Honest Bao

Birmingham  food scene is moving faster than a chef on a Saturday night! While we’ve got some exciting "new kids" arriving in the city centre, we’ve also had to say a tearful goodbye to a couple of boba legends. Here is the lowdown on what’s opening, what’s closing, and what you should be eating right now. The Great Boba Exodus: T4 & Gong Cha Ice-cream season is coming It’s a sad day for the straw-and-pearl crowd. T4, a long-standing veteran on New Street, has officially bolted its doors for good. After a brief "Will they? Won't they?" reopening stunt in late 2025, they’ve permanently shuttered. While their tea was—let’s be honest—pretty average compared to the new wave of boba spots, their crispy salt and pepper chicken was the ultimate "guilty pleasure" snack. It will be missed. Joining them in the afterlife is Gong Cha. But as they say, when one door closes, a gelato freezer opens! The space has been taken over by the famous Amorino Gelato. Know...

Jewellery Quarter (JQ)  is more than just engagement rings and diamond merchants. Once the workshop of the world, this historic district now houses a massive concentration of independent restaurants that make the city centre chains look like amateur hour. Since JQ is practically my second home, expect plenty more deep dives into the hidden gems tucked away in these red-brick streets in the coming weeks! The Pasta Perfectionists: Trentina JQ Homemade focaccia Trentina is a cosy, intimate spot that doesn't try to do everything—it just tries to do pasta perfectly. The menu is small and seasonal, which is always a green flag. Everything I tasted felt incredibly fresh, with ingredients that clearly haven't spent a week in a plastic tub. Nice seafood pasta but portion is a bit small The downside? The portions are... "polite." You’ll likely find yourself ordering a second plate or a few sides to actually feel full. It’s the kind of place where the quality is good you forgive...

Tucked away in the heart of Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter,  Liu Ji Hand Made Noodles is a masterclass in the art of the "stretch." Originally gaining fame as a humble spot for authentic, northern-style hand-pulled noodles, it has become a local legend for those seeking that elusive QQ (bouncy) texture. Full of wok hei stir fry noodle Walking in on a random weekday, I expected a quiet seat, but the place was buzzing—a testament to its reputation. You can actually watch the chef mid-workout, hand-pulling dough with a level of theatricality that gives Haidilao a run for its money. The service was a bit of a "slow boat to China" situation; they seemed caught off guard by the weekday rush and were noticeably understaffed. However, the food mostly made up for the wait. These noodles have a chewiness you simply can’t get from a packet of factory made noodle. I tried the Braised Chicken Noodles—the chicken is flash-fried before being braised. While the seasoning was spot on,...

It’s finally happened.  After decades of us Brits staring longingly across the Atlantic (and the Pacific), the McGriddle has officially touched down on UK soil. For the uninitiated, the McGriddle was born in 2003, the brainchild of Tom Ryan—the same mad scientist who gave us stuffed crust pizza. His mission? To take a full "Grand Slam" breakfast and transform it into a portable, handheld miracle using "syrup crystal" technology. Always taste better when food is pipping hot I actually had my first encounter with this sweet-and-savoury beast in Japan. Sadly, I haven’t done the "American Pilgrimage" yet to compare it to the OG version, but I was genuinely surprised by the UK iteration. I walked in expecting a sugar-induced dental emergency, but the maple-infused griddle cakes are actually quite restrained. The pancakes are fluffy and provide just enough sweetness to make that salty sausage patty pop. Interestingly, I found the Japanese version a bit sweeter—p...

Welcome back!  After the world-class Omakase and hidden distillery bars of Japan, coming home to the UK food scene can definitely be a bit of a "reality check." While doom-scrolling through Japan travel content, I suddenly realised there was a local ramen pop-up in a pub, so I decided to give it a go. Before going, I made sure not to set my expectations too high, especially after a painful experience at Maniken Ramen last time ( here ). The Vibe It’s a classic British pub—a cozy, red-brick pub. Since it's a pop-up, the atmosphere is laid-back, but as you noted, that sometimes translates to "pub-speed" service. A 40-minute wait for ramen when it isn't busy is a bit of a stretch, but hopefully, they’ll tighten that up as the residency continues. The Food Breakdown Generous portion and decent quality Nanban Chicken : This was the star of the show. A generous portion with a crispy, light crust and juicy meat. Even if the seasoning was subtle, a good Nanban is al...

