It’s hard not to be impressed by Bao, which started as a food stall and has expanded to encompass several London restaurants, a cookbook published by Phaidon, an online convenience store and now an app. At each of these stages, Bao has shown a genuine commitment to design and creativity, and it’s no different in his latest venture.

Hato has now collaborated with the company to create the Baoverse app, set in a small but bustling pixel city, drawn by Marcelo Colmenero, which includes recreations of all of Bao’s restaurants. Users earn digital currency, called Baocoin, for money spent with Bao, unlocking real-life and digital rewards like the ability to skip the line or enjoy a free cocktail.

A press release issued by the food company…