Hamburgers and hot dogs may have had their day as the fast foods of choice in Hong Kong, it seems. It could now be the turn of the Taiwanese-style gua bao – marinated pork belly sandwiched inside a Chinese bun – to take the crown as our city’s fave fast food. And there’s a pioneer already: the new Bao Wow on Wan Chai’s Tai Wong Street East. The eatery is simple on the outside, humble on the inside and prides itself on innovative combinations.
When we visit we plump for the steaming original gua bao ($58). The bun may be a tad dry but the filling is well-seasoned and boasts a good cut of pork belly, working well with its citrusy relish. This whets our appetite for the sesame ginger pork chop ($58), which is definitely our favourite, with the crispy fried meat being smothered with ginger sauce that cuts the fat perfectly. But if you’re feeling hungry (or greedy) you can go all out for the bao platter ($158) that includes one of each flavour on offer – which means you can also try the Shanghainese pang pang chicken, kimchi bulgogi, Thai fish fillet and teriyaki tofu.There’s also a selection of sides as long as the bao list.
Okay, it’s not outstanding here but it’s good for what it is. If hamburgers do move over and gua bao really is the biggest fast food fad of 2014, then Bao Wow is definitely at the crest of the wave. Lisa Cam
Bao Wow28 Tai Wong St E, Wan Chai, 2528 9505; baowowhk.com. Dinner for two: $250.