Bao Shi Yi

Chinese restaurant · Houston

Bao Shi Yi

Chinese restaurant · Houston

1

3819 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098

Photos

Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by Elevation Burger/Facebook
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null
Bao Shi Yi by null

Highlights

Everyday light-filled eatery whipping up bao buns, dumplings & noodles, along with milk tea.  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

3819 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098 Get directions

baoshiyibunhouse.com

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

3819 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098 Get directions

+1 346 867 3941
baoshiyibunhouse.com

$10–20 · Menu

Features

wifi
Tap to pay
payment credit card
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

"A burger chain for serious eco-obsessives, the beef served at Elevation is organic, grass fed, and free range. Non-carnivores can choose between a vegetarian or a vegan burger. Feeling adventurous? Try the Vertigo Burger, a mountain of up to 10 stacked patties." - Baylea Jones, Eater Staff

17 Essential Houston Burger Joints
View Postcard for Bao Shi Yi

Miguel Salgado

Google
Bao Shi Yi presents a mixed experience. The restaurant's ambiance is aesthetically pleasing, with thoughtfully designed decor that adds to the dining atmosphere. The attention to detail in creating a visually appealing space is commendable and contributes positively to the overall dining experience. On the culinary front, the dumplings at Bao Shi Yi are undoubtedly a highlight. Each bite is a flavorful journey, with well-balanced fillings and expertly crafted wrappers. The menu showcases a variety of options, catering to different taste preferences, and the quality of ingredients is apparent. However, the positive aspects of the dining experience are somewhat overshadowed by a couple of notable drawbacks. The cleanliness of the lobby falls short of expectations, creating a less-than-ideal first impression for patrons. Maintaining a clean and welcoming entrance is crucial for establishing a positive atmosphere, and this area could benefit from improvement. Furthermore, the staff's demeanor is a point of concern. Unfortunately, some encounters with the staff have been marked by rudeness, which detracts from the overall hospitality of the establishment. Polite and attentive service is an essential aspect of a successful dining experience, and addressing this issue could significantly enhance customer satisfaction. In conclusion, Bao Shi Yi offers a delightful culinary journey with its delectable dumplings and appealing aesthetics. However, attention to cleanliness in the lobby and improvement in staff courtesy are areas that, if addressed, could elevate the overall dining experience and leave a more positive impression on customers.

Jack Heng

Google
Really good place for its dumplings and hand pulled noodles! Throughout the meal I can only hear one phrase from my wife “mmmm! I love this place” the soup dumplings were spot on, the flavour of the beef noodle soup is excellent, with a slight herbal hint to the taste buds. The food is cooked fresh and hot perfect for the cool weather! The soya milk is pure and you can tell it’s high quality! Will definitely bring our family back here! Agreed with others on the steamed buns to give it more flavour and more filling. But the rest of the food we ordered were excellent! (It’s a quiet restaurant and I do hope it stays open because it’s hard to find good dumpling places in Houston!) chef, keep up the great work!

Hernan Flores

Google
The dumplings were good. Service was ok. Not super friendly. The place looks really nice and it's sort of a cafe type of vibe. Pricing is ok and the food was good. Not great but not bad at all. Still a good place to checkout of you're looking for dumplings and such type of food.

Keisha H

Google
Nice lunch spot! We wanted to get a good taste for the menu so we ordered a couple things. I loved the ambiance of the place, it’s retro but small and quaint. The food came out pretty quickly and the presentation was really cute! I do wish that the staff or at least the person handling the register was more friendly and helpful rather than just texting on her phone. They were also out of their main milk tea options on the menu which was a bummer but perhaps an opportunity to visit a second time!

Michelle C.

Google
Came across this quaint little restaurant on our way back from the airport. The Spicy Chicken Wrap and Mushroom, Bean Curd & Vegetable Buns were flavorful, the texture of the buns were soft and fluffy. However, the Soup Dumplings should not be served on a piece of paper since the wrappers were all stuck onto the paper which caused the dumplings to break and the soup overflowed. We highlighted it to the female staff who immediately made a new order and placed the soup dumplings individually in a different container. Clean restaurant, cool ambiance with outdoor seating option, frozen buns available for sale but there is room for improvement in terms of the staff’s friendliness. In addition, the female staff seemed to be pretty occupied on her mobile phone. Would love to try their New Orleans Chicken Buns next time!

Van N

Google
A great place to get your dumpling fix on. The little pork buns were delicious. The meat was flavorful & juicy - you could taste the hint of ginger and onions. Also definitely get the fried popcorn chicken and Chinese style hamburger; they are packed full of flavor.

