I love it here! Can't really go wrong with anything on the menu! Must haves: cucumber salad, green beans, garlic bok choy, any soup dumplings and any crispy bottom baos! read more

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Great food, the service was spectacular and the place is comfortable and cozy!!!! A must go place in Midtown! read more

I really wanted to like Wanna Bao because the presentation of the food was beautiful, but overall, the taste just did not live up to the visuals for me. We came with a group of 18 people, and the bill ended up being around $972. Unfortunately, most of the dishes were more impressive visually than flavor-wise. The colorful green fried rice looked unique, but honestly just tasted like regular fried rice. The green beans were overcooked, so they lost the crunch and sweetness that usually make that dish enjoyable. The green curry was extremely spicy, but outside of the heat, it wasn't very memorable. The shaking beef dish looked amazing presentation-wise, but the sauce was too sweet for a savory dish, and the crispy rice pairing just didn't work well for me. I initially thought the duck dish was Peking duck, but it was actually the Jasmine Tea Smoked Duck. Even so, everyone at my table agreed we still preferred the traditional Peking duck style. The duck itself lacked flavor for us, and the skin was soft instead of having the crisp texture we were hoping for. The only dishes I genuinely enjoyed were the soup dumplings, cucumber salad, and fried dumplings. Most of the other dishes at the table were barely touched. If you're looking for colorful, aesthetically pleasing food and great presentation, you may enjoy this place. But if flavor is your main priority, this spot just wasn't for me personally. read more

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I finally tried Wanna Bao yesterday after it being on my growing list for a while. It's in Midtown (which I wouldn't expect for something so authentic) and there's dedicated parking which is a plus in this area. I walked in and really liked the ambiance - it's dimly lit and the decor fits well with the vibes. I was seated quickly, and decided of course I needed to try the xiao long bao. I thought it was pretty good, maybe even one of the better ones I've tried in a while in Houston. We next tried the green beans and those were addicting. Finally we had the tea duck and that was great, we added some serrano peppers to spice things up a bit. Overall I liked Wanna Bao more than I thought and would definitely return! read more

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Came here for lunch with my bestie after yoga, we got pork xaio long bao, green onion pancake, veggie dumpling, and the shomai or however you spell it. We also got the Nutella xaio long bao! I would def get both the xaio long bao again the rest of it I could've done without but I am glad I tried them! The restaurant itself was super cute and clean! Prices were decent read more

Wanna Bao - Shanghai Sticky Rice Shumai, [V] Vegetable Dumpling, Pork Xiao Long Bao (soup dumpling) - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

No complaints! We love this place. when you enter there's a host ready to greet and seat you. It's all pretty smooth operations with their walkie talkie. The place is clean and cute. Our server was attentive. The food was great and yummy. We love the bao of course. read more

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Very good food. Great customer and great parking in downtown! I'm shocked I'm finally finding out about this place. We enjoyed it! Food: hot fried rice with beef and chicken is excellent. They have a unique dish here. Never had anything like it. Very good. Not sure what region it's from but it's good. The Mongolian beef was good. Different but real good. Same with the general Tsos chicken. Great food all around. We will definitely be back. Customer service is great. Everyone here is top notch. I'll definitely come back soon. Easy five star review. read more

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I decided to give Wanna Bao another shot and wow... I had to bump my rating from 4 to 5 #characterdevelopment. This time around, I came with more sophisticated taste buds and a newfound appreciation for some of their dishes. 1) Mapo Tofu: (5/5) I've tried this dish at two other Szechuan restaurants in Houston, and Wanna Bao's mapo was hands down my favorite, and at least 3 of my other friends agree too. I've grown to enjoy the spicy, numbing sensation commonly found in Szechuan, and felt that Wanna Bao had the best execution; I like it when my mapo sauce looks like it's been coated in Red 40! Jokes aside, I also like how they didn't use ginger in their ingredients, compared to the other two, but this is definitely more of a personal preference. 2) Eggplant Loves Green Beans (4/5): This was a new dish for me! Overall, it's tasty, but the mapo overshadowed it, and I didn't find it particularly spicy. The day we came, the quality of the green beans wasn't the best, as they had a chewy texture, but it is a go-to dish for my friends! 3) Red Oil Dumpling: (5/5) I wanted a little something for myself, so I ordered these dumplings (again). I didn't find them too spicy, but I thoroughly enjoyed the spongy texture and subtle sweetness; very satisfying overall. read more

