In the heart of Thessaloniki, on the small but vibrant Kalapothaki Street just a breath away from the Port, Thess Bao is writing its own chapter in the city’s culinary scene — forever changing the way street food is perceived. This is a place that blends the casual feel of street food with sophisticated flavors. In other words, it’s a fine street food concept, where every dish may be eaten by hand, but it remains a product of high quality and well-thought-out recipes.

The idea was born from entrepreneur Yiannis Ziagas and chefs Giannis Pateikas and Dimitris Pamporis, who decided to introduce Thessaloniki to the philosophy of the Asian bao bun, with their own creative twist.

Yiannis Ziagas, a passionate advocate of Greek gastronomy and premium ingredients, has over 30 years of experience in the food and hospitality industry and is the visionary behind the award-winning restaurant To Manitari, consistently ranked among the city’s top dining spots.

Giannis Pateikas, with 20 years of experience in the culinary field and formal training in the art of cooking, is the founder of Giannis Pateikas Private Cheffing. He’s also been a culinary instructor for years and became co-founder of Thess Bao in 2019, the year the business first opened.

The gastronomic identity of Thess Bao is shaped by multi-award-winning Chef Dimitris Pamporis, who curates the menu as Consulting Chef. With experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, culinary instruction, and numerous awards — including 12 Golden Chef’s Hatsand 14 Greek Cuisine Awards — Pamporis ensures every bite reflects his passion for cooking and meets a high culinary standard, even if enjoyed on the go.

His approach fuses Greek and Asian cuisines in imaginative ways, always using top-quality ingredients and complete recipes. His philosophy?

“Every dish — even when served in your hand — should still be a true gastronomic experience.”

The most complete Bao Bun menu in Thessaloniki

The Thess Bao menu is constantly evolving, offering something for every taste and preference. From classic bao buns like:

  • Spicy meatballs
  • Braised beef cheek
  • Crispy chicken Caesar-style
  • BBQ pork belly with sesame, cucumber kimchi, smoked black garlic mayo, and fresh scallions

To exciting options like:

  • China Town crispy shrimp with spicy sriracha mayo
  • Caribbean Chicken with guacamole and chimichurri
  • Pulled pork with dark beer and honey, yogurt cream with green apple and celery, tomato, and crispy onion
  • Curry chicken with curry yogurt sauce, cucumber, and green apple

Every creation speaks to a different palate, featuring distinctive, hand-picked ingredients.

Vegan & Vegetarian options

Plant-based eaters will find plenty to love, including:

  • Authentic chickpea falafel with vegan mayo and hummus
  • Greek Salad bao with fried feta, olive relish, and spicy tomato

For those craving something familiar, the menu also includes hot dogs — “Serres-style” or “Berlin-style.”

Daily fresh Buns & ever-changing flavors

All items are made fresh daily on-site. The soft bao buns are handmade starting at 6 a.m. using a custom recipe by baker Leonidas Pansioukas to ensure they’re hearty and perfectly suited to every filling.

Dishes are accompanied by:

  • Flavorful salads
  • Velouté soups of the day
  • Famous crushed potatoes — boiled and fried baby potatoes with a variety of toppings

For dessert, you’ll find sweet treats like:

  • Fried bao bun with cream
  • Banoffee with Nutella and caramelized bananas

Recently, Thess Bao introduced smashed burgers — another innovation bringing bold new flavors to the Asian street food scene in Thessaloniki.

The setting remains casual and approachable, but every dish reflects the care and quality of gourmet cuisine.

Redefining Thessaloniki’s culinary map

Thess Bao is more than just another street food spot — it’s proof that gastronomy and everyday food can come together, transforming even the simplest meal into a creation that respects both ingredients and creativity. It has reshaped Thessaloniki’s identity as a gastronomic destination, bringing residents and visitors closer to flavors once found only in fine dining restaurants.

Whether you’re enjoying your meal on-site, taking it to-go, or ordering delivery, every Thess Bao bite is a unique experience, with a menu that’s constantly refreshed based on customer preferences.

As the city continues to grow and street food culture becomes increasingly popular, the question arises:

Could gourmet street food concepts like Thess Bao reshape the way we taste — and mentally map — the city?

Quick Tips:

Tip 1: All Thess Bao products are available on e-food and Wolt.
Tip 2: The business also offers catering services for events.