Alfredo David

Google
It's a Cute small place, Clean. We went about 12pm on a Monday and there was nobody there. We were the only customer. We ordered the Chasiu Bao and Pork Bao. The Pork was bland, not much taste. The Chasiu was just OK. As for the Drinks we got MilkTea and Mango Slush. I got a less sweet MilkTea and it still was a little sweet and the boba was still a little hard, but still taste ok. The Mango Slush is good. Prices are average for these types of places. Overall I wouldn't go out of my way to go there.

Tina Huang

Google
Their soup dumplings are very well made. Thin skin and flavored meat inside. The soy bean milk is silk and smooth. Will go again!

Mantis T.

Yelp
fast affordable chinese food with a drive through! This place is awesome, it's like a piece of china town on Kirby!

Regina N.

Yelp
Just tried the soup dumplings at Bao Shi Yi and they're the quick, easy meal! These dumplings are not just good; but a perfect snack. Super moist, hot, and surprisingly filling - they're everything you want in a dumpling. The best part? Bao Shi Yi makes grabbing these delights a breeze with their drive-through or walk-in options. Ideal for when you need a tasty meal on the run or a quick sit-down snack. Definitely swing by if you're in the mood for a fast, delicious bite. The dumplings won't disappoint!

HsiaoCheng W.

Yelp
Drive through didn't work. I told them inside and they knew. Just too lazy to put up a sign. Got the A2 and A3. Thee beef and meat buns. Both came out quickly. Like microwave quick. Flavor just wasn't there on either. Tasted off. Especially the A2 beef and onion buns. Although convenient I won't go back. By the looks of it this place is never busy. Convenience charge too if you order ahead online. Sad.

Natalie S.

Yelp
This is a great to-go dumpling spot. I tried out the New Orleans chicken buns and the shrimp dumplings. Both were really tasty. Everything here is served in to-go containers and if dining in you'll get your order on a nice tray. I love the interior decorated with neon signs, a dumpling cart, and wall decor. I believe most of their dumplings are frozen and fried/steamed to order as I saw bags of them in freezer. The trash can was pretty full so it was hard to throw away my trash. Regardless they're very delicious if you're looking for a quick bite.

Klemens T.

Yelp
Came here for the first time with my family. We ordered the soup dumpling (delicious), beef onion buns (dry and gross), beef noodle soup (not too spicy and it was delicious), cabbage pork dry shrimp dumpling (just tasted old and not so good), pork shrimp chives potsticker (instantly fell apart and looked like a piece of dog poop), and the Chinese traditional pancakes (like a crepe omelette, but with crispy wonton and it was ok tasting). Overall, it just tasted ok. Don't confuse this food with dim-sum even though they might have decorations of dim-sum. Staff is friendly. I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the menu smh. Small parking lot and lots of tables to dine at. The restroom is super disgusting and smelt like a sewer. I kind of gagged a little, but didn't want to breathe anymore than I should.

Darren N.

Yelp
I was in the mood for soup dumplings and I saw this place was nearby. When I walked in I was taken aback from the cute decor and traditional yet modern interior of the place. I ordered the soup dumplings which was steaming with the right amount of soup to filling ratio. The braised beef noodles was savory and warmed my stomach as I slurped down the soft yet chewy noodles. The broth had a little kick to it but it was refreshing to have the veggies counter it out. The cashier seemed laidback and knew the menu fairly well. The parking lot is fairly small and compact so be warned.

Krystal L.

Yelp
Bao Shi Yi has affordable food options that are pretty good, and the interior is perfect for a quick date. I have been here about three times, and I usually get their cha siu buns and D6 rice noodles. The cha siu buns aren't the best I've ever had, but they're pretty good if you want a quick snack. I like them, and my favorite are the rice noodles. The rice noodles are delicious and always come out piping hot. There are bamboo in the rice noodles, and those are delicious. I honestly would just go for them. Overall, I think Bao Shi Yi is perfect for a quick snack/meal.

Maria E.

Yelp
Get the Chinese Hamburger. It was delicious and I enjoyed it more than the bao buns. Also, the Grapefruit Sliced Tea was great. Love the convenience of the drive-through.

Marina J.

Yelp
I almost asked for a refund. Dumplings (C3) was originally frozen in a manufactured bag so they are not made in house. But they are still very much delicious. I know freezing made dumplings are fine but I didn't want grocery store dumplings.

Roma B.

Yelp
Got bao shi yi a couple months ago and liked it, so was excited to get it again! However I was disappointed with the food and boba, quality has gone down a lot. Got the brown sugar boba, the cup it was in was much smaller and the boba was really hard. Got the pork buns, soup dumplings, and chicken dumplings. The soup dumplings were all stuck together and hard to eat. They were not in the container with indents for each dumpling like before. The pork buns and chicken dumplings were average, but not worth the price. Prices seemed to have increased as well and not worth the price.

