This Missouri Asian Eatery Fills Steamed Bao With Everything From Pork Belly To Fried Chicken

Pork belly in one bun, fried chicken in the next. That is the kind of lunch decision you get here.

This Missouri eatery builds its steamed bao around bold fillings that go well beyond the usual, with bulgogi beef, shrimp, tofu, and even a Philly cheesesteak version joining the lineup.

The buns stay soft and fluffy while the fillings do most of the heavy lifting, so it is easy to mix a few and turn lunch into a little tasting session.

You can keep going with ramen or other Asian-inspired dishes if a couple of bao are not enough. It is quick, casual, and playful without feeling gimmicky, which makes it a fun break from the standard lunch routine.

The Pork Belly Bun That Started The Obsession

Honestly, if you only order one thing on your first visit, I would point you straight at the pork belly bun and let it do the talking. The kitchen uses thick slices of pork belly, which means you get that rich, melty texture in every single bite instead of a thin little sliver hiding in the bread.

On top of the pork, they pile on coleslaw, spicy mayo, and eel sauce, and that combination is smarter than it sounds. The slaw brings a cool crunch that cuts through all that richness, while the spicy mayo adds a gentle kick that keeps you reaching for the next bite.

Eel sauce, if you have never tried it, is a sweet and savory glaze that tastes a bit like a thicker, sweeter soy sauce, and it ties everything together beautifully.

The steamed bun itself is soft and slightly sweet, so it works like a warm little pillow wrapped around all those bold flavors. Since everything is made to order, you can expect your bun to show up fresh instead of sitting under a heat lamp somewhere in the back.

My advice would be to grab a few napkins before you sit down, because a bun this generous tends to get a little messy in the best possible way.

Finding Your Way To Park Avenue In Columbia

So where exactly are you headed when the craving hits? You will want to plug 1009 Park Avenue, Columbia, MO 65201 into your map, and that puts you right near the heart of town without a lot of hassle.

Columbia is a lively college town, and you can feel that easygoing, curious energy in the kinds of restaurants that pop up around here. Le Bao fits right into that scene, because it is the sort of place where students, families, and folks just passing through Missouri can all wander in and feel comfortable.

The setup is fast casual, which basically means you order at the counter and your food gets cooked fresh while you find a seat. You do not have to dress up or plan your whole evening around it, and that relaxed feel makes it easy to stop in for a quick lunch or a laid-back dinner.

If you are new to the area, I would suggest giving yourself a little extra time to stroll around afterward, since downtown Columbia has plenty of shops and murals worth a look. That way your bao stop turns into a nice little outing rather than a rushed bite between errands.

Trust me, a slow walk after a big meal never hurts anybody.

Crispy Fried Chicken Tucked In A Soft Bun

Picture the crunch of a good piece of fried chicken, and now imagine it wrapped inside something soft and warm like a cloud. That is pretty much what you get with the fried chicken bun, and it is one of those orders that wins over even the pickiest eater at your table.

The chicken is hand-breaded right there in the kitchen, so you are not getting some frozen patty that came out of a box. That extra care shows up in the texture, because hand-breaded chicken tends to have those craggy, crispy edges that hold onto sauce really well.

Speaking of sauce, they keep things simple here with coleslaw and spicy mayo, which lets the chicken stay the star of the show. The slaw adds freshness and a little bite, while the mayo brings just enough heat to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming anyone.

If you are bringing along a friend who feels unsure about Asian food, this is a smart place to start them off. The flavors feel familiar enough to be comforting, yet the steamed bun makes it feel like a fun new experience.

You might even find that it becomes your go-to order whenever you are in the mood for something hearty and satisfying.

Bulgogi Beef With A Little Korean Flair

Have you ever tried bulgogi before? It is a classic Korean dish made with thin slices of marinated beef, and the marinade usually leans sweet and savory with a gentle hint of garlic.

At Le Bao, that tender beef gets tucked into a steamed bun along with kimchi and cellophane noodles, and the result feels like a full meal squeezed into a handheld package. Kimchi is fermented cabbage with a tangy, slightly spicy flavor, so it adds a bright punch that balances the sweetness of the beef really nicely.

The cellophane noodles are a fun touch, too, because they are thin, clear, and a little slippery in a way that gives the bun some extra texture. You might not expect noodles inside bread, but somehow it just works, and it makes every bite feel a bit more interesting than a typical sandwich.

