Welcome to Wow Bao – Theater District
At Wow Bao – Theater District, culinary passion meets convenience in the heart of Chicago. This quick-service eatery specializes in exquisite bao and Asian-inspired bowls, offering a fusion of flavors that reflect both authenticity and innovation. From the tender pork soup dumplings to the spicy Mongolian beef bowl, each dish is thoughtfully crafted to ensure a delightful dining experience. With efficient self-serve kiosks and fast service, it’s the perfect spot for a quick meal before a show. The soft, pillowy baos burst with flavor, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers craving a distinctive taste!
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1 W Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, United States Hotline: +1 312-658-0305
Welcome to Wow Bao – Theater District, an exciting culinary gem nestled in the heart of Chicago at 1 W Wacker Dr. This innovative eatery has redefined the quick-service dining experience, making it an ideal stop for theater-goers and busy city dwellers alike. Just a stone's throw from the bustling theaters, Wow Bao has managed to create a menu that blends traditional Asian flavors with a modern, fast-casual twist.
At Wow Bao, the culinary offerings are a delightful adventure. The star of the show? The renowned Pork Soup Dumplings, which come in a 6 pack for a mere $10.99. These morsels are packed with savory broth and tender pork, providing an explosion of flavor with each bite. Don't overlook the array of potstickers, also available in various quantities, each pan-seared to perfection and served with your choice of dipping sauce. Whether you opt for the 8-Piece Potstickers at $8.99 or the 12-Piece for $11.99, each one promises a satisfying crunch before giving way to a juicy filling.
One customer, Jeffrey Weber, mentions enjoying the rice bowl with orange chicken alongside the baos, which he described as "soft pillowy balls of dough." This speaks to the quality and freshness that Wow Bao prides itself on. Another patron, Gabriella Garcia, praised the speed of service via self-serve kiosks and the flavorful BBQ pork bao and spicy Mongolian beef bowl, making it an unbeatable choice for a quick bite before a show.
The menu is not just about tradition; it embraces modern flavors too. As Eric Huynh pointed out, dishes like the Thai Green Curry Chicken bao introduce a unique fusion of tastes, appealing to a broader palate while remaining grounded in its cultural roots. This approach to catering to varied tastes without compromising authenticity is what sets Wow Bao apart in the competitive Chicago food scene.
- Location: 1 W Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
- Phone: +1 312-658-0305
- Favorite Dishes:
- Pork Soup Dumplings 6 Pack - $10.99
- 8-Piece Potstickers - $8.99
- BBQ Pork Bao - Price varies
Whether you're a local or just passing through, the Wow Bao – Theater District offers a unique dining experience that embodies the essence of quick, delicious, and affordable meals. From the moment you enter, the aroma of freshly steamed baos and sizzling potstickers will draw you in. This isn’t just food; it’s a flavorful escape that complements the vibrant energy of the city and its famed theater scene. So, the next time you're in the area, make sure to stop by and savor a taste of Wow Bao – your palate will thank you!
Had a great lunch here. Perfect size for a meal. Got a rice bowl with orange chicken along with 2 baos. The boas were soft pillowy balls of dough.
Wow Bao in the Theater District is the perfect quick bite before a show or if you're just craving something different. I grabbed a BBQ pork bao (4), spicy Mongolian beef bowl (10), and a ginger ale (3), and everything was fresh, hot, and packed with flavor. The bao was soft and fluffy, with just the right amount of filling, and the beef bowl had a good kick to it. Ordering on the self-serve kiosks was super easy, and my food was out in no time. Perfect for a fast, tasty, and affordable meal downtown without waiting forever. Definitely hitting this spot again!
Grew up eating baos and I must admit how impressed I am by this 'fast food' style approach. I love the adapted flavors such as the thai green curry chicken and the vegetarian whole wheat edamame baos which in my opinion represents a successful fusion of a well made bao and trendy, familiar flavors catered to a broader palate. I would reccomend for people to try other 'unconventional' flavors as well as I am sure the recipes are well crafted to be tasty to most people. It is a shame that I have only experienced Wow Bao in Chicago. I would love to see them branch out to other major cities.
For a quick bite before you go on your next adventure in Chicago, check out Wow Bao Yes, the portions are small, but the food's good. Get the pot stickers, and get a lot. That one bao in the bag? it's smaller than you imagine. It's gone in one bite Oh! don't forget the chicken bone broth. Lemongrass, ginger, lime, it's very hot and flavorful. Perfect non-caffeinated pick me up
We always eat a ton of Asian cuisine whenever we take a trip to Chicago-- Wow Bao is always on our list!! We ordered 8 baos (labeled by the paper on the bottom) and 8 dumplings. Use the dipping sauces! Bring some flavor to the buns!! …
Glad I came here, good baos and dishes. I had the orange chicken and lo mein. Really good and flavorful, I enjoyed the baos, they had plenty of meat and flavor. Good combo deal the bowl and 2 bao. Good spot for a quick Asian inspired comfort food spot.
Definitely not your average American Chinese restaurant, authenticity is about 70% if that’s important to you, the rest 30% I’d give it to creativity. I like the business model, it feels like meet in the middle between authentic Chinese food and Americanized Chinese food, and also between a fast food restaurant and a sit down restaurant. My favorite was the ginger chicken potstickers.
Saturday evening visit. Not terribly busy, so no problem getting a seat. I had the teriyaki chicken bowl with rice, it was very good. My companion had vegetable bowl with lo mein,. It was a little bland. We shared ginger chicken potstickers, bbq Berkshire pork bao, and a coconut custard bao. Aside from the vegi lo mein, the food was good. It was ready quick and the staff was friendly enough.