This place offers a very unique and curated dining experience. Having a small menu, provides each dish with thoughtful additions to the plate. The noodles were an absolute delight. Complex flavors and perfect bite with a little chew. A bit of that ma-la numbing spice. Very well developed flavors in every dish. Our table also loved the steak skewers with the two sauces, out of this world. We ordered quite a bit and there NO misses. Everything was perfectly executed. Must go in Nashville. read more

This just became one of my new favorite spots in Nashville! The space was absolutely stunning and giving traditional diner vibes, but with an Asian spin. If the space wasn't enough, the food blew me away. Everything was so delicious, perfectly portioned to share, and brought out in a slight stagger so you don't feel too overwhelmed. Our waitress was so sweet, knowledgeable, and attentive. I can't wait to go back! What we ordered: -Bao Buns -Crispy Dumplings -Flank steak with a side of white rice -Noodles read more

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1980s...Japanese diner...that serves chinese comfort food? Somehow it's the vibe you never knew you needed in your life and now you can't live without it. Pros: Food and drinks were all incredible. In order from best to worst, we had: Bao buns, fried rice, flank steak, french fries, and the mochi waffle dessert. Everything was fantastic. Bao buns are easily the best ones I've ever had. Cons: Was not greeted for a few minutes when we walked in. Honestly felt like turning around and leaving but so glad we didn't. Also the wait time for the food to come out was really weird. The french fries came out lightning fast and then everything else was painfully slow. Will I come back? Yes yes yessss! Hopefully sooner than later. read more

Xiao Bao - lytini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

It was ok. My husband and I shared everything which was fine. We got the noodles which I enjoyed. Had a weird after taste but no biggie. We had the bao buns which I really wanted to like but it was just ok. Also had the okonmiyaki and that was good. Staff were super friendly, definitely a busy restaurant. read more

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The first thing you'll notice about this location is the cute strawberry photo opportunity located in front of the building. Xiao Bao is great for a date, a group outing, or a work Christmas party. The menu has great variety, and often offers vegetarian options. The food leans towards the seasoned/spicy side, which in my opinion is a good thing. The drinks are flavorful and well made; my drink was delightfully tart. It is strongly advised that you order shareable food items and split the dishes amongst the table, and after seeing the portion sizes I completely agree with that. We sat at the bar and enjoyed quiet seating while chatting with the bartender. I have previously been seated in a private room (reserved in advance) with a large group, and we were separated from the rest of the restaurant with a drawn curtain. read more

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I love this place from the cool diner atmosphere to the delicious food, it always makes me happy. I highly recommend the egg rolls and the sechuan chicken-- both fantastic!! The noodles are a close second, they are covered in chili sauce (but not super spicy) and hand pulled. Service was great, they checked on us, but also let us enjoy the food. I will be back whenever I get the craving again. read more

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10/10 experience all around. Seriously every piece of food we had was SO GOOD. Our waitress was so kind and the food came out in decent time. The decor and vibes were cool as well. We'll definitely be back soon! Also the menu was small and they don't do any modifications which is not a bad thing in my opinion. Everything was delicious. They clearly know what they're doing. Compliments to the chef. read more

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Definitely watch these people to make sure they don't cheat you like they cheated me. They put a credit card receipt in front of me that was 12 Dollars more than the actual total of the bill. We ordered a lot so I could be forgiven for not noticing the price disparity until we were long gone. So I ended up calculating the tip based of a total that was already $12 more than it should have been. Essentially, they set the conditions for me to overpay significantly. If this was some kind of Service Charge, they also did not make that clear. They apparently have a no cash policy, which they don't make clear until the bill comes.... I can't help but notice that if they allowed me to pay cash, they would not have had the opportunity to cheat me on the credit card bill. Just sayin. It's a shame that they feel they need to cheat people when the food actually pretty good. read more

