Family-owned Soupleaf Hot Pot brings fresh community dining experience to Austin

At the time of opening, Lin said Soupleaf was the only hot pot place in Austin since its other restaurants had closed during the pandemic.

“Being the only competition in town gave us a lot more time and flexibility to hone it down, get everything proper and straight, so much so that we're in a position, luckily, to be a good number of people's favorite restaurant,” Lin said.

Lin said being in the restaurant every day and interacting with customers has helped them evolve.

“We're not trying to be super high-end, but if people have a great experience, then it'll be something that we get to do that’s a standout, that's a different concept altogether,” he said. “At the end of the day ... we’re trying to serve food that I would feel happy eating every day.”

The main course

Soupleaf aims to give Austinites a memorable dining experience, whether or not it is their first time trying hot pot.

“The food is way fresher, comes right out to you, and you get to know what you put in your bowl,” Lin said. “I think [make-your-own-soup] is something that every Asian culture has its own version of, and we get to have fun bringing it into the American side of Austin.”

The Lin family will be opening an all-you-can-eat soup and salad concept, Soup and Leaves, in Plaza 183 next year. Lin said he and his family’s interactions with regular customers and community building within the restaurant motivate them to keep offering Austin a piece of their culture.

“If you can be proud of a thing you created, this is a piece of that,” he said. “Meeting people who get to enjoy the experience and talk highly of your product, that is something to me, that is very exciting.”

• 6929 Airport Blvd., Austin
• www.soupleafhotpot.com