WU Chow - Downtown
Chinese restaurant · Warehouse District
IBC Bank Plaza, 500 W 5th St #168, Austin, TX 78701
Highlights
Sichuan cuisine, dim sum brunch, and creative tiki cocktails
Sichuan cuisine, dim sum brunch, and creative tiki cocktails
"There are a limited number of dumplings on Wu Chow’s regular menu, but it’s only during Sunday brunch that the full dim sum menu is available. Grab an order of soup dumplings—this was one of the first places in town to offer them—then load up on shumai, char siu, turnip cakes, and about two dozen other options. Make sure to order the Bloody Mulan that’s made with Thai chiles, sichuan peppercorns, and fermented chili paste, and topped with a pork bun and Chinese sausage. Prices are a little higher than most classic cart-service spots (that Austin is sadly lacking in), but you’re also paying for the beautiful, upscale dining room. Grab a reservation now if you plan on eating brunch here in the near future." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion, matthew jacobs
"A mixture of traditional and modern Chinese dishes can be found at this lively restaurant, offering lunch, dinner, and Sunday dim sum, with the option to dine outdoors. The real stars of the menu, however, are the famous soup dumplings, which feature tender wrappers, rich broth, and savory pork meatballs. Inventive cocktails like the Mala-Rita — a combination of jalapeño and Sichuan peppercorn-infused Lalo Blanco, Ancho Reyes Verde, Cointreau, and lime, are also available. Guests can dine indoors or outdoors, and takeout orders can be placed online." - Taylor Tobin
"Wu Chow is an upscale Chinese restaurant that’s a short walk from most downtown hotels, and it’s a great option for dinner before heading to nearby Dirty Sixth or Rainey Street. The hip hop music and tiki drinks will get everyone in the party mood, and if those don’t do the trick, the soup dumplings should. The large entrees, like scallions hugging beef and seafood fried rice, are great for sharing, and there’s a big patio that’s perfect for a pre-dinner drink if there’s a wait." - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion
"Nothing says group dinner quite like a lazy susan. Actually, it’s pretty sad to think of just one person eating off a lazy susan. Susan would not approve. Anyway, group dinners at Wu Chow involve lazy susans filled with farm-to-table Chinese food classics. The Shanghai soup dumplings are the best way to kick off the meal, along with a strong drink in a tiki glass." - adele hazan, nicolai mccrary
"Very few spots in downtown Austin attract quite as big of a crowd as Wu Chow during Sunday brunch. Because while you can order a few dim sum options off the lunch or dinner menu—including Wu Chow’s signature Shanghai soup dumplings—Sundays from 11am-3pm are when the menu comes alive with dozens of options. Just make sure to grab reservations for brunch well in advance, otherwise you may find yourself going through a few too many tiki cocktails while you wait for a table to open up." - nicolai mccrary
