ZAO Bakery + Café

Has a private parking lot which is nice considering it's off of university Ave. Small sitting area but quite cozy in a way. Didn't try any of the bakery items but the beef noodle soup was decent. The broth came out hot. Noodles were very soft but enjoyable. The green tea coffee I got was pretty good. Got an order of the dang dang noodles to go with season pork. The pork is overly seasoned, very salty. The noodles were the same soft noodles as in the noodle soup.

Had an amazing first experience at Zao’s. The atmosphere is light and cozy, and is exceptionally clean and bright. We were immediately greeted and helped with chosing what soup we should get. We landed on a bunch of baked goods ( great), but mainly were focused on the chicken soup we got. It was fantastic 🤩, one of the best Asian soups I’ve had in the cities. We also got the Ovaltine mocha coffee and that was perfect for a cold rainy day. Super unique flavor and it was so worth getting ! Cherry on top was being able to buy homemade chili oil that was also offered at our table. Thanks for an amazing experience 🙏🏻☺️ we’ll be back !

The chicken congee was so comforting, rich, and flavorful! Perfect food for a cold Minnesota day. Our baby has found her favorite food too 😄. Iced coffee was strong and sweet, and paired well with a coconut stuffed bun. We got takeout too! 🫣

I got all these delicious buns for like... $31 or something? Absolutely DELICIOUS, love the Egg Custard buns and Spicy Chicken buns especially but I have never had a bad item here. THEY MAKE THEIR OWN SOY MILK!! It's slightly sweet and mild, very lovely. Support a local business! Parking is easy too.

Very cute and cozy bakery/cafe! Plenty of seating space. We got the ginger chicken congee, matcha cream pastry, red bean pastry, ham and cheese pastry, the Zao soybean milk w/ matcha, and coconut cloud w/ matcha. Everything was delicious and loved the authentic flavors of the congee. It brought me back to my childhood and we loved every bite of it. Highly recommend!

Easily the best Asian bakery in the Twin Cities. Savory baked items and rice congee / noodles are where they shine. Spice blends are flavorful and the contrast in texture in some of their dishes keeps you excited for the next bite. Hot food came out relatively quickly. Everyone was friendly and even the owner came to check on us. Space is brightly lit with some plastic ornamental plants. Incredibily clean. It is self service. My only gripe is that they only have one cash register. The line usually isn't long, but when a bunch of people show up at the same time, it can take forever to pay for your items.

The fresh soy milk was delicious. I don't think any other restaurant in the Twin Cities serves fresh soy milk so I will definitely be returning just for that. I also tried their beef noodle soup and bought a bunch of the pastries to take home for me and my family to try. I just wanted to give their chili oil a shout out, I don't know if it's home made or store bought but it was spicy. A little went a long way. 🤤 I like that the water was self service so I can go refill as much as I want and I was able to seat myself. They had a very laid back setting. It's definitely a place where you don't have to feel shy eating by yourself.

Shared the Pork congee, BBQ egg noodles, curry bun, ham soi gok, pineapple bun, oolong milk tea, and chrysanthemum milk tea. Both the noodle soup and congee were so wonderfully savory and flavorful. They were warm, comforting, and steaming right out of the kitchen. The ham soi gok was the perfect balance of sweet and chewy on the outside and salty and savory on the inside. I don't usually prefer spicy food but the curry bun was very flavorful and paired really well with the congee. Pineapple bun was sweet, soft, and nice and crackly on the top. The drinks were also amazing. Both teas had nice strong tea flavors and weren't too sweet. Though honestly, the whole day I could not forget about the taste of the chrysanthemum milk tea. I might go back just for that and to try the soy milk that a bunch of other reviews are raving about. The only thing I would note for next time would be to go closer to when they open because by the time we got there it was packed and there wasn't a ton of seating. We had to wait a bit.

