Bao Bei Vancouver
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🥟 Bao Bei is a modern Chinese brasserie on Keefer Street in the heart of Vancouver's historic Chinatown, where Chinese and Taiwanese foundations meet French technique and influences drawn from Vancouver's multicultural food scene.
A neighbourhood fixture for more than 15 years, the intimate restaurant pairs dim lighting, vintage details and a lively bar with a rotating menu of inventive plates designed for sharing, from dumplings and beef tartare to crispy tofu, eggplant and Sichuan-spiced dishes. Guests can build their own spread or leave the decisions to the kitchen with Chef's Choice, while creative cocktails, a small patio and the bustling energy of the room have made Bao Bei as much a destination for date nights and evenings out as it is for the food itself.
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🍽️ Bao Bei Menu
⭐ Bao Bei is known for Beef Tartare and Dumplings.
🍽️ Chef's Choice
Chef's Choice Dining Experience
A family-style Chef's Choice experience beginning at a minimum of two people, allowing Bao Bei's kitchen to create a meal for the table. Ask about drink pairings and add-ons. Full table participation is required.
🥒 Schnacks
Small plates and snacks featuring seasonal vegetables, bold seasonings and savoury house preparations.
Assorted Seasonal Chinese Pickles
A rotating selection of seasonal vegetables prepared as Chinese-style pickles.
Sichuan Smashed Cucumbers
Smashed cucumbers dressed with mala soy vinaigrette.
Salted Napa Cabbage
Napa cabbage seasoned with sesame dressing.
Bean Curd Skin
King oyster mushroom with bean curd skin, chilli and ginger emulsion.
Crispy Tofu
Crispy tofu with garlic sweet soy and water chestnut.
Omelet
Omelet with salted turnip and butter.
🥟 Petits Cadeaux
Handmade dumplings and wontons by Helen & Pansy, with vegetarian, seafood and pork fillings.
Vegetarian Potstickers
Handmade vegetarian potstickers.
Steamed Prawn, Scallop & Chive Dumplings
Steamed dumplings filled with prawn, scallop and chives.
Steamed Pork Dumplings
Handmade steamed dumplings filled with pork.
Pork, Preserved Egg & Charred Long Pepper Wontons
Wontons filled with pork and preserved egg, complemented by charred long pepper.
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🍽️ Petits Plats Chinois
Bao Bei's Chinese-inspired small plates featuring local ingredients, house-made accompaniments and creative preparations.
Beef Tartare
Beef tartare with preserved mustard root, crispy shallot, ginger, quail egg and watercress, finished with burnt scallion oil. Smoked bone marrow available as an addition.
Shan Tofu
Herbed chickpea tofu with mapo-spiced tomato, blistered shiitake mushrooms and runner beans.
Sichuan Fried Chicken
Crispy fried chicken seasoned with garlic mala oil and gochugaru, served with Thai basil.
Mantou Buns
Soft mantou buns filled with braised beef shank, lime leaf, pickled shallot, peanut and anchovy.
Shao Bing
Sesame flatbread filled with Okanagan Valley cumin-marinated lamb leg, cilantro, green pepper, pickled red onion and salted serrano.
Halibut
Soybean-crusted halibut served with suan cai broth, zucchini, dill and tarragon.
Pork Belly
Pork belly with Vietnamese cilantro sauce, triple-cooked potato rösti, cucumber and mint, finished with pickled ginger and ramps.
Kick Ass House Fried Rice
Oyakodon-style fried rice with chicken thigh, dashi sabayon, sliced onion and crispy chicken skin.
Sticky Rice Cakes
Sticky rice cakes with duck confit, preserved chilli, yellow chives, wood ear mushroom and Taiwanese cabbage. Add a sunnyside-up free-range egg or omelet.
🥬 Vegetables
Vegetable-focused dishes featuring seasonal produce, savoury sauces and aromatic seasonings.
King Pea Tips
Tender pea tips sautéed with garlic and Shaoxing wine.
