Secret Bao

The food here is absolutely incredible. We always get the Kung Pao Cauliflower and a bunch of other plates. I’m glad there are some vegetarian options. Flavors of everything are just always soooo on point! Atmosphere is also great, staff is friendly and helpful. Kitchen staff is great too, we never have to wait long for food to come out. Highly recommend if you’re in the area!

So tasty! The Hamachi poke was excellent on multiple levels: presentation, texture, flavor, freshness and novelty. The baos were tasty as well!

Vivian Anne

I had dinner at Secret Bao in a Friday around 8:30 pm. They were able to seat us (party of 2) on the heated outdoor patio with our dog with a very short wait (5 minutes). Matcha Horchata - tastes exactly as you would expect it too. Spiced from the horchata with good matcha. Fun to try, not sure I would need to try this again. Secret Salad - really nice fresh greens that are served in a bundle so you can dip them in a edamame sauce. Recommend trying this! Farmers Market Delicata Tempura & Dip - this was a special and delicious! A big serving of crunchy delicata tempura that was nice and sweet! Recommend trying this if it's in the menu. Crab Crunch Bao - another special for the night. A wonton taco is filled with a citrusy crab filling which is then stuffed in a warm, cheesey bun. Really good. I would order it again Pork Belly Bao - best pork belly bao I have ever had. Recommend getting this! Scallop and Prawn Dumplings - these was good dumplings but I think the other items we had were more special and fun. Mango Sticky Rice Bingsu - this was really good. A light dessert with a lot of mango! Bao Donut - this was my favorite dessert. It's essentially an ice cream sandwich. The bao bun is housemade and served warm. I got mine with vanilla ice cream which paired perfectly with the cinnamon. I have been wanting to try Secret Bao and was not disappointed. The food and service were excellent. I would definitely come back to eat here and recommend it!

Anna Zucker

Delightful food in a nice location just off State street. Definitely want reservations at night. Service was great, young man knew the menu and was able to make suggestions. We tried a cocktail and several dishes. The udon carbonara was very generous and succulent. The beef chow fun also nice sized dish with a bit of spice. The scallop and prawn dumplings and ribs were both very flavorful.

David Myrick

Been on my list to try when I pass through SB. Was definitely a good spot to enjoy a lunch. I was bummed cause I wanted to try the hamachi tacos, unfortunately those are only on the dinner menu. Overall I just hit up the appetizer menu with bao buns & a couple other things they recommended. The best bao was the fried chicken bao. The crab hand roll was nice and tasty as well. It was done in two bites. I thought the steamed dumplings were ok, nothing to rave about. The pork bun was tasty. Overall it was pretty tasty spot.

Brooke Binder

The flavor party that happens when you eat this food is unimaginable…which means you should just go and experience it for yourself! Just say the food was delicious would be an understatement. It’s the perfect quick bite between running around the city, it’s right across the street from the courthouse, which is a must see. The service was incredible and everyone was so friendly and kind. 10 out of 10 would recommend!

Liz dorantes

Everything was spot on! Kathleen is the sweetest and helped us figure out the menu as it was our first time here. The hamachi wonton tacos, kfc bao, the chicken soup dumplings, the lychee martini!!! 100/10. We’ll be back soon!!

Vibricia P

Secret Bao is one of those rare finds that hits every note perfectly — bold flavors, unique dishes, and an atmosphere that feels both modern and welcoming. The garlic noodles were good — simple but absolutely packed with flavor. Chewy, buttery, garlicky perfection. And the kalbi steak with rice? Wow. The steak was beautifully marinated and grilled, tender with just the right amount of char. Paired with fluffy rice and flavorful kimchi, it was a full-on comfort meal with a gourmet twist. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited about the food, which made the whole experience even better. The outdoor seating is another major plus — it’s spacious, relaxed, and perfect for enjoying Santa Barbara’s amazing weather. Whether you’re catching up with friends or just grabbing a quiet meal, the patio space adds to the whole experience without feeling crowded or cramped. Secret Bao is the kind of place you want to keep secret — but it's just too good not to share. Go hungry, and bring friends so you can try a bit of everything.