Overall, prices were very good and variety of Asian bakery items! They have good amount of vegetarian bakery items and it's normally hard to find vegetarian options at Asian bakeries. I got 3 You Tiao for $2!!! Their You Tiao does not have a lot of dough and more deep fried than it should be but it's good for its price. Egg noodles are okay! It's kinda like pho where you need to add your own flavor (like oyster sauce, chili oil etc). Their chili oil was REALLY good! I can tell it's freshly made with minimal MSG! Rice congee was a 10/10! Not too salty and they have shrimp as one of their protein options too! So, it works really well for pescatarians like me. Their fried onions are also freshly made and they gave generous amount of toppings too (green onions and fried onions). The seats are definitely not the most comfy because it's the small Asian wooden tables and chairs! But, they do have good amount of seating and free street parking too! They also have outlets and free WiFi so we were also able to work after we had lunch! It's also self-service! Since they freshly make the food, you kinda have to wait a little bit for noodles and congee! I would definitely go back again :)

To be honest I was hesitant with this bakery already judging that it'll be like other Asian bakeries: fast paced, in and out, not fully knowing the menu and picking from pictures or what's available. To my surprise it's so cute and bright like a beaming spring day waiting patiently for the first glimpse of summer. There were a few of us but we managed to find seating. Love the self serve water, microwave, and return trays. I ordered the noodles, and some bakery buns.

I've come here a few times already and the food is flavorful, fresh, and good! The noodle soups are hearty and tasty, and the buns are fluffy and generously filled. Service and atmosphere are great too! I definitely recommend coming here to get noodle soups, drinks, and buns.

I didn't expect to like this so much but my sister and I liked it so much that we drove back the next day (30 minutes away) and weren't even ashamed. Really enjoyed the spicy curry bun and the ham sui goks. So much that I was bummed there weren't any in the case and was standing there googling places near me that had any but we ended up asking if they had any and were lucky because they just got new stuff right then. Staff is friendly, the place is clean and they will try to meet your needs. You won't be disappointed. They have a small parking lot you can park at to the right but parking can be tight. There is some street parking nearby too.

Went here on a rainy Tuesday and the ambiance was relaxing. I had seen this place featured on IG recently and have been wanting to check it out. We got some taro puffs (2 for $4) and charsiu bao ($4), as well as the beef noodle soup and chrysanthemum milk tea. Taro puffs had a very light crisp outer shell with a mochi inside, and a nice savory taro filling. If you like sesame balls but want something more savory, this is it. The charsiu bao is one of the best I've had in MN. It was a little cold (we went at 1pm), but they do have a microwave available. The meat was seasoned very well, and the bun was soft. The beef noodle soup was very flavorful, albeit the broth was a bit too salty. The noodles and toppings were standard. They do have vinegar and spice to help cut through some of that tableside though. The chrysanthemum milk tea was just okay. Service was straight forward, done well but not extraordinary (half of it was self service anyway with the buns). A good experience but I don't think I would go out of my way to come here again.

I absolutely loved this bakery. My favorite item I got was the Ham Sui Gok -a Cantonese deep fried glutinous rice dumpling with a flavorful filling. I went back for more of these the next day. They do have a microwave in the dining area if you want your pastry more hot. I went back to get their egg noodles with chicken. I wish I tried the dumplings too but I was feeling chicken at the time. The price was very reasonable and it was a generous portion. I've had better broth but the flavor was enough to satisfy me and I would get this again for the price point. The service was good and staff were super friendly. The new young guy at the counter had great customer service.

Decent option for Minneapolis. It's the closest thing I've found here to a Chinatown-style bakery, where you select your own items before checking out at the counter. The sesame balls were a bit confusing since they look nearly identical but have different fillings. Fortunately, we overheard the woman at the register mention this and managed to swap ours just in time. The pineapple bun was a little too dense and tasted slightly stale, not the freshest. We only noticed the microwave halfway through, which would've been helpful to know earlier. Heating up the pastries probably would have made them taste fresher and more enjoyable. The beef noodle soup was also just okay. The clear broth wasn't my favorite. It's also self-cleanup. Overall, everything was average. I'd come back if I'm really craving Chinese pastries, but it wouldn't be my first stop.

Good comfort food - souther Chinese style breakfast. Congee, wonton noodle, bakery. It's a great place to meet friends for breakfast. We ordered this cloud matcha drink, it s coconut water plus whipped cream with matcha powder (I think). It was very good. Self service style for the bakery, and order at the counter, pick up the food yourself. Owner is easy going and friendly to chat with. Will come back to try other options

Cozy, clean and bright spot to grab a quick meal or baked good. The chrysanthemum milk tea was not my favorite but there are plenty of bread treats, both savory and sweet to try. My favorite was the hot dog flower. I'm not a huge bread fanatic but found them to be fluffy and flavorful. Service was friendly and quick.

