"Ukraine's first modern Chinese kitchen, built around a ₴1,377 Peking duck — book it to impress clients in Pechersk."
About BAO Modern Chinese
Hector Jimenez-Bravo, the Colombian-born television chef who became a household name in Ukraine, opened BAO in 2015 as the country's first modern Chinese kitchen. It sits on Mechnykova Street in Pechersk, behind a window wall that turns the open kitchen into theatre. The room was designed by Kyiv's YOD Design Studio and built around one dish above all: a whole Peking duck, carved tableside, that runs ₴1,377. Average spend lands north of ₴1,000 a head. BAO is a special-occasion room, and it has always been priced and styled as one.
The Kitchen
Jimenez-Bravo is better known to Ukrainians as a broadcaster and MasterChef judge than as a line cook, but the concept he set for BAO is coherent: modern Chinese built on premium seafood and a serious duck programme. The Peking duck is the headline, lacquered and carved at the table, and the kitchen treats it as the dish the room is judged on. Around it sit dim sum and shu mai, hand-folded wontons, king crab, and a crisp-shelled spring roll that regulars order by reflex. The chef points first-timers to the crispy duck and the kung pao shrimp.
The open kitchen, sealed off only by panoramic glass, is part of the design: you watch the duck and the wok work from your table. Expect to spend ₴1,000 and up per person, more once the duck and seafood land. For where this kitchen sits in a wider field, see our guide to the best Chinese restaurants worldwide, and browse the rest of Kyiv's dining guide for the city's other special-occasion rooms.
The Room
BAO is a designed room, not a neighbourhood diner. YOD Design Studio gave it dark lacquered surfaces, low warm light, and the glass-walled kitchen as a centrepiece, so the mood is dressed-up and a little dramatic. Sound sits at a comfortable hum; tables are spaced for conversation rather than packed for turnover. The crowd skews business and celebration, and dress runs smart-casual and up. It seats comfortably across two halls plus counter seats facing the kitchen, generous enough for a group but intimate enough for two at a corner table.
Best for Anniversary
Book BAO for an anniversary because the room is built for occasion: the tableside duck carving gives the evening a centrepiece, the lighting flatters, and the pacing leaves room to linger. Order the Peking duck in advance so it is ready when you are, add king crab and a few dim sum to open, and ask for a quiet table away from the kitchen glare. It reads as a treat without tipping into stiff formality. For more rooms that suit a celebration, see the best restaurants for an anniversary.
Not for
Not for purists hunting hole-in-the-wall regional Chinese. BAO is a designed, special-occasion room where a whole duck and the final bill both run large.
Frequently Asked
Is BAO Modern Chinese worth it?
Yes, for a special occasion rather than a casual weeknight. BAO was Ukraine's first modern Chinese restaurant and still sets the Kyiv standard for Peking duck and premium seafood in a designed setting. Prices are high for the city, so the value is in the room, the duck, and the occasion rather than in everyday Chinese cooking.
How do I book BAO in Kyiv?
Reserve directly through the BAO website or by phone a few days ahead, and order the whole Peking duck when you book so the kitchen can prepare it. Weekend evenings fill first, especially for the counter seats facing the open kitchen. Walk-ins are sometimes possible early in the week, but the duck may not be guaranteed.
What is the dress code at BAO?
Smart-casual and up. BAO is a designed, dressed-up room that draws a business and celebration crowd, so collared shirts, dresses, and smart trousers fit; gym wear and beach clothes do not. There is no jacket requirement, but most guests treat a visit as an occasion and dress accordingly.
What does dinner cost at BAO Modern Chinese?
Expect ₴1,000 and up per person, and more once the duck and seafood arrive. The whole Peking duck alone runs about ₴1,377, dim sum and king crab add up quickly, and wine lifts the total further. Sharing a duck and a spread of dim sum across the table is the most balanced way to order.
What should I order at BAO?
Start with the Peking duck, carved tableside, then add dim sum, shu mai, and the crispy spring rolls. The chef points first-timers to the crispy duck and the kung pao shrimp, and king crab is the seafood splurge. These are the dishes the room is known for and the reason to book.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at BAO Modern Chinese
Reserve through BAO directly or by phone. Order the whole Peking duck when you book.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressMechnykova St 14/1, Pechersk
NeighbourhoodPechersk
CuisineModern Chinese
PricePeking duck ₴1,377; ~₴1,000–1,500 pp
Dress CodeSmart-casual
SeatingTwo halls, open-kitchen counter
ReservationDirect or phone, a few days ahead
