About — Bao Bao Asian Eatery, Koh Samui

Maenam, since 2017

How Bao Bao came to be

Bao Bao started with a simple idea: make the kind of food we actually want to eat on a hot afternoon in Maenam — fresh, flavourful and a bit surprising. No deep fryers running all day, no menu that tries to be everything. Just bao buns made properly, Asian tapas worth ordering twice, and a space you actually want to sit in.

We built the garden terrace ourselves, added a proper bar, and put together a team that genuinely cares about the kitchen.

Bao Bao sits next to Maenam Morning Market on Soi 5 — easy to find if you know it, a nice surprise if you don't.

The kitchen

Bao made the right way

The bao dough is made fresh every morning — steamed, never baked, the way it should be. Each filling is prepared separately so the textures and flavours stay distinct.

The Asian tapas section grew out of wanting something to eat while you decide on your buns. A lot of regulars order as many tapas as bao.

Explore the Menu

What we stand for

Our values

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Local & Seasonal

We source fresh produce from Maenam Morning Market next door — what's in season is what's on the menu.

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Honest Cooking

No shortcuts on technique. The bao dough is made every morning. The soups are simmered properly. The proteins are sourced and handled with care.

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Vegan-Friendly

Over a third of the menu is fully vegan — not an afterthought but a genuine commitment to cooking well without animal products.

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A Neighbourhood Place

We built this for Maenam first. Locals, expats and travellers all sit in the same garden — that's exactly how we like it.

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Proper Bar

Craft gin and tonics, signature cocktails, house-made lemonades and good coffee. The bar is a menu unto itself, with a strong focus on quality spirits.

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