Walking into Zao for the first time I wasn't sure what to expect but what greeted me was a full display of beautiful buns leading the whole way to the counter, an absolutely gorgeous sight on an empty stomach. The buns are self serve cafeteria style do you take a tray and slide it down, adding buns and other treats as you make your way towards the register. I really appreciate that the employees are available for questions but they never rush you to pick from the wide array. Once you've selected, you can add caffeinated drinks and/or additional bowls such as congee to your meal. While all of the buns were pretty good, this review is getting 5 stars for the congee alone. I am admittedly a congee novice but I was absolutely blown away. Overall, great casual spot to grab a quick bite to eat for breakfast or lunch, either to go, or to dine in and catch up with friends.

I've found one of my new favorite restaurants! The bao and other pastries were delicious. My favorite was the ham sui gok. However, the egg noodle soup with wontons + pork was easily the star of the show. Don't even get me started on the broth! Service at the pick up counter was efficient. I'm already planning my next visit back to this cute, welcoming café!

Self-service for buns. The buns here were unfortunately disappointing. They didn't have the soft, fresh texture you'd expect from a dim sum spot or Chinese bakery. Instead, they were quite dry, almost like they had been sitting overnight. The noodle soups were on the sweeter side, and the egg noodles used were the wide, thicker variety, which isn't the typical style served in most Chinese restaurants. Seating is fairly limited, especially if you're coming with a group larger than three. Parking is available on the side of the restaurant, but you'll need to enter from University rather than the back alley for proper access. Overall, this place works if you're nearby and need something quick, but it's not a destination I'd recommend driving out of your way for.

Was craving Asian pastries and this place slaps. Grab a tray at the front of the store, line it with a piece of paper, get some clean tongs, and serve yourself. You pay at the register, and can also order drinks and soups (noodles/congee). There is also a small assortment of snacks near the register as well. Orders: Pineapple bun: I order this at every Asian bakery I go to as a test for the legitimacy of the shop. This ranks top 3 of all the pineapple buns I've ever eaten. Definitely a fan. Super soft, slightly doughy bottom, topped with a crispy, mildly sweet crust on top. It's not pineapple flavor for those wondering. Pork floss bun: savory pork floss on top of a perfectly baked bun. Not dry at all. Loved it. Soy Milk: I order this hot. Not too sweet. Not like your typical American soy milk. A+ I will definitely be back. Tastes like home.

Great new Chinese bakery in Saint Paul with a lot of potential! Offerings are split between their cases of baked goods, and hot congee and noodle soup. There's also a range of bottled and made-to-order drinks. The space has been beautifully renovated, making it a great dine-in option (once you can snag a table!). Overall, the food is good. The congee especially is a flavorful, comforting 5/5 bowl. Many of the baked goods could benefit greatly from a heat lamp or some other way of ensuring buns like the BBQ Pork Bun or Chicken Curry don't become cold and stodgy. If you're dining in, I'd lean towards getting things less temperature-dependent like the Taro Twist, or Youtiao to go with a bowl of Congee. As it stands though, I'd have to give the baked goods a 3/5. I'm excited to see Zao Bakery Cafe grow, and hope they can find a way to make the dine-in experience even better with their baked goods.

This place is beautiful, airy and zen! Self serve buns and you can order hot food (give your ticket to the kitchen window and pick up there). We went right at 9am when they opened and they did not have all options available. There were still plenty of options. The taro bun was very good - nice springgy texture and a decent amount of filling. The duck egg noodle soup was served steaming hot- just the way I like it. The broth was simple and not overwhelming. The duck was good but a bit hard to get used to bitting around the bone. Next time i would like to try the wontons! There is space to sit down but by 10am it was full. Take note of the $10 card minimum, parking is limited but they do have a lot.

Self serve bakery. Grab a tray and tongs. You can order drinks and congee at the counter. They will give you a ticket to pick it up at the kitchen window. Loved the congee. I got a variety of buns. I looked the BBQ pork one. The pineapple one could have been more interesting. I did not like the pandan soy milk. It was bland.

