Secret Bao - Santa Barbara (CA)

5 /5 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.

5 /5 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 its 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. Its 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!

5 /5 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!

5 /5 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 its just too good not to share. Go hungry, and bring friends so you can try a bit of everything.

5 /5 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.