you get in supermarkets. This homemade stuff was terrible. Guess it kinda hurts that I hate ginger. Ha ha whoops.
(4)Allan C.
I wouldn't come here. I had a review a couple years back talking about how I should give Wow Bao a chance because I'm a fan of the Kolache factory. yelp.com/biz/kolache-fac… Fuck that. I've now given them a chance and I'm not a fan. The baos here are on the super sweet side, high on the ginger side. Not just the filling was sweet, but the dough itself was super sweet too. They're on the small side, and thus, on the expensive side. I was really hoping I could have a decent lunch here for under 5 bucks but no luck. Of all the things they could have chosen for "takeout stir fry in a bun", I think they could go with a lot of other routes that are healthier and just plain better.
(2)Joe P.
Way back when, like during Qin's Wars of Unification--you know, the war when the Qin state conquered the six other major states in China to unify the country under the Qin Dynasty (see Jet Li's 2002 movie titled "Hero")--all those Chinese warriors woke up to sharpening swords and munchin' on their Boazi, a breakfast food in China. Likely, those baozi were probably the last things those warriors ate prior to sacrificing their lives for Emperor and country. Wow Bao has accurately captured this precious notion. When I walk into the Renaissance Hotel lobby, order my Wow Bao form two robots outside, and pick up my food without ever having to talk to a human being, I feel like the bao was specially made for me, and I get all warm and fuzzy inside. (they're alright)
(4)Travis L.
This placs was simply delicous! I love how your able to customize your food experience! The food was simply amazing and the food portions are great! The food only took a couple of minutes to serve and the location was perfect! The only reason it's not a five star is because I am quite picky with food and there was very little sauce added to my meal. Besides that this place is a must! :-)
(4)Srishti K.
I'll admit it -- I was wow'd. I got the combo with 2 baos and the spicy peanut noodle (all for $6.29). For the baos, I tried the Kung Pao and Teriyaki chicken flavors. I loved both of them, but I really liked the sweet kick of the Teriyaki chicken. My friends, however, swore by the Kung Pao. The bao tends to be heavier on the breadier side as opposed to the filling side. I think the ratio is perfect. The only thing I found disappointing was the my side of spicy peanut noodles. It is a cold salad and I just didn't like the peanut sauce. It tasted a bit vinegar-y to me... I will definitel be coming back here for quick and yummy lunch. Tips/Comments: - Get 3 to 4 baos will fill you up - Craving a snack at home? Buy the frozen baos. They are easy to heat and absolutely addictive.
(4)Sherwin C.
Neat idea -- nice atmopshere, hip decor, quick service buns that are decently sized. Tons of flavor choices like teriyaki chicken, bbq pork, spicy mongolian beef, coconut custard, chocolate, thai curry chicken, etc. The bun itself isn't bad but for me the filling falls quite short of expectations. More like a Panda Express or Noodles & Company type flavor instead of an authentic asian flavor. If that's the taste you like, you will absolutely love WoW Bao.
(3)Jay L.
Based solely on the hot buns and soups, Wow Bao is a 3 in my book. The only bun that stood out was the Thai Curry Chicken, that was the best of the bunch. The whole wheat edemame was also not too bad. But the rest I would not get again, the teriyaki chicken and the spicy Mongolian beef tasted the same. I had the check the labeled paper to figure out what I was eating. The spicy Kung pao chicken was bland. Neither the spicy Kung pao or the spicy Mongolian beef were actually spicy. The thai herb broth was too salty and the dumpling noodle soup was just average. Besides the food, the service was great. I would still drop by in a pinch for the thai curry and edemame.
(3)Beatrice G.
The place is overpriced for the amount of food you get. Other than that, I enjoyed the kung pow bowl with nappa cabbage. The seats were mildly annoying...things kept slipping over, meh. Don't bother with the open bao if you are starving, its bite size.
(3)Lelani L.
4* - Located inside the Renaissance Hotel but right off State street 2* - thai noodle soup with chicken. Not authentic at all 2.5* - Kung pao chicken bao. Filling is kind of mushy but the bun was soft (not soft & slight sweet like the real deal) 3* - chicken pot stickers. Taste like generic frozen potstickers. Best thing is the ginger dipping sauce 3* - bbq pork bao. Bottom line- always go to a chinese establishment for your baos.
(3)Seri V.