Kirsten D.

Yelp
So my friend and I ordered the Cha Siu and the Pork, Shrimp, and Chive potstickers. The Cha Siu was very sweet and thick. Not to my liking at all. The bun WAS fluffy but that was about the only redeeming quality. The potstickers were interesting? The wrapper was thicker than most I've ever had and that wasn't really a positive thing. The bottom was crispy but the rest was doughy because the wrapper was so thick. Interestingly enough, there was no way for the filling to stay inside the wrapper so it just fell out which made eating it a pain. The service was good though. We're gonna come back and give them another try as there are a few items we'd still like to try out. Hopefully they'll redeem our experience.

Jamie L.

Yelp
First time trying this counter-service restaurant and I had a good experience overall. The restaurant is very clean and the food and service was good. I ordered soup dumplings and chongqing style noodles. The staff threw in an extra order of teamed bun probably because it was almost closing time. Thanks!! It was tasty. The soup dumplings were very juicy and tasty, wrapper was thin and the meat filling was good. The noodles were flavorful although a bit too salty for my taste. The steamed buns had good flavor and the dough was soft. I would definitely come back again. The only thing is that all of the utensils and bowl is one-time use so not environmentally friendly at all :-(

Jiacheng Z.

Yelp
They are not opening on time. I have been waiting outside the restaurant for 15 mins. They still not opening. And both yelp and Google says that they have opened. Unbelievable

Raymond M.

Yelp
This business is closed so if you go, nothing is open, I'm typing more then I need to cuz it require me me type 85 words lol

Jason Z.

Yelp
Been near this area a lot; Pepper Twins, Kata, etc are all nearby. There is a small lot available for parking. Interior feels new but all of the handwritten sign taped everywhere really looks amateurish. This feel like a fast food esque location. The soup dumplings and bao feel like heated up frozen product... the chicken nuggets weren't bad but their name sake product was disappointing. Their jianbing was honestly the best thing here; not sure why a hot dog is in there as that is definitely not authentic. Their Chinese hamburger was probably the next bet dish. Very hit and miss and overall their menu is pretty overpriced for what it is.

Jando S.

Yelp
There was a time where I thought this was one of the better Bao Shi Yi locations but over the last few months, the staff has had me thinking otherwise. Thankfully the food is still solid, but like any good chain, there are always options elsewhere. When this location first opened, it was off to a super hot start. It's the most well reviewed one for a reason, despite being only a few minutes from their sister location at the Medical Center. It's not hard to see why: there's great seating options for both indoor and outdoor dining, a drive-thru, solid parking, and central in the city. And the food? It's pretty decent for non-Chinatown based baos and their hot food options and tea drinks are usually a thumbs up. I have always thought theri bbq pork buns (aka juicy cha siu bao), fried dumplings, and noodle soups were tasty. Are they overpriced? Without a doubt. The convenience factor of not having to go to Katy Asiatown or down Bellaire is what most folks are really paying for. However, the real issue has been the service. I've gotten a lot of cold, lethargic, and even a bit rude behavior from the staff. Usually it's a girl that will often moan and groan if orders are in Mandarin and a young man who screws up the orders often. I realize that a business is more than it's staff most of the time, but their incompetence makes this place way less appealing than it was and should be. I'll likely still come here on occasion, but will likely shoot for the other sister spots instead.

Eric W.

Yelp
So so so good. You should try it! The staff was quick and accurate and the food was delicious and affordable. I'll definitely be frequenting this spot.

Eric D.

Yelp
When we want dumplings without the wait, we hit Bao Shi Yi. The pork, shrimp, & leek dumplings are delicious and filled with juicy chunks of shrimp. The shrimp, pork, & chive potstickers are wonderful, and the XLB (soup dumplings) are a real treat. Bring friends. Order en masse. Fill your tummies with joy.

Jessica C.

