Secret Bao

I had dinner at Secret Bao in a Friday around 8:30 pm. They were able to seat us (party of 2) on the heated outdoor patio with our dog with a very short wait (5 minutes). Matcha Horchata - tastes exactly as you would expect it too. Spiced from the horchata with good matcha. Fun to try, not sure I would need to try this again. Secret Salad - really nice fresh greens that are served in a bundle so you can dip them in a edamame sauce. Recommend trying this! Farmers Market Delicata Tempura & Dip - this was a special and delicious! A big serving of crunchy delicata tempura that was nice and sweet! Recommend trying this if it's in the menu. Crab Crunch Bao - another special for the night. A wonton taco is filled with a citrusy crab filling which is then stuffed in a warm, cheesey bun. Really good. I would order it again Pork Belly Bao - best pork belly bao I have ever had. Recommend getting this! Scallop and Prawn Dumplings - these was good dumplings but I think the other items we had were more special and fun. Mango Sticky Rice Bingsu - this was really good. A light dessert with a lot of mango! Bao Donut - this was my favorite dessert. It's essentially an ice cream sandwich. The bao bun is housemade and served warm. I got mine with vanilla ice cream which paired perfectly with the cinnamon. I have been wanting to try Secret Bao and was not disappointed. The food and service were excellent. I would definitely come back to eat here and recommend it!

Delightful food in a nice location just off State street. Definitely want reservations at night. Service was great, young man knew the menu and was able to make suggestions. We tried a cocktail and several dishes. The udon carbonara was very generous and succulent. The beef chow fun also nice sized dish with a bit of spice. The scallop and prawn dumplings and ribs were both very flavorful.

Been on my list to try when I pass through SB. Was definitely a good spot to enjoy a lunch. I was bummed cause I wanted to try the hamachi tacos, unfortunately those are only on the dinner menu. Overall I just hit up the appetizer menu with bao buns & a couple other things they recommended. The best bao was the fried chicken bao. The crab hand roll was nice and tasty as well. It was done in two bites. I thought the steamed dumplings were ok, nothing to rave about. The pork bun was tasty. Overall it was pretty tasty spot.

The flavor party that happens when you eat this food is unimaginable…which means you should just go and experience it for yourself! Just say the food was delicious would be an understatement. It’s the perfect quick bite between running around the city, it’s right across the street from the courthouse, which is a must see. The service was incredible and everyone was so friendly and kind. 10 out of 10 would recommend!

Secret Bao is one of those rare finds that hits every note perfectly — bold flavors, unique dishes, and an atmosphere that feels both modern and welcoming. The garlic noodles were good — simple but absolutely packed with flavor. Chewy, buttery, garlicky perfection. And the kalbi steak with rice? Wow. The steak was beautifully marinated and grilled, tender with just the right amount of char. Paired with fluffy rice and flavorful kimchi, it was a full-on comfort meal with a gourmet twist. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited about the food, which made the whole experience even better. The outdoor seating is another major plus — it’s spacious, relaxed, and perfect for enjoying Santa Barbara’s amazing weather. Whether you’re catching up with friends or just grabbing a quiet meal, the patio space adds to the whole experience without feeling crowded or cramped. Secret Bao is the kind of place you want to keep secret — but it's just too good not to share. Go hungry, and bring friends so you can try a bit of everything.

You order first, then grab a seat! The baos were honestly really good! soft, fluffy buns with great flavor. I’d totally recommend the pork belly bao. The KFC bao had a nice little spicy kick but the chicken was super tender and juicy.The char siu mandu was just okay. We also tried the katsu bento and pork belly fried rice, but those were kind of disappointing. The fried rice tasted like a mild, fusion-style version of kimchi fried rice, not super flavorful. Tbh, in the rice dish, i felt like the spinach was little odd. And there was not much pork belly either. There’s definitely a difference in quality between the baos and the other dishes. I highly recommend baos but idk about the rice dishes.

Overall rating: 3.5 Price: $21 No reso at 6pm & it was booked up. Staff was super friendly but I did not like the baos I ordered at all. I’m obsessed with this type of food, so could totally be my taste buds. - Pork Belly Bao - KFC Bao

Fantastic restaurant, everything on the menu is fantastic. The KFC Bao has the most incredible fried chicken & slaw. The Pork Belly Bao just melts in your mouth. The Duck Confit Spring Rolls are put if this world. The prices are fair, the service is fast and friends and the atmosphere is impeccable.