Hmm....not the best but okay for asian fusion. The size of the bao was so small... It took me like 2 bites and all of it was gone. Flavor was okay but I would honestly just go to Chinatown for bao. My hubby ordered the Mongolian beef bowl and it was basically ground beef stir fried with oyster sauce and some ground pepper served over rice. Flavor was lackluster and I wouldn't recommend anyone to get that bowl. If you really want a quick bite then I'd recommend this place to just help relieve those tummy growls until dinner. The only thing I really liked about this place was that there was a kiosk where you order first and then just go in and pick up your food. We didn't wait long for our food since we didn't have to wait in line to order at the register.
(3)Shane R.
Tricked me with their cool marketing! Everything is pre-made. I got it in like 30 seconds. The potstickers were soggy and unsatisfying. Didn't finish my bowl. It day covered in cilantro.
(2)Braden K.
on my way back home I was rushing to catch my flight!! zamn, east coast to west coast on an empty stomach? no-can-do! I saw this spot, looked interested so I popped in for a bite ordered the Edamame whole wheat bao and one spicy Mongolian bao **If I had three hands, id give the spicy mongolian three thumbs up **If I had four hands, id use one hand to throw that whole wheat edamame blob as far as I could while the other three fed me spicy mongolian baos. +PLUS 1: there are these cool ATM looking devices outside that you can order from, there wasnt any line at all but I did it anyways! by the time I walked the four steps from the ATM-esque machine to the chef he was already bagging the BAOS! bao bao!
(4)Erin D.
I was walking around Chicago, and the name intrigued me, so I stopped in. This place gets four stars for service. Hands down, it's one of the fastest I've ever experienced. I LOVE the electronic ordering kiosks outside the restaurant. You can still order at the counter if you have questions, but at the kiosk, you pick your items (as an Asian, I didn't really have any questions, even my first time visiting), swipe your credit card, and within 3 minutes, your number is called. FYI if you get a drink at the kiosk, just take it from the drinks area (to the left of the counter). I give two stars for the food, for an average of a three star rating. The pau (as we call it in my family) is a white dough on the outside. I prefer the brown buns, which are typically sweet and sticky on the outside. Oh well. I tried a few different kinds. The Thai curry did not appeal to me at all (but hey, I tried). The BBQ pork bun was okay, but I've had better in Houston. It had an odd texture inside. I also ordered the gyoza. They were ok, but I can make better ones at home. I would've prefered they were pan-fried more. I paid less than $15 for three buns, gyoza, and a drink. I suppose that's not too bad for Chicago downtown. I'm sure there are better places to eat elsewhere, but if you want fast service, this is the place!
(3)Karen C.
I love me some hot asian buns. The perfect lunch is either the potsticker or bun combo, and then add on a chocolate bun for dessert because duh. Good shizz, my friends. Good shizz indeed. All this for roughly $8 makes for a delightful bun lovin' good time.
(4)Andrew H.
Love this place. Whenever I'm hungry, downtown, and in need of a quick bite, I usually save a few dollars and my appetite for a visit. The different baozi are great (tho, I haven't tried the dessert ones), and the potstickers are also tasty. My favorite is a cold noodle salad with a spicy peanut sauce. Hao chi! I have had better ( and chinatown is a good place for more authentic faire ) but for convenience to downtown, it's hard to beat Wow Bao
(4)Brooke K.
The Thai Curry Boa is perfection. I could have eaten 100 of them. So light, fluffy and so flavorful! I also had the beef boa and the Kung poa chicken bowl over ramen. Both were just ok and I wouldn't get them again.
(4)Hillary M.
Who doesn't love a hot bun snack while shopping? It's not your typical mall munchie - it's even better! My husband and I had the Mongolian beef bao which was outstanding, and the kung pao chicken bao - also good but not as good as the beef. Next time, I'd opt for the dessert bao buns!
(3)Selena L.
If you don't want to wait in line (especially during lunch), use the kiosk outside and get your food faster than those in line at the cashier. Fave: curry chicken bowl and/or bao.
(4)Liya M.
Innovative and super-easy electronic ordering screen, delicious baos (which means a lot coming from a Chinese native who is picky about her buns)! Especially the edamame bao.
(5)Karen L.
Tried the Food Truck version of Fat Bao at Spring Awakening. I can't say it was great..just wasn't feeling the hype I guess. Coming from an Asian background, the little bread pockets weren't all that special. The bread/meat filling proportions was pretty much all bread. Meat was slightly under-seasoned. Def overpriced. Could be way better!
(2)Sarah D.
