Bao creative director and co-founder Erchen Chang has transformed her humble Hackney market stall into one of London’s most distinctive dining groups. From its first brick-and-mortar site in Soho in 2015, the portfolio has grown to seven restaurants and picked up a Michelin Bib Gourmand along the way. Each venue carries Taiwan-born Chang’s playful visual style, and serves plates of steamed buns, beef noodles and rice bowls inspired by visits back to Taiwan with co-founders Shing Tat Chung and Wai Ting Chung. She lives in east London and here are her favourite things.
Completedworks ear cuffs, £95–£315
“Summer is always the hardest season to dress for myself and discovering Completedworks jewellery made me realise how Anna’s [Jewsbury, artistic director] pieces can transform a banal outfit into something alive. There’s so much energy in her work, I feel 100 per cent sometimes – even 200 per cent – myself when I wear them. Ear cuffs are perfect: no strings attached, just effortless edge. I feel a little rock’n’roll and completely me.”
Klay cushions, £161
“I especially love the velvety globe cushions – they feel like little beings full of personality. Each has subtle creases and folds, never perfectly taut; a slightly dented patch here or there, like a friendly old man. Give it a squeeze or a gentle punch, and it bounces back to life. There’s a quiet joy in that resilience – soft, imperfect and utterly beautiful. Most importantly, each one is entirely handmade. There’s a warmth in that; touching it, you can feel the care and attention that went into every stitch.”
Akari 25N floor lamp, £1760
“I have a snowman in my house 24/7. Glowy, grounded and humble – he’s the Akari 25N floor lamp. His size is perfect: a sculpture and a light in one. A classic presence that brings warmth and calm to the room, quietly anchoring the space.”
Coleman Coffee, from £8
“Coleman Coffee has a rare kind of allure. It began in 2010, when he [Jack Coleman] restored a 1950s Viennese roaster in his West London flat. Now he roasts on a sheep farm in Wales – beans spinning in the drum, sheep as his only audience, fields stretching out around him. Sometimes he goes through the night and there’s something quietly romantic about that kind of devotion – a dedication you can taste in every cup.”
“I was drawn to its irregular, fluid form which is unlike any other espresso maker. Watching the dark espresso spill from the spout feels almost hypnotic, a short morning ritual I linger over. The shiny aluminium glows as the coffee oozes out, a small, quiet pleasure that gives me my first jolt of strength for the day. It’s a trivial moment, but one that feels deeply enriching – a pause before the hurried rhythm of life.”
Nikon F100, prices vary
“The Nikon F100 has an effortless quality. It’s a big camera, sure, but it carries itself with such ease. It just feels good in your hands – confident, balanced, self-assured. This is a feel-good camera and I love it. It’s sadly discontinued but you can find secondhand ones.”
Tatung rice cooker, £145
“The Tatung rice cooker is a true icon of the Taiwanese kitchen – every home has one. It’s sturdy, timeless and unapologetically simple: just on and off, warm and heat. But that’s exactly why it’s brilliant. It turns out perfect rice, crystal-clear broths, and even boiled eggs with a little trick. My favourite is making broths – they come out luminous and deeply flavoured, drawing every drop of goodness from the ingredients. It’s a cooker with presence, the kind that feels indispensable the moment you use it.”
Dukes Martini glass, £74
“A Martini is for the hard cores, the bruised soul. I am one of those. My dearest friend Harry, a true gentleman I turn to for guidance in life, recommended Dukes. From that first frozen, crisp sip, I was converted. I love it so much, though visiting a Mayfair bar every week isn’t exactly sustainable, so I dug a little online and found they sell the full set – glasses and coasters (the coasters even stamped “Dukes London”). Delightfully random and indulgent. Now they sit in my freezer forever.”
“This set of coloured pencils has been discontinued and I hold it dearly. The pigment and intensity are exquisite – vibrant yet soft, alive on the page. Drawing with them brings me pure joy. It’s a satisfying pleasure I return to again and again. Please, someone, make them come back.”
Red leather gloves, £140–£320
“Red leather gloves are a seductive fashion item – a quiet act of dedication to style. I picked up a pair in a tiny leather shop in Italy [Sermoneta] and they quickly became one of my most precious possessions. There’s a question behind every choice like this: why red, why leather, why now? Wearing them feels like stepping into a character who is mysterious, fierce and deliberate – someone who leaves no traces, yet makes an impression. If I could, I’d take over the entire shop, just to keep that energy close.”
