Bao buns, those soft, fluffy pillows of deliciousness, are a favorite for many. Perfect on their own, they reach new heights when paired with the right side dishes.

Wondering what to serve with bao buns to make your meal unforgettable?

Here you can find 20 amazing side dishes that complement their texture and taste, turning a simple meal into a memorable one.

Looking for a quick answer?

The best side dishes to serve with bao buns are cucumber salad, steamed dumplings, spring rolls, edamame, sauteed mushrooms, fish cake ramen, potstickers, kimchi pancakes, lo mein, tsuyu sauce, cream cheese gravy, egg drop soup, char siu pork, pickled vegetables, fried rice, wonton soup, crispy tofu, and bok choy.

Now, let's get cooking!

1. Cucumber Salad

Cucumber salad is a fresh, light option that adds a crisp, refreshing touch to your bao bun meal. Thinly sliced cucumbers, tossed with a dressing of vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil, provide a cool contrast to the warm, soft buns. It's an easy-to-make side that cleanses the palate and adds a healthy crunch to your spread.

2. Steamed Dumplings

Steamed dumplings, much like bao buns, offer a soft, tender bite, but with a delightful twist in the filling. Whether you choose pork, shrimp, or a vegetable mix, these dumplings bring a juicy, flavorful addition to your meal. Served with a side of soy sauce or a spicy dipping sauce, they make for a satisfying, steaming side that complements the buns in both texture and taste.

3. Spring Rolls

Spring rolls are a vibrant, crunchy side dish that pairs wonderfully with bao buns. Filled with vegetables, sometimes noodles, and occasionally shrimp or chicken, they're wrapped in a thin rice paper that's pleasantly chewy. Dipped in a sweet chili sauce or peanut sauce, spring rolls add a burst of freshness and a variety of textures to your meal, making each bite interesting.

4. Edamame

Edamame, boiled young soybeans still in their pods, is a simple, nutritious side that's both fun to eat and delicious. Sprinkled with a bit of salt or tossed with garlic and chili flakes, edamame provides a subtly sweet and savory flavor that's great for nibbling between bao buns. This side dish is not only a crowd-pleaser but also adds a pop of color and a dose of health to your table.

5. Sauteed Mushrooms

Sauteed mushrooms, with their earthy, umami-rich flavor, offer a simple but sophisticated side that pairs beautifully with the lightness of bao buns. Whether you choose button, shiitake, or a mix of wild mushrooms, sautéing them with garlic and a splash of soy sauce or balsamic vinegar can turn them into a mouthwatering addition to your meal.

6. Fish Cake Ramen

Fish cake ramen is a warming, satisfying dish that pairs wonderfully with bao buns. The subtle, savory taste of the fish cakes and the rich, flavorful broth provide a comforting balance to the lightness of the bao. It's a combo that feels both hearty and refreshing. Adding noodles, veggies, and a soft-boiled egg can turn this side into a main dish, offering a varied and filling meal.

7. Potstickers

Potstickers, with their crispy bottoms and juicy filling, are a match made in heaven for bao buns. They add a delightful crunch and burst of flavor, making each bite more exciting. You can stick with traditional pork fillings or experiment with veggies or chicken. The key is to get that perfect sear on the bottom while keeping the rest tender and steamy, just like your bao buns.

8. Kimchi Pancakes

Kimchi pancakes bring a spicy, tangy kick to the table, cutting through the softness of bao buns with their bold flavors and crisp texture. Made by mixing chopped kimchi into a simple batter and frying until golden, they're a quick and easy way to add a bit of heat to your meal. Serve them cut into easy-to-share pieces for a side that's sure to wake up your taste buds.

9. Lo Mein

Lo Mein, with its savory noodles and mix of stir-fried veggies, offers a hearty and versatile side dish that complements the fluffy texture of bao buns. It's a dish that's as fun to customize as it is to eat. Choose your favorite vegetables or proteins, and toss them with noodles in a soy-based sauce for a side that's packed with flavor and texture.

10. Tsuyu Sauce

Tsuyu sauce, a concentrated, sweet, and savory dipping sauce, can elevate your bao buns from good to unforgettable. Its depth of flavor comes from a mix of soy sauce, mirin, and dashi, making it the perfect dip for enhancing the subtle tastes of your bao. Drizzle it over the buns or use it as a dip for a simple yet profound flavor boost.

11. Cream Cheese Gravy

A creamy, rich cream cheese gravy makes an unexpected yet delightful pairing with bao buns. The smooth, tangy flavors of the gravy add a luxurious touch to the soft buns, offering a contrast in textures that's hard to resist. It's simple to whip up, using cream cheese, a bit of milk to thin it out, and your choice of herbs for added flavor. Drizzle it over or dip your bao buns in it for a decadent treat.

12. Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup is a classic, comforting side that pairs beautifully with the soft texture of bao buns. Its light, silky broth, enriched with ribbons of beaten egg, offers a soothing contrast to the buns. With a sprinkle of green onions and a dash of sesame oil, this soup brings warmth and a subtle flavor that complements without overwhelming the main dish. It's not just a side; it's a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for balancing out your meal.

13. Char Siu Pork

Char siu pork, with its sweet and savory glaze, makes an excellent companion to bao buns. The rich flavors of the pork, marinated and roasted to perfection, add a depth of taste and a touch of luxury to the buns. Whether you stuff the buns with slices of this delectable pork or serve it on the side, its caramelized edges and tender meat elevate the entire meal, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

14. Beef Bulgogi

Beef bulgogi brings a juicy, flavorful kick to bao buns with its marinated, grilled slices of beef. The marinade, a blend of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic, infuses the beef with a complex flavor profile that's both sweet and savory. When served alongside bao buns, beef bulgogi offers a meaty, satisfying element that complements the soft, fluffy texture of the buns. It's a combination that's hearty, delicious, and sure to please any palate.

15. Stir-Fried Green Beans

With their bright, snappy flavor and a touch of garlic, stir-fried green beans add a simple yet flavorful side dish that contrasts nicely with the hearty Bao Buns.

16. Pickled Vegetables

A selection of pickled vegetables, such as daikon, cucumbers, and carrots, adds a tangy, acidic element that brightens up the flavors of the Bao Buns and cleanses the palate between bites.

17. Fried Rice

A classic Asian side dish, fried rice is a versatile option that can be customized with various ingredients. Its satisfying taste and texture make it an excellent companion for Bao Buns.

18. Wonton Soup

This comforting and flavorful soup features delicate wontons filled with meat or vegetables, swimming in a clear, savory broth. Wonton soup is a warming and satisfying side dish that complements the textures and flavors of Bao Buns.

19. Crispy Tofu

Crispy tofu is a fantastic vegetarian option that adds both texture and protein to your meal. Cubes of tofu, coated and fried until golden, can be served with a dipping sauce or drizzled with a spicy or sweet glaze. The outside crunch and soft inside offer a delightful contrast to the fluffy bao buns, making this side dish a hit for both its flavor and satisfying bite.

20. Bok Choy

This healthy and easy-to-prepare side dish features bok choy cooked in an air fryer, resulting in a tender yet slightly crispy texture. Seasoned with garlic, ginger, and a splash of soy sauce, air fryer bok choy adds a delicious and nutritious component to your meal, complementing the flavors of the Bao Buns while keeping the dish light.

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