Bun'd Up

Korean restaurant · Capital City Market

Bun'd Up

Korean restaurant · Capital City Market

4

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

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Highlights

Korean- and American-inspired bao sandwiches with unique fillings  

Featured in Eater
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1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002 Get directions

bundup.com

$10–20 · Menu

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1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002 Get directions

+1 571 225 7235
bundup.com

$10–20 · Menu

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Aug 8, 2025

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@eater

Best Places to Dine in NoMa and Around Union Market | Eater DC

"A modern twist on the classic Taiwanese bao, this small stand serves pan-Asian buns stuffed with Korean bulgogi, sweet chili shrimp, gochujang-glazed fried chicken, and much more. One of the best deals in the food hall, the three bun combo ($13) makes a filling meal, while one bun ($5) is a great snack." - Emily Venezky

https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-dining-restaurants-noma-union-market
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Aslin Beer Company Opens Its Long-Awaited Logan Circle Outpost - Eater DC

"The design by architecture firm //3877 embraces the site’s past life as a fueling station, adding amenities like fire pits and an on-site Bun’d Up food truck for snacks like bao buns." - Adele Chapin

https://dc.eater.com/2022/7/7/23198162/aslin-dc-opens-logan-circle-beer-garden
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What to Eat (and Expect) at Pharrell’s Major Music Festival in D.C. This Weekend - Eater DC

"Bun’d Up, known for its Taiwanese steamed buns with Korean fillings." - Tierney Plumb

https://dc.eater.com/2022/6/15/23168387/eat-pharrell-williams-music-festival-dc-vendors-something-in-the-water
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Wegmans Is Unveiling Its First Burger Bar in Virginia on June 3 - Eater DC

"Scheduled to handle food at the All Things Go’s annual two-day music festival in October." - Warren Rojas

https://dc.eater.com/2018/5/22/17379820/wegmans-burger-bar-chantilly-kevin-tien-best-new-chef
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Theodora Okafor

Google
Was here Friday, 7/11/2025 at 6:56. I ordered a spicy fried rice bowl and two buns. While the food is fine, the service was poor. I would normally just not go back to a place with poor service, but I provided a tip and still received poor service. I frequent Union Market because I enjoy supporting local businesses, but I believe tipping should at minimum ensure I receive decent service.

Thrisha Mohan

Google
Got the tofu and mushroom buns to try here. I think they were alright but they tasted pretty similar because of the sauce choices. Wish they had more diverse flavors for their vegetarian choices, would love something with a bit more of a kick or some tanginess. They’re also not the most filling so I’m guessing you would need 4 for a full meal, in my case I got a smoothie from a different stall along with it.

Patrick D

Google
A good option in Union Market. They've updated their pricing - they used to have a deal for 3 buns, but now it's 2 for $11. The spicy fried chicken isn't very spicy. The pork belly was good! It's a small operation and they're moving fast, so not a lot of interaction with customers.

Roshelli T

Google
Kev is amazing! We stopped by to get something to eat and he blessed us with amazing food and a kind heart! We love bao buns. These are soft and the meat is seasoned with excellence. The roof top view at Hi- Lawn made it even better!

Stephanie

Google
I've seen nothing but good things, and they did not disappoint. I ordered six buns, and they were all delicious. My favorite was the mushroom bun and the pork belly bun, so good.

Jacqueline Telljohann

Google
It's hard for me to resist a Bao bun spot, so I wanted to try this one when we were at Union Market. Unfortunately, they were already sold out of a lot of their buns when we went around 4 for an early dinner. We ended up just trying the PB&J bun. I thought it was pretty good and it made me wish we had gotten there before they sold out of some of the others. We'll have to go earlier next time!

Shameer Zahid '18

Google
Bun'd up is nothing to write home about, the food is just alright--not good or great. The prices are a bit high for the quantity and quality of the buns. All in all, might be worth a visit if you're really craving some baos, but I wouldn't go back here.

unboricualoco

Google
menu does not clearly state that chicken in chicken bowl is breaded. food was lukewarm and tasteless. and the gentleman behind the counter seemed surprised to have a person speaking to him
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Jasmin J.

