Asian is a very broad term, so to clarify, I’ve included desserts from the Philippines, Korea, Japan, China, Vietnam, and Thailand. As with a lot of food, you’ll see some similarities and variations between cultures. Taro, red bean, pandan, and matcha are some of the flavors you’ll find in these Asian desserts.

This is a shortlist of the many, many Asian desserts out there. My goal was to share some desserts you can easily try in Austin, and if you have any recommendations of a dessert and/or restaurant to get it at, let me know!

Here are 17 Asian desserts to try and where to get them in Austin!

Bingsu

Bingsu is a Korean shaved ice dessert with toppings. The sky’s the limit for flavor combinations, and places usually have set bingsu options that work best together. I typically enjoy mango shaved ice with fresh fruit, but I like the Brown Sugar Mochi Bingsu at Snowy Village on West Parmer Lane and the Birthday Cake Bingsu at Bar Peached.

Where to Get it in Austin: Snowy Village, Bar Peached

Boba Tea

Also known as bubble tea, boba tea originated in Taiwan and is named after the tapioca balls at the bottom of the cup. The beverage is usually black tea and milk, though you can find plenty of tea options now. Milk Tea Boba, Brown Sugar Boba, and Taro Tea are some of the most popular (and some of my favorite) flavors. If you don’t like tea, you can get a fruit slush, and if you’re not sure about tapioca balls, a variety of jellies are available. Some places offer different sugar and ice amounts to customize your drink.

Where to Get it in Austin: See this blog post

Bubble Waffle Cone

This dessert from Hong Kong is an egg waffle by itself or wrapped like a cone and filled with ice cream or whipped cream and toppings. Austin establishments usually have the waffle by itself. What makes or breaks this dessert is the waffle. Is it crispy on the outside? Is it soft and chewy on the inside?

Where to Get it in Austin: Bambu, Happy Lemon

Cake

You can find cake in many Asian cultures. The Swiss roll / cake roll / jelly roll is a popular bakery item. This type of cake likely came to Asia from Europe and I like the variations with matcha and pandan flavors. I also grew up celebrating birthdays with Chinese sponge cake with fresh fruit. This cake is light and airy with whipped cream and strawberries, peaches, and kiwi in between the layers and on top.

Where to Get it in Austin: Tous Les Jour, Texas Bakery

Chè

Chè (pronounced chay) is a Vietnamese dessert with jelly, tapioca, fruit, and beans accompaniments. It’s topped with ice and finished with a coconut cream sauce. This dessert is similar to the Indonesian cendol and Filipino halo-halo.

Where to Get it in Austin: Bambu

Cheesecake

When it comes to cheesecake, you probably think of Japanese cheesecake. The Japanese version is crustless and is very fluffy. The secret to its lightness is less cream cheese and more egg whites. OMG Squee has them occasionally, or you can find them at the Austin location of Uncle Tetsu, a national chain.

Where to Get it in Austin: OMG Squee, Uncle Tetsu

Cookie

When it comes to cookies, add Asian flavors! Cookie Wookie Kitchen has delicious creations made with aged cookie dough. Ube coconut, black sesame cookies and cream, pandan with toasted rice, and red bean mochi are some of my favorite flavors!

Where to Get it in Austin: Cookie Wookie Kitchen

Egg Tart

The best way to end dim sum is with egg tarts, my ubiquitous dessert growing up. It’s a crispy and flakey outer shell filled with a smooth egg custard that’s slightly sweet. I love the Hong Kong version but you can also find the Portuguese version (Macau is a city near Hong Kong and used to be a Portuguese colony), which is sweeter and has a flame-kissed top.

Where to Get it in Austin: 85 Degrees, Chinatown, Lin Asian Bar

Halo-halo

Halo-halo has all the good stuff in it. This Filipino dessert is similar to the Vietnamese chè in that it’s a crushed ice dessert. Halo-halo has jellies, sweet beans, fruit, corn, shredded coconut, yams, and a scoop of ice cream on top.