I give four stars for their free wifi, unlimited refills of intelligentsia coffee, and being generous with giving away free bao, oatmeal, or drinks via their text message system. However, I take away one for the size of the bao. I'm accustomed to some massive, big ol' bao. Their baby baos seem a bit small for the price. Pros: wifi, free stuff, refills on dranks, super super friendly staff. Cons: small bao to price ratio.
(4)Jennifer N.
We ordered three things: the coconut custard bao, the kung pao bao, and the passion fruit ginger ale. The kung pao bao was "meh." However, my hubby was in with the coconut custard bao and I was in love with their passion fruit ginger ale. I think we stopped by Wow Bao about four times during our weekend in Chicago just to get these two over and over again. These two items are probably the only reason they deserve four stars, everything else on the menu just doesnt seem significant enough for me to want to try. TIP: This location has a touch screen order system right outside the door. It's so easy to use and your order is pretty much done by the time you finish paying. I ordered once and saw a line inside and my food was done way before the people in the line. I guess they didnt see the machines right outside the door.
(4)Marni P.
As a fan of steamed buns I was very excited to try this! Seven different bun choices including chocolate. It's right off of State and Lake. The people were friendly, very helpful and had great suggestions. However the buns themselves were a bit dissalointing. I'm one of those people to whom cilantro tastes like soap and there was quite a cilantro presence. So unfortunately, all the buns but the chocolate one were soapy to me. If you are a cilantro fan, you will love them though! I might try this place again for their dumplings, noodles or bowls but I'm thinking there will be a cilantro presence. Plus, it's right next to Protein Bar so I would just rather go there.
(3)Katie P.
I decided to give this place a try for a late lunch yesterday. Pretty quiet when I came in, but the cashier still was acting really rushed. If you don't know what you want, order outside on the weird kiosk things so you can take your time. I got the mongolian beef bowl and two bao, the bbq pork and the thai chicken. Sooo disappointed when I saw the bowl. Look up mongolian beef on google images. Then come back to me. Not hamburger helper meat right?? Well here they serve you ground beef. The taste was okay but it wasn't what I was looking for at all. I didn't realize that they just use extra bao filling to make the bowls. Mehhh The baos though... I was surprised by how good they were. I love bbq pork bao and this one was really good. Yes, it doesn't taste like a traditional one, but if ya really went to a LEYE chain to get authentic bao, thats on you. The thai chicken was okay too though I'd try a different flavor if I went back. Overall, if I was in the loop and needed a snack, I'd grab a couple bao from here. But not the bowls. Nope.
(3)Kendall G.
The worst Asian food I've ever had. The food was overly spivey, yet lacked flavor. Bao buns were equally as bad. Redeeming part of the restaurant was the potstickers. They were atleast edible.
(1)Dex Y.
I know what the authentic bao tastes like, so I used to think this place was just some wannabe nonsense. It turned out their stuff actually tasted good, and my favorite is the BBQ flavor. Still not the authentic bao you would find in China, though. Don't try their bottled juice cuz those are effing expensive!
(4)Peter N.
Modern concept on bao, laid back place to hang out and grab a bite! Had the following: Homemade original ginger ale: this drink is so awesome, and refreshing, do they sell this by the gallon? Pork and cabbage potstickers with soy-ginger sauce: these were delicious, but nothing special Six pack bao consisted of: Teriyaki chicken, Spicy kung pao chicken, Whole wheat edamame, Thai curry chicken, Spicy mongolian beef, and BBQ pork. My favorites has to be BBQ pork, teriyaki chicken and spicy mongolian beef. The others are also delicious, but I prefer the others. Count me in on the next visit!
(4)Mindy L.
Easy ordering system, convenient location, and alright food. Chicken pot stickers were as expected from a fast-food place - unimpressive but not bad. The BBQ pork bao was more flavorful than the other items, but not great.
(3)Mary K.
The baos themselves are such a letdown. It was like eating steamed dinner rolls with meh-flavored fillings. I had the Teriyaki and the Mongolian baos and they were both disgusting, the Teriyaki more so. It also didn't help that the wrapper literally stuck to the bottom of the bao so I either had to eat the wrapper or remove nearly a fourth of the bao to get the stupid thing off. Thankfully I had spicy Mongolian beef over lo mein noodles before I delved into those softened, steamed, play-dough puffs, otherwise I would've easily just thrown all that food out. The Mongolian beef and noodle bowl is the only redeeming quality about this place.
(3)Ben B.