This place is truly a gem in Santa Barbara. Not only is the Asian-fusion food amazingly delicious, but service is top notch friendly. It's hard to get fusion style foods to taste good, but Secret Bao has done it. They do have 2 separate menus (lunch menu & dinner menu) with menu items changing with the seasons. The drink menu consists of wines, sake/soju, beer, cocktails & mocktails. The place gets packed quick, so best to make reservations. 1. Avocado & Korean Pear Salad (5/5) Everything about this salad was super fresh and bursting with flavor. The sesame vinaigrette dressing was nutty & umami, which gave the dish an extremely pleasant aromatic flavor. This is essentially a lettuce-free salad dish that is mainly consistent of their super refreshing, crunchy, Korean pear mixed with creamy Haas avocado then topped with toasted pepitas seeds, kizami nori - furikake seaweed flakes and chives. Everything came together very well. 2. Hamachi Wonton Tacos (5/5) Never had tacos like this before - it's definitely an Asian spin on it where the taco shell has the consistency of fried wonton instead of corn/flour. It is stuffed with fresh Japanese yellowtail and topped with diced granny smith apples, cucumber, red cabbage slaw, which added a refreshing crunch with each bite. The secret chili sauce was mild in heat & the avocado puree added a bit of creaminess. It reminded me of eating a sushi roll. These were sure a satisfying, bite-sized, appetizers 3. Peruvian Scallops (5/5) I am not a seafood type of person and usually stay away from shellfish dishes as they tend to taste like the sea. However, this dish has proved me wrong. The scallops were super fresh (no seafood taste at all) and they just melt in your mouth like butter. Pair it with their citrusy yuzu vinaigrette sauce, massage and chives, it was like a flavor bomb with each bite. I especially liked that they topped it off with some fresh crunchy cucumber and bursting roe. 4. KFC Bao (4/5) $8/bao is kind of a steep price, but I think it is worth a one-time try. The bao was super fluffy and steamed to perfection. Then it is packed with a large piece of Korean fried chicken that is glazed in this dark umami-sweet (hoisin?) sauce and topped off with slaw, scallions and pickled red onions. It's definitely a flavor punch. A bit messy to eat. Best to split half with another person so you don't get too full off of this 5. Pork Belly Bao (5/5) Now this is the bao I would get again. That pork belly was just "melt in you mouth." The hoisin glaze with Kewpie mayo was the perfect dressing to balance out the fattiness of the pork. 6. Kung Pao Cauliflower (5/5) Cauliflower sautéed with charred red onion, shishito peppers, Japanese fried chilis, roasted cashew topped with kung pao sauce that gives it a sweet, yet tangy and very mildly spice. Healthy, yet satisfying. This is veggies done right ;) 7. Soy Chili Dumpling (4/5) The name was a bit misleading to me as I thought it would be the traditional steamed wonton/dumplings topped with chili oil sauce, but their version is actually 4 large "fried" dumplings that's filled with pork mixed with Korean glass noodles topped with cabbage, garlic chives, cilantro, shaved radish, fried shallots and dressed with the chili oil. The wonton shell was super crunchy and it reminded me of eating those Chinese fried cheese wonton. It was not spicy at all. I think the garlic-soy flavor overpowered the chili oil. 8. Duck Spring Roll (5/5) Wow, this has got to be some of the best duck dishes I've had. The duck was crispy, fatty, juicy and paired very well with the caramelized onions, garlic, sweet chili - hoisin sauce. Despite it being fatty, it actually didn't make us feel sickly heavy afterwards. Very well done; highly recommend trying this 9. Eggplant Fried Wonton (4/5) A very crispy wonton that's filled with eggplant, which naturally has that mushy consistency. It is topped with a spicy sauce and dressed with seaweed and white sesame that does give it a nice flavor combo We will definitely be back to try out more items and the lunch menu!!!

Found this place via TikTok. Honestly, a little underwhelming. The food was okay. Pretty good, but not good enough to justify the prices. The baos are sold individually, meaning each bao is like $8. Place should definitely be rated $$$ instead if you want to feel anywhere close to full. Tried the pork belly bao, fried chicken bao, cauliflower, and dumplings. Fried chicken and cauliflower were standout. Pork belly was not cooked long enough, so the fat stayed solid on the bao, which was a little unappealing. There is garage parking very close by. First 75 minutes free, which is nice.

Secret Bao is a a good modern asian fusion restaurant. You have to order and pay for food prior to seating. The food is delicious; the pork belly bao was very tasty; the pork belly was tender. It was priced on the higher end- $8 for one bao. The pork belly fried rice ($19) was seasoned well and had some crunch. The kimchi elevated the flavor as well. It was a decent size. However, the pork pieces were very small and disappointingly, there were not much in the fried rice. Overall tasty but priced on the higher end compared to what you are getting 3.5/5

Good food, very flavorful but on the pricier side. You're paying for the ambiance and service. Service was fast, staff were friendly and helpful. I loved how my server kept checking in on us and kept refilling our waters without us asking. I would come here again. It does get busy especially on weekend so I would recommend making reservations.

1/5 -- Customer Service Review Only Food remains top-notch, but service has become too frustrating to ignore. I want to start by saying that I love the food at Secret Bao. I've had some of the best Asian meals in Santa Barbara here, and I've been a loyal customer for some time now. This review is not about the food--it's about the increasingly disappointing customer service that's finally reached a breaking point. Over the past few visits, the service has been hit or miss. But during my most recent experience, things went completely off the rails. I arrived as a walk-in with a party of six around 3 PM. The restaurant was mostly empty. Still, I was met with hesitation from the hostess, as if accommodating a group our size was somehow a burden. While I waited for her to "check availability," I noticed several tables inside and outside that could easily accommodate six people--including one indoor table and one outdoor table already set for six, and multiple four-tops that could be combined. Then things got worse: A second hostess came to the front, completely ignored me, and seated a solo diner after me at the large six-person table I had just seen available. When the original hostess returned, she told me the wait would be two hours for a party of six. I was stunned. I asked why that solo guest had just been seated at the table we clearly could've used. Her response? "That's the communal table," and she couldn't locate a manager to approve using it for our group. At that point, I left--embarrassed and frustrated--with my kids and visiting family. We went to another restaurant. The entire situation felt like a complete lack of care and effort from the front-of-house staff. It genuinely pains me to write this because the food at Secret Bao is exceptional. But I won't be returning. Great food can't make up for feeling unwelcome or like an afterthought. The service needs to match the caliber of the kitchen--or at least make an honest effort to try.

