A common assumption about Shanghainese restaurants is that vegetarians do not have much to work with. The menus tend to center on pork, shrimp, and beef, and the veggie items often feel like afterthoughts added to fill a gap rather than dishes worth ordering on their own merits. Jack’s Bao breaks from that pattern. The vegetarian options here were built with the same attention to flavor and technique as everything else on the menu, and several of them have developed their own loyal following among people who eat meat regularly.
This blog covers every vegetarian and veggie-forward item available at Jack’s Bao in Monterey and Aptos so you can build a complete, satisfying meal without compromise.
Steamed Veggie Bao
The Steamed Veggie Bao is the item that consistently converts skeptics. Three pillowy steamed buns arrive filled with mushrooms, seasonal vegetables, and aromatic seasonings that together produce a filling with genuine depth. The mushrooms bring an earthy, almost meaty richness that makes you forget you are eating something without meat. The vegetables add texture and freshness and the seasonings tie it all together with a savory warmth that lingers.
If you are visiting Jack’s Bao for the first time and eat a plant-based diet, start here. The Steamed Veggie Bao shows you immediately what the kitchen is capable of doing with vegetarian ingredients
Veggie Mushroom Noodle Soup
The Veggie Mushroom Noodle Soup solves the problem that most vegetarian noodle soups struggle with which is broth that tastes thin and watery once you remove the meat. This soup avoids that entirely. The mushroom broth is slow-simmered to develop a concentrated umami character that fills your mouth the same way a good bone broth does. Mushrooms produce natural glutamates that create genuine savory depth, and the kitchen here takes the time to draw those flavors out fully.
Pair it with the Steamed Veggie Bao for a fully plant-based meal that covers both comfort and substance. The earthy mushroom notes running through both dishes create a cohesive flavor thread across the entire order.
Steamed Red Bean Bao
The Steamed Red Bean Bao sits at the sweeter end of the menu and earns its place as both a dessert option and a standalone snack. The red bean paste filling is smooth and gently sweet without being cloying, with an earthy undertone from the beans that keeps it from tasting like a typical dessert. It is the kind of sweet that feels wholesome rather than indulgent.
Vegetarians who visit Jack’s Bao regularly often order one or two of these at the end of a savory meal to finish on a lighter, sweeter note. It is also a good option to grab for someone in your group who wants something different from the main savory spread.
Steamed Egg Custard Bao
The Steamed Egg Custard Bao surprises almost everyone who tries it for the first time. The egg custard filling is creamy, slightly sweet, and carries a richness from the egg that makes the bao feel substantial despite its small size. It sits somewhere between savory and sweet which makes it one of the most versatile items on the menu. You can eat it as a snack, alongside a noodle soup, or as a dessert after a full meal.
Building a Complete Vegetarian Meal at Jack's Bao
The easiest way to put together a satisfying vegetarian meal at Jack’s Bao is to anchor it around the Veggie Mushroom Noodle Soup and then add one or two bao options alongside it. The Steamed Veggie Bao gives you something soft and savory to eat between spoonfuls of soup. The Steamed Red Bean Bao or Steamed Egg Custard Bao lets you finish on a sweeter note.
For groups that include both vegetarians and meat-eaters, the Jack’s Bao menu makes it easy to order across both preferences without anyone feeling like they got the lesser version of the meal. The veggie items stand on their own merits and hold up alongside the meat dishes on the same table.
How to Order Vegetarian at Jack's Bao
Both locations make it simple to place a vegetarian order. The Monterey location at 751 Cannery Row is open Monday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM and reachable at 831-215-1703. The Aptos location at 49 Rancho Del Mar is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 6:45 PM, Friday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 7:45 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM, and closed Wednesdays. Reach Aptos at 831-708-4108.
Order through Toast for commission-free pickup or through UberEats and DoorDash for delivery. All vegetarian items are clearly identifiable on the menu and the kitchen prepares them with care. If you have specific dietary questions beyond vegetarian, call either location directly and the staff will walk you through what works for your needs.
FAQs
Q: What vegetarian options does Jack's Bao offer?
Jack’s Bao offers Steamed Veggie Bao, Steamed Red Bean Bao, Steamed Egg Custard Bao, Veggie Mushroom Noodle Soup. All five items are fully vegetarian and built with the same quality ingredients and technique as the rest of the menu.
Q: Do meat-eaters enjoy the vegetarian items at Jack's Bao?
Regularly. The Steamed Veggie Bao in particular draws a lot of repeat orders from customers who eat meat. The mushroom filling has enough richness and flavor that it satisfies the same craving as the pork bao for many people. The Veggie Mushroom Noodle Soup also gets strong reviews from non-vegetarians who want something lighter.
Q: Can I order vegetarian options for delivery from Jack's Bao in Monterey CA?
Yes. All vegetarian items are available for delivery through UberEats and DoorDash as well as direct pickup through Toast. The Steamed Veggie Bao and Veggie Mushroom Noodle Soup both travel well and arrive in good condition for delivery orders across Monterey County.
