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This month, Harry headed up the hill to Bao Asian Cafe in Mansell Street. Its brilliant green shop front is hard to miss and it's a surprise that I, Harry Smiles, haven’t been there before.
So... for a lunch time treat I decided it was time to swing past and pick up a few dishes and see what all the fuss was about, and boy was I glad I did.
Pad Thai is a tentpole dish. A showstopper. A classic. Something to tell your friends about. I’ve had many a dish of Pad Thai and rarely does it disappoint. From the street sellers in Bangkok, to sit down restaurants here in little ol’ Guernsey... a Pad Thai is a thing of joy, and Bao did it justice. It was sweet, it was spicy, it was BIG. Succulent prawns lay on a deep bed of perfectly sauced noodles, bean sprouts and egg. Smothered in crunchy, shattered nuts, it was a delight.
Indulging in the Khao Man Gai was delightful. Ginger, chicken and rice. The generous portion size was complemented by a harmoniously balanced ginger and soy sauce which made each bite a symphony, seamlessly blending with the tender chicken, fragrant rice, and fresh vegetables
The Pad Kapow Pork came bursting with flavours and colours. The hot and spicy sauce was paired perfectly with the tender pork, delivering a satisfyingly bold kick that left me craving more.
The crispy belly pork was very nice. It had a sauce that wasn’t really a sauce, like an oil infused with chilli and it went beautifully with the perfectly cooked rice and onions. Belly pork is a winner in any takeway dish, and here it was fresh, crispy and had just the right amount of tang. Perhaps too many onions, but that hardly seems like an issue.
Overall, I was happy I swung past Bao.
The portions are very generous and you’ll definitely leave feeling satiated and full.
There’s plenty of variety and the service was fast. If you’re feeling peckish, it’s a good place to be.
Filling and tasty dishes, with fast service.
Bao more than lives up to its reputation.
BITE BACK: A sanctuary at breakfast time
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