It was alright! It's handmade which is great, the flavor was okay, but it didn't quite hit the spot…read morefor what I was expecting. You get 6 Baos for $20 which was a bit pricey. The inside of the spot is located in a food court so super casual vibes. We ordered the beef and scallion Bao.

Tucked inside of a food court attached to a Chinese grocery store. This food stall offers a variety…read moreof baos. Daily bao offerings are stacked neatly on a table; there are mini pan fried baos ($20 for 12) and steamed baos ($20 for 6). Picked up mini pan fried pork baos and reheated them at home in a pan with a little oil. The inside is delicious- savory pork flavor. Very similar to Yu Noodles pan fried pork bun flavor. The exterior is a thick chewy dough with crispy bottom. Careful when eating- I bit into one and molten lava dumpling juice scalded my lip. Not all explode. There is a language barrier as English is not the owner/ operator's first language. She's friendly and does her best. I was able to understand that the steam pork baos and pan fried pork baos are her best selling. I asked if the filling was different and she said yes, but I don't know if she understood my question. Ambiance isn't much- it's a food court and not the cleanest food court I've been to. Tables and chairs are also a little dirty. I'm assuming if you dine in, she heats it up for you. For those of you complaining about the price (myself included), let's compare it to Yu Noodles, a chain restaurant that also offers a delicious pork bun. I love Yu noodles pan fried pork buns, which are $11 for 4 ($2.75 per bun). BaoBuddy's baos are significantly larger than Yu Noodles'. So comparatively speaking and applying Yu Noodles rate, these baos would be about ($2.75x6) $16.50 and $18.15 after tax. $20 for a box stuffed with baos ($22 after tax) is somewhat reasonable for a small business cranking out hand made baos. Bao Buddy is neighbors with Dumpling Man, Chopin Noodles, Ying Cantonese BBQ, and Gaima Rice Bowl- you could do a mini food crawl with friends.

Visited here for dinner following the post Argentina v Spain FIFA Final game on Sunday at Mosaic…read moreDistrict (broadcasted on the gigantic outdoor screen at Strawberry Park). I was seriously craving Chinese food and needed wonton soup. NEEDED! Upon entering, my friend mentioned the fact the restaurant was empty wasn't a good sign and had a 3.5 rating. Well, don't let that deter you because some of the best Chinese restaurants have a 3.5 rating on Yelp (check out the numerous articles written about this topic)! I tried to persuade my friend but she opted out of ordering anything and wanted to wait to see if I liked my food first. My friend proposed that after I finished, we head next door to Sisters Thai so she could order her dinner. Well, for starters - the food came out fast and I devoured the wonton noodle soup within 10 minutes. The broth and wontons were so flavorful. Interesting choice that they used wheat noodles instead of the standard egg noodles though still loved it. I also like that the broccoli had a nice crunch. Yes, wonton soup typically has bok choy but the broccoli was great. My only regret is why haven't I tried this place sooner?!?! My friend thought I was rushing so she could eat dinner but it was just so good! It was a great portion as well. I gave her one of my wontons to try and she said "wow!!!" Once I finished vacuuming my wontons soup, we walk over to Sisters Thai, but I knew I had to try more food from District Dumplings. You would think I would have been full from the wonton noodle soup but I am a glutton. So, I ordered the pork & shrimp dumplings to go via DoorDash and picked them up as a to-go order and bought them back to Sisters Thai. I had no shame and happily took out the dumplings from the to-go container and put them on my plate. The dumplings were so unreal that they didn't even need to be dipped in soy sauce. They were good as is and flavorful! Even my friend wanted to eat the dumplings and asked for four of them. Luckily, the staff at Sisters Thai didn't make it a big deal but they probably saw that I bought outside food. I'm coming back for more District Dumplings!! I was so happy to have tried a new restaurant and kept pointing at the restaurant that this was my new favorite place. Strangers saw how happy I was and smiled (or maybe because I looked crazy). Will have to gorge myself next time in trying more of the unique dumpling flavors! Yum!!!!! +Wonton Noodle Soup-sesame oil, pork, shrimp, mushroom & wheat noodle +Pork & Shrimp Dumplings-chives, ginger & green onion

The food was delicious and came out quickly for our group of 10. You order your food at the counter…read moreand then they bring it out to you! I think the space is very clean and well kept. However, a self-service water station would be a great addition to this space. It was a little bit of an inconvenience to consistently go up to the counter and ask for water and water refills. Additionally, extra plastic bowls for sharing had to be requested as well. Maybe that would be good to have at the self-service station as well! Overall, the staff was friendly, but I think there are some aspects that could be incorporated to improve the customer experience. Thank you!