Xiao Bao - Total Bill way less than Credit Card Receipt - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Xiao Bao was yet another great dining experience in the McFerrin park area! The building doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside gives off the vibes of a 1970s diner with its decor. The service was really great and fast - which I appreciated. I went for lunch and absolutely loved everything we had. The pulled noodles were so good - and a must have item. My favorite, however, was the fried rice. The dinner menu is slightly different, and I've heard great things about their bao buns. I am looking forward to returning to try them! read more

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Went for a pop up collaboration here but also tried their signature Beef Fat Fries, Hand Pulled Noodles, and Okonomoyaki. Everything was delicious with so much flavor. The service was friendly and attentive, food came out quickly, and the space was warm and had a fun style. Kind of an old school Chinese diner type vibe. Parking can be tight but otherwise 10/10, would definitely go back to try other items on the menu! read more

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Love this place! The wait staff here is incredibly kind and thoughtful and offered some great suggestions for food. Plus they were very understanding when I didn't love the drink I got and insisted that they make me something else which I appreciated. For appetizers we had the boa buns and dumplings which we loved. But the real highlight of the evening was the noodles. Theres were so perfectly cooked and they came with scissors so that we could cut them into bite size pieces. The beef was well seasoned and cooked to be just a bit crispy. This was just amazing because it gave the dish just the bit of crunch it needed. It was so lovely. And to finish up the meal, we had the ube mochi pancake with ice cream. This was such a unique combination of flavors, but somehow it worked so well. We couldn't get enough. I loved my experience here and I haven't stopped thinking about the next time I can get the handcut noodles. I'm hoping it's sometime very soon! read more

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This is a super gem on the east side. If you're looking for something different yet super satisfying you need to eat here! We tried 3 dishes at lunch. All were delicious! Way too much food for 2ppl. The hand pulled noodles took me right back to Beijing. The cabbage pancake w/ an egg is a flavor bomb! Service was helpful and friendly. My wish list: unsweetened iced tea and or Coke Zero on the menu. read more

Xiao Bao - Pad kra Pow Okonomiyaki w/ egg Hand Pulled Noodles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

The ambience of this place was unreal. They even had a back little room that was a completely different vibe from the rest of the restaurant. They can make a few things off the menu vegetarian and vegan! The hand pulled noodles are their speciality and a must order when you come. It's an experience getting to cut your own noodles! I would also highly recommend the Okonomiyaki, I've literally been thinking about it for days. The sauce on top and whatever the vegetables were cooked in lives in my head rent free. Next time I would definitely order the egg as a topping. All of their menu items are made so that they are family style and shareable. My friends tried the dumplings and were so in love with them, they literally ordered them twice! Service was friendly and the quantity was decent for the price paid. Overall would recommend & be back! psa: Parking is a bit tight! read more

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Let's start off with I wish I would have brought my stretchy pants. My husband and I ordered a lot of food. Every plate was delicious. We went on a Sunday during the late afternoon so the place was almost empty which was nice. It took a while to be seated tbh but when we were the staff was friendly, informative, and polite. The place had a very cool diner vibe to it with old phones peppered around the restaurant as decor. We started off w the crude which was honestly perfect. The fact that it was on a hash brown and not crispy rice elevated the dish. It was fresh, flavorful, and they didn't skimp on the amount of tuna 10/10 We got the Thai lettuce wrap which was kind of off putting when you look at it. The flavors and spicy nam Jim made up for the unattractive meat on a stick. Again, delicious. Next we got the bao buns which they make fresh there. So good. Then we had the noodles, also handmade, and SO GOOD. The come with little scissor to cut bc the noods are so thick and delicious. Finally we got the okonomiyaki w a fried egg and pork candy. Just get it all. It's all delicious. To top it off we each had a beer and rolled ourselves back to our cars like the bao buns we turned into. I want to go back immediately to try more dishes... but it's going to be really hard not to order everything again. The crudo and noodles are 100% where it's at. read more

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It's a must to visit every time I am in Nashville and I am never disappointed. I look forward to whatever new items they add to the menu. read more

