Best Cozy Dishes for Fall/Winter in Austin, TX!

This is my guide to the best cozy dishes in Austin, Texas. As someone born and raised in Austin, these are the dishes that truly bring comfort—especially during the fall and winter months. You’ll find everything from steaming bowls of noodles to the best pho, hearty soups, and more. These are the meals you crave when you’re under the weather or just looking for something warm, nostalgic, and satisfying. Updated 2025 October

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Old Alley Hot Pot

Old Alley Hot Pot is my top go-to spot for hot pot in Austin. I love their Golden Chicken Broth, and while they don’t offer all-you-can-eat, the a la carte option is more than reasonable. Expect to spend around $70 for two people, which can increase if you go for premium meats. Their Vegetable Medley includes essentially every hot pot veggie you could want, and all their meats are shaved Fresh and high quality. I usually go with the Tri Color Broth option at Level 2 Spicy (Level 3 is too intense for me), choosing Sichuan, Tomato, and Golden Broths and adding Beef Tallow—everything hits the right note

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Matzo Ball Soup - Mum Foods

A bowl of soup from Mum’s Food is arguably one of the best in Austin, TX. Combining mirepoix with smoked chicken, fresh herbs, and homemade matzo balls, it’s pure comfort in a bowl. The matzo balls are perfectly made—light yet substantial—and the rich chicken broth, made with heirloom chickens, is deeply flavorful. I highly recommend grabbing a bowl, especially when you’re feeling under the weather.

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Happy Lamb Hot Pot

Happy Lamb Hot Pot is a chain specializing in all-you-can-eat hot pot. They offer a classic option and a premium option. We usually stick with the original basic option, which is still a great experience. Everything is all-you-can-eat, and they do a really good job overall.

I particularly enjoy their hot bar section, which has a variety of Chinese fast-food-style options, including veggies, meatballs, and even desserts. The tricolor broth is one of my favorites here.

While Old Alley Hot Pot has a slight edge in flavor, Happy Lamb Hot Pot is a solid choice, especially if you prefer the all-you-can-eat experience. Pricing starts around $28 per adult for classic options and $36 for premium options.

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Haejangguk at @narrowstreet512

The Haejjangguk at Narrow Street 512 reminds me of soups I’ve had in Korea—large, tender, pull-apart meat in a richly savory broth. What’s not to love? Located inside H Mart, it’s easily the best option there. Beyond their incredible soups with fall-apart meat and perfectly balanced spice, they also offer a refreshing naengmyeon, ideal if you want a mix of hot and cold dishes in one meal. This is one of the best Korean restaurants in Austin for a reason.

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‍Chicken Paiten Ramen at @marufukuramenofficial

The Chicken Paitan at Marufuku is, in my opinion, the best ramen you can get there. While I’m not a fan of some of their other ramen dishes, I have to admit this one stands out—it’s creamy, rich, and the only 100% chicken-based ramen in Austin, Texas. Get it with the tender pieces of chicken chashu. The noodles are cooked perfectly, and the broth is deeply comforting.

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‍AYCE Hot Pot at Soup Leaf

Soup Leaf offers all-you-can-eat 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 all-you-can-eat option.

The lunch option starts at 19 and the dinner option starts at 29~

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Katsu Curry Rice from @komeaustin

The japanese curry at Kome is, in my opinion, the best in Austin. Japanese curry is often made using boxed curry roux like Golden Curry, with minimal additions beyond potatoes and carrots. However, Kome’s version stands out with its deep, layered flavor. You can tell they’ve enhanced the base with their own blend of seasonings, making it extra hearty and delicious. The thick onions add another level of richness, and it pairs perfectly with their crispy pork katsu. The only catch is that it’s only available until 5 p.m. or during happy hour—after that, the curry is only served in udon form. Still, the curry rice remains my favorite.

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Beef Noodle Soup at Mian and Bao

Mian and Bao is currently my go-to spot for beef noodle soup. While they offer other Shanghainese-style dishes, I usually stick to their beef noodle soup, soft egg tofu, and chili oil noodles. The space is a bit small, so expect waits during busy times.

That said, the food consistently delivers: the broth is rich, the noodles are fresh and well-made, and the beef is tender. It's a reliable spot for hearty, comforting Shanghainese eats.

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Shoyu Ramen from @ramen512

If you’re going to try any ramen at Ramen 512, the one to get is the shoyu. It’s a clear, soy sauce–based broth that’s often overlooked in favor of the more popular tonkotsu, but the shoyu here is the real move. Clear broths are harder to execute well, and this one delivers a deep, delicious flavor without being too heavy. The noodles pair beautifully, the chashu is tender and flavorful, and the egg is always perfectly jammy. It’s a truly comforting bowl that’ll warm you right up. Even though it’s a bit of a trek to Cedar Park, it’s worth it for one of the better ramen bowls in Austin.