Mmm mmmm! Tasty! :) A rollercoaster visit. I showed up an hour before closing time - it was nice and quiet. Ordered on the touch-screen terminal outside the front door (a really nice touch and super efficient to use) and then stepped up to the counter. However.... None of my food was available :( Spicy peanut noodles was all out, and pretty much all of the buns I wanted weren't available either. However - this was expertly rescued by the staff, who suggested the other flavors I should go for (while being very encouraging about how tasty they would be!) and also offered me an extra bun for free as an apology. The noodle salad I ended up with (she described it as pad thai but honestly it was nothing like that) was 'ok' - nothing special and rescued from total disaster by the sesame dressing, but the buns were DELICIOUS. Not authentic at all, but that didn't stop them from being really really moist, well-proportioned and super super tasty. I had the mongolian beef and teriyaki chicken. Really really good, and very good value too. Not many sub-$10 dinner places out there in this city!
(4)Reyna F.
I absolutely love Wow Boa!! The Baos are delicious and the teriyaki bowl is to die for as well. The staff is not The friendliest, but if you're looking for a quick yummy Asian lunch, Wow Bao is the place to go!!
(5)Kevin W.
Amazing food. Amazing service. Point blank period. If you're looking for a quick bite grab some bao for sure. If you're looking for a dinner you can still come and get a bowl, with a side of bao of course! You just have to get bao If you come in!!
(5)Liam A.
hot asian buns #same Great prices, wide assortment of bun types/flavors, close proximity to where I work, and a thai iced coffee that's just right. Wow Bao has it all covered in terms of a quick lunch get-away. It goes without saying that the line is out the door during lunchtime (there are two computerized kiosks outside for faster ordering) and they sometimes will unfortunately tell you that they're out of a certain bun flavor/type but apart from that this a great place to grab a quick bite! During less busier hours I'm often in and out in 5 minutes! You can't beat that. Try the Bao combo for ~$7. It comes with two choices of buns and a side salad/noodles (I recommend the spicy peanut noodles mmmmm). If you're deliberating between flavors I personally usually go for the Teriyaki Chicken, Curry, and BBQ Beef. Those have yet to fail me (not saying the other ones should be avoided though, try them all!). Great place as far as Americanized Asian cuisine goes.
(4)Tiffany H.
Yum :-) love the hot sticky buns. I think I have tried all flavors and they are good as a snack or meal. The food is reasonably priced and delicious. I think the service is great at this location. The establishment is clean and pretty popular.
(4)E S.
What a disappointment! Ordered the mongolian beef w/ noodles, plus potstickers, bao buns, kung pao noodles. Overall the potsticker was the best part. I would try other things on the menu, but not what i ordered.
(3)Vivian T.
Excellent pan fried pot stickers. Mongolian beef bao also excellent. Not so keen on rice noodles - still stuck together. Overall pretty authentic.
(4)Jennifer J.
Warm, tasty Asian buns. UM, YES? Hot and filling, the bao here are great on-the-go food for average prices. The pillow soft rice to flavorful filling ratio is pretty spot-on, and the insides are tasty without being greasy. The teriyaki chicken was definitely my favorite flavor, with the oh-so-sweet coconut custard coming in at a close second. I wasn't a huge fan of the bbq pork, which could have had more seasoning and fewer uncomfortably chewy pork bits (...fat?). The bbq pork also didn't taste like authentic bao that I've had before, but it has good flavor in its own right. Other fun facts: free wifi, great ginger beer, bicycle catering, and complete nutrition facts online Will def make it out here again to try the chocolate or chocolate banana bao. Yum
(4)Christian P.
Consistently good and tasty, if not fabulous, buns / baos. Loved chocolate, curry chicken, kung pao. Liked Mongolian beef, coconut, apple cinnamon and pork ones. OK for the edamame one (I prefer with meat). Homemade ginger ale is good with them. Wishing now they open one in my hometown! hence, I could taste one of their bowls, salads,soups and dumplings!
(5)Sally M.
I came here for dinner earlier this week, and generally found the buns to be *FAR* too dough-y / heavy / not proper seeming texture / too thick - too American-ized. Can I say all that given I am not Asian, btw?! If someone would like to correct me and school me (and they know more about bao than I and/or are Asian - i.e. know about it from years of family heritage / tradition / history) - by all means, please teach me/us. But generally, comparing this experience to restaurants in SF, I wasn't a fan. I sampled all 6 options, minus the 2 dessert options: - Teriyaki Chicken - Spicy Kung Pao Chicken - Whole Wheat Edamame (did not like!) - Thai Curry Chicken - Spicy Mongolian Beef - BBQ Pork The homemade ginger-ade was good, though. And it was cool to see a non-American food fast "slow" food. Props for variety. Not to mention the move away from predictability. (Also, I'm not a huge "American" [read: "American Traditional," not "American New"] food fan - if by this we're meaning hamburgers, hot dogs, and apple/cherry pie - or whatever [Also, what *IS* "American" food, since we're a country of immigrants?)
