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Secret Bao, Santa Barbara, CA
animated flamesBooked 26 times today

Secret Bao

4.8 (743)
$31 to $50
Asian
1201 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2009

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2 people
19:00

About this restaurant

  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Lively
  • Good for groups
Contemporary Asian American Restaurant from Chefs Peter Lee & Felicia Medina.

"Consider the bao. Chinese in origin, it’s most easily described as a steamed bun filled with something savory. Yet, like the American concept of a sandwich, the bao exploded into a flexible format of untold bounds — served at any meal, filled with you-name-it, completely closed or wide open, with endless regional variants from across Asia and far beyond." - Matt Kettmann (SB Independent)








1 Block From State Street, Easy Parking, Public Lot Nearby, Free 75 Minute Parking, Walking Distance, El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District, Superior Court, Spanish Colonial Revival Courthouse, Santa Barbara Museum Of Art, Courthouse Gardens, Bell Tower, Bao, Food, Restaurant, Asian, American, New, Modern, Fried, Chicken, Octopus, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, Friendly, Dog Friendly, Outdoor Patio, Heaters, Warm, Inviting, Hospitable, Modern Design

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Asian, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Wed–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (805) 259-3226
  • Website
    https://www.secretbaosb.com/
  • Payment Options
    Contactless Payment
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Peter Lee & Felicia Medina
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct

Menu

Secret Bao's menu was last updated on 8/6/2023.

Baos / Dimsum

  • K.F.C.

    korean fried chicken, dragon sauce, coleslaw, umami mayo, pickled red onions

    • eaUS$7.00

  • Pork Belly

    scf pork belly, kewpie mayo, sunomono persian cucumbers, hoisin

    • eaUS$7.00

  • Shrimp

    shrimp tempura, sweet chili sauce, kewpie mayo, sesame slaw, scallions

    • eaUS$8.00

  • Octopus

    crispy spanish octopus, pineapple kimchi, felicia's chili crunch, umami mayo, cilantro

    • eaUS$13.00

  • Soy Chili Dumplings

    steamed pork & rainbow charred kimchi, glass noodles, felicia's chili crunch, sweet soy, cilantro, crispy shallots

    • 4 PcsUS$15.00

Eat Some Veggies

  • Sugar Snap Peas & BurrataUS$17.00

    tutti frutti farms sugar snap peas, cara cara oranges, burrata, mint, easter radishes, miso vinaigrette

    • Kungpao CauliflowerUS$15.00

      charred red onion, red bell pepper, japanese dried chilis, kung pao sauce, roasted cashews, cilantro

      • Mapo Tofu Tteok-BokkiUS$16.00

        korean rice cakes, shiitake mushrooms, mapo sauce, soft tofu, cilantro

        Rice & Noods

        • Hamachi PokeUS$17.00

          japanese hamachi, granny smith apples, jalapeno ponzu, umami mayo, sunomono cucumbers, pickled red onions, avocado, furikake calrose rice

          • Garlic NoodlesUS$11.00

            sun noodles, caramelized garlic, oyster sauce, parmesan reggiano, scallions, crispy garlic, sesame oil

            • JapchaeUS$16.00

              korean sweet potato noodles, roasted shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions, spinach, beansprouts, sweet soy sesame sauce, furikake, sesame oil

              • Kimchi JjigaeUS$16.00

                braised pork belly, baechu-kimchi, gochujang, soft tofu

                • CongeeUS$23.00

                  5 spice duck confit, pickled shiitake mushrooms, felicia's chili crunch, radish, chives

                  • Katsu CurryUS$17.00

                    breaded pork loin, japanese curry, shiitake mushrooms, calrose furikake rice, scallions

                    • Kalbi BowlUS$23.00

                      momma lee's korean short ribs, baechu kimchi, red leaf lettuce, calrose rice, sesame oil, furikake, scallions

                      • Pork Belly Fried RiceUS$17.00

                        scf pork belly, caramelized kimchi, onions, garlic, jasmine rice, farm eggs, sugar snap peas, scallions, momo sauce

                        • Chicken BulgogiUS$15.00

                          grilled marinated chicken thighs, brussel sprouts, furikake calrose rice, umami mayo, scallions, togarashi, red pickled ginger

                          • BibimbapUS$15.00

                            spinach, beansprouts, kimchi, soy pickled shiitakes, fresnos, sunomono cucumbers, pickled onions, hooni sauce, calrose rice, sunnyside fried egg, furikake, sesame oil

                            Last updated: 8 June 2023

                            What 743 people are saying

                            Secret Bao reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

                            Overall ratings and reviews

                            Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                            4.8
                            4.8 based on recent ratings
                            • 4.8Food
                            • 4.7Service
                            • 4.4Ambience
                            • 4.4Value

                            Noise • Moderate

                            Diners' Choice Awards

                            • Santa Barbara

                              Best Overall

                            • Santa Barbara

                              Best Food

                            • Santa Barbara

                              Best Service

                            • Santa Barbara

                              Best Value

                            • Santa Barbara

                              Innovative

                            • Santa Barbara

                              Good for groups

                            • Santa Barbara

                              Hot spot

                            • Santa Barbara

                              Great for scenic views

                            • Santa Barbara

                              Lively

                            • Santa Barbara

                              Most Booked

                            Review summary

                            AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                            Secret Bao delights with its "innovative dishes" and "absolutely delicious" flavors. The "attentive service" and cozy atmosphere enhance the experience. Highlights include the "KFC Bao" and "phenomenal crab curry." Despite occasional wait times, the "friendly staff" and "creative, quality" menu make it a "must-go" in Santa Barbara.
                            743 Reviews

