Saw this spot before it opened and wanted to check it out! The experience was overall just okay. There was no wait and you order via QR code. They served us a little dish of mushrooms, seaweed salad & peanuts. Things we ordered: - Cucumber salad ($6): To be honest, wasn't a fan. The cucumbers weren't crispy and there wasn't any depth of flavor.. It just tasted like soy sauce. Portion was also very small. - Pork pot stickers ($8): Got the job done, was good but nothing special. - Scallion Oil Noodles ($10): Again, portions were pretty small. Noodles were just okay.. It was giving instant ramen. - Spicy shrimp and pork wontons ($12): The sauce was good, nice spice. - Pork and crab xlb ($18): A premium price for the crab but you can't taste it. The soup dumpling itself was really good but I would just order the pork ones. Overall, everything was beautifully plated but really small. Our order also came out very sporadically and not all at once. We finished all our food and waited an extra 10 mins after our table was cleaned up until our XLBs came out. ~$65 meal and no one was full. Unfortunate. read more

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The shengjianbao is not cooked. Raw pork and raw dough...Please watch out if you eat here. this is very unsafe to eat!! 生煎包里面是生的！！生猪肉生面会食物中毒的好吗...麻烦商家走点心 read more

Bao Master - Raw dough - Chinese Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Been waiting for Bao Master to open and finally got to try it today. The restaurant is small but clean and modern. Everything we ordered was delicious. They seem to be in a soft opening phase, so the service wasn't quite there yet. We had to ask multiple times for basics like soy sauce, chili oil, and sauce plates; the only thing provided at the table was a bottle of vinegar. That said, the prices are extremely reasonable. The total came out to about $80 after tax and tip for six items, which felt like a great value for the quality. Overall, I'd highly recommend this place. It's officially my new favorite soup dumpling spot in Alhambra! read more

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The food here is decent, but not particularly memorable. The cucumber dish feels like it's trying to replicate Din Tai Fung's version, but it doesn't quite hit the mark--definitely a different level. The xiao long bao are good, though again, not comparable to Din Tai Fung. One of the main reasons we come here is the convenience--there's usually little to no wait, which is a big plus. The restaurant itself is modern and well-designed, and parking is very easy with plenty of spaces in the structure. Service, however, is just so-so. Our server wasn't very friendly and didn't smile, which made the experience feel a bit lacking. Overall, it's a decent spot for a quick meal without the long wait. We'll likely come back and give it another try. "Try to avoid the sweet and sour soup and 上海粗炒, but if you really like it... let me know if they are getting better . " read more

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Checked out the newly opened Bao Master right next to Sprouts and Burlington. The first thing you notice is how fresh the space feels. The interior is super modern and really brightly lit, which is a nice change of pace. The ordering process is a breeze; you just scan the QR code, and the food starts flying out of the kitchen pretty quickly. The menu definitely gives off Din Tai Fung vibes, but they have a few unique items that set them apart. The Food Breakdown * Giant Xiao Long Bao: This thing is massive! It's incredibly juicy with a clear crab meat flavor. My only gripe is that it felt a little "skinny" on the actual meat filling, I was hoping for a bit more pork and crab inside for the size. * Sticky Rice Dumpling: This was the absolute winner for me. It tasted exactly like the ones you find on the streets of Shanghai. Seriously authentic and a must-order. * Pan Fried Rice Cake: Loved the soy sauce glaze on these. Great texture. * The Classics: We also grabbed the scallion pancake and hot and sour soup. Both were solid additions to the meal. Pro-Tip: Parking Don't stress about the busy lot in front of Sprouts. They actually have reserved parking spots in the back, so it's super convenient. I feel this is a great new spot for a quick dumpling fix in Alhambra. I'll definitely be back for those sticky rice dumplings! read more

