Fusion You Can Rely On

“Can we get some of those peanut butter marshmallow things?” was the first thing out of my husband’s mouth upon learning we were headed to Bimbamboo, a casual Asian fusion restaurant on Pearl Street.

“Yes. Oh, yes,” I replied—because if there’s anything better than a fluffer-nutter sandwich (that’s peanut butter and marshmallow fluff for the uninitiated) wrapped in a spring roll wrapper and deep fried, then served with chocolate for dipping, well, I haven’t found it. (In fact, we named them one of our top 25 favorite dishes last January.)

And, although this treat is actually an item on the children’s menu, we ordered it as dessert and savored every rich, delicate bite… But I’m getting ahead of myself.
I know people who originally assumed Bimbamboo was a chain, and with its sleek, modern interior, bright decorator colors and suave atmosphere, it would be easy to mistake this locale for a chic franchise. But this is its only location—so far.

While the siren song of peanut butter and marshmallow fluff beguiles adults and kids, the entire menu at Bimbamboo is a recipe for tough choices and heavily weighed decisions: should I get the green curry coconut chicken salad or the Malaysian spiced tomato soup? The bahn mi or the Vietnamese grilled beef rice bowl?

Thai, Indian, Vietnamese and other Asian influences harmonize melodiously on the menu, which includes a selection of small plates, salads, rice bowls, soups, sandwiches and specials. I’ve considered making an entire meal of the small plates, but the main dishes always call to me, and I cannot help but answer.

On this visit, we ordered spring rolls and samosas to start. The spring rolls are some of the best I have ever had: Impossibly crispy yet never greasy, the crunch gives way to rich vegetable and mushroom flavors with every bite. And if I hadn’t been raised to understand the importance of table manners in public places, I would probably drink the sweet chili lime dipping sauce straight from the bowl. The samosas, with their potato and pea filling, were a little bland but made much more interesting by the tamarind and cilantro dipping sauces that accompanied.

There’s a little bit of a DIY aspect to the dishes here; rice bowls and salads are delivered in artful arrangements on modern, geometric tableware, with discreet pockets of different ingredients and sauces; mix them all together to your own personal tastes. My grilled beef rice bowl with pickled vegetables, chili sauce and a perfect fried egg was a delight to mix and mash and devour, and my husband’s beef pho was warm comfort on a chilly evening.

The only caveat for dining here is mentioned on the menu but bears repeating. Food here is cooked as soon as its ordered and served as soon as it’s ready, so it is not uncommon for a main course to come out before an appetizer. If you’re bothered by that sort of thing, simply order in stages. Keep a menu handy; you will want more.
And don’t forget the peanut butter and marshmallow fluff spring rolls—though, we know you couldn’t possibly forget.

Bimbamboo
Three Stars
1710 Pearl St., Boulder
303.442.4575
bimbamboo.com
Bottom Line: Asian-fusion comfort food at its best.