Secret Bao

Dining at Secret Bao was a lovely introduction to modern Korean bao with a delicious seafood selection - in Santa Barbara, California.

Sometimes, it’s when you make plans that the universe laughs at you as hilarity ensures. I originally aimed to meet Derrick at Secret Bao for lunch in Santa Barbara, after a 12 mile bike ride in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the travel math didn’t match up with my wishful thinking. As such, I arrived in Santa Barbara much later than expected.

So, after meeting Derrick for lunch at Santa Barbara Public Market and writing at a local Starbucks, I ended up heading to Secret Bao for dinner. After a short wait, I was seated outside on the patio.

To celebrate the end of summer, I ordered a glass of Summer Somewhere’s 2022 Gruner Veltiner from Los Alamos.

When the PINK PERUVIAN SCALLOPS (pink bay scallops, felicia’s chili crunch, sunomono persian cucumber, yuzu vinaigrette, masago, chives) arrived, I was delighted. They were absolutely delicious. In fact, they were so good that the table next to me told me that they wished they’d order it, as well.

The PORK BELLY BAO (pork belly, hoisin glaze, kewpie mayo, sunomono persian cucumbers, togarashi) and the KFC BAO (korean fried chicken, dragon glaze, umami slaw, scallions, pickled red onions) were outstanding. These were Korean bao, which are different than Chinese bao. It felt like a modern, delicious, soft taco.

As I finished, I greatly appreciated getting a table at this extremely popular Santa Barbara restaurant.

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