Thai Restaurant Moving Into Boom Noodle Space on Capitol Hill

Upscale Thai chainlet Bai Tong has announced plans to take over the former Boom Noodle space on Capitol Hill at E Pike and 12th Ave. Bai Tong has locations in Tukwila, Redmond, and Issaquah; this fourth outpost is planning an April opening.

You may recall the turbulence that has marked the large space at 1121 E Pike St. over the last few years. The Madison Holdings group tried out several concepts in the venue, starting with its Japanese-inspired Boom Noodle in 2007, followed by Kaisho in 2014 then again by Boom Noodle in 2015. The space has been vacant since Boom Noodle finally called it quits for good in August.

Bai Tong marketing director Tucky Wongpaka told Eater that the new Capitol Hill location will serve the same menu of “elegant” Thai dishes you’ll find at the other three restaurants. But there will also be an additional street food element and, naturally, a full bar, which will fit well with the late-night crowd. Bai Tong is also remaking the space to reflect a style similar to its other restaurants.

Bai Tong/Official

Chanpen Lapangkura opened the first Bai Tong (which means “banana leaf” in Thai) near Seattle Tacoma International Airport in 1989. Lapangkura, a former flight attendant, envisioned the restaurant as offering a taste of home for Thai Airways crew members.