The new Cloud Thief store has landed at World Square, and we’re glad that this means that some of our favourite fluffy bao are now available from a permanent spot in a convenient location, after enjoying our fix from their stall at the Night Noodle Markets earlier this year. We loved the funky decor and energetic vibe at their new space, which matches the cheeky tone of their fusion menu.
We started off with a couple of their classic bao – the Braised Beef Short Rib Bao filled with their tender slow cooked filling glazed with smoked plum BBQ sauce and served with Asian slaw and pickles, as well as the Beer Battered Barramundi fillet smothered in Cloud Thief’s Asian tartare sauce and topped off with an intriguing wasabi pea and seaweed crumb. We paired these bao with a delicious side of Sweet Potato Fries, seasoned with a dusting of Taiwanese white plum powder which gets more addictive the more you have.
Beer Battered Barramundi Bao and Braised Beef Short Rib Bao, $13 for 2 and Sweet Potato Fries, $6.50
Next up, we got reacquainted with our hands down favourite bao in town – the Spicy Fried Chicken Bao with a generous serving of juicy Taiwanese spicy fried chicken served with Asian slaw, spring onion and a spicy sriracha mayo. The blend of textures and flavours packs a powerful punch in a small package that hits the spot. The Singapore Soft Shell Crab Bao comes from Cloud Thief’s Premium Bao menu and is paired with an interesting butter chilli sauce as well as salted egg, black beans and kewpie mayo for an unique combo.
Spicy Fried Chicken Bao, $6.50 and Singapore Soft Shell Crab Bao, $8
The Peking Duck Bao is another Premium Bao offering, and is a playful take on the classic Chinese dish – featuring crispy skin Peking duck, spring onion, cucumber and Cloud Thief’s signature Peking sauce, all encased in their super soft buns. We also tried their Crispy Tofu Bao for something a bit different and liked the contrast of the silken tofu in its battered casing and the spicy peanut miso sauce.
Crispy Tofu Bao, $6.50 and Peking Duck Bao, $8
All in all, the opening of Cloud Thief is an exciting development for World Square and their fun fusion menu with flavours that pop, in a relaxed setting makes it a great spot for casual catch ups in our books.
Excuse Me Waiter dined as guests of Cloud Thief
Cloud Thief
Shop 17, World Square Shopping Centre
644 George Street, Sydney, 2000 NSW
