A Bold New Taste in Huntington Station: Introducing Bite Bao!
If you’re searching for authentic Chinese-American cuisine, look no further than Bite Bao in Huntington Station. This neighborhood gem serves a delightful array of dishes that blend the flavors of Szechuan, Hunan, and Cantonese culinary traditions. The highlight of their menu? The amazing soup dumplings and bao buns, crafted to perfection—they're reminiscent of the vibrant street food found in Shanghai. The duo behind this culinary venture, Kexin You and Kent Zhao, are a couple from Plainview who have spent the past ten years immersed in the diverse food culture of Queens.
At Bite Bao, every dumpling is freshly prepared in-house each day by skilled kitchen staff from Flushing, where Kexin and Kent previously called home. They are following in the culinary footsteps of Kent’s parents, Hong Zhao and Wei Zhang, who are the proud owners of Yim’s Taste located on Robbins Lane in Syosset. With this new endeavor, the family is making waves in the local dining scene.
"We wanted to introduce soup dumplings to Long Island because we noticed a real gap in their availability here," Kexin shared. After discovering a vacant office building about two years ago, they undertook a transformative renovation, turning it into a bright and airy dining space with pristine white walls and high ceilings.
One must-try item is the pan-fried pork bun, known as sheng jian bao, which boasts a beautifully caramelized exterior. This Shanghai specialty is poised to become a beloved staple on the menu. Don’t overlook the traditional xiao long bao either—these delicate steamed soup dumplings come in a variety of flavors, including pork, pork and crab, chicken, and shrimp, with prices ranging from $7.95 to $9.95 for a set of six.
Kexin also touched on a common misconception: "There’s a different understanding between Chinese and American cultures when it comes to buns. Many people think of them as sandwiches, but the Taiwanese pork belly bun is actually steamed and served open-faced, while the traditional Chinese bao bun is closed, pan-fried, and filled with ingredients." Kexin emphasizes that these bao buns deserve the same level of appreciation as other popular dishes.
Beyond dumplings, the menu is filled with an enticing selection of dim sum and starters, such as scallion pancakes and spring rolls priced at $5. For those craving soup, options like egg drop, wonton, and sweet and sour soup are available for just $3.49. Classic entrees such as sesame chicken ($16.95) or beef with broccoli ($14.95) can be enjoyed alongside seafood choices like shrimp or scallops in black bean sauce ($15.95), tofu dishes, and a variety of lo mein noodles and fried rice. But let’s be honest: the star attraction here is undoubtedly the bao.
You can find Bite Bao at 1080 New York Ave., Huntington Station, reachable at 631-470-2255 or through their website bitebao.fronteats.com. They are open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sundays from 12 to 9 p.m. Note that they are closed on Mondays.
Meet Marie Elena, a global freelancer who has traded her suitcase for a more stable life raising her young daughter on Long Island. No matter how busy she gets, she always finds time to indulge in great mezcal, mouthwatering tacos, and engaging conversations—preferably while nestled in a cozy corner bar seat. Follow her culinary adventures on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.