Here is a quick fun bit for you, since the word bulgogi roughly translates to fire meat in Korean, which hints at how it is traditionally cooked over flames. Knowing that little detail makes eating it feel like a tiny history lesson.

If you love bold flavors that keep changing as you chew, this one deserves a spot on your tray for sure.

Kung Pao Bao For Folks Who Like Some Heat

Okay, now we are getting into the spicy side of the menu, so get your water ready before you take that first bite. The kung pao bao brings spicy chicken together with peanuts, carrots, water chestnuts, and Szechuan peppers, which is a lot of personality packed into one soft bun.

Szechuan peppers are known for a tingly, almost buzzing feeling on your tongue, and that sensation is part of what makes this dish so memorable. It is not just about heat, because it also gives your mouth a playful, lively feeling that keeps you curious about the next bite.

The peanuts and water chestnuts add a satisfying crunch, while the carrots bring a touch of sweetness and color. All those textures bouncing around together make this bun feel lively and fun, almost like a mini stir-fry wrapped up for you to carry around.

If you have a friend who always brags about loving spicy food, this is a great one to recommend to them. On the other hand, if you are a little nervous about heat, you might want to share it so you can try a bite without committing to the whole thing.

Either way, it is a bun that definitely stands out from the crowd.

When A Philly Cheesesteak Meets A Steamed Bun

Here is where things start getting playful, and I love that the kitchen is not afraid to have a little fun. The Philly cheesesteak bun swaps out the usual hoagie roll for a soft steamed bun, then fills it with shaved beef, peppers, onions, and house-made queso.

That queso is a big deal, because it brings a creamy, cheesy richness that melts right into the beef and veggies. Since it is made in-house, you can expect a fresher flavor than the stuff you might find poured out of a jar somewhere else.

The peppers and onions add sweetness and a slight bite, which keeps the whole thing from feeling too heavy. It is basically everything people love about a classic cheesesteak, just served in a way that feels a bit lighter and more fun to hold.

This bun is a great example of what makes Le Bao interesting, since it blends Asian cooking styles with American comfort food in a way that feels natural rather than gimmicky. Chef Jina Yoo clearly has a creative streak, and you can taste it in combos like this one.

If you are someone who enjoys trying unexpected mashups, put this one near the top of your list.

Pizza Vibes And Island Flavors On The Wild Side

Would you believe there is a pizza-inspired bun on the menu with a name that will make you grin? It is called the Rocky Baoboa, and it comes filled with pepperoni, marinara, and mozzarella cheese, so it is basically a pizza pocket with a soft, steamy twist.

Kids especially tend to get excited about this one, though plenty of grown-ups sneak an order in too. The bun gives the familiar pizza flavors a pillowy texture that feels totally different from a crunchy crust, and that surprise is half the fun.

Then there is the Hawaii 5-O bun, which leans into island flavors with grilled Spam, teriyaki sauce, and a charred pineapple salsa. Spam is a beloved ingredient in Hawaii, where it often shows up in everyday dishes, so this bun feels like a sunny tribute to that tradition.

The charred pineapple adds a smoky sweetness that plays really well against the salty Spam and the glossy teriyaki. It is a bold combo, but it works in that sweet and savory way that keeps you coming back for one more bite.

If you want to try something you will not find at most other Missouri restaurants, either of these buns makes for a fun adventure.

Shrimp, Tofu, And All The Extras Worth Ordering

Before you wrap up your order, let me tell you about a couple more buns and a few extras that round things out nicely. The fried shrimp bun features shrimp tempura with coleslaw, spicy mayo, and eel sauce, giving you a light, crispy bite with that same sweet and tangy finish found on the pork belly bun.

For something meat-free with a little more personality, the tofu steak bun is worth a look. It uses agedashi tofu, which is lightly fried and delicate, along with pickled shiitake mushrooms, black bean aioli, and green onions for a savory, earthy flavor.

Now, if you are really hungry, the menu goes well beyond bao, with ramen bowls like the Le Bao Classic topped with pork belly and a soft-boiled egg. There are also appetizers such as crab rangoon, pork gyoza, spicy edamame, wonton tacos, and Jina’s Nachos with your choice of chicken, pulled pork, or tofu.

It is no surprise that locals once voted this spot the best new restaurant in Columbia, considering how much thought goes into the menu. My tip would be to bring a friend, order a mix of buns and sides, and share everything family style.

That way you get to taste a little bit of everything without having to choose just one favorite.