Like so many others, Danny Wu had his life flipped due to COVID-19. Rather than letting that bring him down, he pivoted his focus into making and selling homemade baos inspired by his father.
Wu has worked in restaurants and hotels across Toronto for the better part of 15 years before he landed his dream gig in the Bahamas as a general manager, helping to open a brand new 300-seater pizzeria––Pizza Lab––that was ranked as the best on the island. The resort then proceeded to close due to border restrictions and Wu was forced to retreat back to Canada.
While stuck at home and trying to maintain his mental health, Wu decided to learn how to cook for his father, who himself had been a chef back in their home country of Taiwan. He spent the year in lockdown honing his skills and in March 2021, after acclaim from friends and family, he decided to launch WubaEats. His motto "Bao That Life" is a phrase that he lives by, and means chasing your dreams and going after it no matter how hard it is.
"You don’t have to be the best as long as you love what you do and are passionate about it." says Wu.
On the menu, you'll find a variety of baos, each with their own significance to his personal life. The most popular dishes include the OG pork belly bao––likely one of Taiwan's most beloved street food exports––which is also the first recipe taught to him by his father, using tender braised pork belly with pickled vegetables. The fish bao uses a crispy battered whitefish that is thick and flaky. He also does various Taiwanese baos that include fillings like jerk chicken, korean beef kalbi, pork katsu and even a lobster croquette.
Besides bao, you'll find a traditional Taiwanese dumpling called a ba-wan, which is enormous and requires cutting an "X" in the middle to allow steam through, and is stuffed with chicken, mushroom and other vegetables. He also offers his own homemade sauces that include mango, strawberry, and lychee.
You can get your hands on specialty baos from WubaEats through their website and place your order for delivery from Thursday through to Sunday. Wu himself may be the one delivering, so be sure to show your support if he does.