We stopped by for breakfast this morning and loved it. I think there's still some kinks they're working out as they figure out the amount of traffic that they get as multiple items were out at 9:45 on a Tuesday, but don't let that stop you. Majority of the items are for meat eaters, but there's still plenty for vegetarians/vegans. I should have written the names down of what I ate, but I started with a vegan fried pastry. It looked like a bow tie and the taste was reminiscent of fry dough. I ordered the soy cloud drink - housemade soy milk flavored with Macha and whipped cream. I loved the smooth mouth feel and subtle tastes. My dining companions thought it was odd that they only served it iced, and not hot BUT They accomodated her request to serve hers heated! I really appreciated the willingness to accomodate. The manager overheard me say I wanted to order the vegetarian congee, but he sadly informed me before I tried that they were out. He then went to the head cook to figure out what I could order. I had a very flavorful vegetarian noodle soup with greens. Yum! Beautiful space - bright and airy. Quick service even eith a crowd. I will definitely be back!

Cute cafe! My family ordered a few pastries and buns and liked them! I ordered the lychee oolong iced tea (light on the lychee) and it was really yummy, not too sweet!

We stopped by Zaos on our way up to the North Shore and it was a perfect brunch. There are lots of bun options, both sweet and savory, and everything has a great wrapping to filling ratio. We also tried the beef noodle soup which was delicious. The buns are self service but noodles were made quickly. There's also a microwave to heat up the buns if eating in house as well as water and excellent hot sauce on each table. Seating was ample and clean. We will definitely be back!

I was super excited to come here as soon as I saw it opened! The cafe is cute, very clean, and I liked how the pastries were displayed! We grabbed what we wanted from the case & made our way to the cashier to order chicken congee! The workers were all very friendly and speedy! When we got our congee it was a really big portion!!! It was delicious and if you want, they had chili oil, fish sauce & pickled veg on the table! I had some to bring home so it was def worth the price! All of the pastries we had were amazing!!! We couldn't choose a favorite. The meat floss one was savory & salty, the spicy curry bun was a nice little kick and super yummy. The curry flavor wasn't overwhelming like some places. The pineapple bun was amazing and the top was perfect. The pork bun was super fluffy and had the perfect texture! Wish it was closer so i could come here all the time!

I'm so excited that I finally made it to this bakery! Our party was my husband, a teenage son and myself. We bought five items: pork bun, pineapple bun x2, spam cheese & egg bun and chicken curry bun. Everything was fresh and delicious! The pineapple buns were a little more dense and a little less yellow than I'm used to, but the high quality of the ingredients and good flavors were enough to still keep me liking the pastry. The staff was attentive and ready to answer any questions we might have. As an added bonus, they have their very own parking lot. They do have apple space for dining in, however, we got ours to go since we had limited time in the area. There is no doubt I will be back.

I got the pineapple bun and it was really yummy! People unfamiliar with pineapple buns should know that it's not pineapple flavored it's a custard bun with a sugary crunchy topping that makes it look like a pineapple. It seems like they sell out of popular items earlier in the day so go early if you want more options. They also have noodles and congee which I might have to come back to try on a cold day. The drink selection isn't very expansive with a couple teas and 4 coffees. There's a microwave available to warm up the pastries which I think is really nice and self serve water as well. I think the owner was there when we left and she urged us to come back and try the food items. She seemed very sweet.

I have visited here twice (in 2 weeks!). I don't think there is any where else in the metro with fresh buns like this- I like it! First visit I had a SPAM and egg bun. I went back and bought another for my husband because I thought he might enjoy it as well. The only suggestion would be to fry/brown the SPAM before making the bun. I also got a custard bun that I ate the next day and it was still delicious. Second trip I tried the hot dog bun. This was ok - not really my thing (a sweetness that threw me off) and a coconut bun which is usually my favorite but I preferred the custard. Extra bonus - Parking!!

Small parking lot next door. Today their card machine was down so they were only accepting cash or Venmo. Easy self service but due to its popularity limited options later in the afternoon. The coconut crème bun, red bean bun, BBQ pork bun, spicy curry chicken bun, and pineapple bun were all good. Wish they included pricing next to the names of each item.