Great dining experience. Got there a bit early and they seated us right away. PINK PERUVIAN SCALLOPS 2/5* - the rave reviews convinced us to order this one, and while fresh, there was nearly 0 flavor. It felt like something must have been missing. The scallops were also very small. Overpriced, disappointing, and not distinctive. KFC + PORK BELLY BAO 4/5* - Yummmm. The pork belly was delish, and the fried chicken was a textural, tasty bite. They split them in half if you want which was nice. They were a little hard to eat and keep in the bun, and the pork belly could've used a little texture. SOY CHILI DUMPLINGS 5/5* - love the toppings, the sauce, the ratio of the ingredients. Real winner KUNG PAO CAULIFLOWER 5/5* - this sauce was the bomb dot com. Maybe a little salty but I didn't care. The mix of shishito peppers, nuts, sauce was everything. CURRY NOODLES 5/5* - we saw the mixed reviews about potentially watery sauce but took the chance cause we wanted some noodles, and we were so pleasantly surprised! The broth was masterful, the mushrooms weren't overwhelming, and the portion was really big for the price compared to our other dishes. Noodles were cooked well. Highly recommend if you're looking for a hearty addition to your smaller plates. My partner enjoyed his IPA (served in a cold glass!), and my tropical mocktail with lychee was refreshing and delicious. Service was attentive but not overbearing. Yes yes yes!

Finally got to try this spot and cannot recommend it enough! Everything we ordered was so delicious. We arrived around 6:15 on a Friday evening and luckily got a table but the restaurant was packed. Our serve was Kathleen and she was excellent. I really enjoyed sitting on the patio and the flow of our food coming to our table was perfect. We were excited to try so many things. They even had a specials menu, which we opted to try some salmon over crispy rice from and loved. The KFC bao was our favorite but everything was delicious. We will be back!

Came here on a Saturday night without a reservation. They told us the next available table for walk-in would be about 2 hours later. Thankfully someone ended up canceling so our table was ready and hour before that but definitely make a reservation beforehand if possible! We were seated outdoors but the heating lamps kept us warm. Here is what we ordered: -avocado & Korean pear salad: must try! So unique tasting. The sweet and umami flavors complement each other very well with the crunchiness of the pear and creaminess of the avocado. The seasoning is like sesame oil mixed with furikake -kung pao cauliflower: this one surprised me. They flavored it so well you'd forget you were eating something fiber-rich. The cauliflower prepared by being steamed, then fried but I personally asked them not to fry it and it was still so yummy -udon carbonara: i thought this would be my favorite but actually wouldn't get again. It was good, but the least impressive out of all the dishes. -mushroom bao: idk how they did it but the deep fried mushroom tasted like crab to me?! Which is a pleasant surprise so yummy, must try -pork belly bao: omg the pork belly melts in your mouth and the sauce is so damn good. Also a must try! Our server RJ was so kind and friendly to chat with. Overall a great experience and would love to come back when I'm in town

I'm a vegetarian so I had to pick from the limited options they had. Got the Kungpao cauliflower: 4/5 very delicious! I'd have liked it more if it was crispier. The fried cashews added a great flavor to it. Veggie Yellow Curry Noodles: 3/5 good combination of bok choy, bean sprouts, shitake mushrooms and coconut milk gravy. But it lacked spice and kick. My friend got the pork belly bao and said it was delicious. The spicy fried rice was awesome too. I wish they had more vegetarian options. The ones they do have aren't extraordinary. Lovely service and very cute ambience. Slightly on the pricier side. Parking in public lots nearby.

Solid Asian fusion restaurant with lots of seating indoor and outdoors. Pet friendly too. Staff was very nice and cleared dishes often. Pork fried rice: very tasty and came out piping hot. Was also delicious the next day. Chili oil dumplings: strangely not spicy at all but very crispy and had juicy pork. Hamachi poke bowl: not a lot of fish but it was a tasty bowl of rice with pickled veggies. Garlic noodles: pretty simple but easy to eat. A little expensive for the portions but understandable that rent isn't cheap.

