Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Tainan Bistro

    4.2 (135 reviews)
    InexpensiveTaiwanese, Noodles
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Tainan Bistro Photos

    Business Info

    TAINAN BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Tainan Bistro

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Outside
    Jando S.

    Despite a relatively large Taiwanese community, it's actually quite surprising (#1) that Houston doesn't have an abundance of Taiwanese eateries. Enter Tainan Bistro, owned by Mr. Hsu, a man from the same southern part of the island. (#2) There is no doubt, this is one of the last Taiwanese restaurants in the city. Cuisine wise, it's far from the best I've had, but it is a rare gem, a true dive, and should be protected at all costs. There's a lot of mixed signals here, from a well advertised "bento box" deal (4 items for a set price of $7.75), to everything being practically self-serve with plasticware, to almost zero air conditioning, and even a large sign in the back that advertises Vietnamese banh mi (#3). The restaurant is spacious with large and small tables far and wide, and an equally large parking lot to boot. They are trying to be everything to everyone, but somehow it's still constantly empty. The menu is authentic and very extensive. The variety of Taiwanese specialties is impressive, which includes items such as braised pork over rice (滷肉飯), beef noodle soup (牛肉麵), oyster pancake (蚵仔煎), and even the occasional stinky tofu (臭豆腐). They even have the steak platter (台灣夜市牛排) which is currently available for a $5 off for 8 anniversary discount discount. I was very impressed with their oyster pancake, despite the fact there was too much salad and sauce, but was loaded with lots of oysters. Another winner was their fried chicken rice plate (炸雞排飯) and the steak platter was nicely cooked medium rare with a nice bundle of egg noodles and an unappealing handful of previously frozen veggies. Their fried dumplings were surprisingly crispy and juicy and the Taiwanese fish tempura (甜不辣) and always popular popcorn chicken (鹽酥雞) were excellent. I wasn't the biggest fan of their braised pork belly with preserved veggies (梅干控肉) where the flavor was a tad overpowering and the the same boded for the beef noodle soup and its extra dark, murky broth. While most entrees have now eclipsed the $10 mark, I'd say the portions are substantial enough to merit them. I appreciate that the website is updated and pickup can be scheduled online. The staff is mainly Mandarin / Taiwanese speaking and parking is easier here than in most other plazas in Chinatown. I think there's still a lot here to love and I'm looking forward to finding out during my next subsequent visits. __________ (#1) And disappointing. (#2) Tainan. (#3) Don't do it.

    Sign to pay before you choose your cafeteria lunch plate
    Michelle Y.

    No they don't got Banh Mi! Even though their sign may suggest it. This is a Taiwanese cafeteria place where lunch is super affordable and tasty. Just pay before you point at the items for the lady to scoop onto your plate. They sell prepaid discounted lunch card here. Never seen this type of thing but lots of people come in with their cards during lunch hours

    Sizzling beef plate with noodles and black pepper sauce
    YuJun L.

    Folks who grew up in Houston 20 years ago will remember this location used to be a food hall where a bunch of different shops had their own stalls selling food. The space largely looks the same, but has a seating hallway area now. Went here twice while I was in town. The owner is also Taiwanese which is a plus. Got the popcorn chicken, sizzling steak platter with black pepper sauce, and 蚵仔麵 (cut noodles?) For the money definitely really good bang for buck. I enjoyed all of the food immensely and they all tasted authentic. My only gripe would be that there's no air conditioning so make sure you use the self service station and grab some napkins and lots of water. Besides their main menu they also have a bento station where you pick and choose what you like.

    Andrew C.

    No frills Taiwanese spot that hosts the best Chicken Steak Rice in the old Big Ten Cafeteria spot. As someone that used to love some San Dong and Star Snow, this place is THE place to go for it. What we got: - Taiwanese Pork Chop rice: Pork chops were decent sized with good flavored. Not fried/breaded but still good - Chicken steak rice: Delicious, tender chicken steak and definitely a clear winner - Pork belly with preserved veggies: Pork belly was saucy and flavor was fine, but this one didn't hit the spot - Chicken roll: Reminds you of Taiwan and a must-get if you haven't tried this before and/or if you like it - Three cup chicken: Super flavorful, lots of bones, but delicious overall They also have bento boxes where you can select rice + a few items that they load up at an affordable price. Great spot to check out if you're craving some Taiwanese comfort food

    Aaron L.