Where to Get it in Austin: Little Mama’s, Filipino Asian Mart

Ice Cream

Our favorite Asian flavors are back in ice cream form. Matcha, black sesame, taro, Thai tea, and pandan are only some of the flavors available. For something more adventurous, visit DipDipDip Ice Cream for flavors like yuzu mascarpone, orange and hōjicha (Japanese green tea), or cookies ‘n matcha.

Where to Get it in Austin: DipDipDip Ice Cream, Thai Fresh/Gati Ice Cream, Sugar Pine

Mango Sticky Rice

One of my favorite Thai desserts is this one – mango sticky rice! The sticky rice is mixed with coconut milk and sugar and topped with sliced mango. I’d be surprised if you don’t find this dessert on Thai restaurant menus.

Where to Get it in Austin: Thai Fresh, Dee Dee

Mochi Donuts

Mmm this dessert has popped up in Austin in abundance! Mochi is a Japanese dessert made with glutinous rice. Now put this stretchy and chewy texture into a donut – yum! Bom Bakeshop rotates some delicious flavors with icing made with real fruit.

Where to Get it in Austin: Bom Bakeshop, Mochinut, OMG Squee 

Sesame Ball

Some might not classify this Chinese pastry as a dessert, but it was always a semi-sweet end to dim sum for me. The glutinous rice ball is typically filled with red bean paste but you may also see lotus paste. Don’t miss this when you go eat dim sum!

Where to Get it in Austin: Lin Asian Bar, Fresh Tofu

Shaved Ice

Taiwanese shaved ice or snow ice is unlike shaved ice or snow cones you already know. This shaved ice is created through a machine that creates thin shavings. It melts in your mouth! After choosing your shaved ice flavor – mango and strawberry are two of my favorites – you can choose your toppings. The toppings include boba, jelly, sliced fruit, mochi, and more.

Where to Get it in Austin: SnoMo

Steamed Pandan Layer Cake / Khanom Chan / Bánh Da Lợn

I’m in love with this jelly-like dessert! It’s stretchy and slightly chewy and typically layered by color and flavors of pandan and coconut. In Thai culture, it’s khanom chan and in Vietnamese culture, bánh da lợn is similar but typically includes mung bean.

Where to Get it in Austin: Hhomdee, Texas Bakery, Hana World Market

Taiyaki

This Japanese pastry is recognizable because it’s shaped like a fish. The crispy croissant dough, pressed in something like a waffle iron, is traditionally filled with red bean but can also be filled with Nutella, custard, and mochi.

Where to Get it in Austin: Snowy Village

Tofu Pudding with Ginger Syrup (Dofu Hua)

Tofu Pudding or Sweet Silken Tofu is a dessert I grew up loving! The tofu pudding texture is similar to flan and tastes like sweet tofu. The ginger syrup you pour on top makes the tofu sweeter and it’s where a lot of the flavor comes from.

Where to Get it in Austin: Fresh Tofu, NG Cafe

Which desserts have you tried and which will you go try?

P.S. Want more dessert? See these top 30 cold treats in Austin or this list of the best cupcakes in Austin.

You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

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Where are the Chinese Bakeries in Austin?

While there are similarities in baked goods in East Asian cultures, I’m most familiar with Chinese bakeries, and they were a regular delicacy while growing up in Dallas. I’ve noticed more and more the lack of these bakeries in Austin, a somewhat common deficiency in ethnic food. Austin’s population is becoming more diverse, and hopefully, with that, the choices and variety of restaurants will expand along with it. Years ago, we had at least two mom-and-pop bakeries, but with closures and constantly changing hands, it’s evident that this has always been on shaky ground. This is why I want to support Texas Bakery as much as I can – they have great baked goods to offer in a sorely lacking category in Austin.

You might be thinking, you’re forgetting all the other East Asian bakeries in Austin! There are several locations of Tour Les Jour (national Korean franchise) and 85 °C Bakery Cafe (international Taiwanese franchise) in Austin to satisfy our cravings for milk bread and taro buns. I still shop there. They fill the need and their products are consistent, but I’m always left wanting more. Maybe it’s something only mom-and-pop shops with recipes passed down through generations provide. Maybe it’s using local ingredients and making things from scratch. For me, Texas Bakery hits different.

