Laoban, the Asian frozen food brand known for delivering the dumpling shop experience with its high-quality ingredients and flavor, is expanding beyond its fan-favorite dumplings with the launch of bao buns. Rolling out exclusively this June in select Whole Foods Market locations nationwide, Laoban is thrilled to bring new frozen options to consumers seeking quick and elevated anytime meals.
Beginning as a dumpling shop in Washington, DC, in 2017, Laoban has since expanded its flagship frozen dumpling line nationally through retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Costco, Sprouts, and Erewhon. With the success of its core assortment of chef-driven frozen dumplings, which Forbes and Eater have praised, Laoban is doubling down on its mission to bring accessible and high-quality Asian frozen foods by diversifying its offerings.
The cousin of the dumpling, bao buns are a Chinese specialty comprising fluffy dough filled with savory or sweet stuffing. Laoban’s frozen bao buns were developed by co-founder and culinary director, Chef Tim Ma, a Michelin-recognized chef with a family background in Chinese restaurants.
Like the rest of Laoban’s offerings, the bao buns are packed with complex yet approachable flavors—layered with seasoning and featuring top-quality ingredients like free-range chicken, Berkshire pork, grass-fed beef, and shiitake mushrooms. The bao buns are microwave-ready in just one minute, making them an on-the-go bite or a quick and easy complement to a larger meal.
Laoban’s Bao Buns come in a frozen pack of four buns. Flavors include:
- Chinese Style BBQ Pork: Berkshire pork seasoned with Chinese BBQ spices, an homage to the classic char siu bun.
- Spicy Beef: Grass-fed beef boldly spiced with chili and cumin.
- Sesame Chicken: Free-range chicken, shiitake mushrooms, and savory sesame.