Yelp
I LOVE this place! The food is always made fresh to order and packed with the best flavors! Shout out to Lou who is always so nice and sweet! He never gets my order wrong and he's always so nice when I have special request lol! The vibe here is cool since there are so many fun varieties to choose from. I've never had anything nasty, EVERYTHING on the menu is worth trying and has amazing flavor. Definitely going back and recommending to everyone I know!
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Calder S.

Yelp
I've visited Bun'd up a few times and it's pretty good. On my recent visit, I got six buns: two each of Spicy Fried Chicken, Korean BBQ Beef (Bulgogi), and Shredded Pork Belly. Each bun was a few bites. The buns themselves were very tender, and the fillings were very flavorful and colorful. I liked each about equally. Avoid the pork belly if you don't like pineapple. The chicken patties were a little dry but still ok. I ordered through Uber Eats and the standard price was $5 per bun, but they were running a 1/2 off deal so my total was $16.50 after tax. I think $5 per bun is pretty expensive. You need at least three buns to make a medium size lunch meal. I would pay maybe $12 total. Bun'd up is a small, basic stall in Union Market. My food was ready when I got there, about 15 min after ordering. Not much to say in the way of service or ambiance.
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Traci N.

Yelp
You order from a tablet at the counter but can talk to the staff to request changes to your order as needed -- if you are kind, they'll hook you up! For example: my 7-year-old son LOVES their crispy tofu buns, but he doesn't want any of the sauce, so I always order on the tablet and then explain the situation to whoever is working. They don't mind serving up some plain tofu + buns, and hopefully they get a kick out of my kiddo's tofu obsession. As for me, my favorite is the Korean fried chicken. Perfectly gochujang-y and topped with scallions. Get less than three and you'll regret not ordering more. As this is a booth in Union Market there are no tables directly linked to Bun'd Up. Plan to grab your food and place a spot outside or anywhere else in the market.
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Chell H.

Yelp
So good & flavorful! I didn't visit the actual restaurant, I stopped at their vendor stand during a weekday farmers market for lunch. The line was long so I automatically assumed they were good, right? lol. Well they were!
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Kimberly H.

Yelp
I tried to order food but the employee who was sitting there scrolling her phone was unable or unwilling to take my order. She indicated I needed to order on a kiosk, which I have no intention of doing.
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Teresa B.

Yelp
If you like a lot of salt have the fried chicken bao bun. Bulgogi is spicy and the cold bun cools it down.
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Steph Q.

Yelp
(RATING 3.5 stars) Decided to try out Bun'd Up while visiting Union Market on my most recent trip to D.C. I'm a sucker for a good bao bun sandwich and Bun'd Up had some great flavors to choose from off of their menu. Staff were patient with questions and were professional during interactions. I ended up ordering the two chicken buns. They were okay; not bad. Bun'd Up's offering is unique to all of Union Market, so that alone makes it worth the stop. My order consisted of their 2 for $11 special (singular buns cost $6). As noted above, I ordered the two chicken buns: Spicy Fried Chicken and Sweet Soy Fried Chicken. The buns themselves were a great texture and cooked perfectly, although a little small. Definitely the highlight to the sandwich as it should, based on their name. The chicken pieces were sized proportionally to the buns. The respective sauces for each chicken piece tasted good, but the chicken pieces I received did not seem to have an even coating of the sauce leaving various parts of the chicken dry. The coleslaw added a nice crunch and a bit of freshness to the buns. Perhaps an asian slaw may have complemented the taste better with the bun flavors. Again, nothing abysmal to the buns in terms of taste. They were average, especially for the price point. Perhaps my expectations were too high or I caught them on an off day. Bun'd Up has a great offering they're bringing to Union Market patrons and they are worth a try if you're curious about this type of take on the traditional bao buns. I might recommend trying other buns that aren't the chicken ones as this may elevate the taste and quality for you.
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Adam K.

