Eating Around with Em

Bar Bao Mechelen

Bar Bao in Mechelen is a cosy and modern spot tucked away on Van Beethovenstraat, just a short walk from the Vismarkt. As devoted ‘Mecheleirs’, they have brought their love for steamed buns to the forefront of Mechelen’s dining scene, opening their first restaurant to share the joy of their discoveries with the local community.

During their extensive travels abroad, the team behind Bar Bao stumbled upon the delightful and flavourful world of “Gua bao” steamed buns. Captivated by this gastronomic delight, they were determined to introduce Mechelen to the magic of these culinary treasures, all while maintaining their commitment to delivering high-quality, yet affordable and accessible dining experiences.

The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making it a great place for a casual lunch, dinner, or an easygoing night out. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the varied menu ensures that both meat-lovers and vegetarians can enjoy something tasty.

Price category: €

Website Bar Bao

Em’s star rating

The deep-fried homemade chicken scampi dumplings were super tasty and a perfect start. The bao buns were the highlight of the meal: the pork belly classic, the funky chick, and the crispy scampi all had amazing flavours and the perfect soft, fluffy texture. I also tried the sweet potato fries, which were crispy, warm, and a great side dish.

Fun fact

The founders of Bar Bao turned a former café in the old building “De Pekton” into a fresh bao-bun hotspot. That means when you visit, you’re literally enjoying modern bao buns inside a bit of Mechelen history, a cool mix of new flavours and local heritage.

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