G

Insanely good food and wonderful service! Kathleen was very friendly, professional, and had excellent recommendations. We went with all of their recommendations and it was right on point 🔥 All of the staff was efficient and also had a great attitude. Highly recommend!! 🏆

katrina storton

Fantastic restaurant, everything on the menu is fantastic. The KFC Bao has the most incredible fried chicken & slaw. The Pork Belly Bao just melts in your mouth. The Duck Confit Spring Rolls are put if this world. The prices are fair, the service is fast and friends and the atmosphere is impeccable.

Paul Minagawa

So tasty! The Hamachi poke was excellent on multiple levels: presentation, texture, flavor, freshness and novelty. The baos were tasty as well!

patrick hagan

Holy moly! The flavors at Secret Bao are beyond words. Absolutely delectable. I’ve eaten here 3 times in the past couple of months and am more impressed each time, everything I’ve tried has been outstanding. The food comes out in a very timely manner as it’s ready, they have really dialed in the service, and it’s incredibly consistent. Those who have gone with me have been equally impressed. Garlic noodles are probably my favorite, (I could drink the gravy / sauce they are served in,) followed by the soy dumplings and fried rice. This place has quickly risen to my favorite restaurant in SB.

Burton Kendall

We loved our first visit with SB! The food was fresh, delicious, and well done.. Customer service experience was awesome too.

Kay Kavanah

The food here is absolutely incredible. We always get the Kung Pao Cauliflower and a bunch of other plates. I’m glad there are some vegetarian options. Flavors of everything are just always soooo on point! Atmosphere is also great, staff is friendly and helpful. Kitchen staff is great too, we never have to wait long for food to come out. Highly recommend if you’re in the area!

Grish240

Creative cuisine is how I describe Secret Bao. The ingredients combine to make memorable bites. Each dish is presented as if it’s a standalone three dimensional art piece. Our server was informative and took care of us very well. The ambience felt modern and cozy at the same time.

Juliette Carnevale

Wow. This place is absolutely amazing. It’s funny I’ve never seen this pop up when searching for restaurants so I’m so glad a friend recommended it. This compares to NYC restaurants for me. The flavors were amazing and the food felt so fresh. The dessert brioche dumplings were insanity. The service was also top notch. We will recommend Secret Bao to anyone visiting SB.

Everything was absolutely amazing. I can’t remember the last time I went out to eat where everything was a hit! The food, the drinks, the service, all wonderful! Kathleen was our server and she made the whole experience even more enjoyable! I loved her energy and kindness! We will definitely be returning.

Delicious! Was expecting just Bao but got a lot of amazing choices. Our server RJ was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable of the menu, asked to make sure we didn’t have any allergies to the food we ordered and was a pleasure to talk to. While we were leaving he mentioned they have a different menu for lunch. We don’t live here but when we come back we will definitely be trying that menu too!

Had such a great experience at Secret Bao, and a huge part of that was our server, Claire. She was attentive, friendly, and made the whole night feel easy and enjoyable. She checked in at the perfect times without ever feeling intrusive and made sure we had everything we needed. Claire knew the menu inside and out and gave awesome recommendations everything she suggested was honestly a hit. You can tell she genuinely cares about her guests and wants them to have a great experience. Her attitude was warm and professional, and she handled everything smoothly even when it got busy. Great food, great atmosphere, and outstanding service from Claire. We’ll definitely be back!

Secret Bao is hands down one of the best Asian fusion spots I’ve been to. The food was amazing everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. You can tell they really care about quality and presentation. The bao were soft and packed with flavor, and every dish we tried had its own unique twist. What really made the experience stand out though was our hostess, Grace. She was so welcoming and genuinely kind from the moment we walked in. She made us feel taken care of right away, kept everything organized even though it was busy, and had such a positive attitude the entire time. Great customer service honestly makes a huge difference, and Grace absolutely delivered. Definitely coming back again. Highly recommend!