Glazed Crispy Eggplant
Crispy eggplant glazed with gochugaru, leek and carrot and finished with sesame salt.
Bok Choy
Bok choy with longganisa, coconut pork glaze, fried garlic and lime leaf.
Broccolini
Broccolini with gochujang, black garlic and salted duck yolk crumb.
🍚 Sides
Simple additions to complement the table.
Steamed Rice
Steamed rice served as a classic accompaniment.
Sunnyside-Up Free-Range Egg
Free-range egg cooked sunnyside-up.
Smoked Bone Marrow
Rich smoked bone marrow available as an additional side.
🍸 Cocktails
Creative house cocktails featuring infused spirits, Asian-inspired flavours, tropical fruit and distinctive savoury touches.
Chino Margarita
Dried tangerine peel-infused reposado tequila with ginger, lime, egg white and chilli salt, finished with a sugar rim. 2 oz.
Piña Colada
Bao Bei's frozen take on the tropical classic.
Keefer Square
Reifel rye with Calvados, Esquimalt Rosso, caramelized pear and Benedictine.
Salted Sun
Nikka Days whisky with nutty Solera sherry, sesame overproof rum, miso burnt caramel and clarified milk.
Green Light
El Gobernador pisco with Bitter Bianca, shochu, Woods Amaro Chiaro, cucumber and black pepper.
Okinawan Old Fashioned
Nikka Coffey Grain and Nikka Days whisky with banana liqueur and yuzu.
Kowloon
Ketel One vodka with maraschino liqueur, Calvados, orange curaçao and cold brew.
Spring Fling
Pomelo-infused Roku gin with Cocchi Americano, Woods Amaro Chiaro, rose, osmanthus and lemon.
🍺 Beer & Cider
A compact selection of lager, local craft beer, cider and a mezcal gose.
Tsingtao
Classic lager from Qingdao, China. 640 ml.
Bao Bei & Slowhand
Helles lager brewed in Vancouver, BC. 355 ml.
Strange Fellows
Greenhorn IPA from Vancouver, BC. 473 ml.
33 Acres
Mezcal gose brewed in Vancouver, BC. 355 ml.
Dominion Cider
First Principles cider from Summerland, BC. 473 ml.
🍶 Sake
Japanese sake available in 90 ml, 300 ml or 720 ml servings.
Heiwa Shuzo KID Red Rice
Velvety and round with aromas of honey, cherries and umeshu.
Yuzu no Kimozu Sparkling
Bright and refreshing sparkling sake with a lively yuzu-forward character. Available in 90 ml or 300 ml servings.
Kozaemon Junmai Ginjo
Tropical and floral with approachable character and a rich backbone.
Shichihonyari Junmai
Rich and savoury with notes of charcoal and mushroom.
Takachiyo SunRise Nama Genshu
Juicy and aromatic with ripe mandarin orange notes.
🥤 Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol-free beer, cider and refreshing house beverages.
Nonny
Czech pilsner brewed in Vancouver, BC. 355 ml.
Strange Fellows
Non-alcoholic India pale ale brewed in Vancouver, BC. 355 ml.
Meadows
Low-alcohol cider from Dominion Cider featuring Dapplemousse Jus. 0.5% ABV, 750 ml.
Dickie's Ginger Beer
Refreshing ginger beer.
FIN Soda Haskap Berry Fizz
Sparkling haskap berry soda.
Herbal Iced Tea
Refreshing chilled herbal tea.
🍹 Zero Proof Cocktails
Alcohol-free cocktails with tropical, citrus, floral and herbaceous flavours.
Fenghuang
A tangy sugarcane-forward tropical drink with tiki-inspired character.
Not-A-Negroni
A complex, bitter zero-proof interpretation of a Negroni.
Midsummer Meadow
Alpine meadow flavours in full bloom with a spritzy, herbaceous character.
Hong Zhi
Grapefruit and ginger beer with yuzu.