    Ordered takeout here as our last meal from our weekend Houston trip. An authentic, modestly priced eatery, you really can see that it's all about the food here. Railway pork chop bento: Came with a pork chop, pickled greens, a braised egg, and rice. Simple, hearty, and delicious - nothing fancy but this dish doesn't need to be. The pork chop was seasoned well and cooked perfectly. The pickled greens (mustard greens and edamame) offered a nice counterbalance to the richness of the pork chop, and combined with the rice makes you want to eat more with each bite you take. 5/5 Taiwanese style fried rice noodle: I'm usually not a huge fan of mi fen (rice vermicelli), but this place does it better than anywhere else I've tried. This vermicelli dish was stir fried with pork, mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, Chinese celery, and green onions. You can really taste the wok hei in this dish, which offers yet another layer to the flavor already provided with the seasoning and ingredients. Approved by a Taiwan native (gf)! 5/5

    Beef noodle soup
    Megan Y.

    This place has the best beef noodle soup I've ever gotten in the states. The noodles were QQ (just right), the soup is flavorful and tastes just like how I remember them from Taiwan, and the meat. Man...the meat is how they won me over all the other places. Don't be intimidated by the huge chunks of meat. These are super juicy! I hate meat that's over cooked or too dry. Their beef noodle soup's meat was cooked perfectly tender. I got a balance of flakey juicy meat plus a bit of tendon in each bite. Will definitely be back for more!

    $6 "bento"
    Patty C.

    I've returned a few times since my initial review, and I've enjoyed each experience since. I will say I haven't ventured far from cafeteria style combo plate. At $6.50 a piece, it's really enough for two meals is and my go to item when I need something fast that's not fried. I especially enjoy the chicken curry and stewed pork with bits of gelatinous fat. The dining room is as hole in the wall as it gets, so don't expect any sort or ambiance. It's functional... and that's about it.

    Beef Noodle Soup
    Bryan V.

    So glad I discovered this hole in the wall Taiwanese restaurant. The beef noodle soup was a large portion that was generous with the noodles and beef. The soup is light, savory and not spicy. I loved the texture of the noodles. The dumplings were large and pillowy. I only paid $20 for both the noodle soup and dumplings. I want to come back and try their mapo tofu next!

    Pork and vegetable buns! So big and delicious!
    Lisa H.

    I rarely give five star reviews...this place is AWESOME and so affordable! This may not be a modern styled shop but the food is SUPERB! The lady that helped us was super nice! The food is really good and super affordable! If you are looking for traditional Taiwanese food, this is the place! I wish we could eat here every day. We are visiting so definitely wanted to try other things but we certainly would not have had a problem with eating here everyb

    Pork belly rice dish
    Sarah S.

    A well known "secret" spot among Taiwanese locals in Houston, this place is unbeatable in terms of price and portions. Entrees vary from $7-9 in general for huge portions of rice/noodles and protein. The flavors of all their dishes have truly never disappointed me. And they're always friendly with a huge space/lots of tables. I do think it could be a little hot in the place for some people. Their central A/C is rather on the warm side with overhead fans going instead. Not bad! But a litttttle warm, even for me who prefers to keep the temperature warmer. Also, just as a note, $10 credit card minimum! I most recently got their beef noodle soup (not their house special one, just the classic one) and it was good! Very solid choice. Good portions, good flavor, good amount of meat and chewy noodles. My SO always gets their pork belly rice plate, which comes with a GOOD portion of chopped pork belly with a GOOD portion of vegetables over rice. The vegetables perfectly balance the pork belly so that the flavor isn't too heavy. And it's delicious and a big enough portion for him to feel full. Would highly recommend. Overall, this place is a hidden gem that locals love. Would highly recommend if you want to try some classic Taiwanese cuisine!

