The new brand combines the craftsmanship of traditional Chinese buns (baos) with innovative flavours, such as Orh Nee Bao and Azuki Red Bean Mochi Bao.

Pang Gek Teng, the Founder of Surrey Hills Grocer, renowned for bringing unique culinary concepts to Singapore, has embarked on an exciting new journey with the launch of Bǎo Bāo – a contemporary bao haven located in the heart of ION Orchard, #B4-34. This exciting new destination for handcrafted buns is now open to share the joy and nostalgia of bao, with a fresh twist on beloved local tradition.

Bǎo Bāo (宝包), which means “precious bun” in Chinese, encapsulates both the rich history of bao and the innovative spirit of the new. 

Honouring Heritage

Inspired by the story and passion of a retiring local bao maker with close to 50 years of bao-making experience, Gek and her team set out to offer a unique bao experience that brings together the best of Singapore’s heritage and contemporary culinary creativity. 

“Growing up in Singapore, I believe that bao is a simple yet versatile snack that holds a special place in many hearts. Personally, it’s one of my go-to comfort foods as I have many fond memories of me and my family enjoying and bonding over delicious handcrafted baos,” says Gek. “Today, with many snack options to choose from, baos may not be the immediate choice for the younger generation. However, we believe that there is so much potential to the humble bao, and that we hope to deliver a winning product that will appeal to both the young and old.”  

At the heart of every Bǎo Bāo creation are decades of bao-making tips and tricks, including a natural yeast starter that has been preciously cultivated in-house for over 20 years. Each dough is painstakingly handmade on-site daily at the guidance of the veteran bao maker, with the fermentation process lasting between 12 and 14 hours. The slow fermentation allows the natural yeast to work its magic, giving us baos that have a light, cotton-soft texture and a springy, chewy bite that is simply irresistible. This artisanal approach to bao-making is key to ensure that each bun is a masterpiece i.e. perfectly balanced in textures and flavours. 

Embracing Innovation

Bǎo Bāo’s Signature Range focuses on redefining baos to suit today’s modern palate. To kick things off, the launch includes three ‘dessert’ baos, perfect for those with a sweet tooth. The flavours of red bean, orh nee (yam paste) and chocolate were carefully chosen to create a dessert-inspired experience, while maintaining a balance of tradition and modern appeal. Red bean embodies the heritage of Asian sweets, orh nee brings a cherished taste of local history and chocolate offers a universally loved, contemporary indulgence. 

L-R: Orh Nee Bao, Azuki Red Bean Mochi Bao, French Chocolate Lava Bao

• Orh Nee Bao (S$1.60): A beloved local classic, this yam-filled bao combines  smooth, creamy orh nee with fragrant shallot oil, elevating both aroma and flavour. Its velvety texture delivers a comforting sweetness, each bite a nostalgic nod to local tradition with a modern twist.

• Azuki Red Bean Mochi Bao (S$1.60): A harmonious fusion of sweet azuki red bean, cooked with pandan leaves for a natural, aromatic fragrance and chewy mochi made from pure rice flour. Crafted with care, the homemade azuki paste offers the perfect balance of sweetness that complements the soft bao for an authentic, comforting taste that celebrates the essence of traditional Asian desserts. 

• French Chocolate Lava Bao (S$2.00): A modern reinvention of a timeless classic, this bao unveils a molten, gooey centre of 66% cocoa Chocolaterie de l’Opéra chocolate – dark, rich and irresistibly smooth. The soft, pillowy bao dough embraces the luxurious French chocolate for an indulgent melt-in-your-mouth dessert experience. 

Stay tuned for even more surprising twists and flavour combinations as the team unveils them in the days ahead.

Bǎo Bāo’s Signature Range is available in store from 8 February 2025 onwards.

Besides new and “fun” flavours, diners can also check out Bǎo Bāo’s Classic Range for baos that are packed with familiar flavours that have defined this comfort food for generations. 

