Historical November–December 2008 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The recent addition of Bobo Noodle House on Skinker near Forest Park Parkway provides Skinker-DeBaliviere residents with another neighborhood dining destination. Located at 278 N. Skinker next to Kayak’s Coffee, Bobo Noodle House offers Asian cuisine in a casual dining setting.
The menu features a variety of Asian broth noodle and stir-fry dishes, as well as appetizers such as spring and summer rolls, some salads and sides, and desserts. Entrees are moderately priced, between 8 and 12 dollars, and include classic pho fare such as beef with rice noodles, and chicken and seafood with rice noodles, as well as standard wok plates like curried chicken with roasted chili peanut sauce, or beef and green beans, but served with sophisticated udon noodles. Other notable dishes prepared under the direction of executive chef Ny Vongsaly include a vegetarian pad thai with wide rice noodles, spicy salmon with vermicelli noodles, herbs and nori, and a vegetable dumpling soup with shitake mushrooms.
The restaurant also offers a selection of wine, beer (including Japanese beers), spirits and sake.
The 950-square foot interior was designed by architectural design firm Space Interiors, located in Maplewood.
The ambiance is airy, open and pleasantly simple, despite the small space. Small round tables and a continuous L-shaped booth that lines two walls provide comfortable seating for up to 30 people. Contemporary lighting fixtures made of wire and paper hang dramatically from the high ceiling.
A laminated bamboo finish along the counter adds to the Asian decor, and is completed with modest tabletop decorations of single flowers in long-stemmed glass vases and cups filled with wooden chopsticks.
The restaurant offers eatin and carryout service. Dine-in customers order at the counter then sit down for table service.
The eating establishment may be causal (No reservations are required.), but food is served on fine dishware. “I’m still a white linen girl,” states owner Zoe Robinson, who also owns Italian eatery I Fratellini on Wydown in Clayton. “This is casual dining, but nice – with table service.” What type of diner does Robinson hope to attract to her casual noodle eatery? “Everyone!
We have kid portions available and we can do plain udon noodles or a simple noodle dish with soy sauce.” Located in a busy intersection that sees heavy pedestrian traffic, Bobo Noodle House should attract a diverse, impromptu lunch and dinner crowd from among hungry Washington University students, MetroLink users and residents alike. Bobo Noodle House 278 N. Skinker Blvd 314.863.7373 www.bobonoodle.com Hours: Mon. to Sat.: Lunch starting at 11:30 a.m., Dinner starting at 5:00 p.m.
Original photograph caption
Bobo Noodle House on North Skinker.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2008.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Source prints causal for casual in dining discussion; preserved as source error.
Original source: SD_Times2008_11.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
