the “follow for the best NYC Asian eats” gal

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Nice to meet you, bao-tiful — My name is Lea, your newest buddy. I'm a 27-year-old proud Chinese American living in New York City. I highlight the best NYC Asian eats (@bao_buddy) and affordable recs in the city (@leaistraveling) to 125K+ internet folks around the globe.

If you see a Chinese girl skipping along the streets in bright patterns, nom’ing away at AYCE hot pot, or window shopping for the wackiest finds at a thrift store, then you’ve probably found me.

And I wouldn’t exist on this planet if it weren’t for Asian restaurants — my ancestors ran a Chinese restaurant located in Indiana (random I know) in the ‘80s, which allowed my mom to immigrate to America. A number of magical things happened after, and bam, I was born.

Now how was “bao buddy” born? — During the 2020 pandemic, amongst the dumpster fire of chaos that the world went through, Asian restaurants suffered a gut punch due to the racism and xenophobia surrounding COVID-19.

While there was a 22% decline in all small business-owner activity nationwide from February to April, Asian American business-owner activity dropped by 26%, according to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

And when I moved back to NYC in 2022, I saw that the struggle continued for many Asian-owned businesses. And starting “bao buddy” was the least I could do to support the restaurant industry while also creating a means for more people to learn about my community through the most enjoyed topic: food.

Because representASIAN matters — Asian food goes beyond side bowls of rice, rubbing chopsticks against one another to avoid splinters, and a harmony of spices (though we love all of that) — to me, it’s a gateway for people to learn more about our community, history, and beautiful people.


What’s on the menu — with each newsletter, you’ll find:

  1. Behind the scenes as a part-time foodie + lifestyle content creator

  2. One-of-a-kind meals and experiences in the city from my POV

  3. Reflections of an extreme overthinker hehe

  4. Paid benefit only: Personalized restaurant recommendations — hit me up on Instagram DM’s or hibaobuddy@gmail.com to chat

  5. Paid benefit only: Access to premium-only articles

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nom'ing on the best NYC Asian eats 🥟 https://www.instagram.com/bao_buddy/