Best Chinese Restaurants in Austin!

Okay, guys, in this guide we're going to be talking about the best Chinese restaurants in Austin. Hear me out: I'm half Chinese. My dad is from Hong Kong and my mom is from Taiwan, so I grew up eating a lot of Chinese food. Back then, my family would often drive to Houston to get our Chinese food fix because the options in Austin were pretty limited. But as Austin's food scene has grown, so has the Chinese food options here. With that being said, let's get into my favorite Chinese restaurants in Austin.

Bamboo House

But by far, my favorite Chinese restaurant in Austin is always going to be Bamboo House. I keep coming back because I'm a huge fan of Peking duck and lobster.

The must order here is definitely the Peking duck. I recommend getting the half duck to share between 3 to 4 people unless you're with a much larger group. In my experience, half a duck is more than enough. They do the best Peking duck in town, with incredibly crispy skin, juicy meat, and the traditional thin crepes that make the whole experience feel authentic.

I don't often see them sell out, but there can be a pretty long wait, especially on weekends or during peak dinner hours.

Another one of my favorite dishes is their breaded lobster. It's essentially deep fried lobster coated in seasoned panko, and the panko itself is so good that I could eat it straight over rice. I've tried most of the menu at this point, and I also recommend ordering a stir fried vegetable dish or the spicy crispy chicken. They do offer a number of Americanized Chinese dishes as well, but personally, I would stick to their specialties.

Click here for their website.

Old Alley Hot Pot

Old Alley Hot Pot is a spot from the creators of Mian and bao, bringing their concept from Houston to Austin. They specialize in à la carte hot pot instead of the typical AYCE style. I recommend the beef and lamb combo, which comes with a circular assortment of meats to cook in your hot pot. I always go for the three-broth option—spicy, original, and tomato. The meats are freshly shaped and super flavorful, and the broths are on point. Easily the best hot pot in Austin right now.

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Sije Special Noodle

Special Noodle has quickly become one of my favorite spots since opening in North Austin. They originally have multiple locations in California, and I was excited to see them expand here.

Their dumplings are definitely the highlight for me. I especially recommend their pan fried soup dumplings, also known as Sheng Jian Bao, which are pretty rare to find in Austin. I will say that they can lean a little sweeter than my personal preference, but the technique is still really solid. Their pan fried snowflake dumplings are also consistently well executed and one of my favorites to order.

Another must order is their beef noodle soup. At first glance, it looks pretty simple, but the broth has a surprising amount of spice and depth of flavor.

Just keep in mind that they are a popular spot, so expect a wait during peak hours. And don't forget to order their green onion pie as well.

Click here for their website.

Dumpling World

Soup Dumplings

Dumpling World is a dumpling focused restaurant in the Triangle with a great selection of dumplings and noodles. They offer everything from pan fried soup dumplings and thumbprint buns to classic xiao long bao. One of my favorite dishes here is the dan dan noodles, which strike a really nice balance between spice and nuttiness from the sesame and peanuts. If you're near UT or just looking for a solid spot in the area, this is an easy recommendation.

Click here for their website.

Julie's Noodles

pork and chive dumpling

Soup dumplings

Julie Noodle is an unassuming gem that specializes in fresh handmade noodles and dumplings. It has become one of my go to spots for affordable and delicious Chinese food, and it's definitely a place that a lot of people in the Asian community love.

When it comes to dumplings, Julie Noodle has a great selection. Their pork soup dumplings are a must try, with a flavorful broth and tender meat filling inside. I also really enjoy their boiled pork and chive dumplings, which are packed with flavor and always come out fresh.

One of my favorite parts about ordering here is opening the steamer basket and seeing these large, juicy dumplings waiting inside. Their soup dumplings are especially impressive because of the size and the amount of filling you get for the price.

If you're looking for a place that delivers delicious dumplings and handmade noodles without breaking the bank, Julie Noodle is definitely worth checking out.

Here is their website

Mian & Bao

Mian and Bao is located in The Triangle, serving a mix of Sichuan and Shanghai dishes alongside spicy beef noodle soup and dumplings. We sampled a variety of dumplings, the soup dumplings leaned a little on the sweeter side, though we enjoyed the flavor of the dough and the overall texture. They also offer panfried dumplings and spicy wontons, but if you’re visiting, I’d definitely lean more toward their noodle dishes over the dumplings. Still, it’s a solid addition to the area and a good option to have nearby. As of 2026 I would say it's my favorite spot for a braised beef noodle soup.

Click here for their website.