Came here for the luosifen and stinky tofu!! Words that one never imagined belongs in one sentence…read more We ordered the beef shank luosifen, little spicy (spicy condiments available to make more spicy) and it was just heavenly. The from scratch broth, pleasant aroma from sour bamboo, crunchy string beans (wish there was an option to add!!) were phenomenal. Plus the tender yet collagenous beef shank cooked to perfection was phenomenal. Absolutely stick to your bones without the usual heaviness with big spicy noodle soups. No MSG headaches here, all the flavor is homegrown. The stinky tofu was also fried to perfection, with a side of Taiwanese kimchi. All the food was thoughtfully prepared and executed. We had our noodles fall apart and Yan corrected it immediately. She took the time to talk about her story of how she opened the restaurant originally to support her daughters college, her natural gift at cooking, and how her recipe was developed originally from a family one to what it is today. Just the warmest, most welcoming people. Even short staffed, we were impressed at how faultless and prepared from the heart the food was, warm and inviting the service, and leaving feeling like we just ate at our favorite auntie's house. Will definitely be back!!

My husband and I came in this evening (4/24/26) an hour before closing for dinner…read more He had been before but it was my first time. I cannot say enough wonderful things!! The gentleman who waited on us was very kind and chatty, and took the time to explain the menu and kept checking on us...he alone I would come back for...I love it when someone takes pride in their restaurant. The food was flavorful and so delicious! I had the brisket (A17, I think) and OMG so good! Had extra egg and it was pure perfection! My husband had the pig feet and he was very happy. I think we will definitely come back and soon! The food, service, cleanliness, and pricing are perfect! I'm wiring this while sitting in the parking lot because I had to get my thoughts out immediately! Thanks for a great Friday night date night dinner!

The best authentic Chinese food I've had in years!…read more As we walked in, the decor was minimal, clean, cozy, and welcoming. We were promptly greeted and invited to seat ourselves wherever we liked; they were very kind and it felt like I was visiting family. Everything we ordered was amazing. The last authentic Chinese meal that could compare was probably in Taiwan many years ago. We ordered the shredded pork (with peppers, which gave it a nice kick), wonton soup (flavorful and clean), mapo tofu (so much flavor - especially the sauce), water spinach, and pan-fried mini pork buns. Service was wonderful from start to finish. They even packed up our leftovers for us. I definitely plan to bring my family here the next time they visit Virginia, as they are huge foodies when it comes to authentic Chinese cuisine.

I love this place. Excellent food, reasonable prices, and friendly staff. More a to-go experience…read morethan dine-in, but that's fine by me. (The dining room is very austere.) Love the fact that there are authentic recipes on the menu. My only suggestion: I'd love to see a few more American-Chinese staples, like shrimp with lobster sauce. That said, great place for quality Chinese food.

This place has officially become my favorite Chinese takeout spot! We've ordered twice now... the…read moresecond time just a few days after the first, which really says it all lol. First order: chicken lo mein, general tso's, and the hot chili pork wontons. The lo mein was delicious... chicken super tender, perfectly done. But the wontons were the real standout for me. I hadn't tried that style before and wow, so flavorful and tender! The general tso's was the one miss for me, not bad but not my favorite rendition of the dish, and the white rice was just okay. Did any of that stop me from ordering again days later? Absolutely not! Second order: we swapped in the mongolian chicken and the hot chili pork dumplings and this was the upgrade we needed. The mongolian chicken was SO good... again incredibly tender, tons of onions, deeply flavorful. And the dumplings? Perfection. The filling is more evenly dispersed throughout than the wontons, making every bite perfectly balanced with the pork and chili oil. Even the rice was better this time around, not sure what changed but I'm not asking questions! We've been dreaming about this meal ever since and genuinely cannot wait to order again. If you're in Vienna and sleeping on Chili Wok, please wake up immediately!

Under Uber eats, sometimes Chili Wok has a buy 1 get one 1 deal. This time was fried rice. 2 full…read moreportions of fried rice for under $15? Yes please. We also tried the Mongolian Beef. It took a little time for Uber Eats delivery but everything came in hot and fresh. The fried rice had a hint of wok hei but not too strong. The star of the show was the Mongolian beef. Tender pieces of beef with green onion & white onions in a savory sweet sauce, also with a hint of wok hei. Yeah that will be the go to. Came with side of white rice. Was not full. 3/4 full. Weird. Overall, a decent Chinese restaurant to try. Maybe next time we will have sit down experience. We'll see. 3.9/5 Sorry no pics this time. Hangry and devoured the food before pics were taken.