Yelp
Awesome little restaurant tucked in the back of a plaza. We only stumbled upon it after walking to a boutique cosmetic shop around the corner and I'm so glad we found it. It was rather busy for a mid afternoon on a Saturday, around 2pm ish as mostly all the tables were full but we were seated right away. Ordered the Sichuan spicy wonton in red oil, soup dumplings, and the mango juice slush (originally wanted the strawberry juice slush but they were out of strawberries). The wontons were not too spicy and the chili oil was flavorful. Only gripe was that there was Parmesan or some cheese sprinkled on top of the wontons. I personally could have done without it. The soup dumplings were awesome! Wrapper skin was not too thick and chewy, the pork was seasoned well and cooked all the way, and the broth was so good. This was amazing! Added a few drops of the vinegar to each dumpling and *chefs kiss. The mango slush had a weird taste to it, it tasted like there knife that was used to cut mangos was used to cut raw green onions before as there was a sharp bite to it. Honestly, it somehow reminded me of when you rinse your cup out and leave some soap residue behind. I only had a few sips in the beginning but my boyfriend said it tastes better as we ate the spicy dishes. The soup dumplings are what we would come back for! Glad to find out there are other locations and will definitely be visiting soon!

Jennifer H.

Yelp
You can buy these same bao in your local grocery store. We have eaten bao at multiple locations in Houston. We were not impressed. They pulled them out of freezer bags. We had our order within a few minutes. If you want fast food bao, okay, maybe, but don't go in with high expectations. $15 for 6 bao.

Michelle O.

Yelp
The steamed bun bread is soft and chewy. A5 New Orleans Chicken Buns (3PCS) tastes like a chicken bun with Cajun spices. I could smell the spices well, but the flavor isn't prominent enough for me. A3 Fresh Meat Buns(8PCS) are cute and have a thin meatball inside. It tastes more of bun than meat. I would only get it again because they look cute. B1 Chinese Traditional Pancake is a Jian Bing or Crepe with halved hot dogs and the usual crispy "cracker/ wonton", spread of egg, hoisin, sriracha, sesame seeds and seasonings. You have to eat it immediately if you want the full effect of the crispy wonton. C5 Fresh Shrimp, Pork and Chives Potsticker (8PCS) is crispy if you eat it immediately. It tastes more of pork than shrimp. E1 Popcorn Chicken are crispy and small bits of chicken with a thin batter tossed in seasoning. They're the size of a dime to a little bigger than a nickel. D2 Braised Pork Gristle Noodle with Scallion Oil comes with linguine-size/ udon-thick noodles dressed in a dark sweet sauce, bok choy with scallion oil, fried shallots, and braised pork gristle (bone-in). The noodles and bok choy were good. The pork was tender but a little dry. Soy milk is a must-have and not too sweet. The reusable container is great as it doesn't leak and is slim. I've only heard English songs the last few times I've been in. They don't have the Bao Yi Shi utensil sets anymore.

Uvie U.

Yelp
I've been aching to try this place. So on a rainy day I decided why not try the drive thru. Well....thatvwas a disaster. Save yourself the hassle and either dine in or get your fatarse out of your car and pick up. Their drive thru is not working so you must pull up, order at window and wait there...so imagine each car encounter is 15 to 20 mins. So if you are #3 on the line...well just take a nap. Anyways...so why the 4 stars? Well the food was not bad ay all. The popcorn chicken was Amazeballs. Crispy. Spicy. Tender. All in one. The pancake was very different than I expected. I guess I was expecting a chive or scallion pancakae ? This was like rolled up crepe with a fried egg built in, tons of sesame on top, and filled with this crispy Godknowswhat and a hot dog split in half. Very strange combo but it worked!!! It was HUGE too. I had half for breakfast and felt satisfied. The soup dumplings were meeeeeh. Well done and held the soup Well without bursting. So that was a plus. Flavor was subpar. I mixed the Sriracha and soy and added a bit after breaking the bun to make the broth more flavorful. Finally the Chinese burger. This was kinda a dud. Not terrible but not great. But this is likely because I've had Chinese burgers in Flushing Queens were the bar is set waaay high for all things Asian eats. Despite the awful drive thru experience, the staff was pleasant and helpful. Final grade: B I'd return for some of that chicken and weirdo pancake.

Naomi Q.

Yelp
Don't call it a Chinese hamburger. That's just shameful and a complete disrespect for the Chinese culture. The ROU JIA MO is much much much older than the hamburger and it dates back to the Qin Dynasty. If you can't have pride in your own culture, how does it get passed down?

Lynn L.

Yelp
I was wanting to try mung bean crepes and I was recommended to try this place out. They have also locations in the med center and in katy asia town. I ordered the chinese pancake, beef and onion baos and a soy milk. I wanted to try their hot soy milk but that wasn't available. Inside it was clean and spacious, they even have a water-wall outside of their patio. The chinese pancake was served piping hot and fresh, you get options to make it spicy and add cilantro and onions, I opted for them all. The crepe was tender, mild tasting dotted with black sesame seeds. Inside was a savory soy based sauce, green onions, a thin omelet, and hot dog halves. I know it sounds like an odd combination but it was delicious! The beef and onion bao was savory and delicious, it tasted better with some sriracha added and the bao itself was tender and fluffy. The soy milk was good as well, it is served in their own labeled bottle, I'll have to try the hot version as well as their other baos and dumplings. The server was also very nice and I enjoyed their laid back atmosphere. I enjoyed how fresh and piping hot the food was.

