Kung fu bao
At Nolo Kung fu bao is a real institution: specializing in dumplings and bao, this small place has become so famous that it has opened a corner in the quintessential Chinese street food district, Via Paolo Sarpi. And it is precisely here that I tried the specialties of this Chinese-inspired restaurant - in the historic one of Viale Monza you can find many more dishes, in Chinatown instead there is a selection.
It is a showcase, with a couple of tables outside where you can taste the specialties. I recommend take-away or delivery because on sunny days the heat is really unbearable.
The dishes on the menu are all artisanal and you can taste it (from the open kitchen you can watch the cooks at work): grilled or steamed baozi and dumplings, meat (beef or pork) and vegetarians. For each category it is possible to order the mixed dish.
I have tasted, and I recommend, the steamed shao mai (shrimp and water chestnut dumplings), beautiful and very delicate. Do not dip them in soy sauce, so you will enjoy the flavor of the shrimp better!
Of the grilled bao I tasted the mix, a great way to taste them all: they are small and of a different color to be able to distinguish them. Steamed beef dumplings are also good (which I recommend you dip in the homemade spicy sauce), but the grilled pork dumplings are the ones I liked the most: they come with an elongated and vaguely flat shape, perfect dipped in soy sauce with rice vinegar.
As a dessert, the famous pork bao with chocolate or egg cream.
Kung fu bao is a great choice if you want to enjoy something tasty even while walking. The staff is friendly and smiling and the prices are quite in line with those of the other restaurants on the main street. You will also find ravioli in my guide to Chinatown street food in Milan.
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