Bun Me Up -- San Jose, CA (Chinese cuisine)

There are few situations where a bao bun would not be appropriate. Finding a place that can do them well and have them available often, is difficult. But it does exist. I have enjoyed these tasty buns on several occasions and each time has been just as good as the last. 

Located inside Tiki Pete at 23 N Market Street, is this establishment, slinging bao buns with vigor as your personal caterer or packing these delicious hand-held morsels to go or for local delivery.



https://www.bunmeup.com/


Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

Braised Pork Belly. This is a saucy, Chinese-inspired, thick-cut, long-braised pork belly in a soy-based sauce. Their signature steamed, then pan-fried bun has a great texture that is slightly crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. This bao is served with pickled carrot and daikon, as well as fresh red cabbage and Hoisin sauce. Three bites of delight.

Shoyu Pork. This thick-cut pork belly was marinated in Japanese soy sauce and a secret house special blend. Umami rich with the fatty cut of pork, this was succulent and balanced with a topping of cucumber, cilantro, pickled carrot, red onion and daikon, as well as an Aji Verde sauce.

Shaking Beef Ribeye. This thinly sliced beef is marinated in a Vietnamese shaking beef-style marinade. This style of marinade typically has soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and possibly fish sauce. This was also served with fresh and crunchy cucumber, red cabbage and cilantro, as well as those ubiquitous sweet and tangy carrot and daikon pickles.

I look forward to the day this establishment may have their own space. Until then, I will be happy to grab to-go items when I'm in the San Jose area.