• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Old Thousand Introduces Bold Chinese Fusion to Austin’s East Side

December 14, 2016 by Susan Meyer Leave a Comment

Old Thousand Buddha statue

Expect to be as full and happy as this Buddha statue after eating at Old Thousand (Credit: Sam Zavieh)

When you enter Old Thousand’s dining room, you know you’re in store for something a little bit different. Bright, Asian-inspired floral wallpaper adorns the walls and a handmade 40-foot heritage oak bar spans one side of the room with a large gold Buddha on it. The space is comfortable and casual, but with a unique flair.

The atmosphere sets the tone, but the restaurant puts equal emphasis on eating in and dining out. So if you’re in the mood to enjoy the quiet atmosphere surrounding your own sofa, you can still enjoy delicious dishes from one of East Austin’s newest eateries.

Familiar Faces, New Flavors

Ribs at Old Thousand

Pork ribs with caramelized honey black bean

There is some familiar talent behind Old Thousand’s menu. Chef James Dumapit, former executive sous chef at Uchiko, is one of them. He’s joined in the kitchen by Chef David Baek of Thai Kun and Uchi fame.

Together they create traditional Chinese recipes with a modern Texas spin, using the freshest and most flavorful ingredients they can find.

Dope Chinese

Hot Pot from Old Thousand

Cool nights call for a delicious hot pot filled with Chinese sausage (Credit: Sam Zavieh)

At the end of the day, any restaurant–even one with the best atmosphere and highest pedigree of chefs–is only as good as its food. And the food at Old Thousand is definitely worthy of their motto, #DopeChinese. They have a full menu with delicious appetizers, like crispy wontons with shrimp and pork, bao (steamed buns) filled with duck confit, and fried chicken feet. I tried the pork ribs which were incredibly tender and contained the perfect balance of sweet and salty.

The rest of the menu includes a number of soups, salads (including one made from tea leaves) and an assortment of vegetables. One standout for me was the bok choy in a sweet soy vinaigrette with crispy garlic and shallots. Between these vegetable sides, and main dishes like Mapo Eggplant and Dan Dan Noodles with mushroom puree and crispy tofu, vegetarians will find plenty to celebrate here.

Brisket fried rice from Old Thousand

An excellent example of Old Thousand’s modern Texas fusion: brisket fried rice (Credit: Sam Zavieh)

Old Thousand has a number of noodle and rice dishes for meat eaters, as well. My personal favorite is the brisket fried rice. Brisket from nearby La Barbecue is incorporated into flavorful fried rice with Chinese sausage and green onion. It’s a completely new experience and also incredibly tasty. The fatty brisket pairs brilliantly with the sausage. Other entrees include pineapple beef and a crispy nest made of egg noodles and filled with tiger shrimp, scallops, squid, and pork.

A Little Something Sweet at Old Thousand

Sesame buns dessert from Old Thousand

Sesame balls are a sweet way to end your meal (Credit: Kristin Vrana/@foodfash)

I’ll caution you to not make my mistake and forget to save room for dessert because Old Thousand has a great selection in this area, as well. In addition to desserts like donuts with pandan curd and sesame balls with peanut miso, there’s a selection of snow ices.

Snow ice is different from shaved ice in that the flavoring is mixed into batches of milk or water before being frozen and shaved. It’s like ice cream, shaved into a lightweight mountain of flavorful snow. Naturally, Old Thousand puts a unique spin on snow ice with flavors like matcha with wildflower honey, blackberry, and gin or taro with hazelnut and preserved blueberry.

Your New Go-To Chinese Spot?

The name “Old Thousand” comes from Chinese slang for a “quick-witted and crafty gambler.” But if you’re looking for a great night out at a modern and eclectic Chinese brasserie, Old Thousand is anything but a gamble. In addition to the extensive food menu, they also have a fine selection of beer, wine and creative cocktails.

Old Thousand officially opened on Dec. 4, 2016,and will be open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to -11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. They accept reservations for parties of six or more, but otherwise they’d love for you to just walk right in.

1000 E. 11th St., Suite 150  – Website

 

@theAustinot wants to know:

What’s your favorite Chinese dish?

 

Disclosure: I was invited to a complimentary media tasting for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Food, Food & Drink Tagged With: eastside

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Things to do in Austin this weekend | The Paper + Craft Pantry and Kathy Phantastic present Lunar New Year Festival and Vendor Market

12 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of January 20, 2023 include Lunar New Year Festival and Vendor Market, Le Garage Sale, and More!

There are plenty of fun things to do in Austin this Weekend of January 20 which include Lunar New Year Festival and Vendor Market, Le Garage Sale, High Five 3M Half Marathon, and more! Whether you’re planning a date or having fun with friends, these events and things to do in Austin this weekend may be right […]

Things to do in Austin this week | martin luther king day austin - MLK Jr Service Week

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of January 16, 2023 include MLK Day Food Drive, UMLAUF After Dark: Lunar New Year, and more!

Things to do in Austin this weekend with kids | KIds Night Out at Anderson Mill

Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 13, 2023 include Kids Night Out, Comedy Match Live, and more!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of January 13, 2023, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Kids Night Out – Movie Star Party, Comedy Match Live ComedySportz Austin, Second Saturdays are […]

Austin’s New Year: Fireworks from Afar

Austin New Years Eve 2023 fireworks guide – NYE party start time, entertainment line up, parking tips & more!

Are you ready to say goodbye to 2022? What better way to ring in the New Year than with fireworks at Austin’s biggest and official New Year party! This beloved, annual Austin event draws thousands of people including locals as well as visitors from neighboring towns in the Central Texas area. If you are googling […]

Johnson City Christmas Lights Spectacular 2022 - What to expect at this lighting event in Texas

Johnson City Christmas Lights Spectacular 2022 – A beloved Texas lighting event!

Come one, come all to celebrate the Johnson City Lights Spectacular 33rd Season! Johnson City is an area close to Fredericksburg, TX. Every Christmas holiday for the last 33 years, Johnson City transforms from a slow-paced, presidential hometown nestled on the banks of the Pedernales River, into a bright beacon of light — like a […]

Recent Posts

  • 12 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of January 20, 2023 include Lunar New Year Festival and Vendor Market, Le Garage Sale, and More!
  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of January 16, 2023 include MLK Day Food Drive, UMLAUF After Dark: Lunar New Year, and more!
  • Romantic Restaurants Austin – Top 10 best date night restaurants near you
  • Healthy Food Austin – Your comprehensive guide to health friendly restaurants, cafes, and more!
  • MLK Austin Texas – Your Guide to Martin Luther King Weekend 2023 Activities, Events, and Celebrations!

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • 12 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of January 20, 2023 include Lunar New Year Festival and Vendor Market, Le Garage Sale, and More!
  • 6 Meal Delivery Companies in Austin to Simplify Your Life
  • The 7 Best Places for Hands-on Crafting in Austin
  • Empowered Coffee Designs Meaningful Opportunities for Employees
  • Customize Your Own Beauty Products With These 6 Austin Companies

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

wpDiscuz