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I went to Bao Master during their soft opening. I have walked by this restaurant many times during its construction. I was very happy to see that they are now open for business. There is a cute Bao (bun) character at the entrance to the restaurant. The interior is very nice; simple and elegant. Here is what I think of each item I had: (1) soup dumplings filled with pork - very average. Not bad but not spectacular. (2) boiled dumplings with pork, shrimp and chive - the filling were a bit undercooked. The ingredients tasted fresh, but it was too bad it was undercooked! I think cooking it one more minute was all that was needed. (3) pork and vegetable steamed buns - the outside is good but the fillings need more meat. It was filled with mostly vegetables and very little meat. (4) pickled greens and pork noodle soup- lots of pickled vegetables but not much meat. The broth is okay. (5) Tiramisu milk foam black tea - tastes okay. Not too sweet which is how I like it. But not enough milk foam. I can tell that the ingredients are fresh. But everything tasted very average to me. Some dishes need more meat. I was disappointed that it is not better. The to go box is very pretty but it is difficult to close. I think the servers should assist with the leftovers rather than just putting the boxes on the table and walk away. They just assume people can figure out how to close the boxes. There was not much service since the menu is online. You are expected to scan the QR code on the table and place the order via your cell phone. They bring you the food to your table when it is ready. The interactions with the server were minimal. He did not even come to ask how is everything. Since it is soft opening, they must be still working out the kinks. I might go back to give them another chance to impress me. read more

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Hardware: 4 stars. Restaurant is new and clean Softwares: service 0-1 star. Came here at 7:15pm on a Sunday place was 1/4 full. But still took the waitress over 5 min to look up & seat us. One of the 2 female waitress looked miserable and angry (板铁脸). We asked for booth seat but were rudely told they already cleaned that section and didn't want to seat anyone there. Food: 2.0 lack luster. Some of the comfort foods I looked forward to are no long available. No tomatoes egg noodle. No kung pao shrimp etc.. Hot & sour soup: bland, not sour, not savory. Shrimp xlb: surprisingly good. Spicy cabbage: for bizarre reason they put sh*t tons of sugar in this dish. It's sickly sweet but spicy & numbing at the same time. Perhaps it's a Shanghainese failed attempt at creating the most basic Szechuan dish Crab roe noodle: ok but noodle was too soft n lacked bite. Bamboo bun: for supposedly "bao mastet" this was pure insult. Mostly dough w very little mystery filling (see photo). In summary, Plenty of sheep in sgv to rip off. For this sheep, I'll be sheared once and will not be returning .. read more

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Best Dishes: Pork & Crab XLB, Pork XLB, Pan-Fried Pork Buns Okay dishes or not worth trying: Pan-Fried Wagyu Buns, Pork/Shrimp/Chives Dumplings, Pork Katsu I have to say, the broth of the xlb and buns were all clean tasting and delicious. The skin of the xlb in particular was perfect, not too thin and not too thick. Was super easy to pick up the XLB so you don't have to worry about breaking it as much as at other places. Definitely give this place a try if you're in the area! Service was attentive and they were great overall! Decor was modern and the area is clean. Parking is very easy as it shares a big lot with other restaurants and shops. read more

After a round of golf nearby, we were pretty famished and looking for an early dinner. We happened to come across Bao Masters, a spot specializing in Xiaolongbao, so we decided to give it a try. I'm quite particular about where I eat--I like to be impressed right away with the first impression, especially when it comes to cleanliness and the overall atmosphere. Bao Masters definitely delivered on that. The restaurant is located in a fairly new building in Alhambra, and the place felt bright, cheerful, and very clean, which I really appreciated. We were greeted warmly and ushered to a table near the window, which made for a pleasant start to the meal. We ended up ordering quite a few items, and I realized later that our selections didn't exactly come together as a cohesive meal--we kind of picked random things from the menu--but oh well! Our order included: Shredded tofu salad (appetizer) Classic scallion oil noodles BG Mac crab meat & kurobuta pork soup dumplings Veggie fried rice Kurobuta pork & shrimp dumpling soup Everything we tried was good and satisfying. The flavors were solid, and it definitely hit the spot after a long day on the golf course. Overall, Bao Masters made a great first impression with its cleanliness, welcoming service, and tasty food. We'd happily come back again--next time maybe ordering a more "thought-out" menu! read more

