Xiao Bao
Asian restaurant · East Germantown
830 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207, USA
Highlights
Asian comfort food, fine wine & cocktails in a retro diner setting
Asian comfort food, fine wine & cocktails in a retro diner setting
"At Xiao Bao, fun equals ogling massive amounts of crab piled onto a bowl or fried rice and splitting smashburgers served on bao buns with chili and ginger scallion sauce. The feeling at this Asian fusion spot in East is very Chinatown diner, and the stuff on the ever-changing menu ranges from okonomiyaki to dumplings in various styles of curry. Everybody who works here is somehow witty and laid-back, like it was a prerequisite on the application, with bartenders dropping off food (and plugging a dance pop single they just dropped). And it’s impossible not to embrace that energy while you’re passing around a bubble waffle for dessert. Cap off the night by taking a picture in front of the giant strawberry outside the restaurant." - jackie gutierrez jones 2, ann walczak
"Mention Xiao Bao to anybody who lives in Nashville and their response will either be: “I’ve been dying to get over there," or “You got the cheeseburger bao bun, right?” Even a couple years after opening in East Nashville, it’s still a buzzy spot with an equally buzzy burger. And that patty, with a scattering of chopped ginger and scallion on top of melty american cheese, is a good representation of the menu: interesting Asian fusion food that you can’t find anywhere else in the city. Xiao Bao isn’t just a one-hit wonder, though. It’s the rare hybrid of a restaurant that’s fun and reliable for any occasion—easy and exciting, all at the same time." - jackie gutierrez jones 2, carlo mantuano, ann walczak
"When expanding their Pan-Asian restaurant from South Carolina to Nashville, husband-and-wife owners Joshua Walker and Duolan Li set up residence in a trailer at the Dive Motel. The idea proved successful enough to move Xiao Bao into permanent digs in East Nashville, improving the city’s options for pork belly bao buns, okonomiyaki, fried dumplings, and hand-pulled noodles alongside natural wine in a space that artfully blends ’50s diner and Chinese American restaurant vibes. Xiao Bao doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared for a wait. —JGJ" - Ellen Fort
"What started as an experimental trailer at The Dive Motel is now a Pan-Asian brick-and-mortar spot fit for East Nashville. There’s a red theme to the decor, but there’s also a retro diner feel, which is part of what makes it a great first date spot—it’s interesting and cool without that annoying try-hard vibe. The menu has things like Japanese okonomiyaki, Taiwanese gua bao, and Sichuan la zi cauliflower, and it changes pretty frequently, so expect some surprises. Get there early (dinner starts at 4pm, but anytime before 6pm should be okay), since they don’t take reservations." - jackie gutierrez jones 2, ann walczak, adam sloan, bailey freeman
"This local fast-casual chain has the most styles and flavors of dumplings and bao in Nashville, hands down. Head in for baskets of fluffy bao stuffed with pork, beef, or vegetables that are steamed or seared, as well as dumplings like broth-packed xiao long bao, hearty noodle soups, and liters of Thai boba tea to go. Choose to dine in or takeout at several locations in Nashville, including the Germantown original, a Nolensville restaurant, and a stall at Broadway’s Assembly Food Hall (more are set to open throughout the region). On Tuesdays, stop by for all-you-can-eat dumplings for $20 per person; choose from pork and cabbage, vegetable, pork and shrimp, or chicken dumplings at certain locations." - Ellen Fort