(3)Nicha K.
I've been here many times and although I know that I can get just as good (ok, better) and cheaper baos in SF Chinatown... hey, I'm in Chicago and I want a bao. Well guess what, this is the perfect place to go. Every time I go to Chi-Town, I have to stop here and get a few buns. I love that they have different flavors (curry chicken, anyone? how about kung pao? are you vegetarian? how about edamame in a wheat bun?) I also love their herb soup. It's tongue-scalding hot pure (likely sodium-filled) broth but it just feels SO GOOD when you're a little hungover / have a sore throat / want something light and hot / hankering for some soup from home.
(4)David C.
I love this fast food joint! I have come here several times and everything I have had thus far has been real good. On this visit I had the 2 bao and bowl combo...a great deal. I loved the BBQ and teriyaki baos both savory and sweet. The beef bowl was yummy too and had a slight kick. The attendant was very nice and animated and it seemed to me she must be the manager because she spoke Spanish to her employees and was providing exceptional customer service. I will be returning to this place very soon I am sure for more of these savory puffs!
(3)Yvonne B.
Nice location with ample seating. It wasn't immediately clear which part of the counter to place my order or from where to pick up my food. It turned out that I was supposed to place my order by the registers. I asked for some baos that weren't on the morning menu but I was willing to wait five minutes for them to be steamed. I appreciated that they did that for me. I thought that my two six-packs of baos were pricey (a little over $20). I also found the charisma of the staff to be lack-luster. They were good and did their jobs but they weren't like the exuberant employees I encountered at other Wow Baos.
(4)Fumie K.
Love their buns! Maybe a bit overpriced for just buns, but they taste great! My favorites here are the 'bbq pork', 'spicy kung pao chicken', and 'thai curry chicken'. Make sure you ask for the spicy chili paste to go with the baos for an added experience. Can't eat my baos without it now. Also if you're a Foursquare user, check-in to any of their locations for a free bao with purchase!
(5)Lauren H.
Wow Bao is alright with me! I love the Chicken Teriyaki Baos and their ginger ale is ah-mazing!!! Their salads are tasty and I do enjoy their pot stickers, although they're not the best I've ever had. If you want "genuine" Chinese dumplings...and that's a serious pet-peeve for you...then perhaps you shouldn't come here. However, just give it a try. You may find something you like! :-)
(5)Autumn V.
It's probably a good thing these aren't around in Minneapolis or I'd be just as round as these baos are. Haha. This place is delicious! The bao is slightly sweet and the fillings are so perfectly proportioned. And the chocolate coconut dessert bao is to die for. Heavenly. Mmmmm!
(5)Kate Z.
Wow Bao, how are you so good? I've been a huge fan of Wow Bao since they opened at Water Tower Place. It fills me with joy to see them opening additional locations, including this one. My favorite baos are probably the Thai Curry Chicken and Coconut. If it wouldn't lead to an instant coronary, I could probably kill 2 or 3 coconut bao in a sitting, hungry or not. Their ginger ale is also extremely good, assuming you don't mind the strong natural flavor of ginger (Canada Dry it is not). It also helps that the bao are relatively inexpensive and service is fast.
(4)Gino W.
In Near West Loop, restaurant offerings waffle between quick food and big box. Not a fan of either, and certainly not ever in the mood for a "fried" lunch, I was surprised to find a Wow Bao in the area. Thai curry rice bowl. Thai curry bao. Homemade ginger ale. Neither Thai options put me in the mind of any Thai curry dishes I have had. I like the rice bowl and the bao nevertheless. As to the ginger ale, when the cashier says to get it fresh instead of in the bottle, the recommendation is a winner. Wow Bao is not authentic Chinese or Thai. What they do is good enough, though. If you are looking for authentic Chinese, then China, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Toronto are where you'll find it. I'll even go as far as to say Chicago's China Town, but go with someone from China. Wow Bao is a pleasant Westernized escape in the meantime.
(4)Julia K.
I stop by constantly since it's in the same building where I work. I grab 4 Bao for lunch, and I'm all set within 3 minutes. FAST food that's not gross! I highly recommend the Teriyaki Chicken and BBQ Beef bao. And fair warning: The chocolate bao was simply too much sweet/rich/overwhelming flavor for me. I'm not a huge fan of their limited menu, but since the bao are my favorite item anyway, I can't complain much.
