About
Welcome to 88 Bao Bao, a hidden gem nestled in Castro Valley, CA, where the rich flavors of Chinese cuisine come alive. This charming eatery offers a casual dining experience that’s perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. With a diverse menu full of delicious vegetarian options and classic Chinese dishes, there’s something for everyone!
Located at 3330 Village Dr, Castro Valley, this establishment stands out for its commitment to quality and accessibility. With ADA-compliant entrances, covered outdoor seating, and even dog-friendly policies, it’s designed with the community in mind.
As you step inside, the ambiance hits you with a vibrant energy. The aroma of freshly made dumplings fills the air, beckoning you to dive into their menu. One of the highlights is the BBQ Pork Bun, bursting with flavor that transports you straight to the streets of China, while the Soup Dumplings are a must-try for anyone who enjoys a warm, comforting dish filled with delectable broth.
What sets 88 Bao Bao apart is not just the food but the experience. Customers like Raju M. and Joy F. have praised the quick service and the attentive staff who keep your water cups full. The restaurant may be small, but it’s always bustling with energy, creating a sense of camaraderie among diners as they enjoy their shared love for good food.
Whether you are dining in, taking out, or even opting for catering, 88 Bao Bao ensures that flavor and freshness are always at the forefront. Plus, with Wi-Fi availability and a variety of drinks, including alcohol, it’s the perfect spot to unwind with friends or family.
Don’t just take my word for it; visit 88 Bao Bao and experience this culinary treasure for yourself. You’ll leave with a full belly and a smile, already planning your next trip!
“ Fried was delicious Onion Pancakes were tasty Seaseme Balls were a finisher dessert Service was good Choose the menu upfront and Just pay. ”
“ Great and quick service. Our teacup and water cups were always full. Same concept and layout as the one in Dublin. We enjoyed the fresh mango juice too. Soup dumplings are always a good idea. ”
“ We love coming here. Everything is great, they have enough selection of vegetarian dish. The restaurant is small, but always busy. It was pretty busy when we walked in, but we got seated right away and handed a menu. You mark the menu and then bring to the counter to order. I love seeing all the ladies making the dumplings in the back, they make them fresh daily. We ordered the green onion pancake, so good and flaky! The cucumber salad was amazing, the stick rice and mushroom shumai dumplings were so good and you can't go wrong with their sesame balls! The vegetarian bun though, I would pass. Not much flavor, it's bland and the bun seemed a bit dry. The whole experience was great, the service is phenomenal and the food is always great! Come see for yourself. ”
“ We arrived on a Friday evening around 7PM and found this place packed. Parking was not hard to find. We had walked packed this place before and even looked at the menu, but my friends was hungry so we decided to eat here. The place was full and the employee asked us if we walked to eat in or take out. We decided to eat in and there were 2 parties in the wait list prior to us. We waited around 20 minutes for our seat while more folks arrived. When we sat down, they had split the tables and we did not have an of the sauces and cutlery at our table which was an awkward inconvenience as we had to ask the table next to us if we could use their vinegar, chili oil, etc. We ordered: (1) Pork Xiao Long Bao 3/5 We thought this was underflavored and bland, but appreciated the soup in the dumpling(as we've eaten other dumplings all dried up). It was unfortunate how bland their Xiao long bao was. (2) Beef roll 4/5 Also bland but crunchy with tender and soft meat. This wasn't as bland as the Xiao long bao, but the vinegar helped a lot. This dish came out cooled down and wish it came out hot. (3) Pan fried pork buns 5/5 Our favorite dish tonight. The meat was properly seasoned and the bottom was pan fried to perfection. This came out nice as hot. We loved the casual setting where you could order up from and they brought the food to you. Overall, we'd come by again as it's closer than our favorite Xiao Long bao spot in Union city, but it is not our first pick! ”
“ Surprise to see this in a really small space. For a dim sum restaurant, you're hoping to be able to sit more folks around the table. This is meant more for groups of 2-4 people. The food overall was good. I really enjoyed their soup dumplings. I was really surprised on the size of their steam pork bao. Crazy big. ”
“ Came here with a friend before an event and it hit the spot! Since we both like to try new things, we were able to get a few dishes to share - including the pork baos, xiao long bao, beef noodle soup, and fried pork buns. A lot for two people but we finished everything, which is a sure sign that we'll be coming back here. You order at the front (there's a kiosk and server) and the food is brought to your table when ready. Note that the bao order comes with one bao only (though it's rather large). There is an area where you can observe the food being made, if that's your jam. This restaurant is located in a very busy shopping complex so parking is very tough on the weekends. You might need to circle around a few times to secure a spot. I would say it's a pretty casual setting and very efficient. Food portions were decent and the fried buns were made with the perfect amount of crisp. Would recommend! ”
“ Came back for round two today! Was craving the beef roll and its so yummy! The hosin sauce really goes well with it. Wish it was more meaty though. The meat is tender inside and the outside is a bit crisp but more chewy texture. Must try! The egg yolk buns are fresh and soft. Be careful when you eat it cause it will splooge. They are not super sweet which is good for my taste. The workers are friendly and nice. Parking can get tough. ”
“ 88 Bao Bao is a solid spot for comfort Chinese and Taiwanese food! When I came here on a winter weekday night, it was pretty packed in a small space, but we still got seated. The beef noodle soup is solid! That's a Taiwanese staple, and the beef was tender and delicious, and the noodles were nice and thick. I couldn't finish the broth because I was so stuffed. Xiaolongbao is also fantastic! It's hard to go wrong with good soup dumplings. In the narrow hallway between the dining area and the restrooms, there's clear glass windows through which you can see the chefs making dumplings. That transparency is always fun to watch in Chinese restaurants! A good spot in Castro Village Shopping Center. I wish I could say parking is ample (and it is on weekdays), but over the weekends, it's packed and can be hard to find! ”
“ It doesn't matter if you dine in or take out, 88 Bao Bao doesn't disappoint! The staff are really friendly and the food always comes out pretty fast. Plus, you can literally see them making the food through the squeaky clean window into the kitchen, so you know they ain't hiding nothing. Beef Roll, Lo Mien, Rice Noodles and Fried Buns are our go-to items, but their buns, dumplings and other items are yummy as well. Definitely recommend! ”