Wanna Bao - left to right: Red Oil Dumpling, [V] Eggplant Loves Green Beans, [V][GF] Mapo Tofu - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

You know a spot is legit when even my Lyft driver calls it popular--she used to deliver here all the time back when she drove for DoorDash. The food absolutely lived up to the hype. I ordered the Pork Steamed Dumplings, Snow Pea Leaves, and the Jasmine Tea Duck. The duck was so good I took the leftovers back to my hotel. No idea what I planned to do with them, but there was no way I was leaving any behind. read more

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Legit Chinese comfort food. Some of the best Chinese food inside the loop. The Xiao Long Bao are juicy with a thin skin. The Crispy Bottom Baos are juicy and filling. Scallion Pancake and green beans are also great appetizers to share. My favorite dish is the Dancing Pork Belly. They pour the pork belly over the rice crackers at the table so that the rice crackers stay crisp. Eat the pork belly with a healthy portion of rice because the pork belly is nice and fatty and the sauce is rich and flavorful. A bit pricey, but worth it for the upscale atmosphere and prompt service. There's a reasonable amount of parking spots in their lot as well as street parking. read more

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I only got the crispy bottom bao, but it was super super yummy. Would love to come back and try more of their food, definitely go family-style so you can try everything! read more

Wanna Bao - Pork Crispy Bottom Bao - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

I've tried a lot of their entrees and have yet to be disappointed. Our favorites include the crispy popcorn chicken and general tso. We always get dumplings too. The service is always good as well even when busy. read more

Wanna Bao - GF Crispy Spicy Chicken, Shrimp Xiao Long Bao (soup dumpling), Red Oil Dumpling - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Wanna bao is definitely a great hole in the wall find in Houston. They are known for their bao buns and dumpling but they have many great entree options to choose from. The entrees are easily shareable thanks to their size. And the dumpling and buns make for an easy way to share food with friends or family. I would absolutely recommend the pork belly burger! The pork belly literally melts in your mouth and it is paired with bao buns that you can build yourself. The Nutella and banana dumplings as a dessert are also an easy favorite. The service was okay, nothing special but the staff is knowledgeable about the menu. I will definitely return next time I'm in the area. read more

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This is and always will be my favorite restaurant in Houston. The food never misses. The service is great. The place is always clean and feels somewhat trendy. I will go here time and time again. #1 in my heart and I mean that! read more

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I love getting the mapo tofu and soup dumplings every time I come here. They're flavored well, especially the soup dumplings. However, some dishes are pretty small and pricey. The service is decent and vibe is nice. You do need to waive the waiter down but they will come to you whenever needed. The restaurant has a lot of seating and haven't experience a situation where I had to wait to be seated yet despite it being midtown. One down side is their parking so hopefully you go when it's less crowded. read more

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We had 6 dishes, and they are all tasty. Pork xialong bao, pork crispy bao, eggplant in spicy garlic, and dry fried green bean are super yummy. We even purchased gift card! read more

Stopped in for some dumplings on my way home. It was pretty crowded even an hour before closing. Everything came out very hot and fresh. Dishes came out fairly quick. I wish the sauces were available at the table bc they only provide a small portion and we had to ask for more. The scallion pancakes were light and flaky. Maybe a little too flaky but I really enjoyed the lightness of it. The crispy bottom bao were very satisfying but as with the xlb, I wish there was a little more soup. Nice savory flavor in both bao. read more

