Mian & Bao
The steamed egg with ground pork costs three dollars: soft and flan-like, with the pork swimming in chili oil, and the critic's verdict is that until inflation catches up it is the best three dollars you can spend in Austin.1
Why go
The Infatuation rates it 8.4, and the cooking leans Sichuan rather than generic: numbing peppercorn on the cold noodles, chili oil under the wontons and the egg.1
Order this / avoid
- Chengdu cold noodle.
This cold noodle dish is one of our favorite things here. It's heavy on the mouth-numbing Sichuan peppercorn, which makes each bite more fun than the last. And it's entirely vegan.
1 - Chili oil wonton.
The wonton skins have just enough bite, and the green onions add a fresh kick to each piece.
1 - Spicy beef noodle, for the broth.
The broth and noodles are excellent, but the beef can be a little tough.
1 - Xiao long bao, with a caveat you should know before you order.
The broth that fills these soup dumplings is a little sweeter than other spots in town, but it's no less satisfying.
1
What locals & experts say
- The Infatuation Austin rates it 8.4, bylined Nicolai McCrary, page dated 18 December 2024.1
- Nicolai McCrary on the steamed egg:
The egg is soft and flan-like, and the ground pork swimming in chili oil gives each bite a savory punch.
1
Good to know
- Hygiene: no finding. Austin Public Health scores the kitchen (listed as
Mian & Bao, LLC
at 4700 W Guadalupe St Ste 5) 74 on 2 February 2026 and 89 on 25 February 2025. Both sit above the city's failing line of 70. The city has inspected it twice, which is what a recent opening looks like.2 - It is in the Triangle, in a suite off W Guadalupe, not on the Guadalupe most visitors mean.1
Verdict
should-visit — A Sichuan-leaning noodle and dumpling counter in the Triangle, scored 8.4. The steamed egg with ground pork costs three dollars and the critic's line on it is that it may be the best three dollars you can spend in Austin: flan-soft egg under pork swimming in chili oil. The Chengdu cold noodle is the same critic's favorite thing here, heavy on numbing peppercorn and entirely vegan. Order the beef noodle for the broth, not the beef.