Bee Dumpling

Soup dumplings

Bee Dumpling is located in South Austin, and while it may not be the best Chinese food in the city, it’s probably the only spot in the area serving authentic Asian style dumplings. We tried the panfried dumplings, wontons, and soup dumplings. The soup dumplings were the winner, great broth and well made wrappers that showed real skill. The panfried dumplings had nice flavor but could’ve used a crispier bottom, and the wontons were a miss with undercooked dough. Still, for South Austin, this is a welcome addition and worth checking out if you’re nearby.

Click here for menu

Breakfast House

Breakfast House is one of the few spots in Austin that focuses specifically on Chinese style breakfast, which is already pretty unique. They serve things like house made youtiao, soy milk soup, tofu stew, dumplings, sesame cakes, and other traditional breakfast dishes.

I will say that my experiences here have been a little hit or miss. Some dishes have been better than others, but when they get things right, I really enjoy what they are doing. I especially like their dumplings, sesame cakes, and some of their classic Chinese breakfast items.

Even though I wouldn't say every single dish is amazing, I still think Breakfast House deserves a mention because there really isn't another spot in Austin doing this style of breakfast. If you're craving Chinese breakfast or want to try something different, it's definitely worth checking out.

Click here for their website.

Din Ho Chinese

Din Ho Chinese is one of my favorite places to go in Austin, and honestly, it brings back a lot of nostalgia for me. Walking in and seeing the hanging ducks on the racks and the roasted pork belly ready to be chopped up instantly reminds me of the Cantonese restaurants I grew up around.

They specialize in Cantonese style cuisine, with things like roast duck, Peking duck, and a variety of classic dishes. I will say that personally, I prefer the Peking duck at Bamboo House because their duck is a little crispier and they serve it with crepes instead of bao buns. However, I still think Din Ho does a solid version and I always enjoy it.

Some of my favorite things to get here are their wontons, char siu, lobster, and their other Cantonese classics. What also surprises people is that they make a lot of things in house, including their soy sauce and other components that go into their dishes.

They also offer different course menus, making it a great option for special occasions or larger groups. If you're looking for classic Cantonese food in Austin, Din Ho is definitely one of the spots I recommend.

Click here for their website.

First Chinese BBQ

First Chinese Barbecue is a spot that honestly does not get talked about enough. Growing up, my family used to come here all the time, and they swear that the roast duck here is one of the best in town.

Personally, I really enjoy their crispy pork belly, and their roast duck is definitely worth trying as well. I also like that this location is right next to MT Market, making it easy to grab some groceries and a meal in the same trip.

The last time I visited, it was relatively quiet, but the staff was always very friendly, and I think it has a really nice neighborhood feel. They also have another location in Dallas, but if you are looking for Cantonese style barbecue in Austin, this is definitely a spot worth checking out.

Click here for their website.

Happy Dragon

Happy Dragon serves Xian Style eats. They’re known for their biang biang noodles, along with a really solid sweet and sour fish.

I’ve enjoyed most of what I’ve ordered here, though I usually skip the dumplings and focus on the noodle dishes instead. Other favorites include the spicy crispy chicken, Cumin lamb noodles, pig ears, and cucumbers! All their noodles are hand pulled or made from scratch here. Their Saukraut fish is also very good here.

Click here for their website.

China Family

China Family is one of those spots that I wish got a little more love. I've been here a few times, and while I wouldn't say it's the best Chinese food in Austin, I do think they do certain dishes really well.

I personally enjoy their spicy crispy chicken, mapo tofu, and some of their other classic dishes. The food has a really homey feel to it, and I think they are a solid option, especially for takeout.

Overall, I wouldn't come here expecting the most amazing Chinese food you've ever had, but if you're nearby and looking for something quick, affordable, and satisfying, China Family is definitely a good choice.

Click here for their website.

AYCE Hot Pot at Soup Leaf

Soup Leaf offers AYCE style hot pot in Austin, with meats now included in the buffet price at no extra cost. Lunch has a smaller selection, while dinner includes all the meats. Located in the Crescent, Soup Leaf serves a wide variety of meats presented on towers to maximize table space. The broth options are solid, though I initially found some to be a bit bland—on my most recent visit, however, they were much more flavorful. Their extensive selection of vegetables is one of the best parts of the experience. While it may not be my top choice overall, Soup Leaf offers the best variety of meats and vegetables, making it a great AYCE option.

The lunch option starts at 25 and the dinner option starts at 36~ for adults

Click here for more info.

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