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!

Dinner started with Edamame yummy. Daughter and I had a Sapporo (on tap)…read more Wife had Vegetable fried rice yummy big portions yep we have leftovers. I had grilled pork with fried rice so good. Daughter had the B4 pork with noodles and two egg rolls. Lots of food. Kiara took good care of us. This is a good place to eat in Marble Falls. Plenty of parking out front. 5/5

The food was great. My husband had the pork vermicelli and I had the beef pho. The service was…read moregreat and our waitress did a great job guiding us through the menu. I was feeling a little under the weather and when I finished my soup, I felt so much better. The restaurant was very nice. We'll probably go back tomorrow before we travel home.

Ordered delivery and the food was steaming hot when it arrived, perfect late night foodread 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!

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!

Highly recommended! Perfect for a date or a group outing. While their phở is fantastic, you must…read moretry the bún bò huế if you like your food with a little spicy kick. My go-to order: Bún Bò Huế (rich, flavorful, and spicy), and Grilled Pork Bánh Mì (perfectly toasted bread with super fresh ingredients). Why I keep coming back: The dining room is always buzzing with energy, yet the service is incredibly fast. You won't have to wait long for your food!

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.

Tried the Loro x Siete: Backyard BBQ collab at Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar and it was such a fun…read morehappy hour bar experience. Loro is an Asian smokehouse and bar featuring grilled and smoked meats with Southeast Asian and Japanese-inspired sauces, sides, and a bar that boasts craft beer, boozy slushees, and batch cocktails. Parking at this location is a bit of a challenge. They have overflow parking in the back but the spots are really small. We sat at the bar area and worked our way through cocktails, apps, and dessert. We opened a tab and the bar staff takes your order which is convenient, versus how you normally have to order by waiting in line at the bar. The bar staff was extremely busy because they have to make all the cocktails and take the line orders at the bar. They are a master of multitasking. It was $3 martini night on Tuesday, so was excited to sample the four different drink options. lychee martini, Mexican martini, and Lucky Cat cosmo martini. Lychee martini is made with new amsterdam vodka, sake, elderflower, Mexican martini with espolon blanco, olive, yuzu, lime and cosmo with vodka, blood orange, naranja, lime. The lychee was hands down my favorite of the three. We started with the Dip Sampler that included a trifecta of smoked shishito queso, smoked salmon dip and Thai green salsa with the Siete blue corn tortilla chips. We went through the chips quickly and got a second round of wonton chips which I preferred to the Siete chips. Tried the Mango Chamoy frozen Slushee with Siete Chamoy Botana Sauce & Siete Chile Lime Seasoning Rim, passionfruit, Aperol, Sake and Sparkling Wine which was refreshing. All their boozy slushies are $5 during happy hour. Ordered the oak grilled edamame from the happy hour menu and it was a flavor explosion with a dusting of serracha powder, lemon zest and white sesame. For dinner, I ordered my go-to rice bowl with coconut-scented rice, seasonal pickles, thai herbs and steak as the protein. They normally served this with Bavette, but the steak was a bit tough and chewy this time. Finished everything off with cheesecake with five spice crumble, yuzu marmalade for dessert. The vibe at the bar was relaxed and lively without feeling overwhelming, and the collab menu felt creative without trying too hard. The ingredients are very thoughtful for a fully developed flavor profile. Just what I would expect from the culinary minds of Tyson Cole and Aaron Franklin. Definitely one of the regulars in my list when craving good cocktails with a casual but elevated food menu.

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.

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!

Please please please support this place. Filipino food is so sparse and rare to find in Austin,…read moreespecially good Filipino food. This place however is a diamond in the rough. This mart has all the asian spices and ingredients that you would need. I never thought I could find somewhere in Austin with reasonably priced banana ketchup and ube halaya. Now on to the food, I got a pork adobo plate with pancit and rice. Coming from Hawaii, I've missed good pork adobo so much. One of my biggest problems with pork adobo I've had in Austin is that it is usually not sour enough or is too dry. This place exceeded my expectations. The adobo tasted amazing and the sauce was just dripping off my chin. The pancit was also amazing and tasted like something I'd get from home. Also considering the price, they pack the plate. A certified banger and I can't wait to come back.

I needed to grab some last minute things for dinner tonight, and they had exactly what I was…read morelooking for; Lumpia wrappers, bihon noodles for pancit, and sweet longanisa. Also scooped some ube puto, which tastes great. The owner was very friendly and the service was good!