BaoBae Team
This is us
BaoBae means treasure or darling in Chinese – a perfect name for a heartfelt project between husband and wife. Born from our shared passion for food and hospitality, BaoBae is where Chef Dan brings decades of culinary experience to the kitchen, while May draws on her background in marketing and business management to shape every guest’s experience.
Together, we've created a modern Chinese restaurant in Zurich that’s both personal and bold – honoring tradition while embracing fresh ideas. Whether you’re here for our claypot rice, regional flavors with a twist, or creative cocktails at our Asian bar, we can’t wait to welcome you to BaoBae.
Meet Dan Shu
Born and raised in China until the age of 10, Chef Dan brings both deep-rooted tradition and global perspective to his cooking. After moving to Canada, his culinary journey took him to the world's top kitchens. In 2014, he worked as Chef Tournant at the 2-Michelin-starred Restaurant Daniel in New York, and a year later, he was named one of the Top 10 Chefs in the U.S. under 30 by the San Pellegrino Award.
From 2016 to 2018, Dan served as Executive Chef for Zurich’s Von Matt Hospitality Group, leading Brisket, The Bite, and opening Yardbird. In 2020, he co-founded Gaijin, Zurich’s first Modern Japanese Izakaya, earning 14 Gault Millau points (2024) and the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He went on to launch the IYKYK pop-up, open the Old Inn Gastropub (13 Gault Millau points and Place 2 Be feature in 2024), and co-found Tsukasa, which received 93 Falstaff points and was named Switzerland's most popular takeaway service in 2021.
With BaoBae, Dan returns to his culinary roots – bringing authentic Chinese flavors to Zurich, reimagined through a modern lens and infused with the heart of his journey.
Meet MayPing Loh
With over a decade of leadership in people strategy, operations, and marketing, May brings the heart and structure behind BaoBae. Born with a passion for food and hospitality, she led high-impact people and engagement initiatives in the Banking industry for thousands of employees – boosting culture, leadership, and development outcomes. As the Strategic Advisor of Gaijin Group, she has shaped beloved Zurich venues like Gaijin Izakaya, Old Inn, and Tsukasa.
At BaoBae, May merges her business acumen with her love for culinary experiences. From concept to culture, she ensures every guest feels the thoughtfulness behind each detail – both on the plate and beyond.