Yalong Bay
A clear, clarified take on a Piña Colada.
🥂 Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wines from British Columbia, France, Germany and Italy, ranging from crisp and lively to fruit-forward and elegant.
Averill Creek NV 'Charme De L'île'
Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris from Duncan, BC, with apricot, apple and pear notes and a crisp, lively finish.
Bailly Lapierre NV 'Crémant De Bourgogne' Rosé
Pinot Noir and Gamay from Burgundy, France, showing cherry and pink grapefruit with a bright, elegant character.
Andi Weigand 2022 'Dreamin' of Shari' Love'
Scheurebe from Franken, Germany, with tropical fruit and herbal notes in a pét-nat style.
Bella 2025 'Mariani Vineyard'
Gamay from Naramata, BC, with field strawberry and pomegranate notes and a soft, elegant finish.
🥂 White Wine
A diverse selection of white wines featuring fresh citrus, orchard fruit, stone fruit and aromatic varieties.
Pascal Jolivet 2024 'Attitude'
Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, France, with green apple and kiwi and an elegant, lingering finish.
Natte Valleij 'Axle' 2024
Chenin Blanc and Steenbosch from South Africa, showing ripe spiced stone fruit balanced by delicate acidity.
Tiraki 2025
Chardonnay from Marlborough, New Zealand, with plump nectarine and mandarin alongside peach and vanilla ice cream notes.
Gilbert 2022 'Blanc'
Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewürztraminer from NSW, Australia, with citrus blossom and nashi pear, balanced by juicy, crunchy acidity.
Synchromesh 2025 'Stormhaven Dry'
Riesling from Okanagan Falls, BC, with pear and honeysuckle notes and a slate-driven, tightly wound finish.
Escala Humana 2024 'Livera'
Malvasia from Uco Valley, Argentina, with orange zest, lemon peel and kumquat, complemented by subtle salinity.
🌸 Rosé Wine
Fresh rosé wines spanning Bordeaux, British Columbia and Austria/Hungary.
Clarendelle 2025
Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon from Bordeaux, France, with red currant and raspberry notes and a dry, crisp finish.
Kutatas 2024
Pinot Noir from Salt Spring Island, BC, with strawberry and raspberry flavours balanced by refreshing acidity.
Lock and Worth 2025
Cabernet Franc from Naramata, BC, with alpine strawberry and thyme and a clean, energetic character.
Franz Weininger NV 'Rozsa Petsovits'
Syrah, Blaufränkisch and Merlot from Austria and Hungary, with candied strawberry and spice.
🍊 Orange Wine
Skin-contact wines with fresh fruit, citrus and textured character.
Little Farm 2025 'Pied de Cuve'
Chardonnay and Similkameen Valley-grown grapes from BC, with exotic citrus, crisp acidity and impressive length.
Chateau Marmot 2025 'Macerated Riesling'
Riesling from Osoyoos, BC, with bright orchard fruit, citrus zest and tea-like tannins.
🍷 Red Wine
Red wines from British Columbia, Australia, Italy, Austria and Greece, ranging from juicy and bright to savoury and herbaceous.
Scout 2022
Syrah and Cawston-grown grapes from BC, showing juicy black currant and dark cherry with a bright, zesty character.
Leko 2022
Pinot Noir from Adelaide Hills, Australia, with pomegranate, cherry cola and rose bush notes alongside an earthy character.
Cirelli 2024
Montepulciano from Abruzzo, Italy, with black raspberry and plum, lifted by wild herb notes.
Claus Preisinger 2023 'Puszta Libre!'
Zweigelt and Saint Laurent from Burgenland, Austria, with red currant and sour cherry in a light, easy-drinking style.
Else 2025
Gamay from Oliver, BC, with tart red cherry, crushed herbs and a crisp, peppery finish.
Sant'OR 2022
Agiorgitiko from Achaia, Greece, with raspberry and roasted tomato notes, fine tannins and a peppery lift.
⭐ Bao Bei Favourites
These selections are based on dishes commonly praised in Google reviews.
Beef Tartare
The Beef Tartare is one of Bao Bei's most enduring favourites, repeatedly singled out for its bold seasoning and unusual combination of French technique and Chinese flavours. Owner Tannis Ling has also identified it as a dish that captures the restaurant's approach particularly well.
Dumplings
Dumplings are among the most consistently praised dishes, with customers highlighting both meat and seafood versions and frequently recommending them as a must-order.
Pork Belly
Pork Belly has remained a customer favourite across years of reviews, praised for its rich flavour and tender texture and often paired with Bao Bei's steamed buns.
Crispy Tofu
Crispy Tofu wins over even customers who do not normally enjoy tofu, with recurring praise for its texture, seasoning and accompanying sauce.
Crispy Eggplant
The eggplant dishes inspire particularly enthusiastic feedback, with some customers ordering a second plate during the same meal and others naming the crispy eggplant their favourite dish.
Kick Ass Fried Rice
Bao Bei's distinctive fried rice is a recurring favourite and one of the restaurant's best-known dishes, frequently praised for its depth of flavour and unconventional ingredients.
Sichuan Fried Chicken
The spicy fried chicken has developed a strong following of its own, with customers repeatedly highlighting its seasoning, heat and numbing Sichuan pepper character.
Sichuan Smashed Cucumbers
Smashed Cucumbers regularly stand out despite being one of the simpler dishes, earning praise for their refreshing flavour and punchy seasoning.
🍽️ Dining Experience
This section summarizes information from restaurant sources, customer reviews and other public sources.
Modern Chinese Brasserie
Bao Bei approaches Chinese and Taiwanese flavours through a distinctly contemporary Vancouver lens, combining Asian ingredients with techniques and influences drawn from several culinary traditions.
Designed for Sharing
Most of the menu consists of small and medium plates intended for the table, encouraging groups to order several dishes and experience a wider range of flavours.
Chef's Choice
Diners can hand the ordering over to the kitchen with the Chef's Choice experience, which sends out a progression of dishes selected for the table.
Cozy Chinatown Setting
The relatively small dining room combines dim lighting, vintage details and eclectic decor for an intimate brasserie atmosphere that feels polished without becoming formal.
Lively Evenings
Bao Bei develops a bustling energy when full, with closely spaced tables, an active bar and music contributing to a lively atmosphere that can become quite loud during busy periods.
Bar Seating
The intimate bar is a popular option for couples, solo diners and walk-ins, with reviewers frequently praising the bartenders and the experience of eating at the bar.
Creative Cocktails
Cocktails are a significant part of the Bao Bei experience rather than an afterthought, with customers repeatedly praising both the house drinks and bartenders' recommendations.
Patio Dining
A small outdoor terrace provides another option in suitable weather and has welcomed customers dining with dogs.
🅿️ Parking & Accessibility
This section summarizes information from restaurant sources, customer reviews and other public sources.
Downtown Chinatown Location
Bao Bei is located at 163 Keefer Street in Vancouver's historic Chinatown, where driving and parking are more typical of a dense downtown neighbourhood than a suburban restaurant.
Street Parking
Metered street parking is available throughout Chinatown, although availability can vary considerably depending on the time and activity in the neighbourhood.
Chinatown Parkade
The EasyPark parkade at 180 Keefer Street provides a nearby off-street parking option almost directly across Keefer Street from the restaurant.
Compact Restaurant
Bao Bei has a relatively small dining room with closely arranged seating, so the space can feel busy and tight when the restaurant is full.
Plan Ahead
The restaurant's popularity and compact size make planning ahead worthwhile, particularly for diners hoping to visit during peak evening periods.
📍 Landmarks & Location
This section summarizes information from restaurant sources, customer reviews and other public sources.
Vancouver Chinatown
Bao Bei sits on Keefer Street in the heart of Vancouver's historic Chinatown, surrounded by one of the city's most distinctive restaurant and cultural districts.
Keefer Street
The restaurant occupies a corner of the neighbourhood just west of Main Street, putting it within an easy walk of many of Chinatown's restaurants, bars and shops.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and surrounding Chinatown cultural attractions are only a short walk from the restaurant.
Chinatown Institution
Bao Bei has been part of the neighbourhood dining scene for roughly 16 years, growing from a buzzy newcomer into one of the established restaurants associated with modern Vancouver Chinatown.
Distinctly Vancouver
Rather than trying to recreate traditional regional Chinese cooking, Bao Bei draws on Vancouver's multicultural food culture, bringing Chinese foundations together with French technique and influences from across Asia.
Night Out on Keefer Street
Its location works particularly well as part of an evening in Chinatown, with numerous restaurants, cocktail bars and other late-night destinations concentrated around Keefer and Main streets.
📱 Ordering Options
This section summarizes information from restaurant sources, customer reviews and other public sources.
À La Carte Sharing Plates
Guests can build their own meal from Bao Bei's rotating selection of small and larger plates, with several dishes typically shared across the table.
Chef's Choice
The Chef's Choice option leaves the meal in the kitchen's hands, creating a multi-dish shared experience without requiring the table to choose each plate individually.
Rotating Menu
The menu changes over time, allowing the kitchen to introduce new dishes while maintaining a number of longtime Bao Bei favourites.
Vegetarian Choices
Vegetable-focused cooking is an important part of the menu rather than simply a collection of side dishes, with tofu, eggplant, dumplings and seasonal vegetables receiving substantial praise from customers.
Bar Dining
Guests can enjoy the complete food and cocktail experience from the bar, which can also provide an alternative for smaller parties and walk-ins.
Reservations and Walk-Ins
Bao Bei accommodates both planned dinners and walk-in visits, although its small dining room can fill quickly and advance planning is worthwhile during popular periods.
Group Dining
The sharing-plate format works naturally for groups, allowing the table to order a larger selection and sample dishes together.
💬 Customer Feedback
This section summarizes recurring themes in customer reviews.
Inventive Flavours Drive the Following
Customers who love Bao Bei repeatedly praise its ability to combine familiar Chinese flavours with unexpected ingredients and techniques, describing meals as creative, distinctive and unlike conventional Chinese dining.
Dumplings Are a Consistent Highlight
Across years of reviews, dumplings remain one of the safest crowd favourites, receiving praise from both first-time visitors and returning customers.
The Room Has a Memorable Personality
The cozy decor, dim lighting, vintage touches and energetic atmosphere are frequently mentioned alongside the food, making the setting an important part of the experience.
Service Often Adds to the Meal
Many customers praise servers and bartenders for explaining unfamiliar dishes, recommending how much to order and guiding diners through the rotating menu and drinks.
Sharing Works Best with Company
Customers frequently recommend visiting with a partner or group so the table can order several plates and experience more of the menu.
Noise Can Be Significant
The same lively atmosphere that many diners enjoy can become quite loud and crowded during busy periods, making Bao Bei less suited to diners looking for a quiet evening.
Portions and Value Divide Opinion
Small portions and higher prices are among the most recurring criticisms, while other customers feel the creativity, ingredients and overall dining experience justify the cost.
The Fusion Style Is Deliberately Untraditional
Reactions to Bao Bei's cooking can be polarized. Fans appreciate the reinterpretation of Chinese food, while some diners expecting more traditional Chinese flavours find the combinations unfamiliar or overly Westernized.
Seasoning Can Be Bold
Although strong flavour is a major part of the restaurant's appeal, a recurring minority of customers find certain dishes overly salty, rich or heavily seasoned.
A Destination for Repeat Visitors
Despite the restaurant's unconventional approach, reviews include regulars who return whenever they visit Vancouver and longtime customers who have continued dining here for years.