(4)Brittany K.
Wow Bao is a chain of bao restaurants. Boas are a steamed bun with spice meat, like BBQ pork or mongolian beef, on the inside. If you haven't had one yet, put them on your short list. This location is right next to a stop on the loop. The bao are tasty and the service is fast since most items are pre-made. The dining area consists of slightly asian designed plastic chairs and high tables. There is an order kiosk right outside the doors if the line is long. Bottom line: Bao are tasty and portable. Try them anywhere including chains.
(3)Xi Z.
My work buddy and I returned here for lunch after encountering a heavenly aroma wafting out when we walked past it a few weeks ago. A super nice worker offered us samples of their pomegranate ginger ale, which was amazing, even though we weren't ordering. Sadly, we weren't greeted by the same delicious smells when we returned, but that didn't deter us. Service: 5 stars I attempted to order the 2 bao and side combo at the kiosk, but couldn't pick two different bao :( so I went in line and it was basically just as fast. My order came out to about $7. My friend ordered a bao and a bowl from the kiosk and it was quick and easy - her order was literally ready by the time we walked in, which took less than a minute?!? Mine was ready in about two minutes. Added bonus: since I was customer number 1 on their rotating queue, I got a free $5 coupon for next time!!! Food: 3 stars As for the food itself, it wasn't as great as the phenomenal service. As a Northern Chinese, I wasn't expecting much, given my experiences with homemade baozi. It was tasty, but clearly Americanized Chinese food, Northern instead of Southern this time, with way too much sugar (and peanuts... it wasn't bad but there were peanuts in literally everything). The Mongolian beef bao was waay too sweet but a good amount of spicy. I felt like it was more sauce than filling. The kung pao bao was better, but too much peanut again! Both were really tiny, like $0.25 cent-in-Chinatown tiny. The spicy thai peanut noodles were actually very good, and nicely spicy. It was obvious that the food was frozen so that was a little disappointing given the price. Also, I suspect that it contained a lot of MSG, because I was literally falling asleep ALL afternoon (a common occurrence for me, but not my co-worker). And I'm still pretty thirsty... This place is pretty overpriced, but if you don't care about your health, then it's a solid choice. Bottom line: I wouldn't return again (except I have that coupon...). You could probably get the same MSG-loaded meal in Chinatown for $3 and have it taste more authentic.
(4)Kato A.
Better than average fast food. Bao filings were tasty, Pot stickers were good, salads were fresh and better than expected. Don't miss the pomegranate ginger ale. Unexpected and a big step beyond the usual fast food sodas.
(3)Rachel S.
I stop by here frequently for lunch if i'm looking for something cheap and healthy-ish! big fan of the whole wheat edamame bao and thai herb broth. Portions are reasonable, and I can usually get lunch for around $7. If you're in the area, check it out!
(3)Rebecca R.
Came here before hitting the Art Institute on Saturday afternoon. My partner in crime and I shared a Thai soup and one of each Bao. There were six total and each had a different flavor. Some of which I liked, and some that I would not order again. None of them were bad, just not as flavorful as the others. In my opinion, bao are pretty dry and I was hoping to find some kind of sauce to help me situation. There weren't any options without asking and the guys working the counter were trying to help someone who didn't now English very well. I was discouraged and just washed them down with water. So, it wasn't bad, but nothing to write home about. I will try something else next time.
(3)Kristen W.
Stopped in here for lunch the other day, two baos is the perfect light lunch for me, and super light on the wallet. I had the spicy Mongolian beef bao and the BBQ pork bao. The beef was just okay probably wouldn't get that one again, but the BBQ pork was really good. Ill be back!
(3)Mylan N.
Homemade original ginger ale is good. Not too bold. There's also a pomegranate ginger ale that sounds interesting. BBQ bao is ok. Not spectacular. I'm from houston and have tasted better at dim sum. Chicken flavored dumpling soup is sort of bland but that may be bc my tongue might be slightly frozen due to the cold weather. Note - defrost before trying. Overall - 3/5. Quick service, decent price, and ok food.
(3)Jason S.