Happy Christmas, guys! 🎄 Time put down the chopsticks occasionally when the festive season rolls around. This week, I swapped the soy sauce for some European flair at The Ivy in Birmingham. Is The Ivy Actually "Posh" or Just Very Good at Wallpaper? I’ve been to The Ivy a few times (different branches) now. It’s the "Old Reliable" of the UK dining scene—the kind of place you take your parents when you want them to think you’ve finally made it in life. It’s decent, reasonably priced for what it is, but usually about as "groundbreaking" as a pair of socks for Christmas. Too fusion for me I was genuinely shocked by how rammed it was. I booked a Sunday slot easily enough online, but when I walked in, it was 90% full. Clearly, the Christmas spirit (or just the lack of washing up) was in full swing. One thing you can’t knock is the decor. They clearly spend a fortune on it. It’s got that high-end, "I should probably be wearing a better shirt" vibe, eve...

Back in England for a cold "Christmas" and New Year. It is so cold that requires more than just a puffer jacket; it requires a culinary hug. Naturally, I headed straight to Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter to find some liquid gold. So, what on earth is a "Trolley Noodle"? My all time favourite sides Before we dive in, let’s talk history. Trolley Noodles (or Che Tsai Meen) are the ultimate Hong Kong DIY comfort food. Originating in the 1950s from street vendors pushing wooden carts, it’s a "choose your own adventure" style of dining. You pick your noodle type, your soup base, and then go wild with toppings. It’s messy, it’s customisable, and it’s legendary. The Review: Hong Kong Dining (港味茶餐廳/香港車仔麵) I popped into Hong Kong Dining, a classic Cha Chaan Teng (HK-style café) that’s currently serving up these nostalgic bowls. The setup is simple: the more toppings you hoard, the more you pay. It’s a dangerous game for a glutton like me. Lots of classic sides availab...

The temperature is dropping, the daylight is shrinking, and let's face it, turning on the heating now feels like setting fire to a wad of £50 notes. But fear not, there is one glorious solution to our cold and budget woes: a steaming, bubbling hot pot. It’s a warm, communal hug in a bowl, and the perfect excuse for a hearty, hot meal. Honest Bao zipped around Birmingham to pit two major Chinese hot pot players against each other. Who's bringing the true heat? Haidilao Hot Pot: The Luxury Liner 1 free broth per person Haidilao isn't just a restaurant; it's a global Chinese franchise that treats dining like a five-star event. It's famous (or perhaps infamous) for its over-the-top customer service—we’re talking free board games for the waiting crowd and even complimentary manicures (probably not in the UK though)! While a full pampering session isn't exactly a prerequisite for my mid-week dinner, the staff's dedication to service here is truly superior. Decent ...

As you know, the Birmingham Chinese Quarter is seeing a mini food court explosion, and The Arcadian Food Court is the newest kid on the block trying to muscle in on the action. I went in with high hopes, ready for a feast, but left feeling... well, let's just say my bao bun was frowning. This place is packed with Chinese cuisine – think Dim Sum, Siu Mei (roast meats), rice noodles and a Korean spot as well. The physical space is actually decent. It’s not overly cramped, and the staff are zippy fast at clearing tables, which is always a plus. However, in this day and age, their most unforgivable sin is the mobile signal blackout and the complete lack of Wi-Fi. Are we dining or entering a digital detox prison? Sort it out, people! The Half-Assed Claypot Rice Caper 🍚 Disappointing rice I ordered the Clay Pot Rice, a classic Hong Kong dish where rice is slow-cooked in a clay pot, resulting in a glorious, golden, crispy crust . My version was, to put it politely, half-assed. The rice m...