Yelp
Went to their mobile spot at a local brewery - they were okay. The best I can say is that the baos are nice and pillow soft. The beef bulgogi was okay - nothing to really write home about. I tried a single pork belly bao, which was much tougher than I'd expect from pork belly. Child #1 tried the chicken rice bowl, which had some nice rice and pickles, but the chicken was kinda gross - dry texture. The guy taking orders was a bit spacey - he messed up my order and I ended up having to go back and reorder what I thought I'd ordered the first time. I don't think I'll seek this place out, but if I'm in a similar situation of them being the sole food provider, I think I'd get the bulgogi baos again.
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Ben T.

Yelp
Great bao buns, loved the shrimp one the most! Good option for a light bite in union market.
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Jordan M.

Yelp
-2 for service. I'm a regular at bun'd up. I love the spicy and sweet soy chicken buns. A three pack is enough food to hold you, you might want one or two more if you're really hungry. The accompanying picture is from my order today. Typically there is slaw on top of both of these but I guess they were out (the person who checked me out and served me the food didn't mention this, just served it to me without it's accompaniment) As much as I love this place, the service is consistently abysmal. The cashiers, who are also servers are genuinely pretty uninterested and impatient with interacting with customers. The guy who checked me out today was the same and on the phone the whole time, before serving me these buns without the toppings. So if you don't care about subpar service, this is the place for you!
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Grace B.

Yelp
Had these incredible bao buns in Union Market and I highly recommend! 3 for $13 and I got the bulgogi, pork, and fried chicken! The buns were soft and fluffy! The meat was tender and moist and the chopped toppings were great! Highly recommend:)
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Courtney C.

Yelp
Visited 12/3/22 - After suffering through possibly the worst case of BGs in my adult life after a night of drinking I found myself an hour from home determined to make my first meal post ordeal the best one haha. I'd been to union market twice before (Neopol & Lucky Buns) so I knew I'd find a nice bite regardless of where I landed. After walking around a bit I settled on a salmon BLT wrap from Neopol and ordered fried shrimp with sweet chili aioli and fried shallots buns from Bun'd up. I've never had these handmade buns before and despite my brush with death just that morning I decided to try them out. I'm a texture based eater meaning I need contrast in my food and this was right up my alley. The buns were warm and light and paired with the crunch of the shrimp and fried shallots it was perfection. The aioli was a great addition, and had a sweetness and spice to it that paired well with the shrimp. I'll absolutely be back to try more. Union market itself is super vibey, busy but not loud, cozy without being cluttered. We were able to find a table to eat without any problems and could hear ourselves without having to yell which is always a plus.
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SuzAnne S.

Yelp
I tagged along on my hubbies recent business trip to DC, (cuz why not?!) and we were staying at the Homewood Suites... but I am not about to cook on a quicky vaca lol, and he was so excited to take me to the Union Market Place, since I absolutely love this kind of shopping and food discovering. I did a nice walk-about and decided I wanted Bun'd Up, he wasn't sure what he wanted, so I said look- I'll get a few things here we can share- you go look around some more and see what looks good and get a few things to share. He got BBQ. First I want to say, this stand has the best little steamed buns!! I wanted to try the Tofu, but they were all out, so I was a little bummed on that, but I recovered and ordered the spicy fried chicken and Sweet chicken buns-- I loved LOVED the spicy chicken!! I also ordered the Bulgogi and pork belly bowls. So delicious, hubby and I enjoyed it tremendously, I wish I had ordered more bao buns!! I need to give props on the kimchi cucumbers, I am so glad that I ordered extra, I literally inhaled them as well as the pickled red onions, my hubby is not a huge onion fan, and he really liked them, so that says a lot. You just have to know, when I a tag along again on the next DC trip-- I am heading to Bun'd Up!!!! Such a fantastic hidden gem. I need to mention they also do catering, so if you are looking for something delicious and different, give this place a chance. They also get super busy at lunch hour so plan ahead. DEEELICIOUS!!!!!
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Larry M.

