Food Porn Friday - Baohaus

I've seen Tawainese gua bao sandwiches before. What pushed me to finally try them was being intrigued by Eddie Huang, the owner of Baohaus. For some reason, this guy seems like a kindred spirit: a former lawyer running away from anything having to do with being a lawyer and a lover of classic hip hop (check out some of his statements from a recent New York Magazine article on Asian American male identity and his often very funny and thought-provoking blog. He's an interesting guy). One article called him "the Jay-Z of the NYC restaurant scene." Not bad, Mr. Huang.

After closing down his last restaurant, Xiao Ye ('cause of pesky Four Loko issues), he's been focusing on the teeny subterranean sandwich shop, Baohaus. Just so you know:

There's not much seating.

I hope you like hip hop 'cause that will be your background music.

You could get gua bao cheaper elsewhere.

They were running a special with three baos and a drink included.

From left to right: Haus bao (hanger steak bao with crushed peanut, Haus relish and Taiwanese red sugar), Chairman bao (braised Berkshire pork belly with crushed peanut, Haus relish and Taiwanese red sugar), and the Uncle Jesse (pan fried organic tofu coated in sweet potato starch with Haus sauce, crushed peanut and Taiwanese red sugar)

What Baohaus does get right is the way they cook their meat fillings. Tender, well seasoned meat should be the basis of any sandwich. I actually wish the sandwiches were bigger on the whole. As for the toppings, I think the added sugar might have been a bit too much sweet. I enjoy sweet-savory combinations, but they need to be balanced.

My drink was a sarsaparilla soda. I've definitely never had one of these before. The chef and I were talking about the fact that it kinda tasted like Dr. Pepper.

I'm going to try more of Eddie Huang's take on traditional Taiwanese dishes. The staff that works at Baohaus is pretty friendly, and I had a great conversation with them about Brooklyn and secret sauces. Nice guys. Eddie Huang's actually opening a new Baohaus location in the East Village.

Baohaus

137 Rivington Street

New York, NY

Happy Weekend, everyone!