Bao Bao Cafe

“Happened to wander past, stopped in for a little hot pot (medium spicy w fish balls) topped w vegetables and glass noodles.”

“*Little Hotpot: this was what I got and I added additional beef and golden mushrooms.”

“Had the Bao Bao Noodles and Cloudy Mellon drink.”

Bao Bao Cafe

Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes

Price range.

$ Price range Under $10

8 reviews

  1. No resl Boa here…. how is that possible? ! Not sure.
    Where can I get Boa in NYC ?! MSG me!!!

    The server and staff tried do very hard but it felt unprepared for the customers.

    I asked for the bowl to not be too spicy, yes. It was too spicy for me.

    I plan on going back and trying again.

    It felt very lunch like, not for dinner. Really quaint just not formal or large enough for a date or intimate conversation.

  2. It's very to have a place like this, cheap and good, near my previous work location. Too bad that I have moved on. I normally have the little hotpot. It was tasty and not too oily like other place.

  3. It's true what they say: a smell or a taste will transport you back to a memory of a place.

    The little hot pot I had, between medium and insanely spicy with added lamb and fish slices, instantly transported me back to the lunch place I frequented in China as a study abroad student.

    Amazing flavor and nutrition packed into this ma la tang. It just tasted so authentic. For that, personally it would be a place I would want to come back to again and again. I don't think I've been to another place in New York (at least in Manhattan) that is quite like this one. I wish I lived closer to this place. I would prob be a regular.

    The only thing I have to nitpick is that they have service but no restroom. The place is also quite small. Check in for a free drink! But don't forget to tip.

  4. Ordered lamb skewers and the bao bao noodles. The lamb skewers were pretty mediocre. The meat was dry and not very flavorful.

    The bao bao noodles were good. When you order spicy – believe me they mean spicy!

  5. This is my experience based on their delivery service.

    I think I may reach this threshold that I have had enough of spicy food.
    You know, current spicy food is to compete which place is much more spicy..
    But spice sometimes covers the essence of other ingredients.. you forgot the freshness of vegetables, you missed the richness of your steak, and all you can feel is the on-fireness

    CUT MY CRAP SHORT

    Service: their delivery is caring and fast. We ordered the hotpot, mega hot.
    They pay extra attention so they called back to make sure we order the right amount of spice.

    Food: had spicy hot pot, and fish hot pot.
    Like I said, I had enough, my friends wanted to eat spicy food, and I followed and I was like…okay mediocre

    Overall: should be a 3.5 star

  6. This is a very nice place to eat low key Chinese food. I tried chili fish soup with rice today and it was so delicious. The place is tiny but if you look around the decorations are actually quite smart which made the entire space looks bigger and very chic. Two things you need to be mindful to have a good experience here
    – service is great but bit slow. we waited 35 minutes for the food.
    – the spicy scale here is much hardcore. I usually order stuff with extra-hot but today for reason I didn't know I said medium. My food ended up being very very spicy and it almost broke me down into tears…

    Though this is a nice place to eat, there is still something absurd I feel compelled to point out – the space is only around 150 sqft but there are two ACs working in it, one in the wall and one close to the entrance. The space is ok, probably around 78 degrees inside. However, the owner keeps the door entirely open and put the portable AC right next to the door. Portable AC is all about insulation so keeping it next to an open door is like put your AC on the street. Why does this place burn money like this? Sorry for being so picky again – my Yelp syndrome just kicked in…

  7. Awesome ramen! This place is a bit of a whole in the wall and really unassuming, but the flavors were booming. I ordered the housel bao bao noodles and they were everything I hoped for from a great ramen…slamming broth, tender noodles, well seasoned pork, fresh veggies, and yes, the real kick of heat. Definitely would go back if I am in that area at lunch time again. Oh! The iced tea was really good. It had just a tinge of sweetness you get from a southern style sweet tea but not too sweet. The perfect drink to have with spicy ramen.

  8. A hidden gem right next to baruch!Stumbled upon here when I accidentally got off at the wrong stop and couldn't have been happier!

    The food selection might be limited but is delicious and tastes very homey!

    The store is very clean and cute and the service is exceptional!

    Food – 5/5
    Atmosphere – 5/5
    Service – 5/5

    Would definitely recommend checking this place out if you're ever in the area.

    *didn't manage to take a picture because I was too hungry

    P.S. Mini hot pot + beef strips = win

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Lexington Avenue 61
New York 10010 NY US
Get directions
Monday, 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Tuesday, 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Wednesday, 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Thursday, 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Friday, 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Saturday, 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sunday, 11:00 am - 10:00 pm