Our Story 我們的故事

After a few years of Mr Bao running in Peckham, we opened up Daddy Bao in Tooting to celebrate Joe’s (Frank’s dad) way of doing things. Joe arrived in the UK fresh off the boat in 1975 and worked 3 jobs tirelessly until he could open his own restaurant, a dream he’d always had. Many moons and many stories later, he retired in 2017 so this restaurant and our own-brewed yuzu pale ale were created in his honour. We believe in the power of casual dining and whilst we let the food & atmosphere do the talking, we understand the ever-lasting effect a great restaurant can have in its local community. We aim to be your favourite spot in London where you meet your friends for good times.

We’re very proud to be working with some amazing suppliers from various parts of London and beyond. From local butcher Flock & Herd, to Bloody Ben’s gin in Balham, we consider our suppliers as part of the family. The more care we give them, the more love they can give to their ingredients, and the better our food tastes. Our dishes are often rooted in traditional recipes from dad’s childhood, and always packed with flavour.

Want to find out what other people are saying? Check out our Google reviews.

In September 2024, we opened a new bar in the storeroom below Daddy Bao – Good Measure. We’ve moved the prep out and the drinks in, to create an intimate drinking spot inspired by the incredible bar scene in Taipei, where some of the best bars are found in the most unexpected places.

Good Measure is set amongst the restaurant storage shelves, bottles of infusions and stacks of ingredients and will be a relaxed place to enjoy some Taiwanese inspired bar snacks and cocktails from our ever-changing menu.

Open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening from 6pm, come join us for a drink whether you’re dining at Daddy Bao or just looking for somewhere in Tooting to enjoy one more for good measure.

“People, people, people! You’ve gotta look after your people!” Over the 32 years dad ran his restaurant, this was the thing he’d always want us to remember. He’s now retired but the mantra lives on in Daddy Bao. We do everything we can to support and look after the people who make Daddy Bao a reality. We teach and nurture our team along their journey, giving them skills that will be useful wherever their life takes them. Where we’re at our best though, is helping people grow a fulfilling and successful career with us – we’re proud to have people who have been with us since the beginning.

If you’re interested in joining our family, please email us at abhi@mrbao.co.uk or check out our careers page.

“The definitively best bao in London”
– The Infatuation

“A pitch-perfect smushing of London and Taipei”
– Vogue

“Offering some of south London’s best dumplings, Daddy Bao is a Tooting institution known for its delicious beef brisket bao buns, as well as exciting sharing platters of crispy squid, sesame aubergine and aged sirloin tataki”
– Stylist

“For fluffy, flavourful buns, look no further than Daddy Bao”
– Condé Nast Traveller 

“The shiitake mushroom and beef brisket dishes are drool-worthy, but it’s the familiar yet punchy prawn toast royale with gochujang hollandaise – a Taiwanese twist on eggs benedict – that’ll get bums on seats” 
– Time Out

“We found the fluffiest bao in town with these guys”
– The Handbook

“All hail the daddy”
– Time Out

“Whips up some of the best bao in the whole of London Town”
– Secret London

“The veteran restaurateur who really knows his buns”
– Vice UK