Yelp
Have you ever had a Bao Bun? It's a fluffy, cozy, sweet'ish white dough bun, originally from China. I went to a spot that GOT THAT!! Theirs are made into a warmed up slider. Who wouldn't want one? LET'S GO!! . Where I am: @bund_up . Location Reviewed: 1309 5th St., N.E. Inside of @unionmarketdc . Menu Includes: (Limited menu at Union Market Location) Bulgogi, Pork, Spicy Chicken, Sweet Soy Chicken, Fried Shrimp($1 extra), Sautéed Mushrooms, PB&J, & Fried Tofu Bao Buns, & Bowls. Canned Beverages. . Items Reviewed: (3 Bao Buns for $13) Their Prime Beef Bulgogi Bun (with Gochujiang sauce, Kimchi, & cucumber). STAMP!! Tender beef, soft, milky, warm bun, & fresh!! Their Spicy Fried Chicken Bun (with Gochujiang chili sauce, & slaw). DELICIOUS!! Warm bun, good, I wanted crispier chicken. Their Spiced Fried Shrimp (with sweet chili aioli, & fried shallots). STAMP!! Fried to perfection, sweet & spicy...WINNING!! Their Braised Pork Belly (with cilantro lime sauce, & pineapple kimchi). DELICIOUS!! Fresh, tasty, but the toppings were conflicting. Their Sweet Soy Fried Chicken (with sweet soy glaze, & cooling slaw). DELICIOUS!! A nice blend of sweetness, but again I needed the chicken crisper. Their Fried Tofu (with cilantro lime sauce, micro greens,& fried shallots). LIKE THAT!! A firm fried tofu, well spiced, scrumptious!! Their Beef Bulgogi Bowl (with rice, cucumbers, pickled onions, fried shallots, & chili sauce). STAMP!! Get this!! Fulfilling, fresh, & a delicious blend! . Customer Service: DECENT. There weren't many people in line, but I was rushed when I went to order. I was confused at where to order, so a customer that came after me, who stood in the "right" spot...was served before me. . Online Navigation: Non-existent at the Union Market location. . Parking: Lot or street parking...ROUGH!! . Recommendations: The Bulgogi bowl & bun, & shrimp bun. =STAMP =LIKE THAT =DELICIOUS =DECENT =PASS =NAH #Bigschlimsreviews
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Jacqueline T.

Yelp
It's hard for me to resist a Bao bun spot, so I wanted to try this one when we were at Union Market. Unfortunately, they were already sold out of a lot of their buns when we went around 4 for an early dinner. We ended up just trying the PB&J bun. I thought it was pretty good and it made me wish we had gotten there before they sold out of some of the others. We'll have to go earlier next time!
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Ann N.

Yelp
I tried Bun'd Up during my last trip to DC. It's located inside Union Market, among numerous other food stalls and, overall, I'd say it's a pretty solid choice for a quick lunch or snack. I ordered 2 baos: the bulgogi and the sweet soy chicken. Both bao buns were soft and fluffy. The bulgogi bao was delicious; the marinade was so flavorful! However, I thought the sweet soy was underwhelming, a bit bland. Friends tried other flavors and said those were good though.
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Isabel O.

Yelp
I came here on a Wednesday night with a friend and I've been dying to try this place. I ordered a Beef Bulgogi Bowl and the people running the restaurant were super nice. It was $15 for a bowl, which I felt like it was a little expensive just because I wasn't super full after, but it's Union Market after all. I liked the bowl, but the beef was thinner than I expected and it had parts where it was over cooked. The spice level was perfect and the rice was delicous. However, my friend let me try her sweet soy chicken (I believe that was the kind), and it melted in my mouth! I was quite jealous and I would suggest getting that over the bulgogi. Overall, nice meal! I hope to try the buns next.
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Suki W.

Yelp
The sweet soy fried chicken bun was so good I got it 2 days in a row while working a pop-up Union Market. The pork one was great too.
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Victoria N.