    Jeannie K.

    Graphic skin rash picture warning I understand that these are tough times and I believe we should support mom and pop stores. However, restaurants still shouldn't be selling food that has gone bad. I bought two boxes of food here Sun evening. The owner gentleman is nice even though the server isn't. I got two to-go boxes, $6 each. This was past 6pm on Sunday, and I got that there aren't as many fresh options available but I was really craving vegetables and I figured, This place is cafeteria-like so the turnover must be high enough (and food assumably fresh enough). I got the baby bokchoy (qingcai), bitter melon (kugua), braised pork, and eggplant in one box and another leafy vegetable instead of kugua in another box. This was the only storebought food I had over the weekend. By Mon night, I broke out into hives all over my limbs and trunk, and now that it's Tues evening, it's only getting worse even with Claritin and Benadryl. Times are rough but food safety standards shouldn't be compromised.

    Tainan out of ten
    Fox E.

    My grandma is from Bangkok. I call her my Thai Nan. This Bistro is named after her. They have really delicious and very typical Taiwanese food which is made to perfection and with a lot of love. They've been here forever and I've been enjoying their Taiwanese fare on a number of occasions ever since first coming to Houston a few years back. You really have to try it to see how good it is. Definitely some of the best Taiwanese food around in Houston for sure. Comparable to some of the better ones I've had in other places like New York City.

    Beef noodle soup and beef noodle dumplings (right)

    See all

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 1
    Love this 10
    Oh no 2

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Fox E.
    4535
    16891
    49976

    6 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lb Y.
    10
    59
    23

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Iman Y.
    211
    95
    54

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Belly G.
    756
    1185
    8262

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Waiaka W.
    532
    30
    17

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kacy M.
    273
    890
    2145

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Pipi H.
    0
    137
    270

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Derrick C.
    1218
    387
    2029

    8 years ago

    Helpful 37
    Thanks 0
    Love this 29
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Tainan Bistro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tainan Bistro

    You might also consider

    Hu's Cooking

    Hu's Cooking

    4.5(1.1k reviews)
    7.8 miWest University, Braeswood Place
    $$

    $20-30 We ordered the 3 shrimp egg rolls, beef and broccoli,…read moreand the walnut shrimp. Everything we had was delicious. We highly recommend giving it a try. Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5 Noise level Quiet, easy to talk Parking space Somewhat difficult to find parking Parking options Free parking lot

    I've been a happy patron of Hu's Cooking ever since they opened the year before the pandemic, but…read morebecause of their instant success and local renown from their excellent eats, speedy service, busy-but-not-crowded vibes (see: their 1000+ Yelp reviews) I've never felt the need to drop a review of my own - until just this week. On my most recent visit we ordered mapo tofu with pork intestines off the specials menu - a hybrid of two of my favorite Sichuan-style dishes. The blend of bouncy, savory morsels amidst tender, saucy tofu was at once revolutionary and so obvious; why hadn't I yet seen this at any other restaurant? And sure, innards may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's important for you to know that none of my past orders from the 50+ item menu have ever failed me, whether enjoyed in the restaurant or at home. Maybe you'd prefer the aromatic, classic, perfectly balanced three-cup chicken? Or the sweet-skinned duck, glazed so delicately that specks of sugar crystal threaten to jump off onto the plate as you pick up a juicy slice with your chopsticks? And if you're vegetarian, might you consider the punchy garlic eggplant or the wok-kissed string beans? I could go on. Do yourself a favor and come see for yourself, though I'd recommend parallel parking on the neighborhood streets behind the restaurant rather than the rocky parking lot, to save you some trouble. Bring friends and chow down family style - you'll need help covering as much of the menu as you can, but you'll definitely have to come back to try everything.

