Dallas's Vietnamese bakery scene produces excellent banh bao, with Jeng Chi leading the way for the Chinese-Vietnamese steamed bun tradition. The city's Vietnamese community buys these by the bagful for breakfast and snacking, and the best versions feature properly fluffy dough with a generous, well-seasoned filling.
Jeng Chi Restaurant and Bakery top-pick
Jeng Chi's banh bao is the gold standard in Dallas, with a fluffy, slightly sweet dough that yields to a filling of pork, Chinese sausage, and a salted egg yolk center. The bakery has been a Richardson institution for decades, and their steamed buns benefit from the high volume — they are constantly being made fresh. The dough is softer and more pillowy than most, with a slight sheen that indicates proper steaming technique.
Saigon Mall Bakery best-value
The Saigon Mall bakery produces a more rustic, generously-sized banh bao that Vietnamese grandmothers would approve of — larger, with more filling-to-dough ratio than Jeng Chi's. The pork is more coarsely ground and seasoned with more pepper, and the salted egg yolk is always perfectly cooked without being chalky. Pick up a bag of six for the family.
Bistro B hidden-gem
Bistro B's banh bao is a reliable restaurant version, served steaming hot as an appetizer or dim sum item. The dough is properly soft, the filling is well-seasoned, and the portion is generous. It is the most convenient option if you are already dining at one of Dallas's most popular Vietnamese restaurants.nnFor banh bao in Dallas, Jeng Chi sets the standard with the fluffiest dough and most consistent quality.