We were recommended Secret Bao by a server from Loquita. Overall we had a great dinner here though were not blown away. KFC bao: 8/10. Very yummy! Chicken could've been more tender IMO. Pork belly bao: 8/10. The pork belly was tender and was complemented well by the cucumber. Honey walnut shrimp: 9/10. This was incredible. It came with 4 large shrimps as well as fried broccoli. The batter on the shrimp was crispy and light and didn't compromise the tenderness of the shrimp! Kung Pao Cauliflower: 5/10. This was a miss for us. While the cauliflower was well-cooked, I didn't really like the flavors in this dish. It was too salty and also just tasted odd to me. Udon carbonara: 7/10. The udon was perfectly chewy. I thought the flavor of the sauce was great, but it was a bit watery. Date cake: 12/10. You should've seen my boyfriend's face when he tried this lol. This was by far our favorite dish of the night!! The cake was warm, sugary, and gooey, with great texture contrast from the graham crumbs on top. Just a warning this is a pretty sweet dessert though! Mango sticky rice bingsu: 7/10. This was good, and I loved the addition of coconut sticky rice to this. I didn't have too much stomach space left at this point, so I prioritized the date cake since it was the superior dessert lol. Service was good. The dessert took an unusually long time to arrive after we ordered. I'd say prices here are reasonable, given the more elevated dining experience and relative lack of Asian restaurants in Santa Barbara. Strengths are the bao, honey walnut shrimp, and desserts. They absolutely nailed the date cake here, and I would happily come back for that alone.

Overall: A // 5 stars One of my favorite Asian fusion restaurants since Day 1 of its opening. They regularly refresh the menu with new and interesting additions, while maintaining a high standard for quality and presentation for each dish. At the heart is their bao buns, which are all well made, although they seem to have been reducing the number of those they have on the menu moving forward. All in all, very high quality Asian food that I highly recommend. (KFC Bao: A) - Beautiful picture perfect bao bun that always impresses with incredibly juicy chicken breast; the coleslaw pairing with the spicy dragon sauce and creamy mayo works perfectly to get that spicy Korean kick while maintaining a good balance. The thing that could be improved is the arrangement of the bun as the first few bites are better balanced since all the garnish sit on top. (Duck Udon: A) - Soulfully comforting bowl of udon. We got a lightly developed five spice broth, with tender udon and duck that just melts in your mouth. The bok choy adds to the pleasant healthfulness of the dish. (The Tropics: A) - Incredibly pleasant blend of tropical fruits, while still impressively maintaining individuality of flavors of the lychee, passionfruit, mango, guava and orange. I also like that the drink also has volume, which cannot be said for most mocktails. Food: +1 Presentation: +1 Price: E Atmosphere: E Service: E Menu: +2 Overall: 5 stars Insta/Beli/Yelp/TikTok: @amei_eats

we were so excited that secret bao was hosting a dim sum event & we ordered: - lamb Szechuan dumplings - wagyu beef xiao long bao - crab squash blossom - garlic noodles - chicken confit congee we made reservations at opening time, slight line, & the restaurant filled quickly. Conversations fill the ambience. Hostess quickly seated us. overall, truly some showstopping flavors, heartwarming spins of nostalgic dim sum. umami dense dishes.

Secret bao is hands-down our new favorite place to eat out at in this area. It was well worth the 30 to 45 minute drive from Ventura to enjoy such a tasty meal. The service was outstanding as well and the environment is casual and fun. Claire gave really great recommendations and we really enjoyed the food. We will definitely be coming back here. Highly recommend!! 10/10 Not pictured is the date cake - one of the best desserts I've ever had.

Secret Bao is a modern Asian fusion eatery serving up some elevated classics in a fun and innovative way. Reservations are recommended as spots do tend to fill up fast. This spot is located on State Street across the street from the courthouse. To get here, street parking will be your best bet and there is a lot of it around the area. Wifey and I stopped by for dinner around 5pm with a reservation and were seated right away. Inside, they have a spacious interior with a good amount of seating. For their menu, they have a nice selection of different appetizers, dim sum, and entree dishes to choose from. We opted for a spread consisting of the Mapo Mushroom Dumplings, Shrimp Tempura Bao, KFC Bao, Din Tai Fung Pork Chop Fried Rice, and the Kalbi Steak with Banchan. For our drinks, we got the Strawberry Horchata and the Tropical Bliss. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and had a great dining experience. The flavors were spot on and had a great balance between authenticity and creativity. All of the staff here are very friendly and welcoming. Secret Bao = SB's best kept secret? Come find out for yourself!

Wow, fusion in your mouth. We each order a different dish. Everything we tried was fresh and well seasoned without hiding the main ingredient.

I've had secret bao on my list for a while! We visited on a Sunday at 5pm and lucked out with no wait for a party of three. The interior was spacious and bright. We ordered a couple items off the happy hour menu (offered wed-sun evenings) - kfc bao and tempura shrimp bao, the kalbi steak, udon carbonara, and the garlic noodles (kids menu). The dishes were pricey (with small portions); however, they were executed well! I loved my kalbi (which was cooked to perfection and presented beautifully with the sides) and was not a fan of the udon carbonara. We paid to park in a public structure and walked on over. While nothing beats Asian food in Orange County or LA, secret bao was great and a much shorter drive than OC/LA.

One of my favorite restaurants in SB! I wish the portions were bigger, but that just means I get to try more dishes on their menu. We ordered: Matcha Horchata: 7/10 The Tropics (mocktail): 8.5/10 Pink Peruvian scallops: 10/10 might be my favorite of our meal Mapo mushroom dumplings: 10/10 Duck spring rolls: 9/10 Din tai fung pork chop fried rice: 6/10 Honey walnut shrimp: 9/10 Pistachio crème brûlée: 8/10 yummy but prefer the matcha flavor.

