Bao House brings the creative vision of a seasoned chef to life. Owned and operated by Wen Hsuan Lee, renowned for his passion for crafting affordable yet delicious dishes, the restaurant, located in North York, is swiftly gaining recognition in the neighbourhood.

Lee’s story is as fascinating as the dishes he serves. Born in Taiwan in the 1950s, he experienced poverty and became involved in criminal activities during his youth. However, a soup dumpling shop owner provided him solace and guidance, igniting his passion for cooking and leading him on a journey of redemption and self-discovery.

Inspired by his personal journey, his Taiwanaise roots and a desire to offer accessible dining options to the community, Lee decided to open Bao House.

“We wanted to create a space where people could enjoy delicious Chinese dishes without breaking the bank,” said a restaurant representative. “North York is a diverse and vibrant community, and we saw an opportunity to contribute to its culinary landscape by offering authentic and affordable Chinese cuisine.”

By offering delicious food at affordable prices, Bao House aims to make its cuisine accessible to a wider audience.

“We want everyone to have the opportunity to savor the best tastes without worrying about exorbitant costs,” says the representative.

Bao House specializes in xiao long bao, offering traditional pork-filled XLB alongside innovative variations, like Indian curry, Sichuan hotpot, Korean kimchi and Thai sweet and sour XLB. Their menu also features an assortment of Chinese pastries, dumplings, dim sum and noodles, with no dish priced over $10.

“Chef Lee firmly believes that the true essence of food lies in its ability to bring people together and create shared experiences. By making our dishes affordable, we can spread the joy of flavourful cuisine to as many people as possible.”

Bao House is located at 5336 Yonge St.