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If you want dumplings, quick and easy, come here! Have a full bar for you, parking in the front for free. Very chill vibes. read more

Wanna Bao - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Extremely tasty variety of options at Wanna Bao! I love dining in with a big group to taste a little bit of everything especially on a colder day to enjoy the variety of hot dish options. Only thing is some dishes are a tad bit too salty/oily and I think I could do even more flavor and spice. The multicolored dumplings are my favorite! Soo worth it :) read more

The food was great, and the serving sizes were generous! Definitely order to share! The waiters are friendly and will pack leftovers for you. Very wonderful vibe, and funny enough, they only play cover songs! read more

Wanna Bao - [V] Vegetable Dumpling - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

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We absolutely love Wanna Bao. We discovered it through TikTok and it is and will always be our go to dumpling house. The service is always incredible and the vibes / ambiance is always a 10. We don't live in the city and we will drive downtown just to eat here. Our go to items that never miss are the cucumber salad (so refreshing), the shrimp and pork xiao long bao, the crispy bottom bao, the red oil dumplings (the perfect amount of spice). The duck is delicious -- pretty much anything you get will be amazing. read more

I used to live in Houston 2 years ago and this was one of the orders that I would always get. It hits the spot for me every time and the price isn't too expensive as it could normally last me two meals. The pork xiao long baos dipped with soy sauce match my preferences very well. The jasmine tea smoked duck wraps were extremely tasty. The duck is super high quality being tender and tasty. I usually get this as takeout, and it still tastes great when I eat it at home. read more

Wanna Bao - Pork Xiao long Bao (soup dumpling) Jasmine Tea Smoked Duck (Half) - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

I visited this restaurant last night because it advertised gluten-free options on the menu and I have Celiac disease. I double checked with the waiter before I ordered that the items were gluten-free and that I needed it gluten-free because I have Celiac disease, not a preference. I ordered the gluten-free spicy, crispy chicken with white rice for $17.95 and the gluten-free supreme hot fried rice for $13.95 to share with my husband. My husband also ordered himself the 4 piece crispy bottom pork bao for $10.95. If you pay cash there is an 8% discount on your bill. We paid cash. How was the food? The food tasted good and was presented nicely. The problem? Before we had even asked for the check my stomach was cramping so badly I thought I'd puke all over the table. The food didn't taste even remotely too spicy, so was it not actually gluten-free? I got up to use the bathroom and 2 of the 3 stalls were locked with nobody in them but the open stall had a broken lock (see photo.) I ended up going outside to the parking lot but there was a car filled with people getting a to-go order so I was trying to hold it in. I don't want someone to see or hear me vomiting in public and potentially call 911 for help. Our hotel shuttle got us and I barely made it to my room a mile away before throwing it all up. If you're a Celiac and have to eat gluten-free, I'm disappointed that I cannot recommend this restaurant because it just isn't safe. It's a shame because it tasted nice. Visited: July 2024 read more

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I've heard amazing things about Wanna Bao and I was looking forward to my visit. Unfortunately, I think I was particularly unlucky this experience. Our server at first was very nice, but it's honestly crazy that we only saw her once throughout the entire meal. We started off with a cucumber salad, which was delicious, and that was all we got to order! We were sitting there for 50 minutes and we were only helped a singular time. I'm pretty sure I just had an unfortunate experience, but that doesn't excuse bad service read more

Located in midtown. It has a small parking lot but there is also paid street parking. I enjoy the ambiance of the place very quaint, simple and clean. Servers are quick and knowledgeable about their food. I always enjoy their pork belly and their fish soup. All their food is good but spice level can for sure vary. They can accommodate on majority of the spicy food items as well. read more

