WU Chow - Downtown

IBC Bank Plaza, 500 W 5th St #168, Austin, TX 78701, United States
$$$ Chinese restaurant
(1711 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Welcome to WU Chow - Downtown, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Austin at IBC Bank Plaza. This vibrant Chinese restaurant has established itself as a pinnacle of elevated Chinese cuisine over the past decade. With its inviting atmosphere and an impressive array of dishes, WU Chow is not just a place to eat; it’s an experience that captivates all the senses.

As you step inside, the warmth of the decor and the enticing aroma of freshly prepared dishes wrap around you, making it hard to resist the allure of the menu. Whether you are in the mood for a delightful dim sum brunch or a leisurely dinner, WU Chow offers a wide range of options that celebrate the rich flavors of Chinese culinary traditions.

The menu features remarkable dishes like the Sesame Peanut Noodles, where chilled wheat noodles are masterfully tossed with a homemade sesame peanut sauce and decorated with crushed peanuts and fresh cucumber. Each bite offers a harmonious balance of texture and flavor that is nothing short of divine. For those craving something heartier, the Zha Jiang Noodles deliver a tantalizing taste explosion with minced pork and fermented soybean paste, perfectly complemented by julienned egg ribbons.

But it’s not just the noodles that shine here. The Spicy Sichuan Deep-Fried Tofu is a must-try, generously tossed with Sichuan peppercorns and chilies, offering spicy warmth that dances on your palate. Pair these dishes with refreshing drinks from the non-alcoholic menu, like the Virgin Island or Johnny's Jungle Juice, both superbly crafted to enhance your dining experience.

However, WU Chow is more than just stellar food; it boasts a vibrant atmosphere that is equally deserving of praise. The service is top-notch, with staff recognized for their attentiveness and professionalism. Diners have consistently shared their experiences of friendly and accommodating servers, making every visit memorable. Morgan's exceptional service was highlighted by one reviewer, who appreciated the seamless attention to detail and the personalized care throughout the meal.

WU Chow truly shines as a community hub, often hosting events during occasions such as SXSW, making it a fantastic spot for visitors and locals alike. The inviting ambiance, filled with laughter and the sounds of clinking glasses, creates a delightful backdrop for anniversaries, birthdays, or an impromptu gathering with friends.

For those planning a visit, be sure to reserve your table, especially if you prefer indoor dining, as it can fill up quickly during peak hours. Nonetheless, the outdoor seating provides a cozy alternative, complete with heaters for cooler evenings, allowing you to enjoy your meal in the fresh Austin air.

To conclude, WU Chow is a celebration of Chinese cuisine that transcends typical dining experiences. From its diverse and flavorful menu to its warm hospitality and community spirit, it’s a destination that warrants a visit, whether you are a local or just passing through Austin. Dive into the culinary delights and immerse yourself in the vivid flavors that await at WU Chow - Downtown.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Has great tea selection
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Parking
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Somewhat difficult to find a space
Openings Hours
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Monday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Saturday

5:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

1711 Reviews
Daniella Chaney

14 Sep 2025

Id been here several times before over the last 5 years but yesterday was disappointing. The chicken steamed dumplings were good. The soup dumplings were for some reason different and not as flavorful as I remembered them. I did not enjoy the sweet and spicy chicken. The twice cooked pork was decent and the Singapore noodles lacked flavor as well. I’ve spent many birthdays here, I don’t know if it was just an off busy night. Maybe. Oh well. But our server was great! Atmosphere is always nice.

Katherine Fan

13 Sep 2025

Gotta give great marks to this spot which has managed to bring (and keep) elevated Chinese food in downtown Austin for a decade now. The flavors are always bright and vibrant, service is the perfect combo of professional and personable, and the cocktails are fun and innovative. Wu Chow is also a pillar of the community in many other ways. You'll often find events hosted here during SXSW and beyond, and leadership is consistent and proactive in giving back to central Texas. Most recently, the owner collaborated with other local Austin chefs to host a delicious dinner series fundraising for victims of the July 4, 2025 floods. I appreciate the way they use food and fun to raise awareness and care for others.

Sarah Ryan

26 Aug 2025

I had the absolute pleasure of being served by Morgan at Wu Chow, and she truly made our dining experience unforgettable! The food was absolutely delicious, but it was Morgan’s spectacular service that stood out the most. I usually have to ask for water multiple times because I drink a lot, but not once did I see the bottom of my glass – she was always on top of it! Morgan was so kind, attentive, and helpful throughout our meal. She took the time to explain each course, which made our evening even more enjoyable. I can’t say enough good things about her – I love, love, love her! If you go to Wu Chow, ask for Morgan. She’s the best!

Tangi Allison

04 Aug 2025

My husband & I went for our anniversary. We were actually not intending on coming here but as we were passing it we smelled the fresh ingredients and the aroma made us detour. The vibe is everything. Our server was Jehudiel and he was amazing! He recommended our drinks which were the spicy margarita (mala Rita) & the nien numb, the drinks were different but amazing. We loved them. We chose to have the tangerine beef (extra spicy was an option but man was that kick powerful lol — the peppers catch you off guard so have your water ready). This dish was so full of flavor & perfect. We also had the Cumin Lamb, it was so flavorful & the crispiness on it was top notch. We will definitely be back!

Hayli Castillo

27 Jul 2025

Food flavors were absolutely incredible. But our soup was cold. Others sent back food around us for being cold too. The restaurant was not that busy at 5:15 but because we didn’t have reservations we had to sit outside. That was fine, it was a last minute decision while we were walking past to sit. However was waiter was absolutely terrible. He would disappear for long periods of time, others filled our drinks and brought us silverware and soy. He was not good. Other servers seemed attentive with their tables. Never went inside but the atmosphere seemed nice. The patio was nothing special. Probably won’t return ever again. Much better options in Austin.

J Mathews

27 Jun 2025

Pretty good variety for the dim sum brunch. The Dan Dan noodles were not my favorite but the spicy fried chicken was amazing and had lots of dried chili. The drinks were decent but there are no mimosa/bottomless brunch specials which I think would’ve made the experience better and cost worthy. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating.

Akshay Kandari

27 Jun 2025

Came to Wu Chow for our anniversary dinner without a reservation. Online it showed no wait, but when we arrived, there was about an hour wait for indoor seating. Luckily, there was no wait for outdoor seating, so we took the chance even though it was a bit chilly. Thankfully, they had plenty of heaters, and we stayed warm. The food was incredible—we had the Wu Chow special fried rice, shrimp Chengdu, soup dumplings, and chicken Chengdu, and everything was packed with flavor. Service was great too, even though we were outside. Definitely coming back!

Jennifer Sabolcik

22 Jun 2025

A friend took me here for my birthday and we had a delicious lunch! We loved everything. The egg soup, the Shanghai dumplings, the local vegetables and the shrimp with pecans were all wonderful.

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