Qui Tran to open ramen shop Nudo in Creve Coeur

Ready your chopsticks because Nudo, the ramen venture by Mai Lee’s Qui Tran and Marie-Anne Velasco is a go. Having signed a lease for space at 11423 Olive Blvd. in Creve Coeur, which formerly housed an Einstein Bagels, Tran plans to start renovation in February and open the highly anticipated restaurant in late spring or early summer 2016.

“We’ve done a lot of hard work, a lot of research and reached out to the right people,” Tran said. “When you make pho, there’s one basic way to do it. Some regions use fish sauce and some don’t, but there’s a basic way. With ramen, it’s corner to corner.”

As a result, the menu will feature Nudo’s own style of pork tonkotsu-style ramen and spicy miso ramen. Tran and Velasco are also developing a vegetarian version and a “schmaltz ramen” made with chicken. St. Louis’ king of pho will also offer the rich and savory soup at Nudo.

Located near Granite City Food and Brewing and the forthcoming Five Star Burger, the area is ideal for Tran’s 50- to 60-seat, fast-casual venture. “It’s a residential and business area,” Tran said. “It’s an area craving local flare.”