                            1. Kiki

                              New York City2 reviews

                              3.0

                              Dined 3 days ago

                              1. Overall 3
                              2. Food 3
                              3. Service 2
                              4. Ambience 2
                              The pork ribs are greasy…I love fried food…didn’t expect it could be that bad. I’m Asian and I understand that u r an Asian FUSION restaurant and want to be creative. But tbh some combinations are just terrible….

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                            2. Quyen

                              California Central Coast4 reviews

                              4.0

                              Dined 4 days ago

                              1. Overall 4
                              2. Food 4
                              3. Service 3
                              4. Ambience 5
                              Food: We ordered the pork belly bao and KFC bao, the hamachi taco, duck spring rolls, and the mango sticky rice. The sauce for the duck spring rolls was super sweet. They are good but nothing excited about. Basically they were deep fried duck meat rolls. I'd give some lettuce leaves and herbs like basil and mints to wrap them in to cut the grease. The hamachi tacos were over powered by the sauce as they added way too much sauce. We could not tase the hamachi. I would reduce the sauce to minimal to bring out the taste of the hamachi. The pork belly bao was the best. The KFC bao, I am not a big fan of deep fried chicken breast. The mango sticky rice was so so. The rice wasn't sticky enough and they used milk instead of coconut milk. Service: the staffs are friendly but not very efficient. For example, we waited for quite some time before someone took our order. In the meantime there were two waiters cleaned the table and set the table and other waiters walked around. When he took our order, he didn't take the menu away. When he brought the food he didn't see that there was a fork missing. Since he disappeared, we just took a fork from an empty table next to us. They do not need that many waiters. They just need efficient waiters. I worked as a waitress in a restaurant for 7 years so I can tell whether the place is run efficient or not. Overall, the place has a potential but need to improve. We will come back to try the lunch menu as they have different menu for lunch.

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                            3. Laura B

                              Washington, D.C. Area4 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 29 May 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 4
                              The flavors and choices keep bring me back... and back.... and back

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                            4. Ashley

                              San Francisco Bay Area1 review

                              5.0

                              Dined on 26 May 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              Wonderful food - and even better atmosphere. Very glad we decided to reserve ahead of time because the few walk-in’s were told an hour wait when we showed up at 7:30. The bbq bao is a must. The galbi was another highlight — with banchan, of course. Everything was lovely!

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                            5. OpenTable Diner

                              San Diego1 review

                              5.0

                              Dined on 26 May 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              Return visit - and just absolutely delicious each time. Innovative dishes, delicious flavors, attentive service. Food is always fresh and fast. One of my favorite spots.

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                            6. Tracy

                              California Central Coast3 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 16 May 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              Fantastic place to eat. 5 Star. The crab curry is phenomenal. Their service is on point. Employees are very kind and helpful. Very flavorful menu.

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                            7. Matt

                              California Central Coast9 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 15 May 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              I believe our server was Maya. She was great. The food is always amazing. KFC bao, cauliflower, duck rolls, it’s all too good. Took down the fig sticky cake for dessert which you need to get with vanilla ice cream. Amazing!

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                            8. Jody

                              San Francisco Bay Area27 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 12 May 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 4
                              4. Ambience 4
                              Excellent food, good service, we would eat here on a regular basis if we lived in the area. We felt fortunate to have been able to experience the food here on a recent trip to the area.

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                            9. Jade

                              California Central Coast1 review

                              5.0

                              Dined on 11 May 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 5
                              The service and the food were absolutely amazing. Highly recommend.

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                            10. Gerald

                              San Francisco Bay Area7 reviews

                              5.0

                              Dined on 11 May 2025

                              1. Overall 5
                              2. Food 5
                              3. Service 5
                              4. Ambience 4
                              This meal was phenomenal!! Each dish was delicious!!

                              Is this helpful?

                            FAQs

                            Secret Bao offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (805) 259-3226.

                            Secret Bao is rated 4.8 stars by 743 OpenTable diners.

                            Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                            1. Home
                            2. United States
                            3. California Central Coast
                            4. Santa Barbara
                            5. Santa Barbara

                            Make a booking

                            2 people
                            19:00
                            Google Map for Secret Bao

                            1201 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2009

                            Dining areas

                            Additional information

                            • Cross Street
                              Anapamu
                            • Area
                              Santa Barbara
                            • Hours of Operation
                              Lunch Wed–Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
                            • Price
                              $31 to $50
                            • Cuisines
                              Asian, Tapas / Small Plates
                            • Dining style
                              Casual Dining
                            • Dress code
                              Casual Dress
                            • Parking details
                              Free 90 Minute Lot Next Door
                            • Payment Options
                              Contactless Payment
                            • Executive Chef
                              Peter Lee & Felicia Medina
                            • Additional
                              Patio/Outdoor Dining
                            • Delivery & takeout
                              Order direct
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