Good food, amazing selection of drinks, vegetarian options. We stopped for a quick lunch and ordered couple of things, everything was really good but My favorite was the salmon bowl , perfectly cooked and seasoned. I really like the dessert too, I believe it was matcha crème brûlée.

Secret Bao does delicious, quality Asian food at a casual setting a block off of State St. Obviously get the bao ($8 each) - the pork belly is tender and well cooked and the chicken eats well with a kick of spice. Lychee-tini is a good choice - just enough lychee to take the edge off a martini where it's easily drinkable but not too sweet. The lobster spinach noodle worked really well - flavor of the lobster balanced well with the spinach with a bit of crunch from the other fixens; only get some bits of lobster. Make a reservation if you can or call to get on the waitlist. Service is excellent.

We dined at secret bao for valentines and they had a lot of cute decor to celebrate. It's a casual spot for anything Asian food- Korean, Japanese, Chinese, etc. If you are looking for a certain Asian cuisine though, I would look elsewhere. The pork belly bao had a fluffy bun and tender pork, definitely a bit pricey at $8 a bun but very delicious. I love beef chow fun at Chinese restaurants but the one at secret bao was not the same unfortunately. The noodles were stuck together and it didn't have the charred flavor from woks. The sauce was watery so it didn't stick to the noodles either. The lobster bun was buttery and tender, but not too filling.

Kathleen is the nicest sweetest server EVER. Deserves the world! Food is amazing as always, especially the curry noodles. Biggest bang for your buck. Sticky date cake 10/10 per usual.

We were visiting from out of town & felt that even during busy hours staff was incredibly kind! We had a pup so wasn't sure how the dining situation was going to be but they had great outdoor seating that was dog friendly. Menu was fusion, Korean and bao elements highly recommend if you're here in Santa Barbara looking for some fun fusion eats. The baos were definitely worth it & the ambiance was still popping even at 7pm! The eggrolls were also delish, large portions of the primary entrees so we ended up sharing the Katsu Don!

Great atmosphere. Great lunch menu. The pork belly bau was amazing, kung pow cauliflower was really nice, and the beef chow fun was a modern take and really really good. Service was excellent.

Being Taiwanese, I've had plenty of pork belly buns. But this one surprised me in the most wonderful way! It was not overly sauced, and the meat was fatty and tender. I also enjoyed the curry pumpkin dumplings. I had expected a thicker curry sauce, but it was more like a curry broth. Service was quick and I'd definitely come back for more.

I've been here a couple times now and I am never really blown away. I think it is pretty good asian fusion food in the area considering it's sb, which doesn't have many asian cuisine options. I think everything I've had was decent but I don't think it's worth the price. it is a super trendy spot with a fancier vibe to it so maybe that's why the prices are high for what it is, but if you're willing to go to la you'll be able to find many other better options for a cheaper price (or bigger portion for the same price) on my most recent visit which was for my friends bday, we ordered 4 dishes to split family style & a dessert: - mapo mushroom dumplings: $13 for 4 very small pieces. the filling and szechuan mapo sauce were on the blander side and it felt like they were trying too hard to elevate this classic Chinese dish but it didn't work out - curry noodles: these were ok. it had a nice flavor but the sauce was very thin and watery. it had everything as described on the menu so I can't be too disappointed but $19 for this was not worth imo (esp w no protein!) - avocado & korean pear salad: this actually surprised me. it was very light and refreshing with a good umami taste from the sesame vinaigrette and furikake. my friends and I were all pleasantly surprised by this! - udon carbonara: this is my friend's fav dish so we were excited to eat it, but she said it wasn't as good as she remembered it. I also thought it was a bit basic and didn't eat much of it - mango sticky rice bingsu: this was def the star of the night! if they have it, do yourself a favor and order it! I thought this was actually a very unique twist to mango sticky rice and was executed so well. it was a perfect cold sweet treat to end the night. our server was very nice and attentive. I think the staff here are always professional & welcoming from what I've seen overall, a relatively good spot for asian fusion in sb but I think youre paying more for the ambiance. for the price point, I would hope for better tasting food or bigger portions

Yum ... highly recommend and glad I stopped by!! I will be back eheheheh no words ... this is the mango sticky rice, small size! I wonder about the other sized lol

LOVED this spot. We went for dinner & ordered a bunch for the table to share - lobster pasta, lobster bao, hamachi taco, KFC bao & some deserts to split (purple potato cheesecake & date cake). Everything was very flavorful & the selection was incredible! We loved our server & he was well informed on the menu items. The indoor space was nicely laid out & I like that they have some outdoor seating as well. I would definitely recommend this place & I can't wait to go back again!

A year later... and still great!! Ambiance and service 5/5 again, super friendly, helpful, and attentive. Got the kalbi steak, DTF fried rice, seafood dumplings, and their bingsoo for dessert. The steak was so tender and we were told it's even a lean cut so there's less fat. The DTF rice was also tasty, we thought the flavor was pretty close! But this time, the dessert was the standout. Let me tell you about this mango sticky rice bingsoo... it has McConnells in it! Such a uniquely Santa Barbara spin on a thoughtfully fused pan-Asian dessert.