I can't get enough. I was overwhelmed with all the flavors from each dish that I ordered. The service is great - you never feel rushed and they are great at recommending items on the menu. Note that this is a great place to get all the dishes but share with a group of friends because you'll want to have a bite of everything. After a few visits I have settled for a noodle dish all to myself and I am not made about it. They have designated scissors for their hand made noodles that are so fun to use !! Drinks both non/alcoholic are delicious - and don't forget to order dessert!! read more

This place is such an amazing east Nashville staple! Great vibes, accommodating service, and high quality ingredients. These are truly the best French fries in Nashville, served with an amazing speciality sauce with just the right amount of pickle flavor. I enjoyed the hand pulled noodles as well however I didn't love the cooling effect in them, so I would probably opt to try something else next time! But I definitely recommend this place! read more

Xiao Bao - Noodles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Food is definitely a hipster twist on Asian food. Service was decent, it wasn't busy but servers did take awhile to come to the table and we were only in a rush because their mebus changes from lunch to an between menu before dinner and we wanted stuff off the lunch menu that wasn't offered on the inbetween. The ambience is interesting, a lot of Chinese culture was highlighted but also did seem a bit like appropriation. read more

Xiao Bao - Okonomiyaki, hamburger bao, Beef Fat Fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

When you walk in, you will feel cool vibe. The bar is set up like a diner but with a nice touch. Love the couch seating area. So cozy. We sat at bar where we had our cocktails and dinner. Food was delicious & tasty. Bartenders were friendly and attentive. We will be back. read more

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Such a cute place! Ambiance: Veryy cozy and has minimal seating. It feels like an old school diner with Chinese cuisine. Parking wise, there's parking lots in front and across the street. If you cannot find any, you can always park on the street. Service: Our waiter was amazing! He made sure we were taken care of and checked on us regularly. Food: 8/10 - The food tasted great! The only thing is that the menu is really small. There's not many options. read more

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There aren't many places that have Szechuan pepper but this is one! Every menu item is delicious and exciting. Mochi waffle with ice cream. Fast food fries that are affordable and addicting. I love it. My little man also loves that strawberry. Respect to a kids menu for kids with a more adventurous palate as well!! read more

Xiao Bao - Strawberry! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Food was great but thats the only positive thing I will say about the place. Everything else was extremely sloppy. The dishes were stinky - you know the smell you get after leaving your damp clothes in the washer over night. I've worked in the service industry and cannot imagine serving customers with cups/plates that felt so unclean. I didn't touch the water at all because the cup smelled so awful. Service was ok, there was also oil residue on the menus which added to the perceived lack of professionalism. And overall I think the quality control in this restaurant has really gone downhill in recent months. I have concerns of their cleanliness standards after visiting. Will probably order takeout from there, but not going to be coming in and/or bringing friends there again read more

Delectable bao and noodles in East Nashville? Say less. I'm 1.5 gen Chinese American, and this place speaks to me with its family style portions, on point seasoning game (perfect balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and sour), and it's retro decor. I felt like I was back in a Hong Kong style diner on the streets of Central. In the best way, it also reminds me of some older Chinese elders' homes. The cocktails looked amazing, but we went for lunch so mainly enjoyed the awesome food. We all really enjoyed the bao burger and hand pulled biang biang noodles. The chili oil on the noodles was perfection. Service was efficient, kind, and relaxed. I didn't feel pressured to order anything, and the staff seemed like they genuinely just enjoy the vibe here. They have high chairs and parking, so young families rejoice! Highly recommend giving Xiao Bao a try. They are so lovely and the food is bomb. read more

I really wanted to like this place. I convinced 8 people to come with me to try it. First thing first when our server can't even pronounce the name of the restaurant correct to 3 of the 8 people at the table that are Chinese and one's middle name is Xiao and he say zow instead of the correct pronunciation should have keyed us in. That's like calling pho (fuh) Hand pulled noodles were tough, no wonder you need scissors to cut them, bao buns gummy, service sllllooooww. They put us in a back room with a curtain and totally forgot about us. 45 min for our first drinks, 50 min for food. Food was cold, some food showed up super late and cold. Never asked for more drinks. 500.00 later left feeling hungry and sad. I know 8 people that will not be back. Sorry I really really wanted to like this place it definitely a Instagram photo place atmosphere cute food not worth it go to a authentic place like meet noodle for real food or here for the gram read more