I'm a big fan of Zao actually because I've come here 3 times within the past month. However, the experience today left a really bad impression. We got a dandan noodle, red bean bun, steamed pork bun, a hot dog flower bun. Dandan was a bit too salty, steamed pork bun was a bit dry, but I loved the hot dog flower bun. I did not eat the red bean bun, so I can't comment on this. The other times, I've ordered beef noodle and egg noodles, both were great! When we got up to pay, my friend and I were speaking to each other about what kind of soy milk we wanted. The cashier interjected to say, "oh I can make sweet or no sweet", which is fine. I then ask for an iced soy milk sweetened and I thought she had put the order in. I also ordered a hot soy milk. Because I thought everything was in, I paid. The cashier then said she'll make my hot soy milk and that's when I realized the cold soy milk was not put on the order. I asked her politely if it wasn't on the order, but she snapped at me saying, "Well you should have said yes when I asked if you needed anything else". I was just appalled at the attitude displayed, so I didn't order the cold soy milk at all. I didn't know where the hostility came from, so it really altered my view of this place. She was nice to other people, but I guess maybe we caught her at a bad time. I didn't have this experience with other cashiers other days that I've been there. Therefore, without today's experience, this would be a 4 stars review.

I stopped by to check out this new bakery and was surprised to see that they have a parking lot on the side. I arrived around 1pm and the pastries were limited to less than half. Very popular pastries, every bun is $3.99. Grab a tray, bake sheet, and tongs. Take as many as you want and go down to the cashier. They offer ready to drink beverage and made to order drinks. Food items are noodle dishes. Choose from congee or egg noodles. The restaurant is divided in two. One side for the bakery and the otherside is to dine in. Pay at the counter and there's a window to pick up your bowl. Ambiance kind of remind me of school days. Pastry is very soft and the soy bean drink is also delicious, not too sweet.

I've been several times since they opened and I will be back several more! Their pastries are always top notch and there's always a good selection. The cafe is clean, cosy and inviting. The family that runs Zao has always been sweet and welcoming and I'm always happy to support them. My personal favorites are the egg and spam bun, the hot dog bun, pumpkin bun, anything with matcha custard, and the durian bun (a rare find though).

This was my first time at Zao & it didn't disappoint! I love the serve-yourself pastries & really enjoyed getting to try a handful of options (everything was really reasonably priced, too). My husband & I shared about 5 different things, all of which were delicious. The folks behind the register were really kind & helped explain some of the menu options, which was much appreciated. The space itself is also really cute, with lots of wood & natural light. My single complaint is that they only have one type of coffee; it was delicious, but I live options (I would definitely get it again, though). I will absolutely be back, next time to take pastries home!

Cute space and plenty of neighborhood parking. They were understaff and it took quite a long time to move through the line and to get food. I noticed that a few other folks waiting a long time even though I didn't order hot food. I only got the pork bun and the chicken curry bun and they were both flavorful and delicious. I also got the zao soy milk and I loved it! Overall, delicious and great stop.

Great place to come to especially on a chilly day. They've got a variety of noodle soup and congee options to both fill and warm you up. Of course the first thing you're greeted with is the cases of baked items which are made fresh and are in wide variety. The bbq pork buns along with mushroom and pork balls are fan favorites of mine. Services is quick and I've never had to wait in line very long to check out or place my order. Parking is also free with the dedicated lot next to the strip the restaurant is attached to. The only thing I wish is that they were open later so I could enjoy this place more often!

Great pastries, fast service and fun vibes. I definitely will be back to try some of the rice and noodle dishes!

We came here on a Friday mid morning. Some of the bakery items were already gone (which is good for them!). We got some breads to go and we also had chicken congee and wonton noodle soup on site, which were delicious! It was self-service and it felt very organic. The cafe is cute, clean and comfortable. There is a parking lot right next to the cafe, which was very convenient. We'll be back to try other bakery things that we didn't get to try today!

Ample parking in the dedicated lot next to the building even at 11am on a Saturday. I got the wonton noodle soup, a pork bao, fried dough sticks, and a passionfruit jasmine tea. The soup was very ginger-forward with giant bits of bok choy, pork and shrimp wontons, pieces of sliced pork, and noodles. The noodles were the best bit - very fresh and chewy. I'm not a huge fan of ginger so that was a little too powerful for my taste but it was still good. The bao was one if not the best I've had in the Twin Cities - the filling was well seasoned with chunks of meat and vegetables. I usually find them a bit bland but this was great. The tea was really good too; not too flowery and with actual fruit juice/puree. I would definitely come here again.