After spending the last 2 years in China I was surprised to find this place not far from my work. I must admit I was skeptical but this place is pretty awesome! They are pretty busy during lunch hour on weekdays but have a pretty good system for moving people through the line pretty fast. You can either order at one of the 2 kiosks outside or at the counter inside. I tried the 6 set of baozi with a glass of their homemade ginger ale. The ginger ale was phenomenal! I would come back to this place solely for it! For the baozi I mixed it up with some Thai curry, BBQ pork, teriyaki chicken, and the coconut desert one. Not surprisingly, my favorite one was the one frequently ate while in China, the BBQ pork. It was sweet and mildly spicy with a generous portion of delicious pork inside. The curry ones were really good as well although couldn't hold a flame to the BBQ pork ones. The teriyaki chicken one was my least favorite of the flavors that I tried. I'm sure if you love teriyaki chicken you will probably like it more than I did. The coconut desert bao wasn't too bad either. It was a nice finish to the meal but I think the next time I'll substitute it for another meat filled one. You can also order rice bowls and pasta dishes and combo them with 2 baozi if you are looking for something a bit heavier. The friendly staff and delicious food will keep me coming back again and again!
(4)Heather H.
Stopped into Wow Bao for a quick bite after arriving at my hotel. We don't have these in DC but I was instantly intrigued by the set up and looking at the menu. I ordered at the kiosk outside of the restaurant door mainly because I wanted to play with the technology. I chose a combo that came with the Thai curry bowl with lettuce cups instead of rice along with a teriyaki chicken Bao and a BBQ pork Bao. For my drink I had the homemade pomegranate ginger lemonade. My meal was good. It was quick to come out but didn't feel like it was precooked and reheated. I would def eat here again and explore what else the menu has to offer. The only downside is my lettuce cups didn't have enough lettuce to match the amount of the Thai curry chicken they gave me. Otherwise all yum.
(4)Dani R.
A bit above average pricing but this is downtown so this is expected. I love the Thai curry Chicken bowls with Jasmine rice! Baos are great and the place is convenient + quick. Always love coming here!
(4)Patrick L.
Not exactly my type of place but overall, there were a lot of pluses. First, I like that you can place your order via a touchscreen. Second, it's nice to have the option to get no receipt, a paper receipt or an email receipt. Third, my order was ready before I even typed in my email address! Again, the food isn't quite my type. I ordered things which I'm experienced with since I don't like spiciness, however my stuff was still spicy. Probably just their style though. If it's your type of food then it's a great place to go.
(3)M C.
Excellent. Delicious and the ordering system is really terrific.
(5)Julia B.
Wow Bao was recommended to me by Aruna P and the friend I was visiting said it's worth having. We never planned a day to visit a location but came across it as we strolled along State Street towards dinner at Purple Pig - clearly, it was fate! The place is modern and sleek with high top tables. At $1.59 each, they're affordable and tasty. Both their Mongolian Spicy Beef and Thai Curry Chicken were delicious! Both fillings were full of flavor and the beef was indeed spicy. My friend, who is a vegetarian raves, about their Whole Wheat Edamame so she went for that. I didn't get to have a bite of hers but from her joyful face, I could tell it's as good as she remembers it. When I visit Chicago again, I'll give their Coconut Custard and Chocolate sweet baos a try!
(4)Pete D.
The food was good, and the order mechanism was novel and interesting. I would definitely come back. The reason they get 5 stars today is because of the outstanding customer service they provided today, and it wasn't even to me. Let me tell you the story. A young lady dropped her order, with something hot in it onto her leg, and then the floor. The Wow Bao employees not only came out and gave her rags to clean herself off, but got her a new order and told her not to worry about it. Then, going above and beyond what one would expect in a fast food setting, a gallant employee went into the back somewhere and provided some aloe vera gel for the young lady's mild burn. A little human kindness is often so rare in a big city, and so today the employees of Wow Bao get 5 stars and my admiration.
(5)Stephenie L.
Umm hot, delicious asian buns filled with tasty meat? UHH YES PLEASE. I tried the bbq pork and the teriyaki chicken. Though both were great, the teriyaki chicken was definitely the winner hands down. I'm not sure what I was expecting when it came to the price but it wasn't expensive and my belly was satisfied. No complaints! Best buns i've had in awhile.
(5)Mindy M.
Clever in so many ways, it was fun to eat at Wow Bao. Beyond the novelty it wasn't good enough to merit a return trip. The Bao just aren't that great and everything else on the menu could be had somewhere else. It's cheap and the ginger drink is good. It's worth it to go once for the experience.
(2)Vicki C.
FOOD: Got 2 baos- the pork bun and coconut custard. It doesn't compare to authentic steamed baos, but its not bad for fast food. Could have more flavor in both. TIP: Foursquare check in deal- buy one bao get one free! SERVICE: no wait, quick and friendly!