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This place 【Bao Master】 in Alhambra was recommended by people online, and I finally had time to check it out this weekend. "Crab Meat & Scallion Oil Noodles" Absolutely mind-blowingly fresh--every noodle is coated with crab meat. The noodles are chewy and glossy, how could it not taste good! The key is it's not salty at all, just full of umami and scallion oil flavor. Very suitable for kids--I let my 1-year-old try a few bites and she loved it so much. "Kurobuta Pork & Crab Soup Dumplings" Savory and delicious, no fishy taste at all. The broth is excellent--even without dipping sauce it tastes great. You can tell the ingredients are fresh and high quality. "Pan-Fried Wagyu Buns" I love these! One bite and the soup bursts out. The filling is super tender and juicy, with none of that beefy gamey taste. The bottom is golden and crispy too--both texture and flavor are amazing. My personal top 1 "Sesame Donut with Mochi" A Chinese-style donut, but not as oily or sweet--just mildly sweet and not greasy. The black sesame coating on the outside is super fragrant, and the mochi inside is soft, stretchy, and gooey. So delicious, and also super cute in appearance. Overall, their dishes aren't too salty and keep the natural flavors of the ingredients. It's great for bringing both elderly family members and kids. Really good, and the service is amazing too--five-star rating . Will definitely come again next time！ read more

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This restaurant recently opened so we tried it. Plenty of parking is available since there is a large parking structure. The place is well lit and nice ambiance. Service was fine. We ordered kurobuta pork and crab soup dumplings, shrimp and pork pot stickers, braised beef noodle soup, baby cucumbers (overpriced for the quantity), scallion pancake (we would not order again), crispy beef pancake roll, rice cake with pork and spinach, and sauteed string beans. Overall the dishes were fine, but not stellar. read more

Din tai fung better watch out. F ur lines and prices, id rather come here! Food is delicious and fast! read more

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Today is my first time coming here and the ambience is so peaceful and pretty inside. I ordered the shrimp potstickers and I'm so excited to try it! I also got the sesame rice balls dessert and a rose black milk tea! I'm gonna bring my mom here for Mother's Day! The staffs are also very kind and polite. 10/10 read more

Bao Master - Chinese Near Me - Alhambra, California

Love the XLB and Alex took care of us. No wait. Excellent food and service. Kids love the dumplings too.

First time trying this new Chinese dumpling place called Bao Master in Alhambra. They just opened it about 2 months ago. It's located on Monterey Street (right across the Sprouts market plaza). You won't miss their big business sign. There's a free indoor public parking lot next to it. Once we walked in (or you can see it from outside the restaurant), we noticed their big, cute Bao Master character at the entrance. The interior is very modern and welcoming. It has some nice decor. Someone greeted us when we walked in and asked us how many people of our party, and we did not need to wait. It wasn't crowded, maybe because of its location, so not many people know about it yet. We first noticed that their utensils were very nice, and I liked the color of the plate. Then our server gave us a big bottle of water for our table, and a complimentary appetizer with seaweed salad, some onions with mini wood mushrooms, and fried peanuts. They were all delicious. We ordered our food through their QR code on the table, which links to their order page from my phone, or you can ask for a menu. We ordered the following: Braised Wheat Gluten in Sweet Soy Sauce ($10.98) Pan-Fried Kurobuta Pork buns 5 pcs ($7.98) Kurobuta Pork Soup Dumplings (XLB) 8 pcs ($12.98) Rice Cake with Pork & Spinach ($14.98) The Braised Wheat Gluten in sweet soy sauce was very addictive. My daughters and my mom also liked it. It was a bit salty, but it was also flavorful. (4 out of 5) The pan-fried Kurobuta Pork buns had 5 pieces of this dish. The pork buns were smaller than I thought. Be careful that it was hot inside with juice. The skin was thick. (3 out of 5) Kurobuta Pork Soup Dumplings (XLB) - it had 8 pieces of Xiao Long Bao. The skin was thin and smooth. It had a good portion of pork meat and soup inside. (4 out of 5) Rice Cake with Pork & Spinach - We always like Shanghaiese pan-fried Rice Cake because we like the chewy texture. It was flavorful and delicious. Some people may think that it's a bit oily, but we liked it. (5 out of 5) The service was attentive, and they gave us another bottle of water. By the way, their to-go box is so cute, but you have to know how to fold it yourself. Overall, it was a satisfying meal, and we all liked it. We will try their other dishes next time. read more