    Photos
    Hu's Cooking - Spicy chicken, clear noodles with red pepper sauce, and stir fried green beans

    Spicy chicken, clear noodles with red pepper sauce, and stir fried green beans

    Hu's Cooking - Open til 11:00pm on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat

    Open til 11:00pm on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat

    Hu's Cooking

    See all

    Hi Trendy Dumpling - General Tso's Chicken

    Hi Trendy Dumpling

    4.4(429 reviews)
    10.0 miThe Heights
    $$

    Wow! I went for the first time tonight and my wife and I had a struggle not ordering everything on…read morethe appetizer menu. Our server was as so kind and had the absolute flow down, checked on us at the most opportune moments (we couldn't help but order more). It was truly hard to close out my tab, which was incredibly affordable. This might seem like a sponsorship but I'm just truly in wow. 10/10 no notes. 7 apps, 2 entrees and 1 drink for $97.53, an absolute steal..

    I recently visited this restaurant and unfortunately had a disappointing experience, mainly due to…read morethe service. When our server first came to the table, there was no greeting or welcome. She immediately asked what we wanted in a rude tone, which set an uncomfortable atmosphere from the start. There was a sign on the table advertising a "free appetizer" if you take a photo and tag the restaurant on social media. I followed the instructions exactly as stated, but when I mentioned it, the server initially refused to honor the promotion. After I pointed out the sign, she appeared upset and walked away. I saw she went to speak to another employee and cracked a smiled and looked over. She later returned and offered a small discount instead. The issue wasn't about the money or the discount, it was the principle. The promotion was clearly advertised, and I simply followed the restaurant's own policy. It was disappointing to feel like the restaurant was reluctant to honor something they were actively promoting. I hope management addresses this because customer service and consistency with advertised promotions make a big difference in the overall dining experience.

    Photos
    Hi Trendy Dumpling - Interior

    Interior

    Hi Trendy Dumpling - Biang Biang Noodle.  Ig: @absofreakinglutelyyummy

    Biang Biang Noodle. Ig: @absofreakinglutelyyummy

    Hi Trendy Dumpling - Braised chili oil fish

    See all

    Braised chili oil fish

    Rice To Meet You 煲来饱去 - Brown Sugar Rice Cakes

    Rice To Meet You 煲来饱去

    4.4(426 reviews)
    0.3 miChinatown, Sharpstown
    $$

    BEEF BRISKET NOODLE ROLLS! Forget everything else. Lol. We came here on a Saturday afternoon, and…read moreit was quite busy. The wait wasn't too bad though; we were seated in 10 minutes. The food: Beef brisket noodle rolls- A must! The brisket is tender, and the rice rolls are a perfect texture. Popcorn chicken- Crispy and served piping hot! It could use more fried basil, but that's just me. Eel & roasted pork combo- Perfect "surf n turf" combo served with a good portion of rice, egg, and baby bok choy. Spareribs w/black bean sauce- Average. I couldn't really taste the black bean flavor. Also served with rice, egg, and baby bok choy. If you are in the mood for Cantonese food, this is the place! Service is efficient and speedy. Prices are reasonable, and they are conveniently located in the Hmart shopping plaza on Bellaire Blvd. The vibe is casual, but not a place I would linger too long for conversation since it's somewhat loud when it's a full house.

    Came to this restaurant on a whim since I was in the area. This is a small restaurant, and the…read moreinterior is very clean and simply decorated. The menu was simple and small. It felt very authentic. The service was fine and the quickly took my food order. It does take some time to come out, so I believe they cook everything fresh. The food came out scorching hot. Everything we ordered was HOT. My rice bowl came with ginseng soup. The soup was ok. It tasted good and slightly bitter (which I didn't mind), but what was off-putting was the meat inside. It was cut up, black skin, and hard to eat as it had lots of bones. The soup was also too hot to eat. I really enjoyed the chicken wings. It had a nice flavor but again, SCORCHING HOT.

