A lot of people will argue that Austin doesn’t have the best Asian food. But that’s because a lot of popular Asian food in the city is actually more Asian-fusion than it is traditional or authentic. Granted, that comes at the cost of Austin being a transplant city and being fusion is the cool thing to do if you want to make bank by appealing to more people, especially in a city where leasing costs are high.
To find really good Asian food in Austin, you need to look at the mom & pop shops. These privately, family-owned businesses know what they’re doing when it comes to their food. I’m talking traditional, authentic, and flavorful. Most of these restaurants are going to be located in Austin’s Chinatown Center, North Austin, Pflugerville, and Round Rock.
In the wonderful words of Ali Wong, if it doesn't have a number in the restaurant, and if there’s not a mop in the bathroom, it ain’t authentic!
So in no particular order, here are the best spots in Austin to get quality, authentic, and traditional Asian food (in my opinion):
🥡 = offers take out
💻 = offers online ordering
🏃♂️ = offers delivery* (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grub Hub, Favor, etc.)
ASIA MARKET CAFE
📍 8650 Spicewood Springs Rd #115, Austin, TX
What to order: Soup Dumplings, Fried Pork Intestines, Tawainese Popcorn Chicken, any of their noodles (seriously), any of their Sichuan dishes (I’m serious)
Asia Market has some of my favorite soup dumplings and Sichuan style food in Austin. It’s located in the back of Asian-specialty supermarket so that’s how you know it’s legit. The owners are second generation and local to Austin, with recipes inspired from their family. It’s a great spot to take a group of at least 2-3 people so that you can try multiple items from their menu! On the weekends, they also do a really delicious authentic brunch from 10a - 1p, but get there early because it gets packed quickly.
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CHEN’S NOODLE HOUSE
📍 8650 Spicewood Springs Rd #127, Austin, TX
What to order: Lamb Skewers, Lamb Stir Fried Noodles, Beef Noodle Soup
Chen’s is the spot for hand-pulled noodles. They seriously do these so well, whether you get them stir fried or in a soup!
🥡💻🏃♂️
JULIE’S NOODLES*
📍 8557 Research Blvd #110, Austin, TX
What to order: Soup Dumplings, Noodles with Meat & Black Bean Sauce, and whatever you get, make sure you pour on their house made chili oil
I used to go to Julie’s Noodles all the time in college when it was just a food truck in UT’s West Campus area. Now they have a brick and mortar where they’re able to serve up more dishes than just noodles and dumplings. Make sure that you always add some of their house made chili oil to your meal!
🥡💻🏃♂️
PHO PHONG LUU
📍 9200 N Lamar Blvd #104, Austin, TX
What to order: any of their Phos, Special Banh Mi, Pork Spring Rolls, Crispy Chicken Wings with Garlic Fish Sauce
Pho Phong Luu surprised me with how good their pho is! I didn’t feel the need to add any additional spices and that’s a win for me. The broth is clean and packed with flavor. If you have enough room, or don’t want pho, I recommend trying their special banh mi.
🥡💻🏃♂️
CHINA FAMILY
📍 6801 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX
What to order: Sichuan Lamb on Iron Plate, Pork Intestines with Hot Chili, Fish Filet in Chili Oil, Chinese Pepper Chicken, Mapo Tofu
If you’re craving Sichuan cuisine, China Family is the spot! You honestly can’t go wrong with any of their Sichuan dishes, but my favorites are the lamb, pork intestines, and chicken! If the owner is in, make sure you say hi. He loves his customers!
🥡💻🏃♂️
FAT DRAGON
📍 8650 Spicewood Springs Rd #109, Austin, TX
What to order: Soup Dumplings, Dry Pot Cabbage, Cumin Lamb, Mapo Tofu
Fat Dragon does dumplings and Sichuan food well. I really love their dry pot cabbage and mapo tofu!
🥡💻🏃♂️
SEOULJU KOREAN KITCHEN & BAR
📍 9515 N Lamar Blvd Suite 230, Austin, TX
What to order: Korean Fried Chicken, Military Hot Pot, Dakgalbi, wash everything down with soju shots
Seoulju is THE spot for Korean bar food. Always expect a great time when you come here. The owners are some of the most down to earth people I know and their food and drinks speaks for why they’re always packed on the weekends.
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HUNAN CHINESE RESTAURANT
📍 9306 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
What to order: Black Bean Noodles
I was told that Hunan Chinese Restaurant serves up some pretty legit Jajangmyeon, or Korean black bean noodles, and it did not disappoint!
🥡🏃♂️
FRESH TOFU
📍 10901 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
What to order: Bun Rieu, Banh Cuon, Bun Tam Bi, Banh Beo
My Vietnamese friends will probably agree with me when I say that the food here at Fresh Tofu is pretty legit! Their Bun Rieu and Banh Cuon is probably some of the best in town in my opinion. By the way, they’re called Fresh Tofu because they make fresh tofu that you can buy in-store!
