Rice Bowl Cafe

This place is very close to my home, so we get takeout. We tried it because they left a flyer on our door and I had not had Asian food delivery for years. I love the stuff. We were just hoping for «not disappointing». We were blown away at the quality, freshness, and flavors. The food does not have «that Chinese restaurant taste» that seems like they all use the same source for sauces etc. It’s not gloppy, salty, greasy — the veggies are firm and slightly crunchy. There are some things you just do not order at some restaurants — like seafood, steak or unfamiliar things — I don’t order anything but breakfast at IHOP. At this place I am confident to order anything that interests my palate. Whether I love what new thing I’ve ordered or not, I know it’s been prepared very well. It still tastes quite good. Quite a feat.
We have not sat in to eat, but I’ve been there often enough to comment. They’ve been doing some décor renovations, the place is doing very well. The dining area is not large, but it is open with enough room to easily be comfortable. Not jammed with tables. It’s a nice eating scene, with plenty of parking, that is not hectic or loud, even when busy.
As far service, I’m very pleased. On the phone taking orders and at the counter they are both polite and pleasant, greeting with smiles. I always feel like a valued customer.
I am biased because they are around the corner and I want them to have continued success. I’m taking my sister there for her first time tomorrow. She’s a picky eater who loves Asian food and can’t stand noise. I’ll update then.

Best delivery service that I’ve had in a long time! They delivered within 30 min and the food was hot and fresh. They whole order was correct, nothing missing (which is rare for delivery restaurants). The portions were big enough to eat for my lunch and dinner :)

Solid food. My go to Chinese place. They lost my business tonight, however. I am still waiting on my food that I ordered an hour and a half ago. They didn’t seem to care when I called, even after I said they lost my business. No discount or anything close even offered.

Went with my best friend for lunch and I really enjoyed it… portions were good and service was prompt.

We finally gave Rice Bowl a try and I am thrilled to have discovered another neighborhood gem. The pork chop noodle soup is amazing. Hand-​cut noodles, rich spiced broth, bok choy, and tender boneless pork, breaded and crispy-​fried. My BF orders sesame chicken everywhere we go, and this is the best I’ve tasted — not cloyingly sweet like it so often is. It actually tasted of toasted sesame. And portion size — holy moly! Plates and bowls are just under $ 10 and are at least enough for 2 meals. Service was warm and gracious, and the place was full of small groups of friends and families. Can’t wait to go back.

Love their salt & peppered shrimp. The fish is what most people get, but I love fried shrimp. I also enjoy their beef rolled wraps (with green scallions, yum!) You’ll have to ask for chopsticks when order a pick up, or else they won’t automatically include them.

I’m currently in the middle of my kung pao chicken and pig ears and they are phenomenal. Flavorful, spicy, and fresh. I’m definitely getting my Chinese food fix here from now on. I ordered for pick up and they were ready in 15 mins and were very friendly.
Just took another bite of the chicken. So good!

I’ve ordered from them multiple times and I’ve never had an issue. The servings are large enough for two of us to share and they have never forgotten anything on a delivery order! Love them!

What a pleasant surprise to discover this place. After a long day, we were looking for a delivery option and stumbled upon this restaurant with only minutes to spare as they were about to close. The delivery was very prompt and our delivery person could not have been nicer.
The mushrooms with basil was delicious and unique. I’ve never had anything quite like it. The lettuce wraps were the best I’ve had and the chicken and broccoli was great too. We also ordered chicken with mushrooms and it was equally good. I will be a frequent customer when I’m in Austin.

Our marriage anniversary happened to fall on a Tuesday this year. Wanting to do a big shabang over the weekend, my husband and I thought something fast and low-​key would be appropriate on a Tuesday night as we both have to wake up really early for our jobs. We decided on trying out Rice Bowl Café close to Snow Monster. We ordered their Crispy Walnut Shrimp, 3 Cup Chicken and a Seaweed salad. Everything was really delicious. Their 3 Cup Chicken is now on my husbands top 10 favorite things to eat list. And even though I have had many a seaweed salad, their’s was really tasty. The Crispy Walnut Shrimp was very flavorful and dissapoint it did not. Their complementary fried noodles served with a sweet dipping sauce was also on point. We will definitely be going back to try their other offerings.

Today is a sad day for me to give Rice Bowl café this low rating.
It has been a family favorite but today they lost my business.
We ordered three dishes for dinner — Szechaun beef which was pretty OK, 3 cup chicken — not only a fave but this was the best rendition we have ever tasted and salt and pepper fish. Unfortunately the fish dish was very subpar — but that is OK — every restaurant has an off day. What wasn’t OK was the reaction I got from our waitress and the manager — they were indifferent to my polite comments suggesting the dish wasn’t good. Then they asked if I wanted a to-​go box. I replied that we didn’t eat it at the restaurant because it wasn’t good and we certainly didn’t want to take it hoem. And then they basically argued that i was wrong for not liking it because other people like that dish. I shared that I normally enjoy it but it wasn’t properly prepared this time and I looked the manager right in the eye — then she charged me full price and looked away.
So what was wrong with the dish? Imagine that you have some white fish that is frozen so you leave it out on the counter to thaw — but it doesn’t thaw all the way. Then dunk it in a really thick batter and throw it in a fryer that is under temp. So now you have mushy fish with a cool center surrounded by a very thick batter that isn’t crispy but is completely saturated with oil. Then quickly stir fry the vegetables for 10 seconds so they look a bit cooked and toss on the fish. Let it sit until it gets completely cold — then place it on the customers table without putting a bit of salt, pepper or any other seasoning whatsoever. They only think I could think of to compare it to was going into a bar trying to be an English pub and the cook calls in sick so a bartender tries to make fish and chips for the first time without knowing anything about the kitchen.
We had a good run here and I am honestly surprised by the attitudes based on the good service during every previous visits.

