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Breezy choice whipping up Pan-Asian snacks, small plates & sandwiches, plus entrees & cocktails.
Hours
| Friday | 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1201 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 259-3226
Website: http://secretbaosb.com/
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
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Secret Bao
Secret Bao · Home · Menu · Location · Press · Team · Photos · Catering. Order Now. Open … Visit Us. 1201 Anacapa Street. Santa Barbara, CA, 93101. Hours Sun 11: …
Secret Bao (@secretbao) · Santa Barbara, CA – Instagram
9.9K+ followers · 185 posts · Contemporary Asian Restaurant Lunch Counter Service Dinner Reservations Available On Opentable ☎️ 805-259-3226 Open: Wed-Sun …
Secret Bao Restaurant – Santa Barbara, CA | OpenTable
Book now at Secret Bao in Santa Barbara, CA. Explore menu, see photos and read 895 reviews: “Our experience last night was truly exceptional …
Reviews
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!
… moreMatcha 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.
… moreDavid 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.
… moreBrooke 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!
… moreOlivia N
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.
… moreVisiting 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.
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!!
… moreLiz 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!!
… morekatrina 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.
… moreVibricia 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.
… moreThe 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.
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.
… moreThe 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.