Following its success in California, Special Noodle Austin has now ventured into Texas. Known for its in-house crafted dumplings, it is a great addition to the Austin food scene. Currently, this is the only spot in Austin that sells pan-fried pork buns or sheng jian bao.
Special Noodle Rating
Cuisine: Chinese
Price: ($$)
Ambiance: casual, great for families
Soup Dumpling: The skin did not tear; it was thin and delicate, while the broth was lighter and sweeter compared to other soup dumplings I had.
Pan-Fried Pork Buns: The only spot in Austin that sells them. It is like a fried bun version of the soup dumpling since the inside is juicy, but with a crispy bottom. The broth had the same flavor profile as the soup dumplings.
Stone Pot Beef Noodle Soup with Mala Spice: It was a hearty soup, heated by the stones at the bottom, with noodles, veggies, beef, tendon, and fish balls. Because of the stones at the bottom of the barrel, the soup was consistently warm during dinner time. The broth was incredibly rich despite its appearance.
Snowflake Dumplings: This was a solid dumpling but despite the skirt batter being crispy, I would rather order the soup dumplings or other dishes.
Scallion Pancakes: Very flakey and seasoned well, nothing to complain
Dry Pot Mala: The meal came with a medley of stir-fried noodles, beef, spam, tofu skin, and wood ear mushroom. It was an incredibly heavy meal, but packed with so much flavor.
Overall Thoughts on Special Noodle Austin
It was evident from the workers towards the back meticulously crafting the dumplings in the back, that the dumplings were fresh and high-quality. Many dumpling spots in Austin are high-end or fusion, so this is a great option if you are craving some more traditional Chinese dumpling spots. If you enjoy this review, definitely check out this restaurant that has amazing happy hours!
Location: 13729 Research Blvd #695, Austin, TX 78750