(3)Tina S.
Interesting and creative concept for the most loved and easiest buns to eat. They have a variety of warm, fresh, yummy buns to eat right away or take out. You can also buy by the box to freeze at home. You can also get sides with your order. It's a fun and casual place to eat a quick lunch or snack. The customer service was fine. During peak hours, there could be a long line.
(4)Tania S.
The night we arrived in Chicago, my husband and I were lost going to dinner and we walked by Wow Bow. As a interior designer I was quite impressed by their exterior as well as their interior design. Today I decide to go back and try this place out. I really love their hip and modern interior! The self ordering machines outside are great for those paying with a credit card. I ordered the pork and cabbage potstickers with ginger dressing and a Thai curry chicken bun. Both were very hot which was nice since its 30F degrees outside. The Thai Curry bun was pretty good. I've never had it before, in CA we usually see BBQ pork and some other ones but def. not Thai Curry. The potstickers were tasty but slightly over cooked for my taste. I would go back and try other items as a mid afternoon snack, probably not for a main meal.
(4)Jennifer B.
Very disappointing. Shriveled up potstickers . Buns seemed like they had been sitting out for quite a while. Fast food at its worst. The only thing I enjoyed was their computerized ordering system.
(2)Andrew G.
Had an order of potstickers and 2 bao at Wow Bao the other day, and of the orderonly one Bao was worth eating. The pork pot stickers were clearly of mass produced freezer variety. The skin was dry and tough and the filling was just ok. Potstickers are one of my favorite foods, and I was not at all impressed. The BBQ pork Bao was pretty good, nice flavor, bun was well steamed. The panang duck bun (a special) was not very good, not spicy enough for panang, and the filling was quite dry. I was so excited to see a bao restaurant downtown, but left very disappointed.
(2)Violet V.
I love wow bao and I usually get my buns on Michigan Ave location but I was in the area and stopped by to get some quick lunch. Yummy! If you dont like buns, you can get them with rice on a bowl. I can eat the whole box!
(5)Lola K P.
"HOT ASIAN BUNS!" screamed the banner at the Old Town Fest (maybe? One of the fests). Ummm, heck yeah, gotta go check that out. Was impressed - tasty quick food without being fast food tasting. A very yummy offering with an Americanized twist. I really enjoy this place, it's a very good approximation of a bao, and seriously, I'm not going to be comparing a pick-up-food mini-chain to "authentic" offerings (even more magnanimous given that I'm Chinese and old-school about my dim sum). Makes a great snack or whole meal, and very convenient and cheap to boot. My favs were the Mongolian Beef and BBQ Pork ones. Least fav was the Thai curry one. When our company sprang for us to stay at the WIT for meetings, I went across the street to this location every day all week just to get a snack to take back, I enjoyed them so much. Very friendly service and remembered what I wanted by the second day. Nice.
(4)Catherine J.
For fast food at lunch, I've never come across anything as good as Wow Bao. It is absolutely optimal in (1) speed (2) healthy, fresh ingredients (3) great flavor (4) tons of options. What more could you want? My five-star rating doesn't come from comparing it to "authentic" Chinese, but rather as a dream-option for a hungry, health conscious person looking to grab a quick lunch in a limited timeframe. Ordering is fast, and you have one of several options. Order at the counter, at the kiosk in the hall, or online. A little cruising around on Yelp, and you will discover that every Wednesday they have a secret password that is released via their Facebook page (like it on FB for access), and you can receive a free bao. Of course, for this freebie you must order at the counter. The variety is huge. I'm sad I'm not in Chicago long enough to try everything on the menu. My favorite part is that you can order from lower calorie options, divvied up by calorie counts. Unlike some lighter menus, there are tons of options for these types of combos. My order was under 400 calories: curry chicken in lettuce cups with a chicken kung pao bao. The lettuce wraps came with a little cup of fresh chopped cilantro and green onions to add on top-- so fresh and tasty! Both the wraps and the bao were spicy enough that it made my nose run a little, but the heat wasn't too intense at all. The crowds are hefty for good reason. Luckily, Wow Bao is connected to my hotel (this time), so I just took it back to my room to enjoy a little break from work. Open one downtown in Columbus, Ohio, PLEASE!
(5)Patrick B.
Been here a few times. The baos are pretty good, but none of the flavors really stand out as being great. The edamame bao was better than expected, but I didn't really like their bowls. I would go back for the baos, but I'm not in a big hurry to do so. Worth stopping by if you've never had one, and like doughy buns filled with meat.
(3)