I told myself it was going to be a chill night. Just noodles, maybe a drink, nothing dramatic…read more The place looked promising from the outside--warm lantern light, a faded sign, that quiet hum of people who seemed like they knew what they were ordering. I stepped in, sat down, and pointed at something on the menu that had a picture of glossy, perfect noodles. What arrived... was not that. The noodles were pale, limp, and somehow both soggy and dry at the same time. I took one bite. It tasted like regret. Another bite--worse. There was a strange bitterness, like someone had boiled the concept of disappointment into broth. I waved the server over, but before I could say anything, the lights flickered. Once. Twice. Then everything went dark. When the lights came back on, the restaurant was empty. No customers. No staff. Just me... and the bowl of cursed noodles. A scratching sound echoed from the kitchen. I stood up--because of course I did--and took a few cautious steps forward. The swinging kitchen door creaked open on its own, like it had been waiting for me. Inside, the air smelled... wrong. Earthy. Damp. Ancient. Then something moved. At first I thought it was just a rat. Then I realized it was *far* too big. Then it stood up. "Ah," it said, its voice layered like a chorus of whispers. "The one who tasted the offering." I froze. "The... what?" "The noodles," it said. "A test. And you survived." Before I could respond, the floor beneath me collapsed. -- I woke up in a cavern lit by flickering green fire. Stone pillars carved with writhing rodent shapes surrounded me. In the center stood a towering figure--half rat, half something far older. "The Rat God," it declared, spreading its clawed arms. "Devourer of scraps. King beneath the cities. And now... your opponent." I didn't remember signing up for this. "I just wanted decent noodles," I said. The Rat God hissed. "Then you should have chosen wisely." It lunged. I barely dodged, rolling across the stone floor. My hand hit something--a broken metal ladle. Not exactly a heroic weapon, but I wasn't in a position to be picky. The Rat God struck again, claws carving grooves into the stone. I darted between pillars, heart pounding, trying to think. "Fight," it snarled. "Or be consumed." "Working on it!" I shot back. It charged. At the last second, I leapt aside and slammed the ladle into one of the glowing green flames. The metal flared with eerie light. I didn't question it--I just swung. The ladle connected with the Rat God's side, and it *screeched*, stumbling back. Okay. That worked. Now it was a fight. I ducked, dodged, and struck again, each hit glowing brighter. The cavern shook as the Rat God grew more frantic, more furious. "You are nothing!" it roared. "Yeah?" I said, breathing hard. "I survived your noodles." That seemed to genuinely offend it. With a final, desperate leap, I drove the glowing ladle straight into its chest. There was a blinding flash. Silence. -- I woke up back at my table. The restaurant was normal again. People chatting. Dishes clinking. The server standing beside me. "Everything okay?" they asked. I looked down at my bowl. The noodles looked exactly the same. I pushed it away. "Yeah," I said, standing up. "I'm... not that hungry anymore." As I walked out, I could've sworn I heard a faint voice from the kitchen: "We will meet again..." I didn't look back. Next time, I decided, I was getting takeout from somewhere safer.

The environment of this restaurant was amazing! I loved the food and the customer service was…read moregreat. This is my 2nd time coming here and both times were great experiences. One bonus was that the dr. Pepper was very crisp. 5 stars!

Delicious food, enjoyable servers and never too loud. Excellent takeout service as well.read more

Absolutely loved the lunch specials! Lots of choices for $10.25. I had wonton soup, an eggroll,…read moreand garlic sauce pork. It was fresh and delish! The cashew shrimp was nice too. Will be back!

Be sure to check their hours or try calling as they have breaks mid day and closures between 2pm…read moreand 5pm some days. I was super excited to check out this business while in the area. No food, I think. Looked dark inside and spacious. I will be back and update my review and add photos of the inside.

Its pretty rare to see a Filipino owned business around where I live but this was a nice little…read moresurprise. I'm born and raised in SD so I was around a lot of Filipinos growing up. There's not too much variety here since it's a small store but they did have some of the snacks that I like. They also offer boba tea but I didn't order anything from there. It seems they have a good amount of options for boba though. The worker was helpful and nice.

Never tried pho before so I winged it by ordering brisket pho LOVED IT! I love the ambiance in the…read moredaytime nice and quiet the staff is super friendly you can tell there's a lot of love put into this restaurant.

First things first: 1618 Asian Fusion is located in a busy and popular area of South Austin, but…read morethere is a free parking garage right across the street, which makes visiting much easier. The dining environment is comfortable, clean, and fun. It has a lively atmosphere that works well for hanging out with friends, date nights, or even a casual dinner when you want something a little nicer. Their menu has a great variety of food and drinks to choose from, which makes it a good spot for groups. I tried the dim sum and pho, and both were fresh and delicious. What surprised me the most was that the prices were actually very reasonable, especially considering the location, atmosphere, and quality of the food. No wonder every time I come here, it's always packed. It's rare to find an Asian fusion restaurant that does this concept right, but 1618 really pulls it off.