Jennifer N.

Yelp
I don't know if they were having a bad day, but when I compared my buns to their photos and some other users' photos, the meat filing was WAY more than what we received. We ordered the mini pork buns and the beef and onion buns. Both were hallow with very small portions of meat, so I felt like I was eating all bun. The beef buns were $6 for 3... it certainly was not worth it. I would much rather go to Bellaire for the Viet buns at a way lower price. Popcorn chicken was decent and milk tea was good, but unfortunately there are too many boba shops in Houston that also serve popcorn chicken.

Gary Y.

Yelp
we both had stomach pain after having their soy milk and meat bun. regret not to read the review in Google where several customers reported similar experience.

Nancy N.

Yelp
I read some negative reviews so I was hesitant to try Bao Shi Yi. I was worried it would taste terrible and be expensive. I've been burned by quick Chinese breakfast places before so I was really nervous (looking at you 99 Ranch) but those soy milk bottles and the Chinese pancakes really called to me. And I was missing Joe's Rice Rolls in Flushing. So I took the plunge and bought a couple of things to try. Yelpers - why the negative reviews??! This place is great!!! It might not have the authenticity of some hole in the wall place in Bellaire but the food is good and it's inexpensive! I love how massive the Chinese pancake is. I love that it's stuffed with hotdogs and scallions and crispy wontons. If you wait to eat this, it will be a bit rubbery so be warned. Also, you need to eat this with chili oil! Otherwise it might be a flavorless rubbery pancake. I love the hot soy milk and the Yu tiao (Chinese donut). I love the braised beef soup. The veggies looked fresh and the meat portion generous. I got my items to go and I absolutely LOVED how it was all packaged. It's so cute! And bonus - my cat really enjoyed playing with the plastic bag. I love Asian breakfast foods but I know some people don't. So, my rating is for the availability of such food in close proximity to me (and not in Flushing).

Christine J.

Yelp
Not bad at all! I enjoyed it very much. I was on the way to sharetea and just happened to stop by here for some popcorn chicken! Well, we ended ordering more items of course... -popcorn chicken: large portion and delicious! Can't go wrong. -beef buns: i liked it! The bun was super soft and it looked bouncy lol. It had a Szechuany taste to it but it was different and good. Spicy chicken wraps: this one was alright. Maybe a healthier option? I wouldn't get this and popcorn chicken together though. But still good if you want a little snack. Overall, i had a good experience. Interior was cute. Staff was nice. Outside seating available. I'll have to try their bubble tea next time!

Miranda H.

Yelp
Food is okay. Service is horrible. Tried to call to place an order with no answer, arrived & placed our order. Total was 16 tried to pay 20 cash & was told they had no change. Asked about drinks on menu, see girl drinking one of said drinks & tells us that those arent available at this location. Tested to see if the phones worked while waiting for our food. Saw the girl see the phone ring, walk away & disconnected the phone line. & i know it was disconnected because my call dropped mid call & when I tried to call again it wouldnt even go through. I mean if you want mediocre food & service go here

Chencia H.

Yelp
I was in the area on Saturday around noon and hadn't eaten anything all morning. It's actually a terrible combination but Yelp guided me to this place. I'd never had bao before but this place was highly rated and less than a quarter mile away from my location so it was a no brainer. The high ceilings and large windows make the restaurant so bright and warm. There was ample seating but only one group of people dining in. I chose takeaway. They have a drive thru but I chose to go inside. I told the person at the counter that it was my first time having bao, and asked for suggestions. They said A1, A3, and A4. Because I was starving I ordered them all and added potstickers. The wait wasn't long at all and soon I was in my car scarfing down two before making my way back home. Initially I expected it to be gummy and have a gross texture. I mean "steamed buns" sounds like wet bread. But it wasn't at all! The bun was pillowy and soft, and the fillings were delicious. My favorites were the New Orleans Chicken and the shrimp and pork potstickers. My whole family enjoyed them and my daughter is already asking to go back. I definitely recommend trying this place.

Jane W.

