Boom Bao

When the family behind two of Reykjavik's most respected restaurants — Grill Market and Fish Market — decides to open a food truck, the result is predictably good. Boom Bao parks on Adalstraeti and sells bao buns: soft, pillowy steamed buns stuffed with fillings that benefit from the kitchen expertise of a team that knows what they are doing with a piece of pork belly.

The Bao

The buns are the star. Light, airy, and steamed to the right balance of soft and chewy, they serve as the vehicle for fillings that rotate but always include the signature pork belly — slow-cooked, glazed, and rich in the way that only pork belly can be. Pulled chicken and bratwurst are common alternatives, and seasonal specials keep regulars interested.

Each bao is a self-contained meal in miniature. Two makes a snack; three makes a lunch. Fries are available on the side for those who want to round things out. The food is prepared at Grill Market's kitchen, which means the supply chain and quality control are far more rigorous than you would expect from a food truck.

The Setting

Adalstraeti is one of the oldest streets in Reykjavik, and the food truck fits naturally into the downtown streetscape. There is no seating — you order at the window, receive your baos, and eat them standing, walking, or perched on whatever surface presents itself. This is street food in the literal sense.

Practical Tips

Check before you go. The truck's hours can be unpredictable. A quick check of their social media or a phone call will save a wasted trip. This is the main caveat with Boom Bao — the food is excellent, but catching the truck open requires a small act of faith.

Best for. A quick, satisfying lunch while exploring downtown Reykjavik. Also a useful option when you want something more interesting than a hot dog but less committed than a sit-down meal.

Budget. At ISK 1,000-1,500 per bao, it is one of the better-value options for quality food in the city centre. Three baos will feed most appetites for under ISK 4,000.

The pork belly. Order it. Everything else on the menu is good, but the pork belly bao is the dish that justifies the truck's existence and the one that regulars return for.

Boom Bao is proof that good food does not need a dining room, a wine list, or a reservation system. It needs quality ingredients, skilled preparation, and a steamer. On all three counts, this unassuming food truck delivers.