This place was pretty disappointing. The atmosphere was pretty nice, they had big windows and really nice lighting, but the food was subpar at best. We had the pork belly baos, which were too expensive for it's portions + taste. It was fairly good, just not $8 good. Then we had the beef szechuan noodles which didn't really taste like anything, and definitely not very szechuan. Same issue with their yuzu passionfruit tea, it basically tasted like water. Not worth the $5 at all. Service was okay, though you order from the counter. Meh experience, probably not coming back.

I don't think you can go wrong here. We went family style and loved everything we had! There were 6 of us, and this was our order: Cauliflower - 5/5 Tacos - 4.5/5 Pear and avocado salad - 5/5 KFC bao - 4.5/5 Curry noodles - 4/5 Kalbi steak - 5/5 Ribs - 4.2/5 Dumplings - 3/5 Our server was nice as well and helpful with the menu. I would totally come back here!

Food and service was amazing! Def a new fav. Every thing had lots of flavor and was a good size.

The food is really good but don't expect the Bao Buns. They have Bao tacos instead. No one in our party ordered them because we ended up with the noodle bowls instead. The appetizers are really good as well. The restroom is clean. Since they have a beer and wine license they have crafted some unique cocktails within their limits. We will definitely go back and try to sit outside next time. I did enjoy watching the kitchen make their noodles.

service was nice, ambiance was nice, but food and what you get for the price absolutely not worth. made the reservation for a sunday night an hour before. came for a birthday dinner (marked on opentable), and they changed the menu to one with "Happy Birthday!!!" on it. cute! we ordered 4 items: duck confit spring rolls ($19 for 4 pieces), pork belly bao ($8 ea), beef chow fun ($25), and chicken xiao long bao ($14). the first two dishes took 20 min to come out, with the other two coming 10-15 minutes after. duck confit spring rolls should not be called spring rolls imo. when you say spring rolls people are expecting rice paper, not something deep-fried. it wasn't drained of oil properly either, with the wrapper being overly greasy. even though it was tender and well fried, it isn't worth $19.. pork belly bao was the best bite of the night. super tender meat, well balanced, and bao was well done (fluffy, slightly sweet). cucumbers were a nice refreshing element. but at $8 each, doesn't feel worth. imo chinese food should be filling and have good value but this is very far from that beef chow fun was unfortunately a miss. i'm a little upset because if i'm paying $25 for chow fun i'm expecting it to be at least average. beef was indeed very tender and flavorful but the sauce itself we noticed was a little watery. the noodles themselves were way overcooked, and the more you ate, the more salty it was. insane flavor fatigue and sodium overload chicken xiao long bao was the worst dish of the night. they had no soup because the skin came popped, and biting into it, it was so dry. the wrapper was all mangled and poorly wrapped, being super bundled at the top or melting into the paper under. it made for an awful bite, where you taste all the barely cooked dough separately from the dry meat. we did end up complaining unfortunately which is super rare for me to do.. usually i just accept it but at this price point, it's genuinely unacceptable to think that was okay to serve. they were super nice about it though and comped the xlb, but not the chow fun (which is understandable because we ate a good portion of it, and it's hard to verify cookedness or salt levels from visual cues). they did offer to remake it but at this point we didn't want any more or prevent kitchen from closing up :( we did say no dessert but they brought out a little strawberry mochi ice cream for my friend anyway, with a little candle, on the house haha. kathleen was super sweet but unfortunately i don't think we'll be coming back. i just can't justify paying that much to not even be full; $65.55 to finish the night only half full..

Secret Bao is Santa Barbara's best Asian fusion restaurant. Located in downtown Santa Barbara, they have both indoor and outside seating. I highly recommend getting a couple bao buns that they make in house. My personal favorite is the pork belly bao bun! The Szechuan wontons and roasted beets are also some of my favorites to order. Many of their dishes are great for sharing and a perfect way to dine with friends. The restaurant has a simple look and friendly staff. If you're planning to go for dinner I'd make reservations because seating is limited and they are popul

There really isn't any other restaurant like this in Santa Barbara. This is an Asian fusion restaurant with a rotating menu that is inspired from Japan, China, and Korea. Is it authentic? No. The flavors are clean, elevated, and not too unapproachable for those who are dipping their toes into these cuisines. Their cocktails are delicious and they have some interesting dim sum options. Their pork belly bao is still the best thing on the menu but I do enjoy most of their fusion noodle dishes like the udon carbonara and the bolognese. I recommend trying something inventive and unique, and not something you can get at other restaurants like their beef chow fun. They cook meat and seafood very well. I do miss the big variety of bao that they used to have at lunch time. I really wish they would have more than two regular bao on the menu, considering their name. I also wish they would allow you to order lunch items during dinner, even if they want to upcharge. There are times when I really want to try something but because I can rarely make it over at lunch, it means I'm usually unable to try it before it's gone for the season. You definitely need a reservation for dinner or you will be waiting.