🥡🏃♂️
BROTH & BASIL
📍 18817 Limestone Commercial Dr Ste 400, Plfugerville, TX
What to order: Hu Tieu Dry (or with broth), ask for extra crispy pork skins, finish off with Beignet Fries
I was recently introduced to Broth & Basil because I was having an obsession with Hu Tieu, which is a Vietnamese-Cambodian style noodle dish. It’s a very hearty dish and will leave you filling full for the rest of the day. I prefer it dry style, but the broth version here is just as good.
🥡🏃♂️
HET SAY
📍 2121 E Oltorf St #12B, Austin, TX
What to order: Braised Pork Belly & Egg
When I found out that Het Say made Thit Ko, or Vietnamese braised pork belly, I had to try it. And obviously, it’s the one thing that I always come back for.
🥡🏃♂️
DIN HO CHINESE BARBECUE
📍 8557 Research Blvd #116, Austin, TX
What to order: BBQ Pork, Roasted Duck, Fried Crispy Pork Chop, Pepper Steak, Combo Pan Fried Noodle
Din Ho is usually one of the first spots that I think of when I want to have a giant sit down family-style meal with others. It was one of the first Chinese restaurants that my family and I would go to when we first moved to Austin!
🥡💻🏃♂️
FIRST CHINESE BBQ
📍 10901 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
What to order: BBQ Pork, Roasted Duck, Seafood Crispy Noodle, Combination Soft Noodle, Eggplant with Szechuan Pork, Sweet & Sour Pork
Another great spot for a family-style meal. Make sure that you come to First Chinese BBQ with at least 2-3 other people to try a lot of things on the menu! My family and I are frequent diners here and we usually stop by here after church on Sundays for lunch.
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THAI FRESH
📍 909 W Mary St, Austin, TX
What to order: Pad Thai with Crispy Pork Belly
I absolutely love Thai Fresh! At first glance you wouldn’t think that this place is legit Thai food, but trust me, it is. It is a bit on the pricey end, but for the amount of food that you get in a serving and also the quality of ingredients make it so worth it.
🥡💻🏃♂️
HO HO CHINESE BBQ
📍 13000 I-35, Austin, TX
What to order: Crispy Garlic Lobster
My family and I love to go to Ho Ho for any occasion. It’s a great place to go for family-style Chinese food. If it’s your first time, they also have pre-made family orders on the menu depending on how many people are in your party. Pro-tip: if you pay with cash here, it’s 10% off your order.
🥡🏃♂️
LITTLE MAMA’S
📍 2021 N Mays St Ste 1000, Round Rock, TX
What to order: Palabok, Lechon Kawali, Adobo, Pancit Bihon, Pork BBQ, Bicol Gulay, Halo-Halo
Being Filipino, I know my shit. Little Mama’s is also the only place that my picky Filipino mother will eat at or order food when she’s too lazy to cook it at home.
🥡🏃♂️
KOREAN GRILL
📍 10901 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
What to order: Kimchi Pancake, Galbi, Dolsot Bibimbap, Beef Japchae
Korean Grill is one of my favorite places to get authentic Korean food. The family that owns this restaurant is also so sweet and you’re always guaranteed great customer service.
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LI HOT POT & BBQ
📍 825 E Rundberg Ln, Austin, TC
What to order: Half Half Pot, Supreme Lamb, Supreme Beef, Fish Balls, Enoki Mushroom, Napa Cabbage, Taro Root, Potato Starch Noodles
Li Hot Pot & BBQ is probably one of the only places in Austin to have an authentic hot spot experience. I recommend eating with at least 2-3 other people so that you can try a lot of different things in your hot pot!
PHO THANH NHI
📍1335 E Whitestone Blvd T100, Cedar Park, TX
What to order: Thanh Nhi's Special Spring Rolls, Pork Patty Bánh Mì, Combination Pho
Pho Thanh Nhi used to be located off of North Lamar and they recently relocated to Cedar Park. Make sure you start your meal with their special spring rolls!
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DEE DEE
📍 4204 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX
What to order: Pad Kaprow, Mango & Sticky Rice
Dee Dee nails the authentic Northern Thai Food. We’re not talking pad thai here. I always get the Pad Kaprow, which is stir-fried pork over jasmine rice. Be warned, if you can’t handle the spice, you’re going to be in for a ride.
🥡🏃♂️
NEW FORTUNE
📍 10901 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
Pro-tip: get there early on the weekends for dim sum
I recommend New Fortune for dim sum in Austin. This is one of the few dim sum spots in Austin that do dim sum service with the carts. It’s the real deal!
🥡💻
PHO SAIGON
📍10901 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
What to order: combination pho
Pho Saigon is another one of my go-to spots for pho. Service is quick, pho is cheap and delicious. Can’t beat it (especially when you’re hungover)
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