Hidden within the depths of Harrods’s gleaming shopping aisles is Bao Kitchen. Claiming to have the ‘best duck sauce in London’, Bao Kitchen, which opened on the fourth floor of the renowned department store earlier this year, is the latest venture by renowned restauranteur, Eddie Lim (CEO of the Mango Tree Group).
A quick and casual dining space within the luxury department store, there are no prizes for guessing that one of its leading offerings is their selection of bao buns which have become hugely popular in the capital over the last couple of years. An ideal retail therapy pit-stop, from delicate small dishes or refined larger plates – Bao Kitchen caters to quick lunches or more relaxed lengthy evening meals, with the best in Chinese cuisine and the increasingly popular bubble tea from Malaysia.
A colourful menu offers diners Chinese favourites from across the country, moments from the polished accessories and designer dresses that line The Harrods Fashion Lab. Using high-quality and specially selected ingredients to cater to Harrods’s discerning international clientele, two of Bao Kitchen’s signature dishes: the roasted Beijing-style duck rice bowl and spicy Szechuan dan dan noodles with vegetables and minced pork have emerged as particular favourites.
Our recommendation of the dim sum platter features a collection of exotic dumplings including lobster and coriander, Alaskan king crab, scallop sui mai, and a spicy roast duck. Meanwhile, the popular fluffy bao bun specialities include roasted Beijing style duck with hoisin sauce, scallions and cucumber, lobster with Szechuan mayo, crispy chicken with sweet chilli sauce and pickle radish as well as the indulgent grilled wagyu beef with wafu sauce and shimeji mushroom. Other quick small plates include wasabi prawns tossed with wasabi tobiko kewpie mayo and tempura lobster served with spicy mayo.
Larger plates also offer more substantial options, from a choice of grill dishes such as rib-eye steak with Szechuan peppercorn sauce, grilled lamb chops with bulgogi sauce, and grilled poussin with spicy chilli garlic sauce. Alongside the Beijing style duck rice bowl featuring what Bao Kitchen have dubbed ‘the best duck sauce in London’ and the dan dan noodles featuring with the original taste of Szechuan, are the wan tan hor – (stir-fried flat noodles with prawns, crab and scallop with seafood gravy), and crispy noodles with chicken and prawns.
From a Hibiscus Flower Fizz and Kir Royal cocktails alongside an in-house selection of wines, soft drinks, and teas – one of Bao Kitchen’s main selling points is its range of fruity and colourful bubble teas. From fresh milk caramel pearls with avocado mousse, red beans pearl milk tea, fresh mango milk tea with mango popping boba, and one of the most popular is peach iced tea with blueberry popping boba.
Address: Bao Kitchen, Harrods, Fourth Floor, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL, +44 (0)207 225 5951, harrods.com/bao-kitchen