Texas Bakery

Tucked in the corner of Austin’s Chinatown Center in North Austin, this small shop holds big dreams. It’s nostalgia for enjoying a coconut cream bun after school and the growing need to connect with my culture as an adult. This spot has been an Asian bakery for at least 10 years, though it has changed owners several times. A Chinese family currently owns it.

When you walk in, you’ll find trays and tongs on the left to help you gather your choices. The shelves are overflowing with options, a bit haphazard when it comes to the differing tables but still organized with item labels in English and Chinese.

As with many Chinese bakeries, dietary restrictions aren’t accommodated and most of the breads are made with gluten and milk. However, if you’re looking for meat-free options, they have sweet and savory types.

If you need a cake for a special occasion, they also do custom orders. Ask to see their product book and talk through the options.

They do have a $15 credit card minimum, so be sure to bring cash just in case or be ready to load up on pastries.

What to Buy at a Chinese Bakery

When it comes to sweet offerings, my favorite things are:

• Coconut cream bun
• Sponge cake and cake rolls
• Coconut bun
• Red bean bun
• Taro bun
• Pineapple bun
• Egg tart
• Wife cake
• Sesame ball with red bean

At Texas Bakery, I don’t recommend their egg tart and pineapple bun, but I love their coconut cream bun and pandan cake!

For savory items, the hot dog bun is traditional as well as dry pork / pork floss rolls. Texas Bakery sells curry “dumplings” (like an empanada) and pork buns.

It might be a monumental ask for this small shop to fill the physical and emotional needs of Asian Americans like me. All we can do is give them our support and hope for the best. I encourage you to give it a try!

If you’re looking for more Chinese baked goods, Tour Les Jour and 85 °C Bakery are available. You can also find them at dim sum at restaurants like Lin Asian and Chinatown.

Looking for more Asian food? Check out these posts:

• Where to Eat Chinese Dumplings in Austin
• Best Asian Desserts in Austin
• Where to Eat Noodles in Austin

The post Why You Should Visit Texas Bakery, Chinese Bakery in Austin appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Chinese restaurants are not typically viewed as fine dining or high-end in the U.S. The conditioned perception is that restaurants are expected to have big portions at a cheaper price point. Trying the Chef’s Table experience at Ling Kitchen can help you shift that perception.

Ling Kitchen

You might be familiar with Chef Ling Qi Wu’s food in Austin. Chef Ling first opened Lin Asian Bar in 2018, then Qi in 2020, and most recently, Ling Wu in February 2023. All three are focused on East and Southeast Asian cuisine, especially dim sum. The best har gow (shrimp dumpling) I’ve had in Austin was at Lin Asian Bar. The restaurants are known for dumplings.

Opened in November 2022, Ling Kitchen is a more intimate dining experience with carefully crafted bites. The 20-person table is set in the kitchen, where you can watch all the action while each course is set in front of you.

The menu is where the cuisine differs from the other restaurants. The 10-course chef’s tasting menu brings more creativity and special ingredients to the table. This is where the culinary team can present new dishes in a small batch.

Meeting the expectation of this intimate experience, the service is a higher level of attentiveness. It’s clear the team focuses on making the dinner a memorable experience.

Chef’s Table Tasting Menu

If you want to be surprised about the dishes you’ll have, skip this section!

Here are the dishes we enjoyed on our 10-course menu.

Seafood with Lemongrass Soup

Dumplings Trio

Pan Seared Pork Belly

Crispy Shrimp with Japanese Aged Soy Sauce

Peking Duck with Foie Gras Mousse and Caviar

Stuffed Oyster Mushroom and Morel Mushroom with Burgundy Truffle

Pan-Seared Chilean Seabass

Curry Oxtail with Anchovy

Coco Lobster Cream Puff

Dessert – this was a duo of a mousse cake and a macaron.

