It was less than two weeks ago that I had a chance to sample some of the food provided by Bambuza Vietnamese Bistro for a GLSEN fundraising event. It was interesting to learn the drag queen that was sponsoring the event called Teriyaki Temple, the former Miss Gay Seattle and writer for several LGBT publications such as The Advocate, would soon be taking over the operations in Seattle of the family run business.
Bambuza started as a small family business in the small town of Camas, Washington. As the token Asian family in the city, the owners brought the real world cuisine of Asia directly to rural America in 1984 and the popularity of the place took off. Soon they expanded and moved operations to restaurants in Seattle, Portland and even Tualatin, Oregon.
What is unique about Bambuza is that it serves an intermediate niche, similar to Seattle’s popular Tamarind Tree, positioned somewhere in between the expensive high end pan-Asian establishments and the many hole-in-the-wall family run joints. They are moderately authentic but palatable to even the most finicky non-Asians. This puts them at a great position within Seattle’s competitive restaurant market since as everyone is beginning to realize, the local hole-in-the-wall eatery is not so cheap anymore.
One of their most popular times is during lunch on weekdays, where in order to keep up with demand during such a small window, they have split the restaurant into two sections. One offers their normal full service and they have created a more casual counter service section for those in a hurry or on the go.
Another popular time is just before The Paramount Theatre hosts a show. Some of their windows look out at The Paramount’s side stage entrance so it is not uncommon for visiting celebrities to slip in unnoticed for a quick bite to eat after a performance.
Some of the best values on the menu are their salad rolls and sandwiches for under $5. You will pay more for a Vietnamese sandwich at this downtown bistro than you will at the corner deli in Little Saigon but the size and quality is noticeably superior. Their shrimp salad rolls consists of four large pieces made fresh to order with shrimp, basil, noodles, carrots and lettuce and served with peanut sauce on the side and all for under $5. This would make a great light meal before a workout.
One of their most popular items are their Drunken Crispy Chicken, which is marinated overnight in a rich chardonnay and finished with a caramelized soy glaze. Another popular item is the Cognac Luc Lac Beef; cubes of Fillet Mignon woked with red onions, butter and finished with a French Brandy on a bed of organic spring greens for $13.95. The many choices of large bowls of noodle soup or grilled meat in either a dry noodle bowl or on top of a rice platter, with up to four kinds of meat, will run you around $8. Even the most expensive entrees are priced between $10 and $15.
Teriyaki Temple has pretty much hung up her high heels while putting in 16 hours a day at the bistro and is getting ready to complete law school this fall. But what happens when a former competitive drag queen takes the over the reins of a downtown Vietnamese bistro? We are anxious to find out. The results might be down-right fierce
Bambuza Vietnamese Bistro is conveniently located on Pike Street on your way up to Capitol Hill from downtown, right across from the Convention Center. They are open Monday – Thursday 11am – 9pm and Friday and Saturday until 10pm.
Happy Hour offers their special cocktails for $4.95 and $1.95 appetizers Monday-Friday 2:30pm – 5:30pm and Saturday 8:30pm-10pm. Visit www.bambuza.com for more info.
What a great story and review! I want to go there now! Lovely.