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Bao Master is an comfort-food favorite. From the moment you walk in, it feels casual, warm, and inviting The kind of place you can visit again and again. The dumplings and baos are the highlights. The soup dumplings are packed with rich, savory broth and perfectly seasoned filling with delicate skin with just the right thickness. The pan-fried dumplings have that satisfying crispy bottom while staying juicy inside. Their steamed baos are soft, fluffy, and generously filled, making every bite incredibly satisfying. Everything tastes freshly made and thoughtfully prepared. Portions are solid, prices are reasonable, and the flavors are authentic and comforting. If you're craving classic dumplings and bao done right, Bao Master definitely delivers. read more

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Went to bao master for a simple dinner and it was a decent spot (3.5/5). The XLB skin was thicker than other places but still juicy inside. Crab roe scallion oil noodles was super oily for my taste. I really enjoyed the string beans and cucumber. Very clean and new place, quiet and great place to catch up with friends at. Ordered via the QR code and food came out pretty quick and servers came to clean out dishes timely. read more

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Came here around 6:30 on a Sunday night, and had a short wait. The food was pretty good, but like all of these so-called DTF clones, some were comparable but most were short of DTF's level. Still, the wait was much shorter than what you would have to endure at the time. The interior decor was good, and the seating was comfortable. The waitstaff was friendly enough but definitely seemed to be stretched thin. They looked very frazzled and hurried throughout. We ordered the pork xlb, shrimp and zucchini xlb, potstickers, scallion oil noodles, noodles in soup, string beans, pan fried dumplings, rice cakes with spinach, sticky rice dumplings (probably the only thing on this list that was a miss), fried rice with pork chop, spicy wontons, and cucumber salad. The wontons were good but definitely different -- more of a peanut based sauce than DTF. They also had unlimited congee but didn't tell us, until we were done with the meal, that it was free for everyone. We had ordered it for just one person, and it was pretty decent. Parking is really easy, especially considering what a nightmare the lot across the street is. I wouldn't rank this anywhere close to places like Good Alley but it's worth a try. read more

We have already been here four times and really enjoy the consistency of the food. The service has improved and it's easy and quick to order. Our must have dishes are the nian gao (rice cakes) and garlic string beans. The xiaolongbao have delicate tender skins and the long "stick" potstickers (as my daughter calls them) have the yummy crispy edges. Nice decor and plating, we will definitely return. Easy read more

I like this restaurant. We enjoyed every dish - vegetable, steamed dumpling, scallion pancake and crab roe. The highlight was no doubt the crab roe; they did not skimp on the roe. Pricing in general is lower than other dumpling houses, but the portion tends to be lighter as well. Service was better than a typical Chinese restaurant. There is limited parking in the building. read more

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Bao Master is tucked away in a quieter part of Alhambra, has easy parking and a modern interior. Order off your phone using QR code so makes it easy. The food is authentic. XLB skin was thin and inside was full of soup! The panfried bun also super crispy bottom and juicy interior. Hot and sour soup needed to be more sour to me, so it was perfect after adding some black vinegar to it. We had the pan fried Shanghai rice cakes which had a good amount of meat And veggies, overall highly recommended. Aunties were nice and great service. read more