Each dish was delightful and the presentation was next level. For those who don’t eat a lot of Chinese food or who want to see Chinese food in a different way, this tasting is a good option to try something new. I noticed that some dishes we had are available in a similar form at sister restaurants, so if the price of this menu scares you away, you can also enjoy the quality dishes there.

How to Make a Reservation

Reservations open on the first of the month for the next month. For example, on July 1st, reservations opened up for August. 

The dinner is hosted on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights and there is one seating per night at 6 pm. Saturday reservations will book quicker and reservations in general are easy to make.

Details for Your Visit

Here’s a quick 101 about Ling Kitchen to help you prepare.

• Cuisine: Chinese
• Meal offered: Pre-fixe dinner
• Ambiance: Casual
• Attire: Business casual, no dress code
• Noise Level: Average
• Pricing: $150 per person, not including specialty beverages
• Dietary restrictions: Special diets typically not accommodated
• Reservation: Available and suggested
• Groups: Email for groups of more than 4 people
• Parking: Free lot behind the restaurant

Ling Kitchen
8423 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78758
https://lingkitchen.com/

Want more Austin recommendations? Check out these posts:

• Dosa Shack for South Indian Food in Austin
• APT 115, East Austin Wine Bar, Delights with Chef’s Tasting Menu
• Dining at Barley Swine, One of Austin’s Best Restaurants
• Is Pasta|Bar Austin’s Michelin-Star Experience Really Worth It?

The post Ling Kitchen Features Inspired Chinese Tasting Menu in Austin appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

If you’ve ever visited Taiwan or visited a Chinatown, you’ll likely recognize this popular Asian drink, bubble tea! If you’ve never heard of bubble tea, think of it as a coffee shop drink. Want to learn more and find out where to find it in Austin? Keep reading!

What is Bubble Tea?

Bubble tea is an iced drink from Taiwan that usually includes tea, milk, and toppings. It can also be called pearl tea, boba tea, milk tea, or boba. Since its creation in the 1980s, its popularity has spread internationally, especially to other Asian countries, Canada, and the U.S.

While tea is a popular component in these drinks, some shops have expanded to offer fruit smoothies. These drinks are a caffeine-free alternative that still allows you to enjoy the toppings. The toppings are the chunky stuff at the bottom of the cup, like tapioca balls or jelly.

In most bubble tea shops, you can adjust the amount of ice and sweetness level (percentage). To enjoy the toppings, you’ll have a fat straw, one wide enough to suck up the boba or whatever toppings you choose.

When you order you typically choose:

1. Type of tea, juice, or smoothie
2. Type of topping

What Toppings are in Bubble Tea?

The traditional topping is the black tapioca ball, boba, but topping varieties also include pudding, aloe vera, jellies, red beans, and ice cream. A newer topping option is cream cheese, also known as a cheese cap! Cheese tea has a foamy cream cheese and condensed milk mixture plopped on top.

What Bubble Tea Should I Order?

My order depends on my mood, time of day, and what I’m craving. I usually get a classic milk tea or jasmine milk tea with black tapioca balls. I usually start at 50% sweetness and decrease from there.

To give you more ideas, I asked some of the biggest boba tea enthusiasts I know to share their favorite orders.

• Wintermelon Tea with Grass Jelly
• Mango Green Tea
• Jasmine Milk Tea with Honey Boba
• Kiwi Fruit Tea with Aiju Jelly
• Strawberry Ice Blended with Lychee Jelly and Ice Cream
• Oolong Milk Tea with Boba, less sweetened

Best Bubble Tea Shops in Austin

Boba tea shops have exploded in the Austin area! We have places that are local shops and the franchises we are lucky to have are usually owned by locals passionate about bringing quality bubble tea to the masses.

If you’re looking for bubble tea in Austin, here are some places you should check out!

Coco’s Cafe

This locally owned restaurant is popular for its boba drinks (and their peppercorn chicken with rice). I recommend their milk tea and green milk tea! They also have selections of smoothies (with milk) and slushies (without milk).