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‍Pork rib noodle soup from Julie’s.

The most comforting bowl of noodle soup in Austin is the pork rib stew at Julie’s Noodle. While most people go for the beef noodle soup, the pork rib version is the real standout — tender, fall-apart pork ribs in a clear, deeply flavorful broth. The hand-pulled thick rice noodles have just the right chew and pair perfectly with the rich, meaty flavor of the soup. It’s even better when you add an order of their soup dumplings on the side. They don’t have an Instagram, but they don’t need one — the place stays packed on weekends for good reason.

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Paitan Ramen at Sazan Ramen

For the longest time, many people considered Sazan Ramen to have the best ramen in Austin. Originally known for their paitan broths during pop-ups, they’ve since transitioned to a creamy pork-and-chicken broth served in their brick-and-mortar shop. Their menu includes an OG option, along with variations like black garlic. While their pork chashu isn’t my favorite, the chicken chashu stands out — sweet, tender, and full of flavor. The addition of arugula adds a slight bitterness that balances the rich broth nicely. I do miss when they used to top it with pomegranate seeds, but overall, it’s still a solid bowl. Also worth noting — their wings are excellent and a must-order

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Pho at Pho Phong Luu

Pho Phong Lu ranks among the very best pho spots in Austin. Many of my Vietnamese friends—who I trust to know good pho—swear by it as their favorite in the city. They originally built their reputation in a small Lamar location before expanding to their current spot near Metric.

One of their big claims is that they don’t use MSG. Personally, being Chinese, I don’t really buy into the whole MSG-free marketing, but what matters is that their broth is consistently deep, aromatic, and layered with herbs and spices—clearly the work of someone who knows pho inside and out.

The story behind the shop is also fun: the owner is actually a professional ballroom dancer, which might explain their quirky and sometimes inconvenient hours. His philosophy has always been about making pho fresh, from scratch, without shortcuts. While I’ve occasionally had a bowl that leaned a bit watered down, when it’s on point, it’s easily the best bowl of pho you’ll find in Austin.

I recommend getting one of their combination phos—my go-to is the meatball and brisket, though many people love their rare beef. If you’re adventurous, you can even add chicken fat or beef fat on the side for extra richness.

Hours and location here

Tan My

Thanks to word of mouth and social media, Tan My has become one of the top pho destinations in Austin. These days, you might wait 10–30 minutes for a table, though weekdays are a bit easier. Despite the crowds, the hospitality remains personal. Amy, one of the owners, always remembers me and even knows my order by heart. That kind of warmth is rare, and it keeps me coming back. I’m ordering a small or a large combination pho (brisket and meatball, my go-to) depends on how famished I am.

The pho here is consistently excellent: a rich, clear, flavorful broth served piping hot with all the right fixings. Pair it with their crispy Vietnamese egg rolls for the perfect combo. They also serve hủ tiếu and bò bun hu, but honestly, the pho alone is reason enough to visit. There’s even something nostalgic about their super-cold ice water that just ties the whole experience together.

One important note: Tan My does to-go only on certain nights, so double-check their hours/call before you go. Lunch is usually the safest bet if you want to dine in.

For me, Tan My isn’t just good pho—it’s comfort, consistency, and a little bit of Austin history.

Here is their website.

Sip Pho

If you’re not in North Austin and need a solid pho option closer to central Austin, I highly recommend Sip Pho. From the owner of Pho Please, this spot is located right by UT campus—my alma mater—and it’s definitely catered a bit toward students. You’ll find some Instagrammable items on the menu, but don’t let that fool you—the pho here is still very solid and flavorful.

I recommend trying any of their pho bowls, but a couple of standouts are the stone pot pho with Wagyu beef and the beef rib pho, both hearty and comforting. Is it better than the first options I listed? Not necessarily, but it’s still a dependable spot that may save you the long drive up north.

While Sip Pho might have a trendier vibe, they’ve stuck around for a reason, and I think it deserves recognition not just as a campus favorite, but as one of Austin’s reliable pho spots overall.

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Carnitas Shoyu at Ramen Del Barrio

Ramen Del Barrio has been making waves in Austin ever since opening his brick-and-mortar inside Hanna World. He specializes in Mexican-Japanese fusion ramen, with the carnitas shoyu ramen being a standout. The bowl features a rich, flavorful broth topped with tender carnitas, lime, and a variety of fresh toppings, perfectly capturing the essence of a carnitas taco in ramen form. Since 2024, the chef has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand and accolades from the James Beard Foundation, cementing his reputation in the city.

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