ZAO Bakery + Café

Introduction / Overview

ZAO Bakery + Café has quickly become an essential stop on St. Paul’s vibrant University Avenue West, offering Minnesotans an authentic and comforting taste of traditional Chinese bakery fare and quick-service restaurant favorites. This unique establishment successfully fuses the warm, casual atmosphere of a neighborhood cafe with the specialized offerings of a dedicated Chinese bakery, carving out a distinctive space in the Twin Cities culinary scene. It operates as a dual-concept venue, providing both sweet and savory baked goods alongside a concise and intensely flavorful hot menu.

The bakery side focuses on a delightful array of scratch-made Chinese buns and pastries, with cases full of items like savory BBQ pork buns, fragrant curry buns, and crackly sweet pineapple buns. On the café side, ZAO specializes in warming, hearty meals perfect for Minnesota's climate, such as velvety congee (rice porridge) and bouncy egg noodles served in clear, savory broths. Furthermore, ZAO has gained immediate local acclaim for its dedication to freshness, particularly its signature Zao Soy Milk, which many local reviewers suggest is an unmatched offering in the Twin Cities metro area. The setting is intentionally laid-back and self-service oriented, making it an ideal destination for a quick visit, a casual dine-in breakfast, or a solitary, comforting meal.

Location and Accessibility

ZAO Bakery + Café is strategically positioned along the central corridor of University Avenue West, ensuring easy access for residents and commuters across St. Paul and the broader Twin Cities region.

Address: 575 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55103, USA.

The location in the Frogtown/Summit-University area is a hub of cultural diversity and local commerce, perfectly suiting ZAO’s unique offerings.

Accessibility Features:

ZAO has clearly prioritized convenience and ease of visit, which is a major draw for busy Minnesotans.

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: The entrance is structured to be barrier-free, accommodating guests using wheelchairs, making the space welcoming for all community members.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: The business features an accessible parking lot, simplifying the process of stopping in for a quick visit or picking up a larger takeout order.
• Ample Parking: Customers benefit from both a free parking lot adjacent to the venue and readily available free street parking, significantly reducing the hassle of finding a spot in this busy area.

The operational model encourages a quick visit, and the availability of seating (though sometimes limited during peak hours) alongside self-service water and seating options contributes to a low-stress, accessible dining environment.

Services Offered

ZAO Bakery + Café offers a compelling combination of authentic Chinese bakery goods and hot meals, making it a comprehensive spot for breakfast, lunch, or a snack.

• Chinese Baked Goods: A rotating, daily selection of scratch-made sweet and savory buns, including classics like BBQ Pork Buns, Pineapple Buns (Bolo Bao), Ham Soi Gok (savory fried dumplings), Curry Buns, Red Bean Buns, and Hot Dog Buns.
• Hot Meal Service (Breakfast and Lunch): Featuring comforting Chinese staples such as Congee (Pork, Chicken, Shrimp, or Vegetable varieties) and flavorful Egg Noodle soups with options like Chicken, Red BBQ Pork, Roast Duck, or Wonton.
• Fresh Soy Milk: Serving house-made Zao Soy Milk, a signature item that has been praised for its freshness and distinct quality, available for purchase.
• Specialty Beverages: An extensive menu of unique Asian-inspired drinks, including Oolong Milk Tea, Jasmine Milk Tea, Chrysanthemum Milk Tea, Coconut Matcha Cloud, and specialty coffees like Hot Ginseng Coffee and Ovaltine Mocha.
• Onsite Services: Providing self-service water and casual seating for dine-in customers who wish to enjoy their hot food and fresh drinks right from the counter.
• Takeout and Quick Visit: All menu items are available for takeout, supporting the business’s focus on fast, high-quality service for customers on the go.

Features / Highlights

ZAO Bakery + Café distinguishes itself through its specific, high-quality offerings and welcoming atmosphere.

• Signature Fresh Soy Milk: This is a major local draw; the commitment to serving freshly made soy milk is considered rare in the Twin Cities dining scene, offering a true taste of traditional Asian breakfast culture.
• Dual Comfort Food: Uniquely provides both comforting, steaming hot savory items (Congee and Noodle Soups) and a wide variety of baked goods, making it perfect for satisfying diverse cravings, especially during cold Minnesota weather.
• Artisanal Chinese Buns: Offers a wide smorgasbord of traditional savory and sweet buns, with customer favorites like the ham soi gok being praised for its perfect balance of sweet, chewy, salty, and savory flavors.
• Flavorful Drinks: The beverage menu is a highlight, featuring unique and traditional tea and coffee variations, with the Chrysanthemum Milk Tea specifically noted by customers for its memorable, strong tea flavor that is not overly sweet.
• Spicy Chili Oil: Customers rave about the house chili oil, which is notably spicy and flavorful, suggesting an elevated level of attention to all components of the dish.
• Laid-Back, Self-Service Atmosphere: The casual, self-seating, and self-service water station creates a welcoming, unpretentious environment where patrons can feel comfortable dining alone or with a group.

Contact Information

For inquiries about daily offerings, current wait times, or to place a takeout order, local customers can use the contact information provided below. Given the popularity, especially during peak morning hours, it may be advisable to call ahead.

Address: 575 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55103, USA

Phone: (651) 219-5158

Mobile Phone: +1 651-219-5158

What is Worth Choosing

For the Minnesota resident looking for a truly authentic and high-quality Chinese bakery and café experience, ZAO is unequivocally the place to choose. What sets ZAO apart is its commitment to serving specific, hard-to-find authentic items that are clearly executed with passion and expertise. Local patrons should prioritize two things: the unparalleled freshness of the Zao Soy Milk, a specialty that delivers an authentic taste unique in the Twin Cities, and the hot items menu, particularly the savory and wonderfully flavorful congee or the rich Roast Duck Egg Noodles.

ZAO successfully balances its menu between comforting, warm meals and convenient, exquisite baked goods. You can start your day with a steaming bowl of pork congee and a savory curry bun, grab a sweet pineapple bun and a strong Chrysanthemum Milk Tea to-go, and know that you are getting a product made from scratch with genuine flavor depth. The combination of excellent food, unique specialty drinks, a laid-back atmosphere, and the convenience of free and accessible parking makes ZAO Bakery + Café a mandatory addition to any St. Paul food itinerary. Just remember the local tip: go closer to opening time, especially on weekends, to avoid the rush and ensure the widest selection of their fresh, scratch-made buns.

ZAO Bakery + Café

575 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55103, USA