    Photos
    Rice To Meet You 煲来饱去 - Weekday lunch crowd

    Weekday lunch crowd

    Rice To Meet You 煲来饱去 - 45. Popcorn Chicken

    45. Popcorn Chicken

    Rice To Meet You 煲来饱去 - Cured pork belly

    See all

    Cured pork belly

    Yellow River Restaurant 何處覓小館

    Yellow River Restaurant 何處覓小館

    3.9(42 reviews)
    0.2 miChinatown, Sharpstown
    $

    The many folks who have heard my rants on (the lack of) Taiwanese cuisine in Houston were also some…read moreof the same folks who advised I check "He Chu Mi." After passing by Yellow River countless times, I soon realized the Chinese characters are in fact, He Chu Mi (何處覓) (#1) and decided to give it my best shot. Their format is reminiscent of many casual Chinese spots I've seen: Get a tray, pick 4-5 items with rice and/or soup, and pay a flat rate. Back in my NY days, this meal would be anywhere from $4-6. Here in Houston and in current foodflation, it's $9. The interior is so dated that it reminds me of another time. Perhaps a period where things were simpler, food was cheaper, but an old school vibe that I can get behind 100%. Despite the small space, they've done well to insert enough seating to make it group or solo dining friendly. While the menu is still completely in Chinese, it seems no one working there actually speaks it. I placed my food / counter orders in Spanish and made jokes with the cashier person, who was Vietnamese. More importantly, apart from some dated signs for bento boxes, I didn't find anything that was actually Taiwanese. (#2) From looks alone, the food sort of looked like a mediocre Chinese buffet. The vegetarian section wasn't particularly appetizing, but then again, neither was the section with meat in the dishes. I eventually went for tea eggs, braised tofu, a meatballs with braised cabbage, and a curry beef that was loaded with carrots and potato. And of course, a mound of white rice. Sadly, my eyes did not deceive me, as the food was as bland as it looked. The meatballs were tough, as was the beef chunks from the curry. The tea eggs were mildly okay, but also a bit on the hard side as they've been sitting in bevy of sauce under a hot lamp, and the braised tofu was extremely bland. Any semblance of sauce left for the rice was also wasted, since it was lacking flavor all around. While the food wasn't my bag, I understand this is a place of nostalgia for most. I also appreciate a good deal and a tray of food for less than $10 in 2026 is a win. It's also a no-frills type of place, which is the kind of non-pretentious vibe I want in any establishment. I will likely give it another shot in the future, but for now, it's a 3 star spot. ___________ (#1) Which loosely translates to "The bistro / cafe where one seeks" rather than "Yellow River." This name is a pseudo play on words from a commonly used phrase in Chinese literature (e.g. "何處覓知音?") (#2) New ownership?

    I used to come here about once a month because my chiropractor was right around the corner, but I…read morehaven't visited in several years. It's clear the place has changed ownership-- it used to be run by a Taiwanese grandma, and now it seems to be owned by a Chinese-Vietnamese family, based on hearing Taiwanese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese spoken behind the counter. They've added more selections where they place them by the chili oil. However, nothing is labeled so it will be hard for folks who aren't familiar with them. When you walk in, the setup is still the same fast-paced, cafeteria-style service. You pick two vegetables and two meats for about $9 if you pay cash. They do accept credit cards, but there's a service fee. I usually go for the stir-fried vermicelli plate, which comes with one meat and two vegetables--perfectly ok for a quick meal. Just a heads-up: the line moves really fast. As soon as you enter, someone will immediately ask whether you want white rice and then whether it's for here or to go. They expect you to know what you want, so first-timers might feel a little rushed, especially since none of the dishes are labeled. Most dishes are vegetable-based--green beans, eggplant, tofu, celery, shredded potato, tomato and egg, etc. On the left side, they usually have things like three-cup chicken, curry, fish, meatballs, and stewed chicken dishes. Service is quick, and the food is decent--not the best, but definitely not bad. They offer complimentary hot tea and soup, though the soup is usually pretty watered down with a few vegetables floating in it. Still, it's a quick, no-frills meal if you're in the Dynasty Plaza area. Plenty of free parking, too.

    Photos
    Yellow River Restaurant 何處覓小館 - Inside

    Inside

    Yellow River Restaurant 何處覓小館
    Yellow River Restaurant 何處覓小館 - Inside

    See all

    Inside

    Tainan Bistro - taiwanese - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...