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