Yummy Chinese (Taiwanese? (should we be discussing this? I feel uncomfortable, I’m not taking any Geopolitical sides here (except with Lichtenstein, F*ck Lichtenstein!))) in large quantities? Yes please! That’s what Rice Bowl Café is about.
My friends were raving about this place and I decided to treat them for dinner here, one of them mentioned how they were authentic Taiwanese, which frankly I’m not sure what it was supposed to mean, it was an odd thing to point out.
Anyway, the food is definitely yummy, and served generously. The green onion pancake roll looks and eats like a green burrito, it’s alright, but I enjoyed the steamed dumplings more. The Pan Fried Noodles are very good, they are made in-​house and cooked with «Assorted meats,» which is the greatest menu description ever. I sampled some of my friends’ salt and pepper ribs, as well as the sesame chicken, both pretty tasty.
Overall we had a very satisfying meal in a comfortable casual environment for a reasonable price, and I’m always a fan of that!

Good authentic Chinese food. among my favs for lunch

I have mixed feelings about Rice Bowl Café. If I wrote my review a year ago, it would easily be 4, possibly 5 stars. Like many other reviewers, my husband and I L-​O-​V-​E the 3 Cup Chicken. The absolutely best, most savory, flavorful Chinese dish I’ve had in Austin in years since Tien Hong closed so long ago.
We found our new favorite spot and faithfully ordered 3 Cup Chicken with extra rice (which easily turns into 2 filling meals– portions are huge) whenever we craved take out.
Other stand outs include the green onion pancakes, the beef noodle soup (OMG amazing, amazing! fresh noodles) and lo mein (again, crazy good fresh noodles).
However, the past few times we’ve ordered, the quality has slowly gone downhill. The chicken can be hit or miss, chewy and hard or perfectly delicious. Other minor issues as well, but in general it’s gone from a 5-​star experience down to 3 based on inconsistency.
Will I still order from Rice Bowl? Of course! I’m an optimist and when it’s good, it is ohhh so good.

Pros:
–share a clay bowl of three cup chicken. It’s saucy, sweet, and savory. I’m also a huge fan of basil!
–beef rolls– you must get them
–beef noodle soup is super filling. I can hardly finish.
Cons:
–every main dish comes with one tiny bowl of rice for one person. The dishes are meant to be shared, but they will charge $ 1 per extra bowls of rice… Cmon Rice Bowl!
–service is pretty bad. My husband asked three times for another bowl of rice and he never got it.

Out of 596 reviews on Unilocal over the past five years, I’ve rated 13 one stars. That’s 2 percent. Yes, it’s that bad. My previous review was deleted due to «inappropriate content.» Yet I still feel very strongly about letting my voice be heard in regards to this restaurant and help fellow Unilocalers and readers avoid the horrible experience that I had. To get the full story, message me. In the meantime, HORRIBLE service, mediocre food, poor value. I’d rather eat donkey turd off the sidewalk of Kabul than step foot in this establishment again.

Craving some Chinese food we decided to check out Rice Bowl Café. I SOO badly want to give this place more stars because the food tasted amazing! However, my friend and I spent the whole night and next day taking turns on the toilet. I don’t know what was in the food, but it killed our stomaches. Enough about the bad though. Let me tell you why I may endure the hell that broke loose on my stomach just to eat here again:
1. The price and portion sizes are amazing. So much food at a good price. I had to take a lot of mine home.
2. The service was great. No frills ladies always had our glasses filled with water and literally the second we were done eating they were taking our plates and giving us our check.
3. The taste was phenomenal. The scallion pancakes were delicious and the perfect appetizer. My tofu dish was the perfect amount of spicy and had a well rounded developed flavor. It tasted so good, I even ate my leftovers after knowing what it would do to my body. I guess a positive way to look at this is that I felt pretty skinny after eating…
I’m so conflicted. Such good food, but such a bad aftermath.
Check this place out and play your own version of Russian (Asian?) Roulette.

This place is never busy but it should be! They are no frills, focusing solely on good service and quality food. They are slower than some other Asian restaurants, but it is so worth it! Usually a friend and I will split two meals for variety, then we will both take home leftovers. The portions are reeeeally big.
Some favorites are orange chicken, lo mein, and combination fried rice.

Pretty solid Chinese/​Taiwanese food for the price you pay. I ordered the dried bean curd with pork, snow pea leaves, and the beef noodle soup. Although the dried bean curd with pork was more on the salty side than I’m used to (and I LOVE salty food!), I still enjoyed the meal.
Quite honestly, I was a bit surprised that they served us some free fried wonton strips before our meal. Not really sure if it detracts from the authenticity of the meal, but hey — if it’s decent free food, I’ll take it.

I stopped in on a wet dreary day for lunch. The dining room wasn’t packed but the kitchen was whipping out to go orders like crazy. I know they are known for their big hearty bowls of soup, savory pancake and salt & pepper shrimp but I wanted to eat light. I kept it simple with a miso soup and shrimp spring rolls. Upon being seated wontons and sauce found its way to my table. The miso soup was ok but the spring rolls were excellent! These were the hugest spring rolls I’ve ever seen! They were heavy on veggies vs vermacelli noodles and came with a delicious sauce.
What stood out most here was the service. The hostess was warm and friendly. Water was refilled frequently. They had a good sense of when customers wanted their check. And someone checked on me to see how my meal was. Service was timely and I never had to ask for anything.