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Where to Get The Best Chinese Food in Austin, TX

Austin

There's a lot more to Austin's food scene than BBQ and Tex-Mex. If you're in the mood for some authentic Chinese food, you'll find a ton of restaurants serving up world-beating menus, hearty portions, and flavors that will take you on a culinary journey around all eight styles of Chinese cuisine. Whether you're craving something sweet, something spicy, something sour, or something that's a little bit of everything, these are the 10 best places for Chinese food in Austin.

10. TC Noodle House, 10901 N Lamar Blvd

If you're a fan of fresh, lively dishes, big portions, and friendly service, you're going to love TC Noodle House. Located in Austin’s Chinatown Center, this local favorite serves up a scintillating array of flavor-packed dishes like comforting flat rice noodles with tender beef and crisp vegetables, crispy fried eggrolls made from pork, prawn, crab meat, mushrooms, and vegetables wrapped in thin rice paper, and fresh spring rolls crafted from bean sprouts, shrimp, pork, vermicelli and mint. There's also an excellent selection of soups, including Pho Chin Bo Vien (a delicious combo of beef, noodle, meatballs, and deeply aromatic broth) and Pho Do Bien (warming noodle soup with shrimps, fishballs and crab stick). Be sure to leave some space for the dessert menu, which includes a Che Dau Do (Red Dessert Bean Pudding) you won't want to miss.

9. House of Three Gorges, 8557 Research Blvd

At the House of Three Gorges, Sichuan fare is the order of the day, so be prepared for some heat. The menu is extensive and very, very lively, with garlic, chili peppers, and piquant Sichuan peppercorns adding plenty of punch to dishes like Dry Pot Spicy Pork Intestines, Cast Iron Braised Beef Brisket Hot Pot, ​and Traditional Blood & Intestine in Chili Soup. There are plenty of vegetarian dishes for non-meet eaters, plus the option of either takeout or delivery for convenience.

8. First Chinese BBQ, 10901 N Lamar Blvd

For some classic Cantonese cuisine, this longstanding Chinatown favorite is a must-visit. With a menu packed with tempting dishes like Sauteéd Chinese Broccoli, Orange Chicken, Hot Pot, BBQ Pork, and Fried Dumplings, you're guaranteed to find something that tickles your tastebuds. The service is friendly and the portions are huge, so be sure to bring your appetite. Delivery and take-out service is available if you prefer to eat in the comfort of your own home.

7. Rice Bowl Cafe, 11220 N Lamar Blvd

If you're craving some rice or noodles, don't miss Rice Bowl Cafe, a friendly eatery where the focus is on tasty bowlfuls of fresh, handmade noodles and authentic rice dishes. There's also an excellent selection of pork, chicken, tofu, and seafood entrees if you're in the mood for a bit of variety, along with an excellent selection of vegetarian dishes. The pork noodle dish made with crunchy, spicy vegetables comes particularly highly recommended. Just be sure to wear your comfiest, loosest sweatpants - with portions this huge, you're going to need room for a food baby.

6. China Family Restaurant, 6801 Airport Blvd

As austinmonthly.com says, The Drag isn't a place you'd expect to find serious food, but that's exactly what you'll find at this fabulous Asian restaurant. Expect authentic, tasty dishes like flaky chunks of white fish swimming in a broth of toasted chili oil, glistening crispy Chongqing chicken strewed with dried peppers, silky mapo tofu, and perfectly steamed dumplings. It also offers take-out and delivery services from its locations in Northcross Mall Store and Highland Store.

5. Chinatown, 3407 Greystone Dr

As one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in Austin, Chinatown's reputation proceeds it. Chef Ronald Cheng’s weekend dim sum service has reached legendary status among Austin's dumpling lovers, but the mid week sushi doesn't exactly leave a lot to be desired either The star attraction, meanwhile, has to be the duck entrees, which include a Peking duck to die for and a duck smoked with oolong tea that needs to be tasted to be believed.

4. Tso Chinese, 9333 Research Blvd

As austinot.com notes, Tso Chinese offers a fresh take on all the Chinese dishes you love, serving up a tempting menu of dishes like Spicy Garlic Soy Edamame, Chicken Lo Mein, Pork Fried Rice, General Tso Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork, and, of course, their legendary Real Blue Crab Rangoon. There's also an excellent selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes for non-meat eaters. Food can be ordered either for take-out or delivery.

3. Wu Chow, 500 W 5th St

Wu Chow brings an Asian spin to the farm-to-table ethos, serving up amazingly fresh, seasonal dishes that deliver a taste of all eight styles of Chinese cuisine. If you're a big fan of dim sum, be sure to book a table for a Sunday, when you'll be treated to a special, weekend-only menu of Shanghai Pork Soup Dumplings, Steamed Chicken Dumplings, Gulf Shrimp Ha Gow, Chicken and Shiitake Shumai, Chicken & Taro Eggrolls, and a whole lot more besides.

2. Lin Asian Bar and Dim Sum, 1203 W 6th St

Ranked as one of the best places for Chinese food in Austin by Trip Advisor reviewers, Lin Asian Bar and Dim Sum does a fine line in dim sum and authentic Asian home cooking. Chef Ling has created a menu that marries the traditional dishes she grew up with in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, with the techniques she honed during her years working in some of New York City's best Chinatown restaurants, not to mention Austin's very own La Traviata. The focus is very much on local, seasonal produce and healthy cooking methods, so expect a fresh, lively menu designed to do as much for your health as for your tastebuds.

1. Fat Dragon, 8650 Spicewood Springs Rd

Named one of the best places for Chinese food in Austin by Eater.com, Fat Dragon is all about the dumplings. From soup to steamed pork, chives to fried vegetables, if it can be wrapped in dough and boiled or fried, it's getting served. If there are only so many dumplings you can shovel down in one sitting, you'll also find a tempting selection of other items to try, including some Chinese-American fusion dishes like General Tso’s Chicken and a small but tempting selection of Japanese classics. The restaurant offers takeout along with a dine-in service.

Liz Flynn

Written by Liz Flynn

Liz Flynn has worked as a full-time writer since 2010 after leaving a career in education. She finds almost all topics she writes about interesting, but her favorite subjects are travel and food. Liz loves the process of researching information, learning new things, and putting into words what others who share her interests might like to read. Although she spends most of her time writing, she also enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, watching films, cooking, dining out, reading, motorsports, gaming, and walking along the beach next to her house with her dog.

Read more posts by Liz Flynn

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