Address and Contact Information
Address: 830 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207
Phone: (615) 239-5553
Website: http://xiaobaonashville.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Xiao Bao East Nashville | Unique Asian Cuisine | No reservations …
Xiao Bao (@xiaobao_nashville) · Nashville, TN – Instagram
Xiao Bao Nashville – Facebook
Reviews
Let’s start with the vibe: casual but intentional. The space has this cozy, creative energy that feels equal parts diner and dream. There’s something about the light, the music, and the friendly pace that tells you you’re in a place where people care about what they do. You can taste that care in every bite.
We ordered a few different things so we could try a range of flavors: the hand-pulled noodle dish, bao buns, the cheeseburger, and a side of beef tallow fries. Each one felt like its own little adventure. The noodles were chewy, fresh, and layered with spice — a little hotter than I usually go for, but so incredibly flavorful that I kept reaching for more. The bao buns were soft and perfectly balanced — just enough richness without feeling heavy.
But the standout? The cheeseburger. Hands down, one of the best I’ve had anywhere — not just in Nashville. It was juicy, perfectly seasoned, and had that almost nostalgic flavor that takes you back to the first time you realized a burger could be beautiful. Pairing it with those beef tallow fries was a stroke of genius. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, and kissed with just the right amount of salt — not too much, which is rare here.
Nashville food can sometimes be over-salted, fried, or too intense, but Xiao Bao hit that sweet spot of depth and restraint. Every bite felt thought through.
Another thing that impressed me was how the spice didn’t overpower the flavor. Even the dishes that had a little heat were balanced, layered, and interesting rather than just spicy for the sake of it. There’s a confidence in that kind of cooking — a sense that the chef knows when to stop, when to let ingredients speak for themselves.
By the end of the meal, we were full but not weighed down, happy but not hurried. We lingered a while, just enjoying the moment — that rare kind of meal that feels like part of your Sabbath rest rather than a rush between errands.
If you’re in Nashville and want something that feels both fresh and familiar, Xiao Bao is that place. It’s not just great food — it’s a reminder that good meals, shared slowly, can make you fall in love with where you are all over again.
We sat down and had some questions regarding ingredients. I asked where the blue crab came from for the rice dish, she did not know. She seemed annoyed and said she would have to ask.
I said ok then proceeded to give my order.
When the food arrived they brought the crab rice to the table ( I did not order this only asked where the crab came from)
Since we try not to be difficult we tried the blue crab rice. It was awful. Soggy crab that was not fresh on top of bland tasteless rice.
The pancake was ok. The highlight of that is the pork candy which is like pork sawdust.
Next course, the hand pulled noodles has spice but no defining flavor. The meat tasted burnt. A side dish of bok choy doused in greasy oil. Another side dish was cucumber salad, it was edible. We felt rushed by the waitress as said her shift was ending and asked us to pay. There was one other table in the restaurant. So we payed and moved to the bar to finish cocktails.
The upcharge for drinks was high. For example, the strawberry soju sells at Total wine for $5.99 here $15. I guess if you don’t know about Asian food this is your place.
The staff was very friendly, but the service overall was poor. My first cocktail tasted overwhelmingly like lemon juice. The server kindly offered to replace it, and I ordered a Boulevardier but received a Negroni instead. I like both, so I let it go.
I ordered the Szechuan spice chicken—typically a dish that arrives sizzling hot, crispy, and intensely flavorful. What I received was the opposite: cold, soggy chicken thigh pieces with little spice and a sauce that resembled ketchup. It came out almost immediately after ordering, despite being told the restaurant operates on a “chef-curated, as-ready” model. It felt more like dishes were pre-batched and sent out instantly.
The fries, heavily praised in reviews, were fine but unremarkable—comparable to what you’d get at Steak ’n Shake for a fraction of the price.
After the food was delivered, no one checked back until it was time to pay. Most of the meal was left untouched. Overall, the restaurant felt disorganized and disappointing given the strong online reputation.