Bun House
Authentic Cantonese-style steamed buns and Hong Kong desserts in a vibrant, retro disco setting.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, quicker service
Bun House
Best Time
Fewer crowds, quicker service
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Authentic Cantonese-style steamed buns and Hong Kong desserts in a vibrant, retro disco setting.
"The buns are soft, fluffy, and freshly steamed, with perfectly balanced fillings."
🎯 Order the Custard Bun!
Don't miss the custard lava bun – it's a creamy, rich dessert highlight!
💨 Takeaway is Speedy
If queues are long, takeaway moves faster. Perfect for enjoying your bao on the go.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Custard Lava Bun
Dessert
A rich, creamy, and decadent custard bun that's a must-try dessert. Watch out, it bursts with flavor!
Hong Kong French Toast
Dessert/Snack
Thick, fluffy toast soaked in condensed milk, offering a sweet and satisfying taste of Hong Kong.
Savory Steamed Buns
Main Course
Pillowy soft buns filled with flavorful options like curry chicken or mushrooms.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Queues for Bao Bliss
Embrace the Hong Kong Vibe
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Order the Custard Bun!
Don't miss the custard lava bun – it's a creamy, rich dessert highlight!
💨 Takeaway is Speedy
If queues are long, takeaway moves faster. Perfect for enjoying your bao on the go.
✨ Embrace the Vibe
Enjoy the retro disco decor and great music for a fun dining experience.
🥢 Try the Cheung Fun
The hoisin sesame cheung fun is a fresh, piping hot starter worth ordering.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Order the Custard Bun!
Don't miss the custard lava bun – it's a creamy, rich dessert highlight!
💨 Takeaway is Speedy
If queues are long, takeaway moves faster. Perfect for enjoying your bao on the go.
✨ Embrace the Vibe
Enjoy the retro disco decor and great music for a fun dining experience.
🥢 Try the Cheung Fun
The hoisin sesame cheung fun is a fresh, piping hot starter worth ordering.
❄️ Custard Bun Reheats Well
Custard buns can be enjoyed at home; they reheat well in the microwave.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Bun House is celebrated for its exceptionally fluffy and flavorful steamed buns, with the custard lava bun and Hong Kong French toast being standout desserts. Reviewers praise the quality ingredients, perfect filling-to-bun ratio, and the vibrant retro disco atmosphere. While queues can be long, especially on weekends, many find the wait worthwhile for the authentic Cantonese flavors and friendly service.
"I’ve always wanted to try this place, but the long queues usually put me off. This time, I was really craving baos, so I decided to brave the takeaway line. It actually moved fairly quickly, and it gave me time to decide what to order (came on a Saturday during the lunch rush).
I got the hoisin sesame cheung fun and a pack of three baos (chicken, veg, and custard) for £11 (or £3.80 each). The cheung fun took about 15 minutes to come out, but it was worth it - super fresh, piping hot, and sauced perfectly with hoisin, sesame, and sweet soy. The chicken bun had a mild curry flavour, and the bao itself was pillowy soft.
I had the other two buns later at home (reheated in the microwave at power 7 for 33 seconds each). The vegetarian one was really tasty, with a generous filling and great texture from the diced mushrooms. The custard bao had excellent flavour (like a slightly toned-down salted egg yolk custard), and even though it had set by the time I got home, I didn’t mind at all. I might actually prefer it that way to the runnier version you get when it’s fresh.
Overall, they’ve nailed the science of a great steamed bao. The filling-to-bun ratio was spot on, the ingredients were high quality, and the flavour balance was great. The buns kept well after a few hours and through reheating - no sogginess, no leaks, just really well made.
Would definitely recommend and will be back to try more baos and other dishes.
I saw a dine-in area through the window whilst lining up, but it isn’t obvious due to the incessant queue through the entrance and across the front of the restaurant."
M
"Loved the vibe here — retro disco style with neon lights and great music, super fun atmosphere. The custard lava bun was a highlight, rich and creamy (watch out, it bursts!). Also really enjoyed the sizzling XO shrimp rice and the crispy pork belly. Great drinks too. Will come back!"
Peichen
"Lovely place and very fast service if you want takeaway, but seat ins can be quite quick too depending on your luck! Don’t be intimidated by the massive queue as most people are waiting for takeaway.
