Overview of Xiao Bao Biscuit

Xiao Bao Biscuit is a hidden gem located in the Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood. A casual stop with a fun and energetic atmosphere, they draw upon the flavors found throughout Asia.

ATMOSPHERE AND AMBIANCE: ★★★★☆

Converted from a 40’s era gas station, the parking lot to Xiao Bao Biscuit is small, but off-street parking in the neighborhood can easily be found. Outside, there are several covered picnic tables to dine in fresh air.

Once inside, the mood is set with dim lighting and cozy seating that encourages coversation and connection. A narrow dining room, on the opposite wall is a bar that promises an eclectic and more energetic vibe.

We’ve dined in both, and prefer eating outdoors when possible. Inside, between music and chatter, it was a little loud for our preference, but to be expected on busy nights. Some people may also appreciate that, especially on nights and weekends, or when you’re looking for a fun hangout.

Service experience: ★★★☆☆

Service was fine, no complaints, but nothing exceptional either. The staff was efficient taking our order and we were satisfied with wait-time for our food. It wasn’t particularly quick, but we’re happy to wait for quality! We were checked on once or twice throughout our meal, and our water refreshed. Because we ordered a few shareable plates, they piled up once empty, and while it didn’t bother us, not having them cleared did reduce usable table space.

MENU OFFERINGS: ★★★★☆

When you eat at Xiao Bao Biscuit, arrive hungry and ready for a culinary adventure! Dishes from China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam are inspired by “kick-ass grandmothers everywhere”. The menu changes seasonally, with rotating daily specials and family-style dinner service.

The vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia are evident in their colorful noodle salads, aromatic curries, and an array of small shareable plates, including fluffy bao buns and crispy dumplings, ensuring that every palate leaves satisfied.

FOOD QUALITY: ★★★★☆

If there’s one must-try dish at Xiao Bao Biscuit, it’s the Okonomiyaki — a savory Japanese cabbage pancake finished with Kewpie mayo. One of our favorite dishes on the menu (if we were only rating this dish, it would get 5 stars easy!), it’s vegetarian as-is, but we recommend adding a sunny-side up egg and thick-cut bacon for an explosion of flavor! You can’t go wrong with this signature dish and it lives in our memory rent-free.

Other must-try menu items include the Spicy Papaya Salad and Bao Buns.

CLEANLINESS AND HYGIENE: ★★★☆☆

Restaurant cleanliness was average. The dining room felt clean. However, there was some plastic pollution in the greenery along the picnic table area and sidewalk, though not wholly unexpected in the city.

PRICING AND VALUE: ★★★☆☆

Xiao Bao Biscuit feels fairly priced for a mid-range dining experience. For most dishes, the price equates to quality. Not every dish was a hit — one was dry, and another didn’t deliver on promised spice levels (we can handle the heat!) — yet we weren’t disappointed in our experience as we love trying new things, felt most plates met or exceeded our expectations, and even found new favorites that we’d reorder in a heartbeat.

FINAL THOUGHTS

We recommend Xiao Bao Biscuit for adults that want a casual, fun dining experience. The indoor dining area isn’t really geared towards children, but families without picky eaters may enjoy eating outdoors in the picnic area.

We’ll return to try other menu items, and (of course) the Okonomiyaki — a staple at every visit, and the dish that keeps us coming back!

Overall, we rate Xiao Bao Biscuit an average of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Ratings are graded based on expectations within the restaurants own category. Three stars is average/neutral, while anything above exceeds our expectations, and anything below leaves something to be desired.

TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS!

Have you dined at Xiao Bao Biscuit? What did you think? Leave a comment with your feedback or experiences below!

Has our restaurant review enticed you to visit Xiao Bao Biscuit? Visit the Charleston location at: 224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29401

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