Salt Lake City's bao faithful are losing a lunchtime staple. Xiao Bao Bao, the shop known for its pillowy steamed buns, announced on Wednesday, May 20, that it will close both of its Salt Lake locations. The move shutters the downtown storefront and the Milk Block outpost, ending a short run that began with pop-ups in 2023. Regulars and downtown workers quickly posted reactions as word of the closure spread.
As reported by The Salt Lake Tribune, the announcement came in a post from the business. Xiao Bao Bao specializes in steamed Chinese buns, bao, and has been a steady lunchtime draw in recent months, according to the restaurant's online listing. At the time of the announcement, the business website still showed both storefronts and posted hours on its Xiao Bao Bao page.
From pop-ups to two shops
The operation launched as a pop-up in 2023 and then grew into a permanent takeout spot before adding a second location in the Milk Block. The concept was developed by pastry chef Romina Rasmussen together with brothers Derrick and Dwight Yee, who drew on family recipes and the owners' time living in Asia, according to the Milk Block's business listings. The Milk Block outpost was framed as a roomier complement to the compact downtown counter-service shop.
What the announcement said
Early coverage of the post focused on the basic news that both locations would close, with limited detail about staffing, timing, or the reason for the decision. At the time of reporting, the restaurant's site continued to publish both storefronts and hours, as shown on its Xiao Bao Bao page. There was no immediate longer statement from the owners beyond the post described in that coverage.
Pressure on small spots
Xiao Bao Bao's exit lands amid a string of recent closures and shake-ups in Salt Lake City's food and drink scene, where rising rents and construction have put the squeeze on small operators. Local outlets have reported several shutdowns this spring, including the Sugar House location of Quarters Arcade Bar, which closed amid construction and rent concerns, per reporting by KSL. Taken together, those accounts highlight the ongoing pressures facing downtown and neighborhood businesses.
At the time of reporting, the owners had not detailed longer-term plans for the brand, and the initial coverage remains the clearest source of information. The restaurant's official pages and local reporting are the best places to watch for updates as the situation develops. For Salt Lake diners, the closures are another reminder of how quickly the city's dining map can change.