We've been dining at Sky Asian ever since they first opened…read more The food is always delicious and the service is friendly, inviting and attentive. If you're in the mood for something tasty and unique, try their Golden Ribeye - it's fantastic!!!

We love this place and we will be back. We ordered the green onion pancakes as an appetizer and…read morethey were excellent for our main courses. We got their new Dino pho and sesame chicken. Also excellent. Portion sizes are pretty big so we ended up taking leftovers home. For dessert had a Keylime pie and it was pretty good. Our server was also excellent and very attentive. I highly recommend this restaurant. It is a small place so there could be a wait but it's worth it.

    This was one of the best Omakase experiences we've ever had. Chef Ling is a brilliant and personable chef who treats her chefs and staff like family. Several different chefs prepared each course, and the presentation was well beyond what we expected, both visually stunning and thoughtfully composed. From the moment we walked into Ling Kitchen, the energy felt warm and intentional. The space is intimate without feeling cramped, and you immediately sense that you are about to be part of something special rather than just another dinner reservation. Chef Ling personally welcomed guests, shared the story behind the menu, and checked in throughout the evening in a way that felt genuine and never forced. Each course built on the last, with a clear progression of flavors and textures. The fish was impeccably fresh, the knife work precise, and the seasoning balanced to highlight the natural ingredients rather than overpower them. You could see the coordination among the team as different chefs stepped forward to prepare and present their dishes. It truly felt collaborative, like a small culinary orchestra. What stood out most was the creativity. Traditional techniques were honored, but there were subtle twists and unexpected combinations that kept us curious and engaged. Every plate was composed like art. The pacing was perfect, allowing time to savor each bite and appreciate the craftsmanship. Beyond the food, the hospitality elevated the entire experience. The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, and clearly proud to be part of the team. That family atmosphere Chef Ling fosters is palpable and makes the evening feel personal. If you are in Austin and looking for a memorable omakase that rivals experiences in much larger food cities, Ling Kitchen is a must. This is not just dinner, it is a curated, immersive experience. We will absolutely be back. Thank you Ling!!! You are truly one of a kind!

Chinese fine dining with a memorable, unique hospitality experience that will truly blow anything…read moreelse you've had out of the water. I saved Ling Kitchen for a recent visit to Austin, reuniting with my college roommate. She has been before; I hadn't, but we both enjoy memorable meals and she said this was sure to please; it did not disappoint. I eat at fine dining around the world and I appreciate that Ling Kitchen is truly trying to carve their own path, not trying to fit a specific mold. It was refreshing and so welcome. You enter through the back of the kitchen (where the private parking lot is) and are taken to a prep area where you'll select drinks and have opening bites. You get a selection of champagne or a non-alcoholic option to start and get your first taste of the food (charcuterie on a rice cracker, yum). They have a decent wine and sake menu, but everything is by the bottle, so beware if you're a light drinker. We opted for a bottle of sake that was just the right amount for two to share for a 3-hour meal. The actual meal takes place in the kitchen itself, alongside the prep of the chefs working it. It's such a unique ambiance and different to the "open kitchen" setup I have done for other fine dining; you are truly in between the cold storage, the duck aging for future diners, etc. The low light & ambiance is beautifully arranged for a nice meal and they put all the special touches - down to LED camera lights for each diner so you can use to take photos of your food better! You can only make reservations in 2's or 4's for this spot and the table arrangement is really for diners to share a meal together. The food itself is extremely beautiful and so filling! I think this was the first time at a fine dining restaurant I literally could not finish all the food and had to make a few smart choices towards the end to have room to try it all! I think some dishes stood out more than others (the XO lobster tail, every single dessert, an eggplant dish they made to sub for the aged duck for me, and the king salmon with curry lahksa), and a few were aesthetically pleasing but otherwise lacked strong flavor (the dumplings, the steamed egg, a pan seared halibut that was a sub for wagyu). I thoroughly enjoyed the meal and more so enjoyed the storytelling and thoughtfulness of each dish and the overall service & hospitality experience. Chef Ling Qi Wu is introduces several dishes and is available to chat with guests throughout the meal. She noted the taro dish as one of her first dim sum items she had ever made and the salmon curry lakhsa as a home comfort dish for her. The desserts were themed around the four seasons - just so much thought put into the whole experience! They had the entire table introduce themselves and share what brought them there halfway through the meal and gave us the opportunity to walk around the kitchen, talk to chefs, try some elements used in later dishes like the fresh honey used in our desserts. They gave us a polaroid, branded chopsticks and a clean menu to commemorate the experience. Ling Kitchen is truly more than a fancy restaurant; it's a whole memorable dining experience, and I hope to return for a future special visit one day!

Our favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the area. We get this almost weekly. The spring rolls and pho…read moreare always amazing! Service is quick and if we get a to-go order, everything is packaged well and is just as good if you were to be at the restaurant.