Wanna Bao - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Wanna Bao is always in our must-go whenever we visit Houston. For me, this place has the best pork xiao long bao. The fillings are really juicy with good portion of meat in a thin wrap. The crispy bottom dumplings are very good too. The crispy golden bottom has a very nice crunch to the dumplings. This is the first time we got to try the holy spicy wontons. They have a very nice sweet and tangy flavor, with some kicks to it Love the added sichuan pepper that makes your tongue tingling. Highly recommend this dish! And the tea smoked duck is really good too. The duck is cooked perfectly with the smoky taste. The service is quick and the servers are attentive! Really like the atmosphere here! Very modern! Can't wait to be back! read more

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So good! I'll definitely order from here again. The baos were so juicy inside and flavorful. A bit pricey. But it is hard to find good ones around. I'd pass on the scallion Pancake. It was dry and lacked flavor. It just tasted greasy. read more

Wanna Bao - Pork and Shrimp Bao - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Highlight (take out order): Pork Xiao Long Bao ($10.50), Jasmine Tea Smoked Duck - Half ($28.95) The pork xiao long bao was soft and flavorful, good amount of soup filling. The duck was boneless and super tender. The flour wraps were thin and tasty, with no notable flavors. The house made sauce was really flavorful and on the sweet side. Such a fun dish with all of the ingredients you have to assemble. Hospitality: Received our order after 25 minutes of ordering. Honorable Mention: Good amount of seating inside the restaurant. read more

Wanna Bao - Pork Xiao Long Bao ($10.50) & Jasmine Tea Smoked Duck - Half ($28.95) - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

Drive by here every day so I decided to pop in and get the shrimp and pork pan fried bao they failed to deliver last time I was there. The baos are the same size as the xiao long bao which I think is unusual as most other places have much larger pan fried baos. Second their price is high for what you get. And the taste isn't really all that special. I'd much rather spend half the price and go to Trendy Dumpling for their pan fried bao. Too bad as I was hoping this could be my new regular dinner spot. read more

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Very solid soup dumplings! I've tried a lot of soup dumplings and can say this was on the higher end of soup dumplings for me. The wrapper was super thin and not chewy at all which was my favorite part! I hate when you bite into a soup dumpling and all you taste is bland dough so I would put this pretty high up on my list! The only other place that has done it this well for me it Din Tai Fung! The crispy bottom baos were good but nothing special. I have had the other entrees but didn't think they were anything crazy either so it was a little over rated and over priced. I would come here just to get soup dumplings as a snack and to satisfy the craving read more

Wanna Bao - Crap and Pork soup dumpling, Pork Crispy Bottom Bao, Holy Spicy Shrimp Wontons - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

Bay-Bay I went here with 2 friends and ones teenage son, at like 7pm on a Wednesday and we ordered THE MENU. We ordered few dishes from every category and we FEASTED. Pork Crispy Bottom Bao, Garlic cucumber salad, Shumai, Red Oil Dumplings, Scallion Pancakes, Cumin Lamb, Dancing Beef, Singapore Rice Noodles, Shitake Bok Choy, and a bottle of pinot grigio. The Jasmine Tea duck was Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmazing! The Bao's we had were hot and delicious. The dumplings were phenomenal. I could see people in the kitchen, in real time, making everything and I appreciated that. I always prefer fresh ingredients to heighten the food experience. Even late in the evening it was fun and lively. Everyone was seemed to be having a great time and at the tables around me conversation was flowing. I've passed Wanna Bao a few times and I'm happy we finally made a trip in. read more

Food is great. Large menu. Service is spotty. Hostess was born without a personalty. read more

This place is amazing! The best soup dumplings that I have had in Houston. The pork Xiao Long Bao are a must have whenever dining here. Dancing Pork Belly is also delicious. I add chili oil to the sauce to make it spicier and order a side of bao buns and make my own bao bun sandwiches. This is totally worth the extra two or three dollars to add the buns to your order. Anytime I travel to Houston I make sure to stop at Wanna Bao. The service is amazing and super quick. Servers are super helpful and the restaurant is clean and well kept. read more

