Best Food in Austin January 2025 recap

Asian
January 20, 2025

The best food in Austin Texas: January 2025

1618 Asian Fusion

The Vitals:
the spot:1618 Asian Fusion 1618 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741
the eats: Beef Rib + Filet Mignon Pho
the bucks: $26
the full nelson: go where no Pho has gone before

1618 Asian Fusion might not sound like the place to break barriers when it comes to Pho. First off they serve Dim Sum, Singaporean dishes and a slew of other pan Asian greatest hits that make one ponder the idea that 1618 Asian Fusion is a jack of all trades, master of none.

Then the Beef Rib and Filet Mignon Pho hits your table. The broh is poured table side a metal kettle. The raw egg is dropped. Are we getting a tableside Caesar? No, but you are getting a giant beef rib plus filet mignon up in your pho. The grandest soup of the list is worthy any time of year but why not make your Dry January a little wet with a splash of splashy pho.

Julie's Noodles with Heath

The Vitals:
the spot: Julie’s Noodles 8557 Research Blvd #110 Austin TX 75758
the eats: Spicy Beef Stew
the bucks: $15 
the full nelson: a Father & Son tradition that’s served in a bowl

When I first took my son to Julie’s Noodles I would have no idea it would become one of his all time favorite places. There are times where I wish he would get over the chopped pork noodle soup and explore the rest of the menu, let alone other restaurants, but I’m grateful that we have “our place”. And it’s a bonus that Julie’s Noodles happens to serve some of the best food in Austin.

Beyond his spare rib spiked noodle soup, yours truly is totally gaga for the Spicy Beef stew which could feed an army or at least two to three hungry adults. The slivers of soft potato and glass noodles really hit all the hearty stew on a cold day notes.

Ramen del Barrio Carnitas Ramen

The Vitals:
the spot: Ramen Del Barrio 1700 W. Parmer Lane Austin TX 78727
the eats: Carnitas Tonkotsu
the bucks: $16
the full nelson: Mexico meets Japan in a Ramen Bowl

Tonkotsu, the milky pork ramen broth is perfect eating on a cold winter day. What could make it better? How about the feeling of a little extra heat. The charred chile toreado in Christopher Krisinky’s Mexican take on Ramen shows that the fusion of Mexican and Japanese in ramen is something that was meant to be, in Austin at least. Don’t skip the yakitori tacos but given the cold weather as of late, Carnitas Ramen could the ultimate best food in Austin, at least till the cold spell ends.


Mum Foods Matzo Ball Soup

The Vitals:
the spot: Mum Foods 5811 Manor Rd. Austin TX 78723
the eats: Matzo Ball Soup 
the bucks: $10
the full nelson: matzo ball soup that would stand tall in any delicatessen in the country

Mum Foods has made waves since opening a brick and mortar in late 2022. A James Beard nomination and a Michelin Guide recommendation should tell you all you need to know: this Texas BBQ meets Jewish Delicatessen is a total gem and easily serves up some of the best food in Austin.

While pastrami sandwiches and the Texas Trinity steal the spotlight, let’s shed some light on the Matzo ball soup. First off, where else are you even getting Matzo Ball soup in Austin, let alone Texas? Exactly. Just like the BBQ, everything about this soup screams craft. Pros get a cup and half a pastrami sandwich but in the chilly months only a full bowl will do.

Vic n Al's Gumbo

The Vitals:
the spot: Vic n Al’s 2406 Manor Rd D, Austin, TX 78722
the eats: Gumbo
the bucks: $8
the full nelson: a gumbo that should impress die hard Cajun foodies

Super dark roux? Check. Perfectly cooked rice? Check. The right amount of heat and proper andouille sausage? Check. It’s remarkable how good the gumbo is at Vic and Al’s until you find out Chef Nick Patrizi is from east Texas which is, you know, like next to Louisiana. Across the board this restaurant has a great menu with reasonably priced dishes and reasonably priced excellent cocktails. Even if I wasn’t so gung ho about the best food in Austin being in served in a bowl, Vic n Al’s would make my list.

 

 

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