Emerging from a cloud of steam and wok hei to bring you the lowdown on Birmingham's sneaky-good Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng scene.  For the uninitiated, a Cha Chaan Teng (or "tea restaurant") is Hong Kong's glorious answer to a diner—a place where East meets West on a plate, delivering comfort, speed, and enough stir-fries to fuel a small army. While there's no single fixed menu, you can bet your last pork floss on finding dishes kissed by that smoky, magical wok hei essence. I've been rummaging through Brum's Chinese Quarter, and let me tell you, while you can't book a flight to Mong Kok, you can find some seriously authentic CCT vibes right here. Kei Hing Restaurant: From Stall to Star Tender and well marinated with wine Now, Kei Hing is a bit of a local legend in the making. It started life as one of those humble, unassuming food hall stalls and now they've got their own bona fide setup within the food hall. And thank goodness they did. '...

Right, let's talk about food halls. You know the drill, that buzzing concept that's everywhere now. Everyone's losing their collective mind over the fancy new spots like St Paul's Market. But I'm not here for the glitz. I'm here for the flavour. And in Birmingham, there are a few older, slightly rough-around-the-edges food halls that are hiding some serious Asian culinary gold. Forget the fancy decor and the 'vibes'—these places are about authentic, belly-stuffing goodness. Let's dive in, you bao-hunting maniacs! 1. Tin Tin Food Hall – The city edge bargain Stir fried beef rice noodles Nestled near BCU, or what will soon be the booming Curzon Street HS2 station (when it finally arrives), is Tin Tin Food Hall.  I've banged on about their Siu Mei (roast meats) before, but there are a couple of other Hong Kong-style spots in there that are genuinely decent. Nothing that will make you weep with joy, but they serve up those lesser-seen Hong Kong d...

Airport food is usually the culinary equivalent of a lukewarm, soggy handshake. It's overpriced, underwhelming, and you feel a bit foolish paying me £10 for a sad-looking sandwich you know a pigeon wouldn't touch or by trying to get yourself ready for holiday by drinking the 3rd pint at 6am in Weatherspoon. Thanks to a glorious, 2 hour-long flight delay at Birmingham Airport, I found myself with a mission: To see if a lounge could actually make airport dining not feel like a daylight robbery. Let's enter The Club Room. Nice decor with dark tone The decor is actually rather good. Think sophisticated, dark tones, moody lighting—the kind of place where you could almost forget you're about to be crammed next to a snoring stranger for 2 hours.   Service was friendly, if a tad slow on the food delivery front. Maybe they were hunting down the ingredients in the local farmer's market, who knows? Good crab toast, surprise me only serve 1 piece of toast Now for the main event...

Today’s mission: a nostalgic trip to the land of Cantonese roast meats, or Siu Mei, right here in the heart of Birmingham. Now, let's get one thing straight. Siu Mei—the trinity of glorious, glistening roast duck, caramelised char siu, and crispy-skinned roast belly pork —is my ultimate Cantonese soul food. It's the flavour of home, the taste of a thousand happy memories. But here’s the unvarnished truth,  finding truly great Siu Mei outside of a bustling Hong Kong eatery is tough. The enemy? Logistics! These meats take time to prepare and must be served fresh, but keeping that perfect, juicy tenderness and crisp skin at a high volume is a culinary war zone. Too often, you get served something that’s merely lukewarm, which, frankly, is a crime against pork. I've sniffed out two spots in Brum that, despite the inherent challenges, deliver authentic flavour and frankly unbeatable value. They are definitely by no means perfect, but they are a fantastic, generous fix of Cantone...

A tale of two cities, two matcha missions. Forget your flat whites or pour-over coffee, we're talking about the good stuff. The earthy, slightly bitter, and oh-so-soothing nectar of the gods, also known as matcha. Wa Cafe, Marylebone: The OG London Spot Great Match and Hojicha latte First up, London. When it comes to Japanese cafes, I've been eyeing up Wa Cafe for ages, and it did not disappoint. The Marylebone branch is a little shoebox, so good luck getting a table on a Saturday without a death stare from a few other hopeful patrons. It's a proper little slice of Japan, a world away from the busy London streets outside. Fluffy strawberry spongecake Great flavour but texture is a let down The matcha latte was a dream. Not too sweet, not too grassy - just a perfect, creamy balance that makes you feel like you've got your life together. And the cake! That strawberry sponge cake was a revelation. It was so light and fluffy it practically floated off the plate. What I real...