Yelp
Awesome place to get authentic Chinese style breakfast. They have dishes that I recognize from chinese street food that was super nostalgic. We got the hot soy milk, soup dumplings, pork and veggie buns, and the Chinese pancake. We wanted to fried chinese donuts (you tiao iykyk), but they were out even though we went at 9 am on a weekday. Their Chinese pancake (jian bian guo zi) wasn't as authentic as I hoped. The crepe batter was too sweet and thick and soft and not as crispy as I remembered from China and there were hot dogs, which also wasn't traditional, so that's why I can't give it 5 stars. But the rest of the food was delicious and it seemed like they made many of the foods fresh, and it was piping hot! And the decor and vibe inside is super cool and Instagram worthy.

Rudy M.

Yelp
Well I was gonna try them. Their website said they close at 8pm I got there right at 7pm and the guy working the counter said they were closed and was recommending other restaurants to me... I almost ordered online but figured I'd try a new place since I'm only visiting Houston. Oh well....

Katelyn Y.

Yelp
I absolutely loved this place. I recently got engaged before coming in to order. The food was PERFECT! It was definitely a great way to end a special day. Staff was nice and polite. This place really is "love at first bite"

Jenny O.

Yelp
I understand this is a Chinese inspired dumpling shop. I wasn't expecting grandma's homemade flavors from the old country, but I was expecting better execution of the offerings. First up, the pot stickers. Instead of enclosing the filling with a neat little fold, the construction of this was equivalent to a loose enchilada fold where the filling can easily spill out. I appreciate the shrimp and other meats in the filling, but it was too many flavor profiles. This was a type of filling I expected in wontons. I was looking for a hearty pork and cabbage combo for pot stickers. There was a good sear on the skin and the filling was cooked through. Secondly, the BBQ pork buns. They nailed the breading. It was fluffy with a hint of sweetness. Again, the filling was lacking. The color and the seasoning for the pork was right, but the cut of meat missed the mark. It was waaaay too soft for BBQ pork. It was like an airy ground pork when I was expecting pork shoulder. The staff was kind, the interior looked clean, parking was plentiful, and the wait was solidly OK. The dumplings were OK, but it didn't blow me away enough for future return visits.

Ivy L.

Yelp
I really really really wanted to like Bao Shi Yi cause of the location and convenience - I mean, what cooler way to get baos and dumplings than through the drive thru?! When have you seen this as an option anywhere?! Absolutely nowhere!!! I think this drive thru concept would be such a big hit - even outside of Covid. Not needing to mask up and step inside? Not needing to get out of the car when you're craving baos and dumplings and you're in a hurry? Yes, such an "American" concept but so so quick and easy! And not having to drive all the way to Bellaire for a quick bao fix?! Yes, please!!! Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed with the food here. We came by on a Friday evening and there was 1 vehicle in front of us. They are only serving via the drive through at this time, and they have a limited menu. The first vehicle had to pull up to wait for their food and we had to sit there for a good 10-15 mins or so before our order was ready. However, to give them credit, we ordered quite a bit. I wanted to try everything on the menu. They gave us a free soy milk for the wait time - super nice of them to do so! Here's my take on the items we ordered: *Mini Pork Buns - out of the buns we ordered, these were my favorite ones. Probably cause they were small and the bun to meat ratio was more to par than the larger buns. I wasn't a fan of the dough in general though - a bit dry, not very much flavor, kinda soggy if you let them sit too long. The meat inside the mini pork buns were ok - wish there was more meat, the flavors were adequate but nothing rave worthy. 3/5 *Juicy Cha Siu Buns - Man, I've been craving these for weeks now and this one was so disappointing. Again, not a fan of the exterior dough but I was also not a fan of the interior meat. No chunks of meat present - a lot of shredded up pieces and the flavors were not to my liking - it was missing the sweet juiciness of normal char siu baos that I love. 1/5 *Beef Onion Buns - not sure if they gave us the right ones but this one had mushrooms and thin noodles chopped up into a mix. I didn't taste any beef or onions so I'm thinking they mistakenly gave us the mushroom, bean curd and vegetable buns instead. Definitely not my favorite in flavors, and again lacking filling in all 3 buns and the ratios were just off. 1/5 *Shrimp, Pork and Chives Potstickers - Ok, now this is where they redeemed themselves. I liked the flavors of these potstickers - you can taste they are homemade, really juicy and good flavors even without the sauce. Only thing I have to complain about is that they crispy parts were a bit soggy by the time we opened it, probably due to putting hot fried potstickers into a container right after they were done cooking. Good amount of potstickers for the price. 5/5 *Onion, Cheese and Beef Potstickers - I enjoyed these as well. Couldn't really taste the "cheese" in them, though I was curious (and hesitant) to have this ingredient in a potsticker at the same time. We enjoyed them but not as much as the shrimp, pork and chive ones above. 4/5 *Brown Sugar Boba Milk Tea - I liked the flavor of the milk tea. The boba was just a bit overcooked and squishy, but I would order this again. 4/5 *Cold Soy Milk - love the cute little container this came in. The soy milk tasted fresh, homemade and delicious. 5/5 Overall, I think I would come back to give them another shot for their baos - but definitely for a quick potsticker and boba/soy milk fix. I think they need to up their game on the food options, especially the baos and maybe speed up the drive thru line - but there is potential here and I would like to see how things are fixed after the soft opening period. Hoping things will improve and I will give them another shot in a few months after they have settled in a bit.