The food was all made with love and is packed with so much flavor! The service was amazing too, everyone was so attentive. John always made sure to go above and beyond ! I also love the cute interior design of the space really makes you feel cozy while eating. read more

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The food at Xiao Bao is super yummy! While on a trip to Nashville, we were craving Asian food and decided to stop by. Everything we ordered tasted unique but also felt authentic. The food here is best enjoyed family style in order to enjoy multiple dishes. The hand pulled noodles were super fresh and absolutely delectable. Fair warning that the chili peppers used within this dish will literally numb your mouth, but it's so worth it. The short rib was melt in your mouth tender and the sauce used was sweet and smoky. We also enjoyed the crab fried rice, which came with a yummy jalapeño sauce that added a nice kick. It looks like this menu tends to rotate pretty frequently, so I'd recommend coming back to check out any new additions. read more

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We had such a great experience! We came here for lunch on Mother's Day, with our dog, and sat out on the patio. We split the crab rice, Okonomiyaki (cabbage pancake), handpulled noodles and bao buns! Everything was delicious, and our waiter Cole was full of helpful suggestions! We look forward to our next visit! read more

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I really wanted to like this place, but the food was a big disappointment. The mocktail xiao mocktail was so sour it actually made my tongue hurt and ruined my appetite for the noodles. Speaking of the hand pulled noodles -- there was nothing "Asian" about them. They literally tasted like lasagna with sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Definitely not authentic at all. The only good thing I can say is that the service was great -- the staff were friendly and attentive. Unfortunately, I wouldn't come back. read more

Xiao Bao - Noodles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

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Food: 3.5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 4/5 I thought it was standard Asian fusion fare. All the dishes were tasty, but nothing stood out for me. We actually ordered almost all the items on the menu. If I had to pick, I'd say the fries and noodles were my favorites. The service was excellent. As for ambiance, it's just like old diner furniture and the AC was out but the good is that it's chill and cozy. Good selection of interesting Asian booze! Really liked Makku- which is like a Makkuli (Korean unfiltered rice wine) mixed w 7up. YUM read more

Xiao Bao - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

We have wanted to try Xiao Bao for a bit; on the downside, they don't take advance reservations, but on the plus side, we went at 6:30 on a Wed nite and got a great table with no waiting. The interior is pretty cool; looks like Suzy Wong's 1950's diner. Think lots of stainless steel and red lacquer. Service was prompt and friendly. We brought our own wine; corkage was a little higher than usual in Nashville ($35/bottle), but we didn't object. We were disappointed that the left side of the menu was not available during dinner hours. The cheeseburger bao looked really delish; maybe we can get there for lunch sometime to try them. They suggest that we order 3-5 items per couple; for the 4 of us, we ordered: Beef Fat fries with comeback sauce (McDonalds, you've been bested; these were simply amazing) Dumplings (5 stars; would totally recommend) Seared noodles (knife cut; 5 stars just for the hard sear on the noodle edges) Pork bao (4 stars; great but the bao was a little too doughy for the amount of filling; the filling alone would be a 5 star dish, tho) Beef cheeks (3.5 stars; this cut should be silky and it was a little gooey). Crab rice (all the stars and then some) Okonomiyaki (no stars as it never arrived; I have a sneaking suspicion we were charged for it, but didn't look closely at the itemized tab; my bad). All in the food is generally amazing, and the prices are fairly reasonable. Even though we were likely shortchanged on the bill a bit (again, my bad for not checking), Xiao Bao is definitely recommended for a great Chinese/asian meal in East Nashville. read more

