Tien Jin Chinese Restaurant

Recommends

nathan32

Joined 3 years ago

Best kept secret in southwest Austin. Head chef/owner Michael and his wife Joann have made this little gem of a restaurant a must visit establishment.

This was the very first chinese restaurant my family ordered out from when we first moved to Austin back in 1990. We have been loyal patrons ever since.

Tien Jin's is by no measure a 'large restaurant'. Tucked away behind two red doors in a small unassuming stripmall, is a cozy and friendly establishment. The lights are dimmed and faint music can be heard over the conversations of other customers. The small wait staff is dedicated and busy, yet always friendly and attentive.

Tien Jin's does have a small buffet for the lunchtime rush. Don't expect dozens of exotic Asian dishes to be present. The buffet is limited to slightly more than a dozen of the more popular dishes and are all chinese in origin. While the lunch buffet is not Tien Jin's strongest point, the quality of the food and reasonable prices make this a good change of pace. Their take-out lunch menu is extensive and is also reasonably priced.

Where Tien Jin's excels is in the meals ordered from their menus, yes menus, plural. In addition to a 'western' menu, Tien Jin's true prize is their 'traditional' menu (you'll have to ask for this). This menu contains authentic Chinese dishes prepared by Michael himself, courtesy of recipes from his extended family in Hong Kong. These are dishes that any true lover of authentic Chinese must try.

The hot sea bass is a personal favorite. Also try the home-made Hot and Sour soup, it's the best I've tasted in Austin.

As a testament to the quality and attention Tien Jin's places in its food, this tiny little restaurant has managed to retrain a very loyal customer base despite the massive, cafeteria-style chinese buffet just down at the other end of the parking lot.

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tintori

Joined 5 years ago

best baby snow pea leaves, friendly local owners. great little family owned restaurant, the owner was pleasant and made sure everything was okay, it was cozy and friendly and it looks like they have lots of regulars, i prefer to order off the chinese menu because it's more authentic, i recommend the baby snow pea leaves if you like vegetables, i've been there for the lunch buffet a few times but i think the chinese menu is better

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OConner

Joined 5 years ago

The best and most authentic Chinese food from a master chef.. I live in Bastrop and I drive all the way to Tien Jin just to get the best Chinese authentic Hong Kong food in Texas. Unlike many restaurants pretending to be Chinese there is no Japanese or Vietnamese food here. It is pure Chinese and Tien Jin has a nice simple buffet with all the most nutricious and appealing selections.

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mandiromano

Joined 5 years ago

Awesome service, family owned, excellent food!. Tien Jin is the best chinese food in town! Support a local family and try it out! I have been eating there for over ten years and have never been disappointed! Try the Sesame Chicken, or if you are a veggie lover the Buddahs delight!

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cmray

Joined 6 years ago

Tien Jin-Best Chinese Food in Austin. This is the best Chinese in town. Lunch Buffet is not their strength, but anything you order off of the menu is fresh and very good!

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windstone

Joined 8 years ago

Enjoyed over and over and over ...... The lunch spread is all great food and most of my favorites, however not as wide a variety as the larger resturants... And the dinners (freshly cooked dinners I might add) are Awesome... if you know your chinese food, or if you know what you like, I definately recommend this place, even for lunch.

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billtam

Joined 10 years ago

Graet Chinese Food. The food is wonderful. All the ingredients are very fresh like the food in China and Taiwan. A great place to eat!

Doesn't Recommend

yummytreats

Joined 10 years ago

It's better to starve. I was sooo dissapointed, the buffet was measly and cold - definitely not value for money. I have tasted better food at half the price that these people charge. The chef really needs to learn how to cook proper Chinese food.

The buffet spread was presented in such an unpalatable manner- I almost thought of leaving.

It was the worst Chinese food I'd ever tasted -

I would never go there again.

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akieakie

Joined 11 years ago

Secret Cove for Chinese. The food at this restaurant is amazing for Chinese food...they even have a Chinese menu along with the normal Western Chinese menu. (You have to ask for it...it's not a secret for nothing)

With rising costs at other chinese restaurants, the fixed price for a lunch buffet and low prices on lunch specials (from $5 on up) make this my favorite place in Austin.