Slideshow

A First Look at Michael Huynh’s OBAO and Its Food

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Remember how Michael Huynh was planning to open four restaurants in four weeks? Well, it turns out he’s not really involved in Pichet Ong’s dessert place, Spot, though he was originally slated to be a consulting chef. Guess when you’re working on this many projects, it’s hard to keep them straight. But yesterday he did open OBAO, his midtown noodle spot. For this one, he teamed up with another pair of prolific restaurateurs, Ace Watanasuparp and his cousin Chai Huadwattana, who together own Klong, Aceluck, Aura Thai, Q2, Sookk, and Room Service. Here, Ace and Chai are moving beyond Thai — traditional noodle dishes from around Asia get slight refinements, such as the Korean short rib and sunny-side duck egg in the Thai-inspired pad see iew and the green-tea soba in the laksa. Take a look at the menu, the space (minus the back garden, which will open next spring), and some of the dishes. Cocktails will eventually be added, but for now it’s beer and wine only.

Salads
SHRIMP $9
Fennel | Jalapeno Dressing | Candy Tamarind

LAOS SPICY GRILLED BEEF SALAD $10
Cucumber | Shallot | Pineapples | Mint | Crispy Roasted Rice

PAPAYA SALAD $8
Herbs | Soy Dressing |Coconut | Crispy Shallot

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN SALAD $8
Cabbage Slaw | Rau Ram Herbs | Lime Dressing | Peanut

Appetizers
CRISPY SPRING ROLLS $7
Pork | Shrimp | Taro | Mushroom Dipping Sauce

GRILLED FRESH SUMMER ROLLS $7
Shrimp | Vermicelli | Bean Spout Herbs

VEGETABLE SUMMER ROLLS $7
Tofu |Jicama |Mushroom | Mint

SHRIMP CARPACCIO $10
Mango Relish | Kaffir Olive Oil | Pine Nut

CURRY PUFF $8
Duck Liver & Confit |Taro | Cucumber Relish

EGGPLANT $9
Dried Shrimp | Pork | Chiles | Shallot

SALT & PEPPER SHRIMP $12
Tamarind Sauce

BABY LAMB CHOPS SATAY $14
Spicy Peanut Sauce

SPARE RIB ON SUGAR CANE SKEWER $9
Spicy Honey Mustard Glazed

SHORT RIB LEMONGRASS $9
Spicy Honey Mustard Glaze

Soup noodles
PHO BO $9
Rare Beef | Brisket | Rice Noodles | Ginger Anise Beef Broth

BUN BO HUE $9
Pig Feet | Beef Shin | Rice noodles | Spicy Lemongrass Broth

CHIANG MAI CURRY NOODLES $9
Spicy Red Curry Beef | Root Vegetable | Egg Noodles

MEKONG FISHERMAN $10
Fish | Shrimp | Vermicelli | Tamarind Seafood Broth

SINGAPORE LAKSA $9
Prawn | Pork | Green Tea Soba | Spicy Curry Broth

Wok noodles
PAD SEE IEW $10
Flat Rice Noodles | Kalbi Short Rib | Farm Egg | Green Mango Kimchi

PAD THAI $10
Rice noodles | Salted Red Snapper| Baby Shrimp | Deep Fried Egg

MALAY’S CHAR KWAY TEOW $10
Rice Noodles | Shrimp | Oyster | Chives & Chili

SINGAPORE NOODLES $10
Chinese Sausage | Shrimp | Crispy Lard | Golden Chives

MANILA PANSIT $12
Crispy Egg Noodles | Pork | Chicken | Shrimp | Snow pea

SAIGON VEGETABLE NOODLES $10
Assorted Tofu | Chinese Celery | Bean Sprout | Garlic Chives

SPICY RADISH NOODLES | $12
Shrimp | Oyster | Egg | Chives | Bean Sprout

Vermicelli noodles
HANGER STEAK $14
Pineapples | Bean Sprout | Herbs | Scallion Oil

GRILLED PORK & SHRIMP $12
Cucumber Salad | Herbs | Lime Dressing

TURMERIC & DILL FISH $13
Dill | Lettuce | Mint

VEGETABLE & TOFU $13
Mushroom | Soy Dressing | Cilantro

Bbq
SPICY BANGKOK CHICKEN $14
Spicy Salsa with Anchovies

VIETNAMESE PORK CHOP $14
Hot and Sweet Dipping sauce

SPICY LEMONGRASS KALBI SHORT RIB $16
Sweet Onion

HANGER STEAK $18
Yuca Home Fries | Spicy Ketchup | Herb Slaw

BBQ WHOLE RED SNAPPER $MP
Spicy Herbs Rub | Lime Fish Sauce

Rice
LAO YELLOW RICE $10
Duck Confit | Golden Chives

VIET FRIED RICE $10
Dry Shrimp | Lotus Seed | Chinese Sausage | Lemongrass | Scallion

THAI FRIED RICE $10
BBQ Pork | Hot Chili | Fried Egg

Sides
STICKY RICE $4
Chinese Sausage

WATER SPINACH $6

BEAN SPROUT & CHIVES $5

SPICY XO SAUCE EGGPLANT $6

OBAO, 222 E 53rd St, nr. Third Ave.; 212-308-5588

A First Look at Michael Huynh’s OBAO and Its Food