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Well let me begin with saying I hate doing this review. I found the service polite, but extremely slow and unhelpful. The food overall was quite good. My family members raved about theirs, but I found mine quite mediocre. Let me explain. As I've discussed in previous reviews I've developed a severe allergy to shrimp. Because of the severe near death reaction I try to avoid all shellfish. Their menu use shellfish at some level in every item on the menu. I'm also gluten intolerant. They had a few options for that, but all contained shellfish. I asked for potential alternatives, like substitutions. No dice. Very uncooperative. I finally ordered the two items I could order. The beef fat fries and the Banh Xao with mushrooms. They brought it out and informed me that the small amount of pork shavings in the dish contained wheat. I had to scrape that off leaving a rather small meal. I was disappointed that they couldn't/wouldn't accommodate my needs. My family were very pleased with their food. My son had the Okonomyaki and my wife had the KFC Sando. Both were excellent. The food is quite an experience for those that like shellfish. Several years ago I would have loved it. Nice atmosphere, but no sign out front. Look for the garage building by the fire station with a strawberry in front. read more

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Ordered the okonomiyaki with katsuo and enjoyed it! The pancake was savory, crispy on the outside, and flavorful. Only minor thing I would change is the katsuo topping. While it was good, I think I would have preferred a different topping next time just from personal preference. Overall great service, tasty food and big portions that was able to share with the rest of the table. read more

Xiao Bao - Okonomiyaki with Katsuo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

I had seen so many TikToks raving about Xiao Bao's hand-pulled noodles, so I knew I had to check it out during my first visit to Nashville. The restaurant is a bit outside the main downtown area, but it has a trendy, modern vibe. We sat outside on the patio, though the interior looked cool as well. Of course, I ordered the Vegetarian Biang Biang Hand-Pulled Noodles, but it was not my favorite. The flavor leaned more tangy than spicy, which was not what I expected. I do wonder if the non-vegetarian option has a better flavor profile. For the price, I felt like the portion could have been a bit larger. If you are vegetarian and visiting for lunch, just know that your options will be somewhat limited. That said, the service was great. The staff was friendly, attentive, and took the time to describe each dish to help us pick what we would like best. read more

Xiao Bao - Vegetarian Biang Biang Hand Pulled Noodles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Nashville, Tennessee

Every dish was pure perfection - we recently moved to Nashville from LA the mecca of Asian cuisine and this was one of the best meals we have had. I loved the concept of the place - no substitutions meaning the chef knows what he is doing and it showed. We can't wait to go back for their Sunday Dim Sum and dinner menu! The service was very nice and we loved the funky/ retro diner decor! read more

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This is such a cute restaurant. The interior is fantastic, even the bathroom interior. It's like going to the spa with the music and ambiance. The staffs was super accommodating and friendly. The food was okay; I was only happy with the hand-pulled noodles. The Okonomiyaki was sweet and spicy, and super oily. I wasn't a fan. Note: you can't alter the order, even the spice level. The hand-pulled noodles were delicious. The beef was tender and flavorful. I love the thick, chewy noodles. The Pad Kra Pow was good, also sweet, and spicy. I can't distinguish the flavor much. The mango lassi was the worst dessert I have ever had. I was enjoying the ice cream and the dates and cashew nuts until the bottom, where there were rice noodles. Like what?! It was not good, and if I had known there were noddles in my dessert, I would have passed. I'm willing to give this place another try. Maybe it was an off day when I came. read more

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Maybe the best lunch I've ever had. We had som tum with chicken, fried mochi, banh xeo (turmeric crepes), and the noodles with brisket. The flavors were all out of this world, the service was great, and the prices were appropriate. The chicken may have been the best chicken preparation I've ever had, but literally every bite from each dish was a home run. If you're a foodie, you will absolutely love this place. Give it a try. read more

