Best Bao at Flesh & Buns

There’s nothing we love more than an Izakaya style restaurant here at On In London. Flesh & Buns has locations in both Covent Garden and Oxford Circus and is the restaurant to go to satiate your bao cravings and more.

With refined and elegant décor, we knew we were in for a treat upon entry to the Soho branch, which had a charming backdrop of lucky cat figures. At Flesh & Buns they serve beautiful hand-prepared fishes to their guests, and the chefs have spent more than 10 years perfecting the menu packed with modern Japanese-inspired cuisine.

Guests can choose from intricate maki and sashimi, to the indulgent robata grilled dishes and soft bao buns. There really is something for everyone. The cocktail menu is something to behold also, with Japanese-inspired cocktails, a full range of sake and Japanese beers.

The menu offers a range of great small plates, raw and sushi sets (which are great for the more indecisive guest) and large plates which include; flesh and buns and poke don. To start, we ordered Scallop Yaki – scallop yakitori with Amarillo butter, asparagus – alongside Fried Squid, Corn Tempura, Seabass Ceviche and an Avocado Miso Roll with asparagus, carrot pickle and barley miso. The starters were a real highlight with fresh fish all around and light citrussy flavours. As well, the starters really complemented the cocktails which were also quite fruity and floral.

For mains, as it’s the namesake of the place, we naturally went for the flesh and buns. Flesh and buns, I guess, is a catchy name for meat and bao and it gives the brand a bit of an edge, which I do like. Choices ranged from Crispy Duck Leg to Crispy Piglet Belly and Beef Short Rib, as well as a Salmon Teriyaki for fish lovers and Miso Grilled Aubergine for the vegetarians.

I would like to preface this with the fact that I am not the world’s biggest bao bun fan. I know right, why go to a bao restaurant? But I’m always intrigued by restaurants that make dishes their namesake. As far as bao’s go for me, these were very good – light, fluffy, pillowy clouds. The meat was spectacular. I went for the duck leg which simply fell off the bone. I was slightly disappointed in myself however, as I later noticed you could have any bao as a rice dish instead which is a fantastic build to the menu – and one I would have enjoyed more. But alas, that was my problem!

Dishes were filling and generous, and we also opted for the Grilled Cucumber Salad which I would highly recommend. We really didn’t think we’d have dessert, but we were absolutely enamoured by the fact they had Build your Own S’mores on the menu!

This was incredibly impressive. First, an actual lit torch is delivered to the table, and you are invited to create your own s’mores and melt the marshmallows on the flame. I have no idea how this concept got past health and safety regulations, but I am very here for it. Other great options included a Chocolate Fondant with salted caramel and matcha ice cream and a Soufflé Cheesecake with Japanese whisky ice cream – I tried the ice cream, alongside a Japanese twist Old Fashioned which was perfection.

All in all, a very good meal and highly recommended by the team at On In London!

Find out more > www.fleshandbuns.com