576561 Mon Dec 01 18:52:00 -0800 2008 13 61 Austin 0 4213224 I'm not sure how to describe the type of Chinese food I'm looking for in Austin. Some dishes with sliced fish with wasabi, items that are not drenched in sauce, not "old style" Chinese, some spice to the dishes, lots of veggies in the dishes, creative Chinese maybe? Mon Dec 01 18:52:00 -0800 2008 52763 sherry3 1 4214342 Din Ho on 183 and Ohlen Road (near Target) has been the go-to place for most of the last 5-6 years, but I've been hearing some grumblings here about it. A place that used to be downtown, now (I'm assuming its still there) at a strip mall on 360 in Westlake, Pao's Mandarin House--outstanding Dim Sum, only place as good here as places in San Francisco. I'm a serious meat eater, but must attest that Pao's has some vegetarian dishes that are just amazing. My reco--go there at 11am on Sat or Sunday and definitely look at the Chinese menu which has translations. Note that both these places also has the American style Chinese (General Tso's Chicken, etc) just as places like Asti have pasta and pizza, they do this in order to stay afloat, but all three have really outstanding stuff for the adventurous eaters. Tue Dec 02 08:39:44 -0800 2008 4213224 147913 taliesin15 2 4214704 Isn't Pao's on 620 in Lakeway? That's where I've always gone. Tue Dec 02 10:39:03 -0800 2008 4214342 240828 austinfood 3 4215922 That was the original location. Pao's is still open in Lakeway and still great! Tue Dec 02 17:29:56 -0800 2008 4214704 100641 amykragan 3 4216469 Pao's was "originally" downtown, on Brazos.... Tue Dec 02 21:47:51 -0800 2008 4214704 25989 sambamaster 1 4215115 I second Din Ho, and there's also First Chinese BBQ, as well as Pao's (our annual stop for traditional Chinese New Year Dinner). However, if you want authentic Sichwan (or is it Szechwan) go to Asia Cafe, inside Asia Market on 183/Anderson Mill area. Tue Dec 02 12:47:09 -0800 2008 4213224 244555 barleybob9 1 4215820 sherry3, It sounds like you're not looking for traditional Chinese food at all but more like Asian fusion, maybe? Mars (now on South Congress) and Roy's (downtown) sound like they're more in the ballpark of what you want. I've only been to Mars a couple of times when they were by the UT campus; they had a fun atmosphere--deep red rooms, if I remember correctly--and the food wasn't bad. By the way, most "real" Chinese food is not "drenched in sauce"; that sounds like American Chinese food (like PF Chang's). The suggestions you've been given are among the best "real" Chinese food in the Austin area. They exhibit a fairly wide variety of cooking techniques including steaming, braising, roasting, baking, stir-frying, and deep-frying. They're not what I think you mean by "old style" Chinese. If you've never tried these sorts of dishes, give them a try. You might like them! Tue Dec 02 16:42:45 -0800 2008 4213224 230658 budgethound 2 4215923 I thought Mars had closed? Tue Dec 02 17:30:37 -0800 2008 4215820 100641 amykragan 3 4217259 It merely moved. It's now at 1400 S. Congress, very close to Guero's. Wed Dec 03 08:57:56 -0800 2008 4215923 245308 senatus 1 4217352 A great place for dim sum on Sundays is Tien Hong on N. Burnet. They open at 11, and that's the only time to get there -- arrive after 11:15 or 11:20, and you'll be facing longer and longer waits. They have great stuff -- I really like the rice cake when it's on (sometimes after a humid Saturday, it isn't quite as good). They have a zillion different steamed, boiled or fried dumplings, buns and so on, and boy, do they taste fresh! A dozen or more carts are circulating all the time. Wed Dec 03 09:27:10 -0800 2008 4213224 245308 senatus 2 4217388 I thought Tien Hong had closed already. Is it still open? Wed Dec 03 09:38:59 -0800 2008 4217352 97948 ssouth 3 4217496 They are closed Wed Dec 03 10:06:36 -0800 2008 4217388 100641 amykragan 2 4217427 Didn't they close back in August or sometime around there? Wed Dec 03 09:49:01 -0800 2008 4217352 223330 danny_w 2 4217611 They closed, back in July I think. Wed Dec 03 10:40:26 -0800 2008 4217352 14268 Rene