Restaurant Brings Flavors of Asia to Westport

WESTPORT, Conn. – Thailand, Korea, Taiwan, China and Japan are thousands of miles from Westport. But residents don’t need pack their bags to sample cuisine from these countries – they can instead visit Bistro 88 in Saugatuck.

This Asian cuisine and sushi restaurant, which opened last month, is one of the newest additions to Bridge Square. The restaurant’s expansive menu is sure to please those hungry for variety, co-owner Naomi Chung said.

“People will find something new and tasty here,” Chung said of the menu, which has more than 100 items. “Our large menu makes us different from other Asian restaurants that focus on one type, or two types of cuisine. We offer something for all tastes, and we wanted to make sure people can come in and find their favorites.”

The menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, sushi rolls, sushi entrees, donburi, noodles and entrees. Unlike other restaurants, Chung said customers also have the option to replace white rice with brown rice.

Some standout menu items include seafood pizza, tuna taco and tomato/basil seafood vegetable soup. There are also a variety of cleverly named sushi specials, such as the “Flaming Angel” and the “Hottie Susan” rolls.

Chung runs the restaurant with her brother, Paul. Both are originally from Taiwan. Although this is Chung’s first restaurant, Paul — the mastermind in the kitchen — is no stranger to the restaurant industry.  He received his culinary training from a Japanese chef and has more than 20 years of experience, Chung said. He also owns a restaurant in Austin, Texas.

In addition to the extensive menu options, Chung said the food itself stands out. “The arrangements are very artistic,” she said. For example, instead of simply serving a side of wasabi with an order of sushi, Paul crafts the wasabi into a flower, using a spoon.

“Many customers said they can see and taste the difference between us and other Asian restaurants,” she added. “We’ve gotten a lot of good feedback.”

Bistro 88, located at 19 Bridge Square, is open Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Online ordering is available and delivery is offered to Westport, Weston and Norwalk.

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