L-R: Big Pork Bao, Roasted Char Siew Bao, Black Pepper Chicken Bao

• Big Pork Bao (S$2.90): A generous bao packed with juicy pork, marinated with ginger juice and spring onion to enhance its natural flavour. Lovingly prepared with Bǎo Bāo’s own secret recipe, the meat is treated with the utmost care, ensuring that it remains tender and flavourful. It’s a delicious tribute to the tradition of crafting the perfect bao, where the hearty filling is as satisfying as the bao itself.

• Black Pepper Chicken Bao (S$2.90): A flavour-packed bao featuring tender chicken marinated in a specially concocted black pepper sauce. With a subtle yet satisfying spicy kick, each bite delivers the perfect balance of warmth and savoury depth.

• Braised Pork Belly Bao (S$2.90): A true indulgence for bao lovers, this braised pork belly is slow-cooked for a full day in the finest dark soya sauce, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Each bite offers a perfect balance of savoury richness, tender texture and deep flavours wrapped in a soft bao. 

• Roasted Char Siew Bao (S$1.50): Made in-house, this bao features expertly roasted pork, glazed to perfection with a sweet, caramelised finish. The slow-roasting process over charcoal enhances the flavour, giving this bao a deep smoky richness that pairs perfectly with the soft bao exterior. 

In addition to its selection of baos, Bǎo Bāo’s also serves a selection of well-loved sides including Siew Mai (S$1.20/pc), Chicken Glutinous Rice (S$4.80) and Fan Choy (S$4.80) to round out your snacking experience.

Bǎo Bāo’s Classic Range is now available in store.

The Bǎo Bāo Experience

The Bǎo Bāo store is more than just a spot to buy delicious baos – it’s an experience. The creative concept of the Bǎo Bāo store is a reimaged vintage Singaporean shophouse with modern touches that evokes nostalgia while setting the stage for new culinary adventures. A central feature of the store is the open kitchen which allows customers to witness the bao-making process in action – from kneading the dough to steaming the baos. It is a sensory celebration that connects customers with the craftsmanship behind each bao. 

Whether you’re there for a taste of nostalgia or a yummy new flavour, Bǎo Bāo promises to be an unforgettable experience. At the end of the day, when you have a Bǎo Bāo, it’s all about that feeling of finally coming home – to warm tummies, warm hearts and warm hugs.

Bǎo Bāo Store Opening Charity Event

As part of its opening celebration, Bǎo Bāo will be organising a Bǎo Bāo Charity Sale Event, on 8 February 2025, 4 – 6 pm, where celebrities Ya Hui and Chen Liping will step in as celebrity store managers at the Bǎo Bāo store and serve piping hot baos for a meaningful cause. 

Bǎo Bāo will donate 100% of all proceeds from the Charity Sale Event to Arc Children’s Centre, a rehabilitation centre for children with cancer or other critical illnesses, to support its mission to provide a sanctuary of joy, emotional support, and medical care for children in need. 

For Chen Liping and Ya Hui, this marks a deeply personal way of giving back, and their involvement is driven by a shared belief in the power of community and compassion. “This charity event presents a wonderful opportunity for Yahui and I to collaborate, not just in acting but also contributing to a meaningful cause,” says Chen Liping. “Supporting children through this event and raising funds for such an important cause brings great joy. We hope this small step will lead to a significant impact. The greatest joy is found in doing good!” 

Ya Hui echoes her sentiments, adding: “There’s no better way than to bring people together for a cause that helps children who need it most. We hope our efforts can bring some comfort and joy to these children and their families.”

As an added token of appreciation, the first 100 customers who purchase any baos will receive a complimentary autographed tote bag, available while stocks last. Come eat, meet the icons, and make a difference. 

Bǎo Bāo is located at ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-34, Singapore 238801 and is open on Mondays to Sundays from 10am to 10pm.