Duck N Bao Closes Original Cypress Location, Marking the End of a Chapter for a Homegrown Houston Success Story
For many Cypress residents, Duck N Bao was more than just a restaurant. It was a local success story that began during a challenging time, introduced many diners to authentic Sichuan flavors, and grew from a single neighborhood eatery into a recognized Houston restaurant brand.
That chapter officially came to a close on June 1, as Duck N Bao announced it has permanently closed its original Cypress location after deciding not to renew its lease at 17333 Spring Cypress Rd Suite H, Cypress, TX 77429.
The announcement, shared through the restaurant’s social media channels, reflected both gratitude and nostalgia for the community where the business first took root.
“After much consideration, we have made the decision not to renew the lease at our Cypress location and have officially closed its doors as of June 1,” the restaurant shared.
A Restaurant Born in Cypress
Founded by Grace and Leo Xia, Duck N Bao opened its first location in Cypress in 2020, bringing the bold and complex flavors of China’s Sichuan province to Northwest Harris County. What began as a single restaurant quickly earned a loyal following for its handcrafted dumplings, traditional cooking techniques, and signature Peking duck.
The restaurant became known for dishes rooted in Southwest China's culinary traditions, featuring Sichuan peppercorns, doubanjiang, wok-fired cooking methods, and house-made dumplings prepared fresh daily. Its Peking duck, one of the restaurant’s signature offerings, is marinated and air-dried for 24 to 48 hours before roasting to achieve its distinctive crispy skin and tender meat.
Over the years, Duck N Bao expanded beyond Cypress, opening a Memorial location in 2021 and a Rice Village location in 2024. The Xia family also grew its restaurant portfolio to include Hongdae 33 Korean BBQ and Seven Sushi & Robata.
Thanking the Community That Made It Possible
In its farewell message, Duck N Bao emphasized the role Cypress residents played in the restaurant’s success, particularly during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Saying goodbye to our original Duck N Bao is bittersweet,” the restaurant wrote. “Cypress is where our story began, and we will always be grateful to our regulars, neighbors, and all who supported us from day one — especially through the challenges of the pandemic.”
The restaurant credited that support for helping shape the company into what it has become today.
As the business expanded and the owners' personal and professional lives became increasingly centered within Houston, the conclusion of the Cypress lease aligned with the next phase of the company's growth.
“Thank you, Cypress, for being where it all began,” the message concluded.
A Growing Culinary Legacy
While the Cypress restaurant has closed, Duck N Bao's presence in the Houston area continues through its Memorial and Rice Village locations, where guests can still enjoy the restaurant’s signature menu and culinary traditions.
Current locations include:
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Rice Village at 5215 Kelvin Drive, Houston, TX 77005
- Memorial at 5535 Memorial Drive, Suite O, Houston, TX 77007
The restaurants remain open seven days a week, serving a menu that includes handmade soup dumplings, Peking duck, Sichuan specialties, and other regional Chinese dishes.
What the Closure Means for Cypress
Restaurant openings often generate excitement, but closures can carry a different kind of significance, particularly when they involve businesses that helped shape a community's dining landscape.
For Cypress residents who watched Duck N Bao grow from a local startup into a recognized Houston dining destination, the closure represents the end of an important chapter in the area's evolving restaurant scene. At the same time, it serves as a reminder of how local businesses can grow beyond their original neighborhoods while still carrying the support and memories of the communities that helped them succeed.
Though the doors have closed at the restaurant's original location, Duck N Bao's story—and its connection to Cypress—remains an important part of its identity.
For longtime customers, the flavors may still be available elsewhere in Houston, but the original Cypress location will always be remembered as the place where it all began.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates on business openings, closures, and community developments across Cypress and Northwest Harris County.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
