The Place
“A burger a day keeps the bullshit away,” declares the purple neon sign outside BB Bao. Set against a white brick wall, the glowing foodie philosophy caught our attention almost immediately, beckoning us to enter.
Naturally, being the burger fanatics that we are, we indulged the impulse and moseyed into Yuexiu’s newest burger joint. Inside, we found BB Bao’s simple white interior virtually empty, with only two other patrons (both young women seemingly engrossed by their mobile devices) seated in the rear of the establishment.
A friendly staffer greeted us from behind the front counter, where orders are placed and bullshit is presumably not welcome. We browsed the handwritten menu in front of the cashier and placed our order, before snagging a table to wait for our food.
The Food
Before recounting our dining experience in mouthwatering detail, it seems prudent to give a quick rundown of BB Bao’s menu, which includes: eight burgers, three submarines, two salads, an assortment of appetizers and desserts and a lengthy list of creative beverages.
After much hemming and hawing, we decided to order the kimchi minced pork burger (RMB24), pan-fried beef burger (RMB28) and avocado salad sub (RMB26).
The pan-fried beef burger is BB Bao’s generic hanbaobao offering, and comes topped with lettuce, onions, tomatoes and a slice of cheese – all tucked into a (supposedly) homemade bun. The beef patty was cooked just how we like it, with the browned exterior meat housing a pinkish inside that oozed both juices and flavor.
Those hankering for a twist on the standard burger would be wise to order the kimchi minced pork burger. Succulent minced pork is crafted into an inch-thick patty and then topped with an invigorating serving of pickled Korean cabbage, before being wedged (with care) into one of BB Bao’s (again, supposedly) homemade buns. Lettuce and tomatoes also make an appearance on this pork burger, which, in our so humble opinion, is a strong contender for the title of ‘best meal in a bun’ in Guangzhou.
The avocado salad submarine comes filled with what is essentially egg salad mixed with a mashed avocado. The hand cannon is topped with bacon, but that does little to change the fact the avocado salad submarine is a tad underwhelming, especially when you could order the flavor-packed punch to the mouth that is the kimchi minced pork burger for 2 kuai less.
Considering a Big Mac at McDonald’s will run you RMB20, the hamburgers here are great value and far superior to those of other nearby restaurants serving burgers at a much higher price point (looking at you Happy Monk JSL).
The Vibe
BB Bao’s vibe is a conflicting mix of classic American diner and trendy coffee shop. The eatery’s modest white interior, decorated with a random assortment of paintings, photos and potted plants, gives the same ambiance we expect at a hipster cafe, while BB Bao’s meaty dishes have us reminiscing nostalgically about America’s roadside diners and their mouthwatering fare.
It’s a conflicting mix, but it works, just go see for yourself!
Price: RMB50 (including a drink)
Who’s going: folks who’re tired of paying RMB50 for an average hamburger
Good for: creative burgers
Nearest Metro: Taojin (Exit A), 10 minutes
Open Tue-Sun, noon-9pm; see listing for BB Bao.
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