I got here right before they were about to close, so all the bakery items were already sold out. But I got a bowl of vegetable congee to go that was so comforting I forgot all about the pastries. If you feel a cold coming on, get yourself a bowl right away, and you might fight it off before you really get sick. The rice porridge is soothing and simple, yet full of flavor. Chunks of Chinese greens, carrots, and fresh peas hide under the mountain of scallions, ginger, cilantro and crispy fried onions. So nutritious and much better than the BRAT diet for when you're under the weather. If they have Chinese cruellers in the bakery, that's the perfect foil to the rice porridge.

This was my first time trying Zao's and I will be back. They are a self-service style bakery, which I really loved. It gave us time to look at what we wanted and of course to grab more than we could eat, hahah. My husband and I shared a few items and got some on our own. We picked the taro swirl, pork bun, spam and cheese, coconut bun, and these little paired pastries, the name I cannot remember. I think they were my favorite though! We also ordered drinks. He got the ginseng coffee and said after a few sips, the ginseng balance was really good. I got an Oolong tea latte with a matcha cloud and I could drink 10, it was so good. We didn't get any of the hot food this time, but I definitely want to go back. If you find yourself in St. Paul, you need to stop by this bakery. It was clean, bright, open, and the atmosphere was so nice, especially on a snowy day. And if you find yourself sitting on one of the bigger benches, you will feel the vibrations of the speaker when music starts playing, hahahh.

Great new Chinese bakery in Saint Paul! They had a wide variety of different buns when we arrived just slightly after opening - a number of both sweet and savory. You pick the buns out yourself on a tray before heading to check out. You can then choose to pack up your buns to go, or eat them at one of the tables in the cafe. They had a decent amount of seating for the size of the building. Checking out was a bit slow, but the staff were friendly and excited to have us try our buns. Our favorite was the chicken bbq - very flavorful with a soft, flaky exterior. The fresh soy milk was also delicious and a refreshing treat to go with the savory pastries.

I was excited to try this new Asian bakery in town and was a little disappointed in the pineapple bun we got, it was a bit more stiff than I wanted but I liked the flavor and topping. I would give the bakeries a 3/4 and the soy milk a 5/5! I liked how the drink wasn't too sweet. There's ample parking as well which is always a plus in the cities. There's plenty of seating for a large group too

Went on a Sunday. Had to wait a bit for seating but so worth it. We sample many of the pastries. All were very good. Done perfectly. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I ordered the pork meatball congee. It was delicious and a very generous serving. I couldn't eat it all. I saw that the noodles dishes were very popular and will have to try them next time.

Shout out to Yelp who showed me this as a bakery option in the search engine. I'm not sure if I'm more pumped about this being in close proximity to my home or the fact that the buns were so good I am already planning my next visit. Zao Bakery operates primarily on a self-service model where you grab tongs and make your way through the pastry cabinet selecting all the goodies of choice. Each item is labeled very clearly including any dietary restrictions. Items range from pineapple buns to BBQ chicken buns. I got both and enjoyed the contrast of savory to sweet. In addition, I also ordered the Ginseng coffee which was excellent and perfectly sweet. Do note: if you order the coffee it is drip made so it takes a little longer and is 100% worth it. The ambiance is cozy filled with plants, bamboo style seats and large natural lightening from the windows. The cashier was extremely helpful and able to stay calm while fresh buns were brought in and out, delegating drink tickets and overall crowd management. I went around 10 am on a Saturday and it was packed. Surprisingly, many dine in. There is an entire separate menu of soups which I have photographed to help show the other side of this business. Yet another reason why I look forward to returning. Glad you are in the neighborhood, Zao Bakery!

Well, yum. Had the wonton noodle soup. Delicious. The broth was perfect and the wonton soft with just enough chew. The staff helped us choose several pastries and they were all very good. Decided to purchase more to take home. The ambiance is bright and clean.

The curry chicken bun and the chicken bao were delicious! They also have great drinks and I loved the coconut cloud coffee.

This place has great food, friendly staff, and good prices!! Will definitely be back soon!

Visited for the first time and was very impressed by the rich flavors and the beauty of the pastries and buns! We tried 6 of them and they're very delicious and filling. The hotdog flower was my favorite! Can't wait to come back to try their soups.

Food was great, chili oil was spicy and delicious. Service was very friendly and helpful. Quiet and clean environment with parking.

Before we eat, fresh congee is good, but save the meat. The pork ball is old and expired, so it's not safe to eat. People prefer fresh food.