Yelp
I've tried their location in Pentagon Row, and, when I saw that Union market has this, I was beyond ecstatic! This place is a "must-try" place when visiting DMV area. I absolutely love their buns. My favorite ones are the Pork Belly and Bulgolgi. The pork belly is very fatty and full of flavor. I preferred the bulgolgi over the pork belly since it's a leaner piece, but I love eating both of them! I had also ordered Spicy Fried Chicken. It wasn't at all spicy for me but there was a nice crunch to each bite. You get 3 baos for $13. There's plenty of seating in Union Market. There is also free parking if you park in the outdoor parking structure. Otherwise, there's street parking.
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Briana S.

Yelp
This place is located in Union Market. Union Market has a big lot with free parking so that shouldn't be an issue. There are many vendors in Union Market. Bun'd up is located in the back middle of the first floor. The service there was okay and they have seemingly good options. I got 3 different bao buns for $13 which isn't bad. I personally thing that all of them lacked flavor. The buns themselves weren't sweet like they should be and the meat they used just wasn't seasoned or flavorful. The soy chicken was probably the best one because it was just simple with fried chicken and coleslaw. The Bulgogi one lacked flavor and the pickles were flavorless. The sauce was not good either. The shrimp one also had no flavor at all. I think next time I go to Union market, I will go to a different vendor.
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Justin N.

Yelp
I was in the area with a friend, and we opted to stop in Union Market to grab a bite. We decided to try Bun'd Up. The buns were good but not amazing. I ordered the 3 For $13-- Korean Fried Chicken (Sweet Soy), Korean BBQ Beef, Braised Pork Belly. And I also tried the Korean Fried Chicken (Spicy). All the bao buns were nice and fluffy. The two Korean Fried Chicken Buns were my favorite. The slaws on the buns paired nicely with the chicken-- it gave the buns a nice light acidity to cut the heaviness of the fried chicken. I didn't like the addition of the pineapple on the Braised Pork Belly Bun. The pineapples weren't fresh, and the juice overpowered the nice fatty flavor over the pork belly. I also was not a fan of the Korean BBQ Beef Bun. The beef was very jerky like and was drenched gochujang sauce which overpowered and covered up the actual beef. Overall, I liked the Korean Fried Chicken Buns and thought that the actual bao buns were fluffy and well made. However, I felt like the buns were not worth the high price. I probably wouldn't come back here again considering the other options in Union Market.
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Linda V.

Yelp
Buns were extremely soft and so warm. One bite was like soft heaven filled with love. The shrimp was sooo good I could've eaten 6 more, the shrimp was crunchy and seasoned to perfection. The spicy chicken was saucy and just the right amount of sweet heat to it.
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Jose F.

Yelp
I've been wanting to try this place for a while now, and I'm so glad I was finally able to! It did not disappoint at ALL! I tried three different bao's on the menu and they were all delicious! The fried chicken one was surprisingly bomb, and one of my favs honestly! I'm so happy they are nearby, I can't wait to go again!
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Bri H.

Yelp
I was lost and overwhelmed in Union Market until I saw the sign for bao buns shining like a beacon in the darkness. My feet led me to Bun'd Up and my belly led me to the Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl. I loved it, it just needed a little bit more sauce for my liking. Next time, I'll def ask for more and I'm sure that'll bump up my review to 5 stars.
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Parisa A.

Yelp
The food was good for the most part! The sweet soy fried chicken wasn't really my cup of tea personally and would really recommend the spicy fried chicken. However, it wasn't spicy at all but it was still delicious to eat. The people who took our order were nice too!
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Elise F.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite places in Union Market. It's a small shop among others so it's a great place to grab a small bite and hang out in the city. Bun'd Up is the perfect bite-size Bao bun - three always is filling for me! The workers are kind and helpful, so be sure to ask what they recommend. Adding a picture of my last bun standing...next time I'll try to remember to take a pic sooner.
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Cassandra S.

