Bao Down! Brendan Pang Brings Street Food Sizzle to Hochi Mama
Hochi Mama, Melbourne’s Asian-fusion favourite, has teamed up with Brendan Pang—chef, author, and MasterChef Australia alum—for a street food pop-up that runs from November 11 to November 24. Known for bringing bold, home-style flavours rooted in his Mauritian and Chinese heritage, Pang is offering a taste of his culinary journey from his newly released cookbook, This is a Book About Street Food, to Melbourne diners.
Pang has built a following with his relaxed, almost meditative TikTok recipe videos, where he shares his food philosophy through soothing, authentic demos of dumplings and street food classics. This calm, accessible approach translates seamlessly to his dishes at Hochi Mama, where each bite is about celebrating real, unpretentious street food culture.
For the Hochi Mama collaboration, Pang has introduced two baos: Singapore Chilli Soft Shell Crab and Salt and Pepper Mushroom. The chilli soft shell crab bao blends a fiery kick with the sweetness of crab, a nod to Singaporean street food with a fresh twist. Meanwhile, the salt and pepper mushroom bao keeps it simple, letting the savoury earthiness of the mushrooms shine. Both baos are compact, flavour-packed, and clearly crafted to showcase the soul of Asian street food.
Hochi Mama founder Thai Ho believes this collaboration is a perfect match for the restaurant. “Brendan’s commitment to authentic, approachable street food aligns perfectly with our mission at Hochi Mama,” Ho explains. “We both love using traditional ingredients but giving them a new edge that makes them fun and accessible to diners.”
Hochi Mama’s executive chef, Modzy—affectionately known as ‘Mama’—is working closely with Pang to bring these creations to life. Together, they’re blending Hochi Mama’s playful take on Southeast Asian flavours with Pang’s streetwise cooking style. The result is an experience that honours street food’s roots while celebrating new ways of interpreting it, wrapped up in bao form and delivered straight to Melbourne’s diners.
Pang’s collaboration with Hochi Mama is a nod to street food’s essence—bold, flavourful, and fleeting. Diners have a limited window to try these exclusive baos, capturing the essence of his cookbook and his journey as a chef. This pop-up brings the spirit of the street to Melbourne, for a good time, not a long time.
Catch Pang’s bao creations at Hochi Mama until November 24.
Hochi Mama
CBD and Richmond locations
Exclusive menu available from November 11 - November 24
Hochi Mama, Melbourne’s Asian-fusion favourite, has teamed up with Brendan Pang—chef, author, and MasterChef Australia alum—for a street food pop-up that runs from November 11 to November 24. Known for bringing bold, home-style flavours rooted in his Mauritian and Chinese heritage, Pang is offering a taste of his culinary journey from his newly released cookbook, This is a Book About Street Food, to Melbourne diners.