Kim Loi Banh Bao

Final Thoughts: 3.3/5From what I see on the menu, I believe only three items are sold here: 1) Meatballs, 2) Shu Mai, and 3) Steamed buns. Their steamed buns (bánh bao) are truly the main attraction at this location and seems to be what they specialize in. Many people have said that they make their buns very well and so here I am to try it. Food: Combination Bao (Bánh Bao Thập Cẩm): 4.0/5Overall, this steamed bun is good. Flavor wise - lovely. They do a really nice job with seasoning their filling. The saltiness and sweetness are nicely balanced here. Dough - satisfactory. The dough itself is really fluffy and has a nice bounce when you feel it. Aroma of the dough is alright? It doesn't really have a scent at all besides the smell of the filling coming through. Also perhaps it was a muted scent of yeast. Ratio of filling to dough - unsatisfactory. Looking at my picture, I'm now realizing that I should have quartered the bun to really put this into perspective. The bun itself is quite large, but I would estimate that about 70% of it is dough and only 30% is filling. A large portion of the filling is half the egg provided. Our sausage piece was very insignificant and of course, the remainder is the meat. Looking at the picture, the border around the meat is also quite thick. It's a plus that it's nice and fluffy, but again, the ratio is not ideal. ---------Quality: FairThe buns do seem of fair...to almost optimal quality. Filling seemed nicely made - onions, green onions, seasonings, and a few more items that I can't seem to make out. They all complimented the filling and contributed to the nice flavor though. Our bun was warm right when we purchased it, but it didn't take long for it to cool down at all. I appreciate them keeping the buns warm in the steamer. The drop in temperature appears to be related to our purchase during the evening time and the cold weather outside. Price: Very expensive To be quite frank, we only purchased one today because that's all we could "afford" in the moment. The thought of spending $14 on two steamed buns just seems absurd to me. Given what the item is and what the ingredients are, I just can't seem to wrap my head around the price of it. I actually didn't pay much attention to the price at first because I was generalizing that steamed bun prices range from $3 to $5 for one. Seeing $7 for a single one did hurt me a little. Perhaps I'll consider buying one once in a blue moon. Ambiance: SimpleThe shops interior looks very simplistic and my assumption is that their true investment is the product that they sell. I am all here for that. Interior is pretty much open space with just a counter where the cashier is at. Menus are posted on the side wall and at the counter for your convenience. These foods are commonly taken home and eaten, so perhaps tables aren't a necessity. It would liven up the place a bit perhaps if seats or benches were included though. Location/Parking: Optimal This location is within Lion plaza, but it's right at the very end on the side of the supermarket. I can't say there's a lot of traffic that happens within that corner because it's in between the market and the plaza next to it where the majority of other small food spots and shops are located. It faces the parking lot, so it's not hidden. It's just not the most noticeable spot within the area. Parking wise, there shouldn't be an issue here unless there's a large event happening. Quite the spacious parking lot. One note is that the pavement isn't the friendliest on the car tires.

This place is located on the outskirts of the Lion Plaza on Tully. They specialize in banh bao or Vietnamese steamed buns. The place feels family owned and operated and the people are super sweet. I'm not sure if it's with the same ownership, but this place has been here for decades.On this recent trip, my family and I picked up some BBQ baos and mini combination baos. Both were so delicious. As delicious as I remembered. I haven't been here in a long time. The flavors and texture here for their banh bao is on point and consistent. There's a little bit of nostalgia factor for me because I used to go get my haircut at this plaza pretty much every month when I was a kid. My family would always drive down to San Jose from where we live to come to this area. And this would be one of my favorite places to go to.There used to be seating in the spot, but I think they removed it and now it's primarily just take out. But I highly recommend getting the banh baos here because they are among the best I've ever had.

Located at the end of Lion's building. Quick & easy order & service. The baos are good & fulfilling... very meaty. I really like the combo, mini & large. Since location is quite far for me, had to order enough for a days worth of snacks! Price wise, it's ok... not cheap as they used to be.

Yummy bao.I passed this store many times when we were in this area and didn't stop by. This time, we stopped by based on my friends recommendation. This store specializes in many variates of steam bao. It's clean and very quiet. I have the combination bao and bbq bao. Both are yummy, but I prefer bbq pao. Bbq pao comes in 4 pieces. It is interesting that they use quill egg on the combination bao. The service was superb.

Came in a little around 4:30pm. Ordered the salted egg pork bun and the combination bun. Huge buns, adequate filling of minced pork, half of a hard boiled egg, small piece of Chinese sausage. About $7 each. It would be a better rating if they were not cold. The server took the buns out of the steamer baskets, so I thought they'd be warm. They probably stop heating it up near the end of the day, even it if closes at 7pm and I was there a few hours before closing. So if anything, go in the morning or early afternoon where it is probably piping hot. More of a place to grab and go. No seating inside or outside the shop, but there are seating areas in the plaza food court away several feet away.

I grew up eating at Kim Loi so this place is super nostalgic to me! It used to be in the food court inside of Lion Plaza. Now it's on the outskirts of the plaza next to Lion Supermarket. Their combination bao's have always been my favorite. They now have mini versions of the combination baos. The regular size baos are filled with a pork-ball filling with a piece of Chinese sausage and a hard boiled chicken egg. The mini version has quail eggs instead. They're still just as good as I remember them to be. Yum!

I used to grow up eating the Chinese version of these baos and I never used to like them too much because there was too much dough or the meat filling felt very one dimensional. The baos here are what I always wanted them to taste like. I got the Combination Bao ($5.49) and it was packed to the brim with lots of filling. There's pork, Chinese sausage, and egg, so it's a more complex combination of flavors. The steamed dough was also pretty moist and had a light sweetness that I like. The baos are a bit pricey, but I would definitely come back to try more!

I have noticed this place because it's on DoorDash. I also noticed this place because of Cherylynn's review. I was on my way out of the food court and though I wasn't hungry, I just had to satisfy my inner-self. the gentleman at the front (only person I saw) was genuinely soft-spoken and so friendly. W/ a lot to offer (varying types of banh bao and sizes, Chinese shiu mai, Vietnamese xiu mai) and the ability to accept cards.. how can this place not be a winner? I have not had a banh bao in so long. I ordered their banh bao thap cam (combination) and an order of the xiu mai.The banh bao was fluffy, a slight density to it. It is not dry either. The stuffing (ground pork, egg, and Chinese sausage) was so good. It was nostalgic devouring these. The xiu mai was springy, juicy, and so savory. Both items still tasted fresh after a day. I will be back!

Such a godsend that this is available on doordash. Ordered the mini combo pork bao, and the pork shu mai. Both were served warm and very tasty. Good proportion of meat vs steam bun. Recommended to try out.

I'm still new to San Jose but have frequented the shopping center several times in the past year before I'd moved from San Diego. While running errands with my friend, I saw this shop and was craving some bao buns. The owner was so sweet and omg...the prices for the options are so good. The quality and taste of my baos were beautiful. Soft, pillowy goodness with the right amount of flavorful filling. Nothing like fresh steamed buns that cured my homesickness and cravings.