Bun House

Bun House made its name turning the humble Cantonese steamed bun into a Chinatown draw, and its Lisle Street home keeps the focus tight: pillowy, hand-made bao stuffed with classic and modern fillings. It is a small, casual operation built around one thing done very well.

For proper steamed buns in Soho, this is the specialist. The steamed bao come filled with char siu pork, and there are sweeter options like custard, alongside a short supporting cast of small plates and Chinese tea. It suits a quick, cheap and genuinely satisfying bite rather than a sit-down banquet.

What to expect from this bao and bun shop in Soho

Expect a focused menu of steamed buns, both savoury and sweet, made fresh and served fast. Char siu bao is the signature, with custard buns for afterwards, plus a few sides and Chinese teas to round things out. It is grab-and-go friendly and easy on the wallet, perfect for a Chinatown snack on the move.

The buns and the setting

Bun House helped popularise Cantonese steamed buns in London, and its Lisle Street counter keeps that speciality front and centre. It sits among Chinatown's kitchens, near Imperial China, with more of the area's spots in our Soho restaurants listings.

How a visit works

Bun House is a walk-in counter for steamed buns and tea on Lisle Street, ideal for a quick bite. It is listed on the official Chinatown directory, and features in the Time Out Chinatown guide.