The bao trend has finally landed in Luxembourg.

Bao Bar is located in Clausen, just a few steps from the Rives de Clausen. While I usually wait a couple of weeks before trying out a brand new place, with Bao Bar, I felt I had to rush before the secret was out and I wouldn’t be able to find a free table. Among friends and acquaintances, everyone who has been there told me to try it as soon as possible.

So here I go: the place is tiny (only one room was open at lunchtime, but they have a second one), but colorful, with some lovely details, like the personalized paintings on the wall.

The menu is short, as the philosophy of the place is to use only fresh ingredients – and to my surprise, the bao buns are homemade.

On the menu, it is suggested to order 2 – 3 dishes per person: so I ordered the Asian cucumber salad, the spicy pork Bao (Cochon-Chic), and the Aubergine Hong Shao, which seems to be the current star dish of Bao Bar.

To drink, I had a Yuzu Sake cocktail off the menu designed by Mathilde Logette, who won the best barmaid awards at Luxembourg Nightlife Awards in 2023 , but the menu offers a selection of “sober” drinks as well as draft Kirin beer.

People were right: this is definitely a place to put on your watch-list. Distinguishable flavors, balanced combinations, generous portions. The food was outstanding. I was offered an extra spicy add-on for my Bao, which was great to soften the sweet notes. Also, the cucumber salad is highly recommended to cleanse the palate from the richness of the bao. And clearly, I see why the eggplant dish is so loved. Personally, I found that three dishes were probably too much for one person, but this place is perfect for a night with friends – and so for sharing.

And don’t forget to leave room for the only dessert on the menu, a matcha ice cream surrounded by a fried brioche bun and an unforgettable sesame crust.

Bao Bar is also, in the current Luxembourg dining scenario, pretty affordable with bao around 16/17 EUR, sides 5/6 EUR, and dishes to share 9/12 EUR.

There are many choices available for vegetarians.

Service was refreshingly polite – and I love the matching Bao Bar sweaters.

I would definitely be back.