Charleston-Favorite Xiao Bao Biscuit Expands to Charlotte

Home of Asian comfort food Xiao Bao Biscuit (XBB) opened almost eight years ago in Charleston, South Carolina, and now will bring the same beloved menu items and sensibility to Charlotte, North Carolina. The team is dropping the “Biscuit” from the name to move up North and will be know as Xiao Bao.

The newest location for Xiao Bao’s okonomiyaki, pad kra pow, mapo tofu will be the multi-use complex Optimist Hall. The space is home to a food hall, retail, restaurants, and the Duke Energy Innovation Center.

The restaurant from co-owners Duolan Li, Josh Walker, and Joey Ryan became a hit in Charleston as soon as it started as a pop-up in 2010. Walker says that they’ve been exploring new locations since 2013. “Now everything has finally come together to make it a reality,” he says.

XBB chef de cuisine Vann Thomas will head up the Xiao Bao in Charlotte. He has been with the team for many years and has a resume that includes Momofuku Noodle Bar and Del Posto in New York, as well as working alongside chef Stephanie Izard at her restaurants Duck Duck Goat & Cabra in Chicago.

Look for the new Xiao Bao to open next spring.

• All Xiao Bao Biscuit Coverage [ECAR]
• Talking Okonomiyaki and One Year with XBB [ECAR]
• Optimist Hall [Official]