Yelp
This is definitely not an traditional Taiwanese gua bao, but it is a fun take! I enjoyed all the baos I got, though the spicy chicken and pork belly were definitely better than the bulgogi. The only drawback is that I wish they added more of the toppings than they provided. For such a savory item the acidity of the pickled topping is really welcome and it would have been perfect if it just had a bit more. That said, still rating 5 stars because I think it's worth the price (3 buns for $13) and is one of the more affordable food options in Union Market!
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Abegail A.

Yelp
Decent bao buns at Bun'd Up. I ordered the braised pork belly and Korean fried chicken, but ended up with two braised pork bellies. Didn't bother going back since the line was long and it took some time to get my buns. I also wish they would have told me while ordering that I could have gotten 3 buns for $13 (I guess I should also pay more attention to the menu!) as I would have paid a couple more dollars to get an extra bao. Anyhow. I though the braised pork belly wasn't bad. Tender and had decent flavor to it; however, I could have done without the pineapple on top. I actually removed it from the second bao before eating it. The bun itself was nice and fluffy. Overall, Bun'd Up was just okay. I'd go back though to try out their other baos.
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Joshua C.

Yelp
Food was subpar and the service was even worse. Little bald boy got mad and short with me when I ordered two baos and expected the 2 for 11 price as written on their menu. If that deal does not exist change it. As I wait for my food, he proceeds to give someone right after me the 2 for 11 price. Baldy was visibly upset about something else. The baos taste like something they bought frozen from the stores. The filling to bao ratio was terrible, I do not recommend trying this place.
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Lori J.

Yelp
got there within an hour of closing on a thursday, so i'm not sure what it's normally like? but i was told they were only serving bao that day, nothing else on their menu. and they only had two choices left. so i'm not sure if it was a supply issues, poor planning problem, or something where they're so great they were just sold out. had no idea what to expect. my cynicism creeped towards disappointment. but i ordered one of each, they were actually pretty good! the pork was the better of the two. i'd like to go back and try a lot more things- i think i'll have to go earlier in the day? or just hope to get lucky
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Annie R.

Yelp
This place was decent. I think I am rating it against all the mannnny bao buns I've had in my life and also rating the 2 that I tried. Some scaling from super authentic to fusion. This one lands a bit in the middle. The buns were nice and fluffy. The Korean chicken one was good but for some reason it was a tad bit salty. The pork belly was ok. I would go back to try other stuff on the menu.
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Michele M.

Yelp
The spicy fried chicken bao was not fresh and the chicken was not crispy. The bulgogi had an overpowering soy sauce flavor. The pork belly was our favorite. I would recommend going somewhere else for these baos.
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Tami N.

Yelp
Best buns I've had in my life? Yes. Should you go? Yes, please hustle. I opted for the 3 for $12 combo to sample all three choices. From favorite to least: Pork Belly Bun - That decadent pork belly blends in so nicely with the their awfully soft and tasty buns. YES. KBBQ Bun - Very good. They definitely marinate their meat which was highly appreciated. Mushroom Bun - Compared to the other two choices, this one was decent. But their fluffy bun is the main star of Bun'd Up. Thanks to my fellow Yelpers for helping me decide to try out Bun'd Up at Union Market!
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Temima N.

Yelp
So I've been meaning to try this place for awhile since I first tried it at a night market. I really enjoy buns and I wish that more places sold them in the DMV area. I feel like I can only get them in Baltimore so it was nice to try a different place. I really enjoyed this place. I had the mushroom, tofu, & shrimp one. I wish the buns were bigger but they were definitely very good and I would go here again! I like the variety! I wish they had storefront though.

Jason M.

Yelp
The staff at the Asian American festival in Annapolis was very rude. Had separate line and didn't tell you which was which for ordering and picking up. Nobody knew. Stand in line 30 minutes for them to make you go stand in another line just as long to order then wait another 15 minutes for the food at least have better staff and directions

Alana C.

