A Nashville Week of Buns and Chinese Kitchens

This is not a ceremonial banquet; Steam Boys is a cozy, fast-casual starting point for a hunter following buns and noodles. I would choose a Chinese bun first, then compare it with a gua bao or noodle bowl on another visit. The small-scale opening makes a useful baseline for the fuller tables later in the week. Check the current menu before heading out.

Forget a grand dining-room performance: China One is a casual Donelson stop for Chinese takeout and noodle specialties. For anyone weighing where to eat in Nashville, I would start with noodles, then look at the combination platters instead of ordering everything at once. Its dine-in and takeout options give this chapter flexibility. Check the current menu and choose the format before leaving.

Dragon Phoenix is not a dim sum cart procession; it is a casual Chinese buffet with hot entrees, soups and sushi. For a group that likes comparing plates, I suggest making one circuit before choosing and starting with a soup. This Elm Hill Pike chapter broadens the week's view from individual orders to a spread. Check current offerings before making a special trip.

Not a discreet storefront, Xiao Bao's strawberry-painted East Nashville building makes the setting part of the story. Asian comfort food and creative drinks suit a curious group ready for a change of pace after the buffet. I would compare a dish with a drink rather than chase an unverified limited drop. Ask about current offerings before deciding what to order first.

China Spring is not a tasting-menu occasion; its Nashville kitchen offers Chinese comfort fare and fried rice. For a food hunter sorting dim sum in Nashville searches from actual options, I would start with fried rice and keep the order focused. Its neighborhood scale changes the rhythm after East Nashville. Check the current menu before choosing a second dish.

Philippe Chow is not another quick pickup: its downtown dining room serves modern Peking-style Chinese food. Start with the signature chicken satay, then take a short walk toward Sunda for a different take on Asian shareable plates. I would dress for the first room and skip athletic wear, which Philippe Chow asks guests to avoid. Check both menus before setting out.

This is not a banquet finale: No 1 Chinese Restaurant offers an unpretentious South Nashville take on Chinese comfort dishes. For a curious eater, the contrast with Saturday’s polished dining room is the point. I would ask about current specialties and choose one dish to finish the week rather than order a feast. Check the current menu and hours before going.