Wanna Bao - Pork Xiao long Bao (soup dumpling) Dancing Pork Belly - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

The Pork Xiao long Bao, Nutella Xiao Long Bao, cumin lamb, and Scallion pancakes were exquisite. The Shrimp Xiao Long Bao, and Szechuan chicken left a lot to be desired. Felt adventurous and ordered the Neon City Pale Ale it was... zesty. Our group dabbled in some lychee tea and it took us back to a simpler time. Ambiance was demure. read more

Wanna Bao - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

Best food in Houston. 小龍包'乾杪四紀豆，so good. We always eat here when we came to Houston. read more

10/10 recommend this restaurant! Their soup dumplings are delish, the pork belly sauce was so flavorful, the tropical fried sweet rice was my FAVORITE! We also tried the 8th wonder coffee beer and the honey mead and we will definitely be buying the coffee beer for our home! The servers were fast, food came out so fast and everything was clean. We will definitely be back! read more

Wanna Bao - Popcorn chicken - Szechuan Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Pretty good food here, but dang is this a hopping spot! Had a work meeting a little early in the evening, but at 5:45 on the dot, peeps were pouring in like they were giving away pink Stanley mugs or something. The food was good, especially the XLB (sorry, forgot to snap a pic), and the crispy chicken popcorn (nice heat!). I would put the tea smoked duck up there too. The duck itself was scrumptious but with that quantity, you only get 4 wraps? It's like rocking up to a Tex-Mex joint and ordering two lbs of fajitas and getting 4 tortillas. I normally don't order the hot and sour soup but my friend wanted some. It was nice too, not super memorable. I'd definitely give this place a shot again. read more

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I still very much love this place. I've ordered it many times before, whether I'm in the restaurant or picking it up to go. They now have chicken soup dumplings, which are delicious. And now even have a dessert one that is Nutella & banana...and my goodness, it's perfect. Highly recommend trying this place out. read more

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I live near to this restaurant and wanted to give it a go -- I ordered - the Hot and Sour Soup, Cucumber Salad and a trio of dumplings....We got the Cucumber salad first and it was nice bowl of cucumber marinaded in Garlic -- it was amazing -not spicy but tasty...if you like GARLIC--highly recommend --- next is the hot and sour soup - Lightly creamy soup with bamboo shoot, wood ear fungus, TOFU, EGGS, carrots, can be shared for 2-4 persons --- I was thinking sure it is -- but here comes the soup in a gigantic bowl of hot and sour soup and they came with 2 smaller bowls and a ladle to scoop it all into -- I was surprised with the soup - sure it was hot temperature and spicy but not overwhelming like some hot-n-sours can be -- and best part it was not that sour BUT it was tasty. I will get that again next time I go there Lastly we got a trio of Dumplings Steamed dumpling sampler with three different fillings wrapped by freshly made colorful vegetable dough, six per order Chicken/ Shiitake Mushroom/ Bamboo Shoot Shrimp/ Pork/ Corn Spinach/ Shiitake Mushroom/ Carrots/ Dry TOFU --let me say all the dumplings were stuffed -- I was getting my money's worth with these dumplings -- they were excellent I had the Jasmine Green Tea -- it was tasty that was it....... read more

Had dinner at Wanna Bao on a Saturday for dinner. First this place has a small parking lot but we were able to find free parking, but be careful as some street parking is paid parking. Second we did not have a reservation but the wait was only 10-15 minutes. We got lucky as the place is a bit small and does get busy. We started with the pork dumplings which were delicious, I highly recommend them. We also had Red Oil Dumpling. Along with Dancing Pork Belly. And some Crispy Spicy Chicken Popcorn and some Mayo Tofu. There were only 3 of us eating and yes we ordered too much food. We had leftovers. Everything was delicious!! And the food had LOTS of spice!!! My mouth was on fire!. The service is fast and good. I will go back but next time I will only order food with 1 chilie pepper . read more

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