Yelp
The terrible service at this place is the reason I will never go back. I've interacted with one particular employee, who seems to be the manager, twice and it was horrible both times. I also have spoken to two other people who said they've interacted with him and he was mean. He was rude, had an attitude, and when I approached about said attitude, he was defensive and continued to be nasty. The food was great, I wish the customer service matched it. Unfortunately, I won't be going back.
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Kiara P.

Yelp
OMG when I first has the mushroom bao at something in the water I could not stop thinking about it for weeks! Their buns are so soft and fluffy, it's like eating cloud full of your favorite delicious fillings. My favorite honestly is their mushroom bao which is seasoned perfectly and is such a great option even if you're not focused on eating a solely plant based lifestyle. I also really enjoy their kimchi. So flavorful! One of my favorite places in Union market and their events are fantastic too!

nina m.

Yelp
I came here for lunch on a super busy Saturday, staff was so friendly. I ordered the tofu rice bowl he was very considerate in asking if I was vegan as one of the sauces has mayo in it (I'm vegetarian so yay) my food was prepared quickly and was plated so beautifully like a work of art! Everything was so delicious can't wait to go back!
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Sheyi A.

Yelp
Run don't walk! Was honestly speechless when i tried the food. The beef bulgogi spicy shrimp and the fried chicken steamed buns were fireeeeee! Highly highly recommend! Will definitely be back. Follow me on IG and Tiktok for more reviews @foodiegheng

Sara T.

Yelp
Not good. I got a nap bun it was bland, flavorless, and have me a stomach ache from it.
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Jenny G.

Yelp
Was really looking forward to trying this small chain but the flavors were not special. Serving size was small for $13. Ordered the Bulgogi, Spicy Fried Chicken, and Fried Shrimp Buns. The beef was very dry and the chicken was not spicy or crunchy (the sauce made it soggy). My favorite out of the three was the Fried Shrimp bun. All the toppings (pickles, cole slaw, etc.), except for the green onions (which are naturally very flavorful), were bland and lacked any qualities that elevated the buns.
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Nora C.

Yelp
Bun'd Up Ratings: 3.5/5 Food: 3.75/5 - The bun is fluffy, soft and flavorful, so the texture of the buns meet my standards. I got the braised pork belly, beef bulgogi, and the soy garlic fried chicken. The braised pork belly was my favorite, because it has a nice balance of salty from the pork and sweetness from the toppings. Next up was the soy garlic fried chicken. It was good, but could be crispier and needed more seasonings. Not a big fan of the beef bulgogi. It was too salty and soggy. I think it's the sauce that was overpowering the protein. Honestly, I had high expectations for the beef bulgogi, but sadly it didn't meet my expectations. More work on the proteins, but the toppings like radish, cucumber, and kimchi was on point. Ambiance: 3.75/5 - This place is right next to a ramen restaurant. The stand is quite small and nothing that special about it or the decorations. However, Union Market always has a good vibe. I love that place, but I went on Memorial Day, so most places were closed, so that sucks. Price: 3/5 - Three buns came up to be $13, so around $15 after tax. I would say it fairly pricey for three small buns, and thought it was a bit on the expensive side with the portion given. Service: 3.5/5 - Staff was nice, but took a while for me to place an order, since there was only one person taking orders. The lines can get pretty long too. BLUF: There are better places to try out in Union Market, but if you are craving for some Chinese buns, give this place a shot. I would recommend the braised pork belly and the soy garlic fried chicken only. I had way better buns before in the DMV area, so with that said these buns were just "okay" to me.
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John C.

Yelp
Super disappointing. Menu options look great but did not hold up... and the clerk gave himself a tip without asking! Just added it right to the check. WTF? The sweet soy fried chicken bun was literally a chicken tender in a bun. No sauce, no soy... nothing. Gas station level equivalent. Pork belly bun was pretty good. Nicely flavored. Korean BBQ beef was just OK. Plain, weak flavors. A restaurant like this doesn't belong at Union Market.
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Danny K.