Locations:

• 8557 Research Blvd Suite #118, Austin, TX 78757
• 1910 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705

Gong Cha

This international bubble tea brand comes from Taiwan, established in 2006. Since then, it has expanded to multiple countries, including coming to the U.S. in 2014. Gong Cha is currently in four U.S. states and in Texas, also in Houston and Dallas.

Locations:

• 2021 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705 (Dobie Food Court)
• 13201 Ranch Rd 620 N #206, Austin, TX 78717 (Anna Plaza)
• 3210 Esperanza Crossing, Suite 126, Austin, Texas 78758 (Domain)

Kung Fu Tea

What happens when you miss the authenticity of Taiwanese bubble tea? You find a way to create it in the U.S. That’s how Kung Fu Tea started in 2009 in New York. Four friends, one whose expertise running a bubble tea chain in Taiwan came in handy, now have an international brand and locations across the U.S., including plenty of locations in Texas!

Locations:

• 9070 Research Blvd #102, Austin, TX 78758 (Crossroad Plaza)
• 2001 Guadalupe St #A2 Austin TX 78705
• 905 E Whitestone Blvd Ste C Cedar Park TX 78613

Sharetea

The oldest bubble tea chain in the U.S., Sharetea is now in Austin. This chain started in Taiwan in 1992 and has grown to over 450 stores in 18 countries. Franchise owner Christine Nieh, who is a UT grad, loves bubble tea so much, it was fated that she open up her own shop. The shop also features a bubble tea mural by my friend, Kathyphantastic!

Location: 13343 US-183 #275, Austin, TX 78750

TeaHaus (temporarily closed)

While the international chains bring a lot of clout, it’s cool to see a local shop stand its own with its authentic drinks. Opened in 2014, TeaHaus was co-founded by four guys who became boba connoisseurs through their experiences. This shop has become a local favorite for its focus on perfecting craft with quality ingredients. (See my post about 101 by TeaHaus here.)

Locations:

• 10815 Ranch Road 2222 #207, Austin, TX 78730
• 101 by TeaHaus, 6929 Airport Blvd #131, Austin, TX 78752

Teapioca Lounge

How about a national bubble tea shop that started in Austin, TX? Teapioca Lounge is now in four U.S. states. When you visit, you may notice a slightly different terminology. Their “cream blastea” is their version of milk tea.

Locations: 

• 1700 W Parmer Ln #210, Austin, TX 78727 (Scofield Farms)
• 10000 Research Blvd #137, Austin, TX 78759 (Arboretum)
• 9600 South Interstate 35 Frontage Road B-300, Austin, TX 78748 (Southpark Meadows)
• 2000 S Interstate 35 N-1, Round Rock, TX 78681
• 11301 Lakeline Blvd, Suite 220, Austin, TX 78717
• 1713 Farm to Market 685, Suite 140, Pflugerville, TX 78660

Conclusion: You Should Try Boba Tea

As you can see through the history and growth, bubble tea love is strong. You’ll find bubble tea shops expanding all over the country where Asian populations are greater, and Austin has gotten its fair share of expansion!

Have you ever tried bubble tea? What’s your order?

P.S. Want to see more food suggestions?

• Best Cold Treats in Austin
• Best Cupcakes in Austin
• Where to Find Chinese Dumplings in Austin
• Best Desserts in Austin

You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Best Bubble Tea Shops in Austin, TX appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Disclosure: While I’ve eaten at 101 by TeaHaus several times, the restaurant did provide complimentary dishes during one visit. All opinions are my own.

Have you ever had a bite of a dish that brought you back to a memory and propelled you to a new place? Growing up around Asian food, predominantly Chinese, the food at 101 by TeaHaus brought me back to familiar flavors, like comfort food, but true to its name, the restaurant gives a tasty primer on Taiwanese, Korean, and Japanese cuisine to spark your taste buds.