To find the soul of Xinjiang in Northern Virginia, you don't head to a white-tablecloth…read moreestablishment. You head to the Great Wall Supermarket in Fairfax, dodge a few stray shopping carts, and follow the scent of cumin and rendered fat to the back food court. There, tucked between the stalls of Sauerkraut Fish and BaoBuddy sits Gaima. The concept of "Gaima" (or gai-mai) translates roughly to "topped rice," a culinary tradition with deep roots in the Silk Road outposts of Xinjiang. Historically, the region's Uyghur cuisine is defined by zhuafan (pilaf), but the "gaima" style--savory, often spicy stir-fries served over a bed of fluffy white grains--is the utilitarian cousin that conquered the rest of China. It is the original fast-casual bowl, a marriage of Central Asian spice profiles and Han Chinese stir-fry techniques that has trickled from the far northwest into the bustling lunch hours of Beijing, Shanghai, and now, thankfully, Fairfax. The menu at Gaima (gaimarice.peblla.com) is a study in focused efficiency. If you are looking for a sprawling encyclopedia of Chinese regionalism, look elsewhere. Here, the focus is on the bowl. The Xinjiang Style Lamb with Cumin is the essential starting point. The lamb is sliced thin, seared until the edges achieve a crisp, lacy char, and tossed with an aggressive amount of cumin and dried chilies. It's a dish that vibrates with heat and earthiness, the oil seeping into the rice below to create a golden, flavorful slurry that demands you finish every grain. For those who prefer their heat with a side of silk, the Big Plate Chicken (Da Pan Ji) variation is a winner. Traditionally a massive communal platter of bone-in chicken and potatoes served over wide noodles, Gaima's version adapts the soul of the dish for the solo diner. The potatoes are tender enough to yield to a plastic spoon, having soaked up a gravy rich with star anise and Sichuan peppercorns. For a non-spicy alternative, try N4 Firm Tofu Fried Pork and savor the tender firm tofu combined with the pork and strips of red and green peppers topped over white rice. Is it high dining? Hardly. You're eating off a tray in a fluorescent-lit food court. But in the world of the casual $15-$18 lunch, Gaima offers something increasingly rare: authenticity without pretense. It is a reminder that some of the most transportive meals in our region aren't found on a reservation app, but at the end of a grocery aisle. Gaima Rice Bowl 11264 James Swart Cir (Inside Great Wall Supermarket), Fairfax, VA The Vibe: No-frills food court chic.

Located inside Great Wall, and easily accessible thru the food court entrance, Gaima offered fresh…read moremade to order rice bowls. There are spicy dishes including their signature chili fried pork belly, and chicken, as well as non spicy dishes like their tomato braised beef (which I ordered). The tomato braised beef was flavorful and delicious. The bowl is HUGE! Even though I saved the bowl for later, it still smelled so so delicious. It feels like a good home cooked meal. The beef was tender. There was a lot of sauce. The food is made quickly. I will say that there's a big language barrier, for those who do not speak mandarin, it is a lot of pointing when ordering but that is ok. Each bowl costs about $13-15. You can pay at the kiosk or with the cashier. It seems to be a one woman show, but she gets things done efficiently.

This is located in the Great Wall food court. I got the combo box with roast pork and duck and it…read moretasted so good! Although it did seem a bit pricey. Mine was $20 for the combo but the portion was generous!

Not bad! We got the combo order for like $20. It's located in the food court of a grocery store,…read morebut don't let that fool you. Very popular spot!! I wish the duck skin had some sort of glaze on it, I thought it could've been better. The BBQ pork was alright, my favorite was the crispy pork. We got three protein options, rice, and some veggies. Overall, the food was pretty good and I'd come back. Next time I'd try the lean cuts of the crispy pork and bbq pork. Super casual spot with a decent amount of seating in the food court. The line can be long, but it goes decently fast.

I've never heard of this place before, but I was in the area and was looking for food options…read morenearby. This shopping center is only a skip away from Mosiac District. My husband got the bone broth and I had the golden hot and sour broth. Delicious! I was so thrilled with our choices. The golden hot and sour broth was thankfully not too spicy. I enjoyed the different toppings in the soup. At the table, they had black vinegar, soy sauce, and chili sauce for you to enjoy wirh your bowl. The restaurant is very clean and I appreciated there was no loud music playing. In terms of service, we got seated and received our food quickly. A satisfying first visit!

Place is ok - good for a cheap mini hot pot (but soup you can drink) style dinner. The appetizers…read morewere good, namely the spicy tripe and the cold spicy chicken. The mala broth was lacking in flavor in my opinion, and the tomato one was a bit one-note (very tomatoey). The best broth I tried was the green pepper one. The ingredients they give aren't that much, mostly you'll fill up on the noodles. If you want the ingredients on the side to put in yourself you'll have to ask them or they will do it for you.