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Came by at an odd hour for lunch (2:30), which turned out to be a perfect time to grab a quiet bite. The decor is absolutely darling and the seating is such fun. Beautiful and warm: well worth a look around. The tables and chairs are genuine retro. Ours happened to have a wobble that couldn't quite be resolved in real time. We were reseated with no fuss. We split the noodles and the som tum with chicken. The noodles have a nice little kick of spice (nothing too hot); the beef is tender; and the hand-pulled noodles are fun to cut to the length you'd like. The chicken in the som tum dish is so delightful! Asian fermented black beans + frying? Yes, please! Had a chance to meet the owner and she was kind enough to take a minute to chat while entertaining out-of-town friends. Such fun geeking out about regional differences in okonomiyaki! (PS - if you'd like the dinner menu, service starts at 4.) read more

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Bao 1000000/10 Lemon cocktail 10/10 Mochi dumplings 8/10 Ribs were good. Noodles good, I like the sourness to them. Dessert was disappointing.. Love the family style here, as Chinese food should be. The pork belly bao was the best we've ever had and I'm already wanting it again. Good prices. Like the simple & creative vibe of this spot. Love seeing more good Chinese restaurants opening in the city. read more

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I got takeout and it was a very enjoyable dinner! One thing to note regardless: portions are small and prices are steep. However, the dishes that I tried were really delicious and flavorful, and also the type of dishes that you can't get at most asian restaurants in Nashville. The inside of the restaurant is really cute and chique, and the hostess was super sweet when I came in to pick up the food. It took a bit longer than expected but absolutely nothing out of the reasonable. Here's what I had: Okonomiyaki: 9/10 - Wow, the cabbage was so well cooked, the sesame seeds added a perfect crunch, it was all super thoroughly seasoned, and the sauces on top added a richness and vibrant flavor that we loved. Since we got takeout, it wasn't super crispy though (but surprisingly not soggy either!). Momo Dumplings: 8/10 - While the filling of the dumplings was pretty standard, the sauce took it right back up for me. I think it was butter chicken inspired, and it was just so dang flavorful, nutty, spiced, and delish. It only comes with 5 dumplings, though, so for the price it is definitely not a lot. Hand Pulled Noodles with Brisket: 9/10 - The texture of the noodles was just PHENOMENAL. They were insanely huge, long, thick, and chewy. I love a hand pulled noodle. The brisket was also super moist and flavorful, and I LOVE the addition of the bok choy. They had a good spice but nothing crazy at all; my only note is that the sauce on the noodles could've had a little more depth to it. A little more umami and the dish would've been a 10. We didn't get scissors to cut them with (since we got take out), but our serving was 4 huge, super long noodles. Beef Fat Fries: 8/10 - I'm not the biggest fry fan so it could never be a 10/10 for me but these fries were crispy, thin, and salty. They also came with a delicious mayo-based dipping sauce. My brother described them as "elevated, high quality McDonalds fries," and I would agree. Although I didn't taste it, my brother had the Shrimp Fried Rice and he said it was lacking in flavor, so I would keep that one in mind. read more

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Hip little place serving up some traditional Asian dishes such as Som Tum (spicy Thai papaya salad) hand pulled noods & bao. I've been wanting to try this place for months & finally made it out with my wife on a Thursday evening. The weather was perfect so we sat outside on their nice little patio with a view of the . Started off with a bourbon strawberry cocktail that was strong & refreshing but quickly clashed with my spicy & bold food choices. We had the fried mochi dumplings, bao buns, som tum, noodles, & curry chicken. The dumplings were very good & the textures with the fried outside & soft bouncy mochi was fun & tasty, the filling was rich & meaty. Bao buns were the best I've had in Nashville so far. The bao was fluffy & not too dry or wet, the lamb had so much going on & some white sauce on them also which was divine. Som Tum was all my wife as she loves it after having lived in Thailand for two years, she liked it enough to eat most of it, which is rare for her! My noodles were excellent & the reason this place is so talked about. Bouncy & filling with lots of chew & flavor I loved them. Chicken curry wasn't up to my wife's high (picky) standards of simple & coconutty but I liked it, the sauce was earthy with a nice bite of fish sauce. Plenty of flavor if you like that kind of thing. Enjoyed sampling so much here & would def be back for the bao & noodles as they were my favs. Service was excellent also. read more

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