Review: Xiao Bao Biscuit

Xiao Bao Biscuit and its pan Asian menu of soul food shows a changing side of Charleston.
Xiao Bao Biscuit Restaurant Charleston
Courtesy Xiao Bao Biscuit


Xiao Bao Biscuit Restaurant CharlestonXiao Bao Biscuit Restaurant Charleston


Tell us about your first impressions here.
There's no doubt this restaurant is housed in a former gas station. While for years, XBB still looked a lot like a bare bones gas station, 2020 brought more outdoor seating which only adds to the lively vibe that has been building on Spring Street for the past few years. Open the door, and you're facing a large bar festooned with party decorations. You're in the right spot, and a quick look around says you're not alone. It's the shell of a station and the heart of an Asian eatery, with reclaimed wood, an enviable plant collection, and bright red chopsticks on every table. What's the general vibe?
It's lively. People are laughing, chatting, and everyone seems to be eating with enthusiasm. The crowd ranges from families to college students, and everyone in between. And what's got them so happy?
When this place first opened in 2013, it was a seismic shift in the Cannonborough neighborhood, and in the eating culture of the city more broadly. Charleston finally had a solid, delicious Asian restaurant on the peninsula! Seven years later, the place is still popular because a mix of seasonal ingredients make up new versions of the dishes the regulars have come to love. It's at once fresh and familiar. And if you don't get the Okonomiyaki, you can't officially say you've eaten at XBB. Believe the hype. What's on the drink menu? Dishes can skew very spicy (depending on your tolerance level), so beer may be the best order, and there are plenty of light options from around the world—including some Charleston stalwarts—that put out the fire. The cocktail game, too, is strong, backed by a consistent bar staff that riffs off Asian flavors with creative success. They bottle-age cocktails, develop house bitters, and know that gin and rum go great with this food. Four wines are available, and there's a sake list, too. Finally, if you're eating spicy, but don't want booze, order a coconut milk drink. How's the service?
Sometimes the kitchen can get behind with heavy volume, but for the most part food and service are on time and well executed. Note that substitutions are not allowed: "the dishes are carefully crafted to be enjoyed as is," the menu says. It's enforced, and for good reason. Who should we bring with us?
This is a great spot to test your (and your friends') adventurous side. Locally, it's also a default for business meeting lunches for the creative set, and there are a couple of big tables usually filled with families.
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