The Secret Bao is no longer a secret in Santa Barbara! Local ms and visitors know about this place right off state street on a corner across from the government building. This place was packed on a Sunday night at 5:30pm. Best to have a reservation that can be made on open table! The big secret is that they have happy hour from 5-6pm with discounts on drinks and food! There are so many food items to try: it's hard to decide. We had a selection of happy hours: we enjoyed the Baos so much: we had the pork and shrimp bao. The shrimp bao was so good: 2 big pieces of shrimp fried. The shrimp was so fresh with the perfect crunch. The pork bao was so tender and flavorful. We enjoyed them so much we had to order more! We learned that the specials are very limited: we want to get the hamachi collard but they only had one available. Another time. As we did not make reservation: they got us in at a communal table which was perfect. They also have outdoor seating booths and general seating. The communal table felt a bit more spread out and had a view of the beverage kitchen.

Generally really good food and service! KFC: It's not a traditional Korean fried chicken, but the fry is really good! Ribs: They came right off the bone; hands down the star of the night Udon carbonara: This was our favorite noodle dish

TLDR: 5/5 - The Secret to Secret Bao is that its one of those places that look like it could be small portions followed up with high prices seated in a place that is more of a place to go to for the aesthetic. Well I'm here to tell you its the opposite...except for the aesthetic, it is super cute. Food: TLDRR: Huge portions! Bao: Both worth the price - Shrimp: 5/5 - A HUGE chunk of shrimp. Crispy, good flavor all around. - KFC: 4/5: A HUGE chunk of chicken as it should! This can get a little sloppy fast. This was good but I liked the shrimp better Kung Pao Cauliflower: 5/5 - Holy moly. This is one of those vegetables that if people didn't like vegetables this dish would change your mind. The sauce was delicious and honestly not spicy IMO. The cauliflower was cooked just right and was filled with the sauce. The saute was a nice al dente. Mapo Tofu: 4/5 - This dish was great but I personally just liked the cauliflower a hair better. If you're weird about texture I'd say this is probably not the one. Its almost a risotto type with the mapo. Great umami flavor. Nice comfort food. I think could be a great meal if it was colder. Service: 5/5 Really no complaints! They were friendly and attentive. Food came out super fast too despite it being packed. Notes: Wait: We were in the area visiting another site and saw a line out the door when they were first opened which I thought for a moment would be a foreshadow to how packed it could be. Once we got there around 12:30, it was packed but we were able to find a seat in the back patio. The inside was quite spacious as well so wouldn't be too worried. But I would keep when you go here in mind if you don't have a reservation. Ordering: You order everything and then seat yourself. I think you can ask them to bring out specifics? Parking: There's a complex right behind it! Number 6 I think! I'd definitely come back here. Some people say its overpriced or not fusion enough but for the amount of other options in the area that I think are overhyped, I don't this one is one of them.

It is a Korean restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. You order and pay first at the counter and you are then served . First nuisance: The seat is uncomfortable and the seating position is very low; I am on the taller side so I wonder how a shorter person would feel. The food comes out pretty quickly. We ordered a KFC chicken, a shrimp baoand the hamachi poke. The bao was soft but the breading on the shrimp fell apart. It was a little dry and the flavor was nothing to write home about. The same comment goes for the fried chicken with a tiny piece that needed something to elevate the flavor or give it a kick: Maybe a little kimshi. The hamachi bowl left me looking for the tiny cubes of fish. The whole bowl was too "mayonaisy". I was disappointed given the high Yelp rating. Would I come back? NO

We stopped by Secret Bao on a weekday for happy hour and had a great experience all around. It's conveniently located near the courthouse and within walking distance of downtown Santa Barbara, with plenty of street parking nearby -- easy to get to and a nice area to explore before or after your meal. The restaurant itself have indoor and outdoor seating and is a modern and clean vibe. The food was overall good minus one of the meals I ordered, but the service more than made up for it -- truly some of the most attentive and thoughtful service I've had in a while. I ordered the shrimp bao from the happy hour menu, and it was packed with flavor -- I honestly could've eaten three more. On the other hand, I tried the mushroom dumplings and didn't love them; they were a bit dense and lacked the flavor I was hoping for, even as a mushroom fan. What really stood out, though, was how seriously the staff took dietary restrictions. A family member has a garlic sensitivity, and our server went out of his way to confirm ingredients, offer alternative options, and check in again when we ordered entrées. That kind of attention to detail made the experience feel personal and stress-free. My family ordered the Chinese chop salad and the pork chop fried rice -- both were huge hits. I tried the fried rice and can vouch for how good it was. My family loved their meals so much they joked they'd drive all the way back to Santa Barbara and back in the same day just to eat here again- but I don't think she was joking. All in all, the food was solid, the shrimp bao was a standout, and the service was exceptional -- kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. Would absolutely come back and recommend for anyone looking for a flavorful meal and outstanding hospitality in SB!