Stumbled upon this spot and honestly… what a gem. Everything from start to finish was a great experience. The baos were fresh, fluffy, and packed with flavor, you can really tell there’s a lot of care put into the food. The vibe was low-key and welcoming, the kind of place you almost want to keep to yourself. Huge shoutout to RJ, who was super nice and made the experience even better. Friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming without being over the top. Definitely one of those “how is this place not more known?” spots. Will absolutely be back and recommending it to friends.

Oscar Ferreira

Food was really good. But what really stood out for me was the excellent service. My server RJ really knows how to make a customer feel welcomed, valued, and prioritized. Always on top of everything and made sure we had everything we needed. Overall the customer experience at secret bao was amazing!

Plan ahead. This place is very busy. We came for dinner on Saturday night, and it was a long wait. We walked through town to pass time. I'm super happy we didn't cancel the reservation to try another place. The food was a wonderful experience and we seriously enjoyed it. The flavors blew my mind. Every, single, item... Was amazing. If you don't like spicy, be careful, because it was all spicy. I'm sure you can order things with less spice. Must try this place!

Felix Ngo

Food is a expensive per portion, but the soup dumplings were very good. Fried rice and pork was perfect. Service was fine as the restaurant is pretty busy, but servers may forget about you and getting one's attention takes some effort.

Nathan Buddrius

Plan ahead. This place is very busy. We came for dinner on Saturday night, and it was a long wait. We walked through town to pass time. I'm super happy we didn't cancel the reservation to try another place. The food was a wonderful experience and we seriously enjoyed it. The flavors blew my mind. Every, single, item... Was amazing. If you don't like spicy, be careful, because it was all spicy. I'm sure you can order things with less spice. Must try this place!

Overall rating: 3.5 / Paid $20 Visiting from NYC I was very foolish to think I could do a walk-in at 6pm on a Sunday. Nothing was available until 9pm! When I asked if I could get food to go, they were shocked. I love bao buns & that was my last day. When I ordered.. I didn’t realize there are only 3 bao bun options at a bao bun restaurant. A bit disappointing. The hostess did imply there were more but the menu only had 3 named with “bao”, it was kinda confusing tbh. The other ones say dumplings. I ordered all 3 and ate at a nearby bar hence the background in my pictures. I will admit bao buns are my FAVORITE food, so my taste buds might be a bit higher and yeah these were not good. The lack of flavor/ toppings and too much mayo didn’t work for me. The high rating confused me, so maybe they’re known for other things outside of the restaurant name. Doubt I’d be back.

You order first, then grab a seat! The baos were honestly really good! soft, fluffy buns with great flavor. I’d totally recommend the pork belly bao. The KFC bao had a nice little spicy kick but the chicken was super tender and juicy.The char siu mandu was just okay. We also tried the katsu bento and pork belly fried rice, but those were kind of disappointing. The fried rice tasted like a mild, fusion-style version of kimchi fried rice, not super flavorful. Tbh, in the rice dish, i felt like the spinach was little odd. And there was not much pork belly either. There’s definitely a difference in quality between the baos and the other dishes. I highly recommend baos but idk about the rice dishes.

Olivia N

Overall rating: 3.5 Price: $21 No reso at 6pm & it was booked up. Staff was super friendly but I did not like the baos I ordered at all. I’m obsessed with this type of food, so could totally be my taste buds. - Pork Belly Bao - KFC Bao

Su

You order first, then grab a seat! The baos were honestly really good! soft, fluffy buns with great flavor. I’d totally recommend the pork belly bao. The KFC bao had a nice little spicy kick but the chicken was super tender and juicy.The char siu mandu was just okay. We also tried the katsu bento and pork belly fried rice, but those were kind of disappointing. The fried rice tasted like a mild, fusion-style version of kimchi fried rice, not super flavorful. Tbh, in the rice dish, i felt like the spinach was little odd. And there was not much pork belly either. There’s definitely a difference in quality between the baos and the other dishes. I highly recommend baos but idk about the rice dishes.

Xyz McGhee

The place was heavily korean. I was under the impression Boa where Chinese. The selection of coarse options was very thin. To compind things i was never offered one of the many menues. Which incidentally has some items i would have wanted to try.. over all review. Not worth the time and money. The service is sub-sub-par service. Caltaco seems like a bettter option