Chubby Noodle Pete Mrabe Chubby Noodle

Chubby Noodle Awards

Asian fusion, marinated in hipster chic.
Openings: Dinner nightly, Brunch Sat.-Sun.

Features

  • Dress code: Casual
  • Full bar
  • Reservations suggested


Chubby Noodle Restaurant Review:


Elements from all over the Pacific Rim inform the menu at trendy, clubby Chubby Noodle. Three deservedly popular standouts include house-made, jalapeño-spiked spicy garlic noodles; cold ramen dressed with pickles and Korean hot sauce; and sesame-speckled Hawaiian-style tuna poke served with Indonesian-esque sambal. Attractive, flavor-packed entrées such as Cambodian-style rib-eye steak and Mongolian-style braised lamb sustain the fusion; try the Duroc pork chop prepared with fiery Korean kimchi and Chinese Xiaoxing wine. Granted, sometimes the mashups feel a bit forced: Korean pork tacos with hot yogurt sauce are the type of dish one eats just so one can boast about it later. Desserts aren't served. Co-owner Nick Floulis' Pushback Wines feature prominently (along with beer, saké on tap and saké cocktails) on the drinks list. Offering prime views of a lively open kitchen under nautical ceiling art, long, slender community-style tables (that are beautiful and with backless stools that favor the young) lend a refectory feel that's incongruous with the prices. A rowdy, bottomless brunch of dim sum and drinks fuels the Marina crowd on weekends.