First time here and our experience was great! They were really busy but we still were able to sit fairly quickly as we were a party of 6 with 2 kids. We ordered a bunch of dumplings like the wagyu buns, pork buns, the pork soup dumplings, beef noodle soup, crab scallion noodles, green beans as well as the red bean and sesame bao buns. They were all pretty good and good choice to go to if you don't want to go all the way to DTF. read more

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We ordered their famous crab soup dumplings, shrimp & pork potstickers , pork chops fried rice and fried rice cakes. The dumplings tastes really good and juicy. However, their fried rice and rice cakes just okay. Pork chops are too overcooked and tough. There's not much taste on the rice cakes. Overall, we only recommend trying their dumplings. read more

Worthy of a try. Their food is good, ambiance is light and bright, which I like. Service is minimal at first because you order with QR code using your phone and the cell signal in the restuarant is really bad. They have wifi, but I don't like to sign on to open wifi, so that is a big downside here. Food is good and high quality and everything that we order were yummy. read more

This is a Chinese dim sum and dumpling restaurant, and the overall quality of the food was truly impressive. The dumplings were incredibly juicy, bursting with flavor in every bite. The cucumber salad was clean, refreshing, and perfectly balanced, making it a great palate cleanser.The beef noodle soup had a slightly spicy kick, which made it even more flavorful and satisfying. The chili oil dumplings were absolutely delicious, with a great balance of heat and richness. The stir-fried noodles were also excellent, with a wonderful wok flavor.Every dish we tried was consistently good. The service was friendly, and the food came out quickly, making the entire dining experience very enjoyable. Highly recommended for anyone who loves dim sum and authentic Chinese cuisine. read more

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Love the ambiance. The pan-fried wagyu buns are yummy! Beef noodles are good too. The bowl is gigantic. read more

Bao Master - Wagyu buns and pork buns - Chinese Near Me - Alhambra, California

Came here for the giant soup dumpling and it did not disappoint! It was incredibly flavorful and umami. A little bit hard to eat, but it was fun to drink from the straw. My other favorite was the fried green beans and the crispy pan fried dumpling (the one that they serve upside down) Don't skip the House special Chinese meat burger. The pastry was so flaky. I loved the texture! read more

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Delicious buns, great for family! Super kid friendly! Fast past and excellent service! read more

Bao Master - Xiao Long Bao - Chinese Near Me - Alhambra, California

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A new spot that I had to try. They even still have the soft opening sign up. It's on the other side across the street of the parking lot not in the same lot with all the other establishments like Sprouts and Burlington. They have their own parking in the back but I totally missed it. Who makes up these prices for their food? Bc it is pricey for the portions! The crab meat and scallion oil noodles were hands down delicious but for like a few strings of noods w few pieces of crab meat for $22 is absurd. We inhaled that within a few mins but def not satisfied. Big bowl w very little noods. The plating is nice though. You can tell the soup dumplings are freshly made. The shrimp pot stickers were good but it's hard to separate they fell apart as you're eating it. Big Mac crab meat soup dumpling is cute but waiting for it to cool down and trying to share that is impossible. Just get the reg soup dumplings. We had to add Pan fried wagyu buns in the end since we were still not full. Very good flavoring in those buns and a bit crispy underneath. I got the signature black milk tea and it was a bit too sugary. Bottom line is it was a good meal but overpriced imo. They should either adjust their portion size or lower their price. read more

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XLB: 皮是鼎泰豐的薄QQ，肉餡是從中國蘇州來的鮮味，但有根據本地調口味。蟹粉沒有很重，湯汁很對味、汁很多而且上來的時候是熱的，不是鼎泰豐的溫的～超越 Good Alley & Prince Dumplings! 哇～our favorite XLB now. 肉鍋貼：肉餡很讚，麵粉水太多了，脆but 厚 酸辣湯：八方雲集upgraded version. I like it. 醋：淡醋 with MSG 辣椒醬：要另外要 Logistics - 等了1 hr on a Sunday 1pm. 建議錯峰來，3點沒等位、但是沒有蝦鍋貼了。 read more