101 by TeaHaus

In 2014, partners Allan Hsu, Mathew Wang, Charlie Oh and Kevin Kim opened their original establishment, TeaHaus, which focused on drinks and a few dishes. Guests continuously asked for more food items, which was difficult to provide without a kitchen! It seemed destined that the partners would open 101 by TeaHaus in 2017 to expand their food offerings and create a new place to bring people together.

The minimal and thoughtful décor in this bright restaurant draws you in. “We wanted our guests to feel comfortable when they are spending time with us – an extension of their home,”  says Partner Matthew Wang. Counter-service furthers the laid-back vibes of the restaurant and provides a casual atmosphere to meet up with friends or take a first date.

Drinks

Let’s start with drinks. 101 by TeaHaus serves their fan favorite boba milk teas. [Quick note: boba are the black, chewy tapioca balls at the bottom of the drink. This drink is also known as bubble tea.] The jasmine milk tea, made with jasmine green tea, is my favorite. You can’t go wrong with Thai tea either, and since they ask your desired sweetness amount, Thai tea and any tea is customized to your preference.

The focal point of the restaurant is the bar, and they’re set up with bar seating and a drink menu. One of my favorites is the playful Melona Soju, which combines a Melona honeydew popsicle with soju. It’s refreshing and light.

Food

If I had to pick a favorite dish at this moment, it would have to be the chicken curry rice. Pairing their signature basil fried chicken with the curry brings exciting flavors together. The messiness of the dish reminds me of the best comfort foods. The curry is like gravy you’d pour over mashed potatoes. This dish had to be pried from my hands, and every last bite of chicken sopped up the curry.

Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup is a labor of love. I knew it was something special during my first visit. The bok choy might be hard to eat gracefully but I have no shame slurping up those noodles quickly. I’m a sucker for noodles.

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A post shared by 101 by Tea Haus Restaurant (@101byteahaus)

The Korean spicy cold noodles is a fresh dish. For anyone wanting a less hearty dish, this bowl of noodles will satisfy.

I’m a baby when it comes to chicken wings. So, even though I ate the Korean Chicken Wings very carefully (maaaaybe with a knife and fork), it still satisfied the craving.

Wait, maybe the Spicy Wontons are my favorite dish?! I’m Chinese and my love for wontons has no end, so it’s easy to see why this dish is my favorite. These wontons are bite-size, light, and topped with chili oil. Pop it in your mouth and let the magic happen.

Kimchi fried rice is a homey dish, but I’m glad 101 by TeaHaus is bringing it to the public. This dish is like a Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich – something quickly whipped up because it’s what you had on hand. For someone who doesn’t have kimchi in my fridge on the regular, this dish is simple and delightful.

I would choose tater tots over French fries any day, and these kimchi tots were my favorite dish. (I haven’t already said that, have I?) The plain tots balance out the spicy kimchi very well and you’ll be fighting over this dish too.

Dessert

The desserts are made by Miss Confectionist and are a variety of rice krispy treats, panna cotta, muffins, and cookies. Honestly, I barely make it to dessert after all the savory choices but the earl grey panna cotta I tried was good!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BauTCadlYQZ/?taken-by=101byteahausatx

Conclusion

It’s hard to play it cool when you’re excited about the food, but I hope I did an ok job in this post. From my visits, I think 101 by TeaHaus is the real deal, and I hope you give them a try! For those beginning to venture into Asian cuisine, 101 by Tea Haus provides a comfortable place to try new dishes, and for everyone else, get ready to go to town.

101 by TeaHaus will change the menu as they see fit, and as for more restaurants, Haus Restaurant Group is working on more locations and a new concept, so stay tuned!

101 by TeaHaus
Located in Central Austin at Airport Blvd and Lamar, The Crescent Shopping Center
6929 Airport Blvd #131, Austin, TX 78752
Plentiful, free parking lot
Facebook | Instagram

P.S. Looking for more recommendations? Check out some of my favorites here!

Keep up with my food adventures! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Discovering Asian Cuisine at 101 by TeaHaus appeared first on Fearless Captivations.