Bao Mama - Market at 70 King, Oshawa — Restaurant in Oshawa

A Flavorful Fusion: Filipino Birria Baos That Will Blow Your Mind

If you haven’t yet experienced Filipino birria baos, you’re in for an epic culinary journey. A fusion of traditional Filipino flavors and Mexican-inspired birria, these baos have quickly become a food lover’s dream. From the tender, slow-cooked beef to the pillowy-soft bao buns, this dish combines the best of both worlds, creating an unforgettable bite with every single mouthful.

The Baos: The star of this dish is undoubtedly the bao bun. Soft, warm, and slightly sweet, these fluffy pockets of dough act as the perfect vessel to carry the rich, savory filling inside. The baos are always fresh, slightly pillowy with just the right amount of chew, and they never overpower the star ingredients. Light and airy, they hold the birria with a subtle elegance that’s never too heavy, making every bite a satisfying yet delicate experience.

The Birria: Now, let’s talk about the birria itself. In traditional birria, beef or goat is slow-cooked in a rich, spiced broth until it’s fall-apart tender. Filipino birria baos take this classic and give it a local twist, with a marinade of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and a blend of spices that reflect the heart of Filipino flavors. The meat is cooked low and slow until it's perfectly shredded, maintaining a juicy, tender texture that bursts with flavor.

The richness of the birria, with its slow-cooked spices and depth of flavor, melds beautifully with the soy-based marinade. Every bite offers the savory umami goodness of the beef, combined with a kick of heat and tanginess from the vinegar and soy. The flavor profile is distinctly Filipino, yet unmistakably birria, and this combination creates an incredibly satisfying experience. The result? A meat filling that’s not only tender but full of soul, making it stand out from any other bao you’ve had before.

The Toppings: No bao is complete without the right toppings, and Filipino birria baos certainly deliver here. The shredded beef is complemented by a handful of fresh, crisp cilantro and onions. This classic Mexican topping adds an extra layer of freshness that balances the richness of the beef. To enhance the flavor even more, a squeeze of calamansi (a Filipino citrus) gives a zesty, refreshing finish that cuts through the richness, making each bite even more exciting.

But the magic doesn’t end there. The bao is often drizzled with a tangy, slightly spicy sauce—sometimes made from the leftover birria broth—that packs an extra punch. This sauce brings a rich, flavorful depth, adding another layer of complexity to the dish that’s both comforting and adventurous at the same time.

The Experience: One of the most amazing parts of Filipino birria baos is how versatile and comforting they are. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite on the go or sharing a few with friends, these baos hit the sweet spot every time. The combination of Filipino ingredients and Mexican techniques results in a dish that feels familiar yet exciting, and every bite feels like a delicious embrace of flavor.

Final Thoughts: Filipino birria baos are the ultimate fusion dish, a marriage of two culinary worlds that’s executed with passion and precision. The slow-cooked beef, wrapped in the soft, pillowy bao, and topped with the perfect balance of freshness and spice, creates a symphony of flavors in every bite. If you’re in search of a unique, flavorful food experience that takes your taste buds on a ride, these baos are a must-try. They bring the soul of Filipino cooking and the richness of birria together in a bite-sized, flavor-packed marvel that you...

Bao Mama – A Taste of Home Away from Home

We took a special trip from Scarborough to Oshawa just for an afternoon merienda at Bao Mama, and it was absolutely worth the drive. We were craving an original Loming Batangas, and Bao Mama did not disappoint!

We ordered their lomi, halo-halo, gulaman, and the Triple Bao, and honestly, everything was soooo good. The lomi had that rich, thick Batangas-style soup that felt like a warm hug. The Triple Bao was perfectly crispy outside and packed with flavor inside — a bite into that OGC goodness is a game-changer. The gulaman was refreshing, and the halo-halo was layered with all the right sweetness and textures. Every bite and sip felt like home.

What made our visit even more special was meeting Nina, the owner and founder, who treated us like VIPs. She shared the story behind Bao Mama — from the meaning of the name, the design of the logo, to how everything is made from scratch. You can tell she pours her heart into every part of the business, and that’s what makes it so special.

If you're near UTSC or Oshawa, you have to visit Bao Mama at 70 King Market. It’s more than just food — it’s a full experience of culture, passion, and Filipino warmth. Truly one of the best food...

Had an awesome solo dinner here on a Saturday night. Originally saw it was new on Uber Eats and noticed it was just a 5 minute drive away so decided to go in person instead and I'm so happy I did!

They have an awesome variety of traditional and unique bao bun options that all sounded great. I opted for the original crispy chicken and the triple-B baos and was surprised when I saw how big they were when they came out! I like to think I can eat a lot and I would have been full just from one bao and the Sinigang fries (which you absolutely have to get). I also grabbed one of their ready made mango sago drinks and it was delicious. Sago is a similar taste and texture to QQ if you're familiar with bubble tea. They also had tons of Southeast Asian snacks to grab if interested.

I believe I spoke with one of the owners on the way out and she was so excited that it was my first time. She said it's much better if you can dine-in or else having the food transported in takeout boxes can take away some of the crispy textures from many menu items or hinder the presentation of the food.

Will definitely be coming back with friends. I wish I took more photos but I was just too excited to try...