Went on a Thursday evening, found street parking close by. We got there around 8pm and were initially told the wait would be around 30 minutes but we actually seated within 5 minutes after our arrival. The interior dining areas flank the bar/kitchen area on two sides. The interior space almost gives the feeling of dining at someone's home. Our waiter was good at going over the menu and helping offer a deeper explanation at some of the menu items we had questions about. Very nice service from our waiter. We ordered the soy chili dumplings, Kalbi steak, and beef chow fun. The soy chili dumplings had a kick, but it was a good spicy. My favorite dish was the Kalbi steak. The steak was very tender and rich with flavor. We had 3 people in our party and the 3 dishes were plenty.

We made reservations for a party of 7 at 6:30 pm on a Saturday. Customer Service was great and food was GREATER!!!! Every dish that came out was delicious! We would say 10/10 recommend when in Santa Barbara! It was located across the street from the SB courthouse so we made our way over there as well!

I would highly recommend making a reservation here if you're not going to walk through their doors as soon as they open up. We got there 10 mins before they opened and there was a line. Most had reservations and the ones who didn't were seated at a community table. This is what we ordered (keep in mind you get one bao per price point): KFC Bao ($6): The chicken was nicely fried with a crunchy batter, not salty, and tasted really good. We were able to cut the bao in half and share it amongst the two of us. Avocado and Korean Pear Salad ($17): This was really refreshing and I would never think to have avocados, pears, walnuts, and furikake mixed together...but it works wonderfully. The pear was crispy, sweet, and cold. The avocado brought in softer textures and rich, fatty flavors. It was a very nice blend of salty and sweet. I would get this again. Chili Noodles ($19, happy hour price): I didn't think this would be in a huge bowl with tons of mushrooms in it. I love mushrooms, but this was more of a mushroom soup than a noodle soup. I didn't care for the broth, there was this unusual aftertaste to it. It was mildly spicy. Would not get again. Pork Belly Bao ($6): The meat on this melted in my mouth and the bun was super soft. Pickles were included in this dish and it added a nice crunch, but I would put this as second place in the bao category. Kalbi Half Pound: I wanted meat! So I ordered this and we killed it! Not as good as my grandma's marinade (it's a little bland), but the meat was tender. Doughnut Bites ($7): Mildly sweet, but I wouldn't get this again. We tried their Moshi White Peach Yuzu Sparkling drink ($7): This was refreshing and honestly not very sweet. It also came in a can, which was a surprise. Probably would try something else if we go back. This place is well lit inside featuring a lot of open space and windows and there is an outdoor seating area with heaters. Service was really good - Our waiter kept coming back asking if we wanted to put in more food orders or needed anything else. Food came out pretty fast. This place is located on a corner next to the Santa Barbara Courthouse and is down the street from the Art Museum.

We were in Santa Barbara for the weekend and, based on the stellar reviews, had to check this place out. Now, having been, we completely understand why it's so highly rated. This spot offers both lunch and dinner, and for our meal, my husband and I ended up ordering the same thing--the KFC Bao and the Kalbi Steak Bowl. The steak bowl is served bento box-style, with each ingredient separated so you can mix and match to your liking. A fun touch that made the meal feel a little more interactive. Service? Quick. Staff? Friendly. Atmosphere? Laid-back and perfect for a casual but satisfying lunch. If you're in Santa Barbara and looking for a solid casual lunch spot, this place is absolutely worth a stop.

Secret Bao is a nice spot for a quick and casual meal, with a variety of options, including a kids' menu. The ordering process was simple--you order at the counter, pay, receive a number, and the food is delivered to your table. They provide reusable utensils, and there's a self-serve station for water and condiments. It had a casual ambience and everyone was nice. We tried the pork belly fried rice, hamachi poke, soy chili dumplings, and pork belly bao. The standout dish was the pork belly bao, which had a great balance of flavors. However, the other dishes felt like they were missing key elements that would have elevated them. While the concept is great, I found the portions small for the price--our meal came out to around $65, which felt expensive for the amount and quality of food. Overall, I enjoyed the experience, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return. Would recommend it if you're in the area and looking for a quick bite, but not necessarily a must-visit spot.

If you decide you'd like to come, I'd suggest making a reservation online in advance. I booked our table on Open Table an hour or two before. I had to find my wallet to reserve it and our indoor table had been taken. Luckily they had patio tables still available... which have heaters! Our server was the absolute sweetest human ever, super polite and great customer service. We ordered the Soy Chili Dumplings, Beef Chow Fun, Rice, and the Donut Bao. My Beef Chow Fun was an explosion of flavor and the meat was amazing. The Donut Bao was a yummy small dessert that we shared, the patio vibes were great. We sat there almost 2 hours enjoying the food, drinks and conversation.

If you're vegetarian or vegan, I would suggest going somewhere else. I tried their noodles (out of two vegan options), it was really bad. For the rest of the folks, I have heard that people love this place. Service and ambience is good. I'm really sad as I was very hyped and excited to try this place.

This place is my wife's and my favorite restaurant when visiting Santa Barbara. We intentionally drive an hour from Santa Maria just to come here. The location is a small unassuming cafe style restaurant. The wait staff is very friendly and accommodating. Everything on the menu is delicious. Our all time favorite items are the pork belly bao and KFC bao. That pork belly is so good, so tender, that is the singular reason I drive an hour to dine here. I cannot recommend this place enough.