Pho Thanh Nhi in Cedar Park is a small, family-owned spot that punches above its weight with…read moreauthentic, hearty Vietnamese dishes, consistently good quality, and great customer service, making it a local favorite. The highlight for this food place are their fresh, flavorful Pho with tender meats, excellent egg rolls, good Banh Mi, and attentive service. Some may find it slightly pricey but I feel the value is fair. I love the homemade broth and generous portions, making it a very good spot for authentic Vietnamese food. Meat portions are generous, especially the tender brisket and rare steak in Pho. Good portions, often enough for two meals, making it feel worth the price. Huge, well-filled egg rolls are a big hit. Decent, fresh, classic ingredients, especially Pho and sandwich. I easily noticed their quick, attentive, and polite staff. The restaurant exudes a bright, modern, and clean atmosphere. A point for consideration: when ordering, use the number/letter code instead of the food name to prevent any mistakes. My son who happens to be a vegan ordered a vegan Banh Mi (Banh Mi Chay) which has almost the same food name as a pork Bahn Mi (Banh Mi Cha Lau). They served a pork Bahn Mi, it took some time for my son to realize that he was eating a pork sandwich. It was partly a mistake from both sides, we did not blame the restaurant. The restaurant manager/owner was kind enough to give my son a complimentary fresh vegan Banh Mi upon everybody realizing the mistake. I was glad that my son never had a stomach upset that night. Despite the mishap, I am still giving this restaurant a high rating. One of the best Pho I have ever tasted.

One of my first and best experiences of barbecue in Texas!…read more Firstly, staff here is super friendly, especially given how slammed this place was, their attitudes were upbeat. They have a great outdoor layout, as well as lots and lots of seating indoors.

I've NEVER had a bad meal here. The smoked scents in the air pull you in first & the moment you…read morewalk in the ambiance and the lighting welcomes you too. There's plenty of seating indoors & outdoors. & service is pretty spot on here, everyone is helpful & attentive & everything is streamlined with the guests in mind. You can order hours in advance, online, or in store & there's curbside available too. From drinks, to small bites, to smoked fares (bbq), to the sides everything here SMACKS. Honorable mentions are definitely their coconut scented rice (so fragrant and addicting), Brussels sprouts (lovely char & the gastrique they're tossed in is to die for), sesame rice noodles, butcher's cut, brisket (so good it often sells out FAST!), smoked turkey (also sells out quick), yuzu soda, and their coconut matcha limeade(reminds me of a Brazilian limeade but with WAYYYY with more soul) Hands down one of the best stops in Austin whether you're at the domain or further south, they've got two passionate programs available for you. Highly recommend checking these guys out, you won't be disappointed!

My girlfriend was back in Austin briefly before leaving on a trip to Vermont with her friend who…read morelives in Dripping Springs, so I went to work browsing nearby spots on Yelp to make a decision. Thanks to reviews from fellow Yelpers like Steve W. and Samuel C., I felt confident suggesting Ling Wu to my friends and my girlfriend. I made a reservation for that Wednesday night at 7:00 pm, and by the time we arrived, the place was absolutely packed. There was a line of people waiting to be seated. I don't know if they were walk-ins or also had reservations, but thanks to ours, we were sat immediately with ease. I definitely recommend making a reservation. The interior of the building is beautiful, as is the patio with string lights and shrubbery. We sat inside, and the lowly lit atmosphere was excellent. All of the decor really makes the space feel cozy. Water is served in little mugs, and a paper mat is placed on the table because they know Austinites are messy. We all ordered drinks. Two people got a Kirin Light, one got a cocktail, and I ordered their mocktail Spritz. We also shared an appetizer of the Szechuan Spicy Cucumber, which arrived as an incredible tower of cucumber that was both fantastic and delicious. I lowkey ate half of the tower. My girlfriend ordered their soup dumplings, which were pretty good. Soup dumplings are not really my personal style, but everyone else at the table loved them. I was most excited for my entrée. I ordered the Orange Peel Akashi Beef with a side of brown rice, and honestly, it is some of the best Asian cuisine I've ever had. I've seen reviews complaining about the price point, but you can't compare a wagyu steak to Texas Roadhouse, and you can't compare a sit-down Asian restaurant to a Chinese buffet. This is clearly a step above. You don't have to fully dress the part, but this is practically fine dining. Top tier service, top tier atmosphere, and top tier food. This isn't a casual noodle shop, buddy. Overall, it's an excellent experience and definitely worth the steeper price tag. I recommend Ling Wu if you understand that sometimes you have to pay more for a higher quality meal. If you're not that type of person, grow up, because you're missing out on some of the best Asian food Austin has to offer. RIYL: A great meal with a great atmosphere

Beautiful place with elegant decor and a warm atmosphere. I had heard about Ling Wu from a few…read morelocal friends so came to check it out. We had reservation for an outside table but it was raining so they put us upstairs in the communal dining room. The room was beautiful with red lanterns and a giant one-piece wood table! Food was contemporary Chinese with American adaptation - but nevertheless well prepared and tasty! We had Peking Duck - ***** Pecan Shrimp ***** Sesame Chicken **** Beef with shishito pepper **** Green beans with garlic ***** Lychee mocktail ***** Service was superb! Prices are super reasonable for the quality of food!