What's better than a fluffy, saucy bao? Well, learning that there's a dedicated National Bao Day, for a start. And then, finding out that one of Melbourne's favourite bao destinations is giving away a stack of its star creations for free to mark the occasion.
The annual food celebration apparently falls on Thursday, August 22, and street food eatery Goldie Asian Canteen + Brews is getting into the spirit with some good old fashioned freebies. Be one of the first 600 punters through the door between noon and 2pm that day and you'll score yourself one free bao.
Choices include menu favourites like the crispy chicken bao stuffed with Sriracha kewpie, coriander, pickled carrot and daikon — and a braised pork belly beauty matched with pickled mustard greens.
And, since it's pretty much impossible to stop at just one, the restaurant's offering further bao discounts on the day – instead of the usual $15 for two bao, you'll be able to snap them up for just $4 a pop.
Images: Kate Shanasy