Zao Bakery has been on my list to visit since I caught news that it had opened last month. There is alleyway parking and side street parking. Main things they sell: buns/pastries, noodle soups, congee, drinks (and soy milk made from scratch). Bakery options (buns, baos, etc.) rotate on a regular basis. Bread is on point, nice and fluffy, with the right amount of chew. There is also ham sui gok options is perfectly done with the right amount of crispiness on the outside, and the right QQ with the glutinous rice, and the fillings go very well. Steamed bao are also airy and are perfectly QQ (way better bread compared to Ha Tien's baos, where the bread is insanely dense and not really proofed well and possibly doesn't use hot water dough). Standout pastries to get (to date): barbeque pork bun (flavor bomb), pineapple bun (probably the best I've had in the Midwest), steamed pork bao (filling is also very QQ as well, and reheats very well at home in a steamer), youtiao (the best I've had in the Midwest as well). Overall, though, you can't go wrong with the pastries. It's very hard to not walk out with one or two of everything. This is where I take a break and mention that the restaurant is run by a family whose parents are Chinese and Thai respectively. I suspect that the Thai side has some influence on the the noodle soup and congee. Portions for both are generous. The noodle soup broth is a little bit on the sweeter side in comparison to the typical HK style that the noodles soups would otherwise be. Meat selection comes with a side of vegetables. The congee is also garnished with cilantro, fried onion. Overall, I recommend the noodle soup and congee if you're looking for a hearty (but not too heavy) meal. I had the chicken congee, which included chicken oil/fat where the chicken is nicely tender and slightly salty. I've also had the roast pork noodle soup, which also has tender pork and the right amount of flavor. I recommend getting the youtaio to go with the congee for textural contrast. Also recommend adding chili garnish available at the tables to the soup and congee for extra kick. The drink that needs to be spotlighted is their soy milk. It's made from scratch. That's right. They make it the old fashioned way by soaking soybeans, blending it/pulverizing it, straining it, and cooking it. It's thick. Fresh batches every few days. None of the store stuff where it's almost always either too thin or all sorts of thickeners have been added (usually carageen and guar gum which ruins the flavor of the soy milk and the mouthfeel is still off). I've done it at home, and it's not easy. It's worth the $3.50-ish for the drink. Get it without sugar. No ice, if it's cold (and tip accordingly). Add a little bit of salt if it's hot. It's supposed to be slightly beany, but also thick and rich as well. I've looked for good soy milk in the Twin Cities for years and never found anything satisfactory. Now I've found it, and it gets very close to what you'd get if you were to go to Taiwan. Of note, the owners say that they do flavor it with pandan when they cook the soy milk, kind of the Asian version of vanilla. My preferences are more puritan with straight soy milk, but the Zao makes it so well, that I'm fine with the slight twist. Honestly, I'd buy it in half gallon containers, if they every decide to scale up the process. Yes, they make teas and milk teas as options, but I think the soy milk is the underrated star on their drink menu. Get the soy milk. It's not a health fad. Asians have been drinking it for centuries (if not millennia). Zao does it right. I find excuses to go out to get their breads and soy milk, and with Shuang Hur pretty much kitty corner, it's excuse enough. Yes, the bakery items are on the pricier side (about $4 per bun), but they are done so, so well. Go early for the freshest selections. Their selection runs out at the end of the day and gets a bit stale. They are also constantly looking to experiment to improve current items and also to try to bring new items up to the menu in the menu. I'm so excited for them. No disrespect to the new Keefer Court in Asian Mall in Eden Prairie. Honestly. But Zao is fills the hole when we lost Keefer Court on Cedar Ave. during the Pandemic. Zao is everything the new Keefer Court in Asia Mall in Eden Prairie wishes to be (and with the higher prices), but does it much, much better. 5/5

The food was amazing! I got a sesame noodle bowl and the flavors were great and my husband got the beef noodle soup and loved it!

Wonderful family bakery/restaurant. Many Chinese pastry options, and large bowls of noodle soup or Congee with various ingredient options. Very clean and nicely decorated atmosphere. Very friendly and welcoming staff. Even remembered my name from my first visit. Beware, they are closed on Thursdays. I will return!

Very nice, clean, friendly service. I went there for the buns. Pork buns were gone by 10am, must be excellent. So I got taro buns and chicken buns. Pretty good. Also got two bowls of wonton noodles soup. Broth tasted toward the salty side, otherwise overall is pretty good. Prices aren't bad either. Will return for pork buns.