The buns are quite good. I rate this place a 4 because two items weren’t that great imo: the prawn dimsum, which tasted too much like prawn, and the custard bun, which had a strong eggy taste (like that of a custard that requires a bit more cooking) and was too runny and thus difficult to eat.
The kung pao chicken, waffle fries, pork buns were all excellent.
Staff is very good."
Tsu Nami
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Bun House is located in Chinatown, London. The nearest tube stations are Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, both within a short walking distance. Many bus routes also serve the area. +1
Yes, Bun House is very accessible by public transport. It's situated in the heart of Soho/Chinatown, well-served by London Underground and bus networks.
From most central London locations, taking the Tube to Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus is the most efficient way to reach Bun House.
Parking in Chinatown can be challenging and expensive. It's highly recommended to use public transport to reach Bun House.
Yes, Bun House is a popular spot in Chinatown and is usually identifiable by its distinctive signage and potential queues. +1
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While walk-ins are common, booking might be advisable for dine-in, especially during peak hours, though queues for takeaway are frequent.
Opening hours can vary, but Bun House typically operates throughout the day, serving lunch and dinner. It's best to check their latest hours online before visiting.
No, there is no admission fee to enter Bun House. You pay for the food and drinks you order.
Yes, takeaway is a popular option at Bun House, and the queue for takeaway often moves more quickly than the dine-in line.
No special tickets or passes are required. You can simply walk in and order your desired items.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The Custard Lava Bun and Hong Kong French Toast are highly recommended desserts. For savory options, the steamed buns (like curry chicken or vegetarian) and the hoisin sesame cheung fun are popular choices. +1
Prices are generally reasonable for London. Bao buns are around £3.80 each, and a selection of cheung fun and baos can cost around £11.
Yes, Bun House offers vegetarian options, such as the vegetarian steamed bun with mushrooms. It's always good to ask staff about specific vegan choices.
Bun House serves various drinks, including bubble tea and other beverages that complement their food.
Bun House specializes in Cantonese-style steamed buns and Hong Kong desserts, offering an authentic taste of these popular dishes. +1
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the vibrant neon lights and retro disco decor for a unique atmosphere shot. The beautifully presented food, especially the custard lava bun and French toast, also make for great photos.
Yes, you are welcome to take photos of the food and the restaurant's interior. The lively decor provides a great backdrop.
Evenings can be particularly atmospheric with the neon lights. However, daytime visits offer good natural light for food photography.
The Custard Lava Bun, with its oozing center, and the golden Hong Kong French Toast are incredibly photogenic. The colorful steamed buns are also visually appealing.
Popular hashtags include #BunHouse, #ChinatownLondon, #BaoBuns, #HongKongFood, #LondonEats, and #CustardBun. +1
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The vibrant, retro disco atmosphere with neon lights and music can also be engaging for children. Consider opting for takeaway if your children have shorter attention spans, as queues can sometimes be long.
💰 Budget Travelers
While dine-in is an option, opting for takeaway can be a smart move to save time and potentially avoid any perceived premium for table service.
couples
Sharing a selection of their delicious steamed buns, from savory to sweet, makes for a delightful culinary adventure together. Don't miss out on the custard lava bun for a decadent shared dessert experience – it's a fun and interactive treat!
The efficient service, especially for takeaway, means you can enjoy your meal without a long wait, leaving more time to explore Chinatown or enjoy each other's company.Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Art of the Bao
Beyond the classic steamed bao, Bun House also offers other delightful Cantonese specialties. Their cheung fun (steamed rice noodle rolls) are a popular starter, noted for their freshness and perfect sauce balance.
For those seeking a more immersive experience, the retro disco vibe of Bun House Disco in Shoreditch adds another layer of enjoyment.
Navigating the Bun House Experience
The atmosphere at Bun House is a significant draw. It's described as having a retro disco style with neon lights and upbeat music, creating a fun and energetic environment.
This vibrant setting makes it an ideal spot for a casual meal with friends or a lively solo dining experience. The staff are generally noted as being friendly and efficient, contributing to the overall positive experience. When ordering, consider trying a variety of items to get the full Bun House experience. The custard lava bun is a signature dessert that's highly recommended for its rich, creamy filling.
For savory options, the steamed buns and cheung fun are excellent choices.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit