May 28, 2019

Vietnamese fast-casual opening in Plaza Midwood

Cilantro Noodle will serve build-your-own banh mis, bowls

Cilantro Noodle will open soon in the heart of Plaza Midwood, where Thomas and Commonwealth avenues meet. It’s unfortunately named for me, someone who orders everything sans cilantro, but the menu is broader than the name suggests. The restaurant will serve Vietnamese dishes, including banh mis, vermicelli, and noodles. The restaurant’s soft opening is Saturday, June 8.

As a fast-casual spot, Cilantro Noodle will allow diners to build their own banh mis, fresh spring rolls (wrapped in rice paper, not fried), and noodle or rice bowls — with or without cilantro. According to the restaurant’s owner, the signature dishes will include a pho dac biet with a 24-hour broth, rare steak, meatballs, brisket, and bone-in short rib. A family recipe for bun bo hue, a beef noodle soup, can be ordered mild or spicy.

Along with the savory restaurant, Cilantro Noodle has a dessert counterpart called Ocha Time, which will serve boba tea and desserts.

The restaurant recently began hiring. —Kristen Wile