Yelp
Bun'd Up is quite delicious, and serves one of the better buns in the area! Located inside Union Market, there are several seating areas nearby, but space is limited. On a weekend, the area is packed so don't expect to have seats available unless you're patient and lucky. In regards to the food, I had the Korean BBQ, Pork Belly, and Crab Buns! Didn't try the Mushroom Bun, but it looked delicious. The good: All the buns I tasted were delicious! My favorite bao is the Pork Belly Bun had a thick-cut miso braised pork belly topped with pineapple kimchi, and drizzled with cilantro-lime and chili sauce. The combination of spicy and sweet made the bao overwhelmingly flavorful. Korean BBQ Bun was good too, but I felt something was lacking; nonetheless, it is still a great choice if you don't eat pork or prefer beef. Crab Bun is a special limited time only bao that was filled with chunks of crab, and tasted really good. The bad: Location is great, but seating is awful. As mentioned, you'll need to be patient and lucky to find seats unless you prefer to eat while walking around. Overall, if you're ever in the area, try to grab the Pork Belly Bun and Crab Bun, or try them all! The area will get noisy when it is packed especially on the weekend. Best day to go is the weekday for less noise and find seats.
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Olivia I.

Yelp
Soft and chewy, these are top quality bao buns that are heard to beat. The pork belly is easily the tastiest, perfectly complimented by a pineapple slaw. Closely followed by their bulgogi. The fried chicken, while overall tasty, was very salty. For a union market stall, they are pretty quick with their service but the line tends to be long/move slowly and they tend to be out of most of their options by dinner time. You can also find these buns at their new food truck at Aslin brewery on 14th, but a much more narrow selection.
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Annie S.

Yelp
BEST. PORK. BELLY. EVER. (and I eat a lot of pork belly) Food so good, I ate it...and went back for more. Had the pork belly rice bowl with kimchi and pickled onions. I cannot describe how good it was, fatty and flavorful with many pieces, they do not skimp you on the meat! Even the sauce was delicious and not too intense, where you could actually taste the delicious flavors of the meat. If you go, this bowl is the right decision. Cost about $14, but soooo worth it for the quality. After circling the rest of Union Market twice, I decided to head back to Bun'd Up and get the hand made buns. I tried to pork belly and Korean BBQ - all amazing and the perfect way to wrap up my dinner. Very friendly staff and they are also located at farmers markets across the DMV!
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Jenny O.

Yelp
I have been waiting to try Bun'd Up for awhile now, and was very excited that they were a participating food vendor at the All Things Go Fall Classic festival this past weekend. I got the trio of buns for $12: - Chanco: The pork belly was so tender with great caramelization on it. It was served with pineapple, scallions and a yummy white BBQ sauce. Tangy, salty and decadent! - Mushroom: The saute on the mushroom seemed standard, but I appreciated the freshness of the microgreens and scallions against the earthy mushrooms. - Koreano: Pretty good bulgogi with pickled cucumbers and a hint of ginger chili sauce. Due to the sheer volume of costumers at the festival and the length of it, the handmade buns became slightly mushy when served and lost some of its pillowiness. However, it still tasted good and I appreciated the flavors of the filling. Will come back to try the storefront when it is less crazy!
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KaMaria S.

Yelp
The staff was very friendly and welcoming but... that did not make up for that bland food. My daughter said the spicy fried chicken bun was tasty but tis all. We had a pork belly bowl and a few buns. It all looked delicious put failed the flavor test. The good news is that the food wasn't the worst part. The mango stale rice was absolutely disgusting and they need to stop selling it. The food I had to eat once I got home so that I could add some flavor but the supposedly sticky rice I had to spit out in a napkin. I wouldn't even feed that to a stray dog. I'm not sure who owns this place but in my opinion as someone that eats a lot of Asian dishes, this is not owned by such persons. Or maybe this is just a place for people that don't have taste buds. The star is for the cute name.

Stephanie T.

Yelp
Loved the buns! They were all very tasty and came out fairly quickly as well :) Definitely worth the price in my opinion!