There are good surprises, like when you remember that your favorite leftovers are in your fridge, and bad surprises, like when your roommate eats said leftovers before you get home. Xiao Bao Biscuit is a good surprise. This spot in Cannonborough-Elliotborough is located inside an old gas station, but serves really good Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Malay food. Also, they have the word “biscuit” in their name, but are one of the few places in Charleston that don’t actually serve biscuits. Split the pad kra pow, mapo dou fu, and okonomiyaki with some friends, and don’t be surprised if someone sends you links to flights to Charleston next month just to come back here.

photo credit: Lindsey Harris