Mian & Bao — Restaurant in Honolulu

If you enjoy Sichuan-style or spicy foods and can handle the heat, you’ll love this restaurant. It’s a sister location to the Mian restaurant in the 808 Center and is currently trending, especially for its xiao long bao (soup dumplings).

Starting with the xiao long bao...the wrappers are slightly thicker, likely to help maintain the dumpling’s integrity so the soup doesn’t leak out. The filling and broth were savory, light, and neither dry nor chewy. However, I was disappointed with the vinegar sauce and ginger on the side. There wasn’t enough provided for the number of dumplings we ordered.

We also tried the marinated cucumbers, chili oil dumplings, spring rolls, shrimp fried rice, and even the Chengdu spicy fries...everything was delicious and had a satisfying kick of spice.

That said, I had two issues that impacted my overall impression:

I called ahead to inform them we had a party of seven adults. They don’t take reservations, so when we arrived, they attempted to squeeze us around a round table that clearly didn’t fit seven. We asked if they could combine nearby tables, either inside or outside. Two waitresses offered conflicting solutions and started arguing with each other...lol. Eventually, they seated us on a group of tables on one side of the restaurant.

There was some confusion with the staff about the table’s QR code. I managed to resolve it, but it was a bit frustrating.

The atmosphere has a young, hipster vibe...they were playing music like APT...lol. If you're sitting on the bench seating, be aware that the table may feel a little too high; the portable chairs are a better height for the table.

Overall, the prices are reasonable for the portion sizes. Keep in mind, they don’t take reservations and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure your entire party is present when you arrive. Also, expect a long wait...arrive when they open if you want to be...

We love Mian next to Walmart, so we were so happy that a sister location opened up in our neighborhood replacing the Filipino restaurant. The menu items here are a little bit different than Mian in that they have more dumpling items as indicated in their name.

We got the following items: Steamed egg and ground pork: 9/10 this one is good as always - our toddlers favorite thing to eat Chengdu Zajiang Noodles: 8/10 felt like this one came with more bok choy and meat than the Mian location , we enjoyed this one Chengdu Vegan Cold Noodles: 7/10 I love the spice and flavor of this dish but did not love the noodle itself - it might be because the noodles are vegan, might ask for a different noodle next time Xiao Long Bao: 9/10 lot of soup and good flavor Chili Oil Dumplings: 9/10 the dumplings taste the same as Mian but the sauce is slightly different Marinated cucumber: 8/10 refreshing to balance out spicy dishes and cheap

Overall, we are so happy this location has opened up and we will be frequenting this place! They still seem to be figuring out the payment system and the take out menu and in person menu items seem to be significantly different . We will try take out next time! We forgot to take photos as we were...

Stopped by Mian & Bao in Kaka‘ako for lunch, and it’s definitely a solid spot for noodle and bao lovers. We tried a few things, and most of it was pretty good—definitely one of the better options around here.

The Xiao Long Bao ($13.99) stood out—skins were a bit thick, kind of like wonton wrappers, but the flavor was on point, and they’re some of the better soup dumplings I’ve had on island. The Sheng Jian Bao ($9.99), aka Pan-Fried Pork Buns, was another good one—juicy and flavorful with a nice crispy bottom.

We had the Chili Oil Wontons—spicy and decent, but just alright for me. I prefer the Chili Oil Dumplings, which are my go-to—spicy, sweet, and way more my style. We also got the Stir-Fry Vegetable Noodles to fill us up—nothing too fancy, but it did the job.

The place has a modern, chill vibe, and the service was friendly, even as it got busy. Prices are fair for what you get, and it’s right in Ward Village. It’s more of a comfort food spot—perfect when you’re craving something...