Ashley G.

Yelp
So delicious, I'm actually upset bc I've passed this place so many times! I got the A1 Soup Dumplings & the C8 Chili Oil Wontons. The wrapper was so silky, best ever. The dumplings - so juicy, legit the juiciest l've had. My only gripe is the chick at the front...she could very well be a great employees, but def not someone to have at the register.

Cindy S.

Yelp
Drove through to get take out and found the food average. The buns were a bit small. I specifically asked for non-spicy popcorn chicken and didn't realize until I was almost home that they had given me spicy chicken. Called to report the issue and they wanted me to come back through the line to get a new order of chicken. Wasn't possible for me so I just asked for a refund. The strawberry slush was good!

Sophie Y.

Yelp
I tried their location in Chinatown and it was good. Was in the Kirby area and decided to check out as they just opened 2 weeks ago. There were 4 parties ahead of me and the speed of service can be improved. Took about 20 minutes for my order which was longer than I expected but again, they are still new so I was patient. I didn't use the deive through since it looked quite narrow and there were 2 cars in queue. Parking lot was half full but it was lunch time. I love their design of to go bag. The paper felt thick and thr chopsticks looked nice. A couple of the potstickers were too burned but overall good experience.

Ann N.

Yelp
This is a super cute take on classic Chinese with a "fast food twist"! Had to stop by since they're doing their 50% off entire menu for law enforcement & healthcare worker promo. I went through the drive thru on a Thursday afternoon and I was the only person there. Ordered the Chinese hamburger, shrimp/pork/chive potstickers, and a dirty brown sugar boba. My total for 3 items came to be under $11, which is a crazy steal. I loved the Chinese hamburger and would order again. The bun outside is super warm & crispy which is such a nice pair with a warm, soft meat filling. Boba I wouldn't make the drive for again, but since it's so cheap with the 50% off discount, I can see myself coming here for the rest of the month. Also, what I loved is that the cup is so big and really worth the value. So many boba places nowadays are charging exorbitant prices for tiny portions (looking at you Gongcha ) Potstickers were lackluster and not super unique. Overall, with the promo it's such a steal so it's hard to give this review any less than 4 stars. Service was also pretty fast and food tasted fresh. Packaging was also so cute; the materials seemed really sturdy and had a nice branded touch. I would visit here again with friends and would recommend you try at least once!

Yu W.

Yelp
Fantastic Chinese style breakfast place Xiao Long Bao 小籠包 is super juicy Chinese pancake 煎餅果子 is a rare find in the US

Quan B.

Yelp
I ordered a beef noddle soup dine in and they put a VERY hot, boiled water into PLASTIC bow. It was super hot and they close the lid of. Why the heck you close it when I ordered for dine in? It took me 5 minutes and got BURNED 2 times try to open it. Also, I'm very concerned about the fact they put really hot foos to plastic bow. It's really bad for your health. It can generate cancer and or other dangerous illness, according the article I read. The soup is bland, too hot too eat . Never comeback and DONT Recommend it.

Edward W.

Yelp
I really enjoyed the chicken nuggets. There was a lot of chicken for a great price and the breading/flavor were both very satisfactory. The BBQ Pork Buns were ok but I wish the buns were less dense. The Pan Fried Dumplings weren't how I'm used to seeing them but they were still tasty. Would really recommend this place if you want some quick and simple Chinese food. Just don't expect it to blow your away

VV T.

Yelp
The little pork buns are fantastic, but the onion cheese beef potstickers are truly amazing. I could eat dozens of them easily. A minor con here is the price is somewhat high (especially for the drinks), but it's understandable given the location. I have also gotten the soup dumplings from the drive thru... obviously, takeout soup dumplings are not going to be the best ever. The dumpling skin was pretty thick, but surprisingly held a lot of soup inside. Pretty tasty and does the trick if you're not able to dine in and get better soup dumplings elsewhere.

Charlene L.

