Bao In Downtown White Plains Is Expanding Its Menu

Bao in downtown White Plains is busy adding new dishes to an already extensive menu. The restaurant reopened recently after 5-1/2 weeks of renovation.

The latest items to arrive are Spicy Peppercorn Delight, Bao Bao Bun and Shabu Shabu -- a dish customers cook at their tables on a portable gas stove with a dual cooking pot.

All three dishes are still too new to be listed on the menu but are available every day although Shabu Shabu needs to be be ordered a day in advance.

Spicy Peppercorn Delight

“ Spicy Peppercorn Delight will numb your lips with its tinkling taste,” owner May Tan said. ”My mother made it often for my family when I was a child,” she noted, “except her version didn’t have peppercorn.” The ingredients for this dish are dry sautéed baby shrimp, sliced chicken, sliced beef, vegetables, dry tofu, chili, spices and peppercorn. It is priced at $20.95.

Bao Bao Bun

“The Bao Bao Bun is an Asian version of the American hamburger,” Tan said. Although usually served with spicy roast pork, chicken can be substituted. It is accompanied by very-soft white Lotus buns, sautéed onions, jicama, shredded carrots and other cooked vegetables and white or brown rice; it is available at lunch or dinner at $14.95.

Shabu Shabu

Shabu Shabu is cooked by the customers at their tables using small portable gas stoves with dual cooking pots. The cost is $29.95 per person, at least four customers must request Shabu Shabu, all guests at a table must order it, and the restaurant needs 24-hour advance notification.

The ingredients are delivered on an array of small plates and include baby bok choy. beef, cabbage, chicken broth, chili, fish balls, fresh fish filet, garlic, lamb, noodles, potatoes, spinach, tofu, and vegetables. Many dipping sauces are provided as well including peanut sauce and Sacha sauce.
Strainers are used to bring the food from the pot to the plates.

Bao Fine Chinese Cuisine is located on the lowest level at the White Plains Mall at 200 Hamilton Avenue in White Plains, 914-682-8858.

Photo: Bao’s Spicy Peppercorn Delight