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Tried Bao Master and enjoyed it. The beef wrap was nicely pan-toasted with good texture, and the filling was fresh and well balanced. The fried pork dish was crispy without being too oily. Simple menu, solid flavors, and everything tasted freshly made. A good spot for a quick, satisfying meal. Would come back. read more

Bao Master - Chinese Near Me - Alhambra, California

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A welcome addition to the wealth of dumpling and noodle restaurants in the SGV. The pan fried pork buns in particular are delicious. Pretty decent and generous portion of beef noodle soup. read more

Bao Master - Chinese Near Me - Alhambra, California

Really surprised how well made the noodles are! It's the perfect texture and flavor. The waitress did confirm that it's handmade and not machine made, which really makes a whole world of difference. The beef roll's texture is good, but the sauce, meat and dough ratio is off which ended up being a bit dry. However, I'll definitely be returning for the noodles! read more

Bao Master - Beef roll - Chinese Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Found this spot and had lunch with my wife last weekend. The xiaolongbao was decent--nothing special. The braised beef noodle lacked flavor and was pretty underwhelming overall. The scallion oil noodles were overcooked, making them too soft and missing that chewiness you want. The fried pork chop was the most disappointing--thick batter, bland meat. Completely different from what you'd expect compared to Din Tai Fung. It's a shame because the decor and overall environment are really nice--but the food doesn't live up to it. read more

We ordered their giant soup dumplings, spicy beef noodle, spring rolls, pepper pastry, Chinese burger, and pan fried pork buns. Everything was delicious and fresh, we are definitely coming back! read more

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The pork chop is terrible. I've never eaten any pork chop as bad as this one in my entire life. It's dry like eating cardboard. I've waited over 30 mins for this pork chop, and it's not even hot. The bak choy is extremely oily and is cut into small pieces, so it's so hard to pick them up. Why? Why cut the bak choy?!?!? The ice grape green tea is not cold. It's so bad. The potstickers with shrimp are so-so, and the wait for the dish was at least 30 mins. Too long. The scallion pancakes are so hard and lack flavor. The fried rice cake is really so-so. The Big Mac crab meat and pork dumpling is not bad but not that good. The pan-fried pork buns are good with lots of soup inside and crispy outside. The pork soup dumplings taste good. The servers are polite, but when I told one of them about the pork chop, she didn't try to change it nor to cancel the item. That's bad, but it's okay because I have no plan for visiting this restaurant again. read more

This becomes my favorite soup dumplings and crab noodle restaurant after I tried it. The service was great and even they are busy. Open kitchen and you can see the cook making the dumplings and the restaurant is pretty clean. Love crab meat soup dumpling , the wagyu buns, and the crab meat noodle! Totally recommend these dishes and the restaurant. Make sure to get in early or make reservations. read more

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Took my family for the first time to try this place because we were in the mood for dumplings! This place did NOT disappoint! They have the well-known BIG soup dumpling that you have to use a straw to drink out of then eat the meat from inside the dumplings! The XiaoLong Bao was pretty hefty and they do not skimp out on the meat! Very juicy and very flavorful! They have their own chili bean sauce with their soy sauce and vinegar! I HIGHLY recommend this place if you like Din Tai Fung! To be honest, I would come here instead because the service is amazing! Not a long wait, price point is better, AND their mascot is so cute! read more

Bao Master - Soup Dumpling - Chinese Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Very nice service and the food was so good!!! Thanks for existing! Love the xiao long bao, can't go wrong with them. The indoors and bathroom were clean. The milk tea wasn't cafe quality but more like home made quality (which is healthier!) and adds to the charm, but when you see milk tea on the menu, don't get too excited since it won't be like boba time. To eat the Big Mac Bao, they give you a straw to drink the soup! A unique way of drinking soup! It was a fun experience. (Make sure to wait though because it's hot.) read more

Bao Master - Chinese Near Me - Alhambra, California

The pork chop is undercooked -- the inside is still raw. The red color isn't from marinade; it's just rawwwww... read more

Bao Master - The pork is raw... - Chinese Near Me - Alhambra, California