Yelp
Yes it is overpriced and not Chinatown-tier flavor. Don't come here with those expectations. The food is still good, favorite is the grapefruit drink! The mini meat buns are yummy but as everyone has posted already, barely filled with meat, kinda bland as well. They look and feel like frozen buns from the grocery store but I like eating those too. 2/5 Char siu bao was not flavorful either just sweet. 3/5 The Chinese hamburger was pretty good, very oily but it's made with pork belly I believe hence the flavor and grease. 4/5 Pork shrimp and chive pan fried dumplings were tasty, I suggest not getting them Togo unless you're under 5min away as they are given in a quart container and "steam" thus not being crispy by the time they get to you. 4/5

Mallory W.

Yelp
This place is unassuming but good! The dishes are very shareable and I was surprised by the great quality :) very authentic!

Marie H.

Yelp
This place is getting the benefit of me writing too many negative reviews lately, haha. Bottom line is the food was pretty good to my taste, and I think reviews should be primarily based on food, so I'm giving it 4 stars. The experience of getting the food was not pleasant, so be prepared for that. I got the red oil wontons and the juicy cha siu bao and they were pretty much exactly what I would want/expect (I am a typical white American who enjoys dim sum). Now if you want to know about the experience, in order of importance to me, here are my complaints: 1. It was suuuper slow for "fast" food and did not deliver on the "drive-thru" experience. After placing my order, they asked me to maneuver into a very awkward parking spot that backed out directly onto Shepherd. The only benefit of such a spot is that it would be easy to get to from Shepherd, but of course I was coming from the drive-thru, so getting in was kind of scary. I proceeded to wait in this spot for about 30 minutes before I went inside to make sure I was in the right place. There were very few customers at the time of my visit, which was during the lunch hour on a Friday. 2. Inside, I was told to continue waiting, so I checked out the bathroom. It was barely usable. One of two stalls was closed, the toilet paper dispenser and paper towel dispenser were out, and the toilet didn't flush. There was a roll of toilet paper lying on its side on top of the dispenser with less than 10 squares left, and there were a few paper towels scattered near the sink that appeared to be the remnants of a deliberate stack. Also, there was soap. So the experience was workable, by a hair. 3. It was not very clear in most places that the restaurant had permanently stopped serving soup dumplings, which I had planned to order. TLDR: I would not dine in here, and I would not expect a to-go order to be fast. But the food is much more authentic than nearby Fat Bao, and I appreciate that. Also to reviewers who saw employees getting frozen bao out---this DOES NOT mean they were bought from H-Mart, ok? Give the restaurant a break. I believe they are made in-house, or at a sister location.

Amanda H.

Yelp
This review is for a to go order. I ordered the shrimp, pork, and chives potstickers and cha siu bun (bbq pork). They arrived nicely packed and there were extra condiments. The buns were warm and tasted fresh! The meat was juicy and sweet. The potstickers were some of the best that this Texan has ever tried! I lack the vocabulary on how to describe them and the best I can do is say that the dough was al dente as opposed to soft that you would find in a grocery store or a place where they're mass produced. Definitely ordering from again in the future and hopefully I can make it in person!

Paul R.

Yelp
This restaurant is a big NOPE for me. The only bao filling that tastes good is the A4 Juicy Cha Siu Buns. Their Beef and Onion Baos filling for is heavily spiced with what seems to be cardamom or Sichuan peppercorns and completely overpowers the beef. It is definitely an acquired taste. I can't comment on the ambiance because I had the food delivered. Regarding service, the restaurant didn't include dipping sauce after I asked for it (twice!). Received sriracha and soy sauce packets instead of a traditional dipping sauce. There are many strong places to get baos in this city - Bao Shi Yi isn't it.

Steven T.

Yelp
Welcome to your friendly neighborhood, Bao Shi Yi (BSY). These guys are so generous and cool! We drove miles from the southeast side of HTX to give these guys a shot; opening within the thick of the pandemic, BSY offered an amazing half-off incentive to healthcare workers ontop of hosting a grand opening where they handed out hundreds of free shirts and hats to their first customers on, not just one, but TWO days. Bonus star! BSY are what their title suggests, a niche restaurant that serves Baos, steamed buns made from rice flour and stuffed with proteins and/or vegetables. Are they good? Sure. Are they AMAZING!? Maybe. I know what I'm personally looking for in a bao--I'm happier with a bao that's more fluffy than chewy. I guess it really boils down to preference. Perhaps the chewiness of their Baos is a nod to true, Chinese tradition. Char siu baos are my usually my favorite, so I can't help but judge harshly, and unfortunately for me, BSY falls short in this category. But that does not mean BSY is terrible! No sir, BSY easily has some of the BEST dumplings in the game.

El K.

Yelp
Mediocre dumplings & chicken wrap. Go to Fat Bao around the corner! Service was very slow for a fast casual pkace