Los Angeles Lunching: A Variety of Savory Venues on Ventura Boulevard in the Valley

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Photo courtesy of Take A Bao
Photo courtesy of Take A Bao

Take A Bao

Item: Take A Bao
Author: Lisa Niver

Cuisine: Asian

Price Range: $

10Best Says

I first found Take A Bao in Century City but recently discovered them in a stunning Studio City location. Eclectic choices fuse together tastes from several countries and can be paired with unique drinks for savory sensations. This location is Baos with a twist. They combine flavors from all over Asia in one architecturally satisfying location. I was first here for a party on the patio, bring some friends and sit outside on the patio to enjoy your food and atmosphere. Try the Thai Peanut Chicken Bao, Chinese Chicken Salad, or Crispy Panko Crusted Fish. I did not save room for dessert but I want to return for the "Bao's More:" fudge, marshmallow & graham cracker in a chocolate bun!

Address:

11838 Ventura Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 91604

Phone:

(818) 691-7223

Website:

takeabao.com

EXPERT TIPS BY: Lisa Niver
Travel Expert

Lunch: "Bring friends and sit outside on the patio!"

Best for Lunch Because: This location is Baos with a twist. They combine flavors from all over Asia in one architecturally satisfying location.

Main Menu
- Bao
  
  Original Hoisin Pork
  
  braised & pulled pork, pickled red onion, cucumbers ($4.50)
  
  Tempura Crusted Cod
  
  alaskan cod, sambal chili tartar sauce, bibb lettuce, scallions ($5.00)
  
  Fried Chicken & Slaw
  
  crispy chicken breast, tamarind bbq sauce, asian vegetable slaw ($4.50)
  
  Burger Bao
  
  beef patty, swiss cheese, caramelized red onion, tomato, bibb lettuce, chipotle ketchup, garlic aioli, toasted bun ($5.50)
  
  Banh Mi
  
  grilled pork loin, paté, housemade pickled vegetables, diced chilies, cilantro, garlic aioli. choice of spicy or mild ($4.50)
  
  Pulled Bbq Pork
  
  braised pork, our signature bbq sauce, asian vegetable slaw ($4.50)
  
  Thai Peanut Chicken
  
  grilled chicken breast, thai peanut sauce, carrots, cucumbers, cilantro ($4.50)
  
  Sweet Soy Organic Tofu
  
  grilled & glazed tofu, caramelized shiitake mushrooms, pickled cucumbers, bibb lettuce ($4.00)
  
  Peking Duck
  
  maple leaf farms duck leg, plum hoisin sauce, scallions, five-spice wonton chip ($6.00)
- Small Bites
  
  Lemongrass Caramel Chicken Wings
  
  tossed with a sweet & spicy glaze ($6.00)
  
  Thai Meatball Lettuce Wraps
  
  with mixed herbs, finger chilies, pomegranate soy glaze ($5.00)
  
  Blistered Shishito Peppers
  
  warm sesame ponzu, bonito flakes ($5.50)
  
  Pork & Leek Potstickers
  
  grapefruit, tomato sambal sauce ($6.00)
  
  Tofu Popcorn
  
  with cilantro cashew chutney ($5.50)
  
  Five-spice Sweet Potato Fries
  
  housemade seasoning, citrus sambal aioli ($5.00)
  
  Sumac Fries
  
  housemade seasoning, ketchup ($4.50)
  
  Roasted Sesame Edamame
  
  warm with sesame sea salt ($3.50)
- Salads
  Eight Veggie Salad
  roasted corn, edamame, sugar snap peas, avocado, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, radish sprouts, sesame seeds, romaine hearts, gram’s tangy vinaigrette
  
  $10.50
  
  Add Grilled Tofu: $2.50
  
  Add Grilled Chicken: $3.00
  Asian Cobb Salad
  
  grilled chicken breast, long beans, cherry tomatoes, bacon, egg, avocado, crumbled paneer, scallions, sesame seeds, romaine hearts, napa cabbage, miso ginger dressing ($10.50)
  
  Thai Steak & Noodle Salad
  
  lemongrass marinated steak, mango, avocado, carrots, red onion, cherry tomatoes, peanuts, mixed herbs, mixed greens, lo mein noodles, thai chili vinaigrette ($13.50)
  
  Chinese Chicken Salad
  
  grilled chicken breast, pickled carrots, cilantro, red onion, toasted almonds, sesame seeds, wonton strips, crispy rice noodles, napa cabbage, romaine hearts, radicchio, sesame ginger dressing ($10.50)
  
  Seared Ahi Tuna & Daikon Salad
  
  togarashi crusted ahi tuna, english cucumber, avocado, jicama, radish sprouts, shaved daikon, mixed greens, daikon radish dressing ($15.00)
- Noodles & Soup
  Chicken Basil Stir-fry
  
  grilled chicken breast, udon noodles, chinese long beans, bok choy sum, thai basil, bean sprouts, finger chilies, garlic chives, scallions, xiao xing glaze ($10.50)
  
  Veggie Pad Thai
  tofu puffs, rice noodles, bok choy, napa cabbage, egg, scallions, cilantro, bean sprouts, peanuts, lime, black bean sauce
  
  $10.50
  
  Add Grilled Chicken: $3.00
  
  Add Shrimp: $4.00
  Yellow Curry, Shrimp & Tofu
  
  tiger shrimp, tofu, chow mein noodles, baby spinach, coconut broth, cucumber salad, mixed herbs, chili oil. sub chicken for shrimp ($12.50)
  
  Beef & Scallion Pho
  
  beef meatballs, rice noodles, scallions, housemade beef broth, served with thai basil, cilantro, bean sprouts, lime ($11.00)
  
  Chicken Udon With Garlic Long Beans
  grilled chicken breast, udon noodles, garlic long beans, baby bok choy, napa cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, bean sprouts, scallions, nori, housemade chicken broth
  
  $10.50
  
  Add Poached Egg: $1.50
  Vegetarian Tom Yum Soup
  silken tofu, rice cakes, baby bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, toasted garlic, cilantro, housemade tom yum broth
  
  $10.00
  
  Add Shrimp: $4.00
- Rice Bowls
  Short Rib Bibimbap
  
  grilled short rib, mother-in-law’s kimchi, housemade pickled vegetables, fried egg, spicy korean red chili sauce ($13.00)
  
  Tempura Tofu & Chinese Eggplant
  
  kimchi marinated crispy tofu, caramelized shiitake mushrooms, scallions, warm salad of chinese eggplant, baby bok choy, finger chilies ($10.50)
  
  Panang Curry
  broccoli, eggplant, cauliflower, bell pepper, lotus root, thai basil, coconut curry sauce
  
  $9.50
  
  Add Grilled Tofu: $2.50
  
  Add Grilled Chicken: $3.00
  Chicken Teriyaki, Pear & Scallion
  
  grilled chicken breast, grilled pear, scallions, bok choy sum, sesame seeds ($10.50)
- Plates
  
  Thai Style Fried Chicken
  
  twice-fried half chicken, asian vegetable slaw, tamarind bbq sauce, garlic lime aioli ($12.50)
  
  Coriander Grilled Salmon
  
  atlantic salmon, roasted cauliflower, kabocha squash, tomato, eggplant, thai basil, broken rice, thai green curry sauce. please allow a few extra minutes for this dish ($13.50)
  
  Vietnamese Clay Pot Chicken
  
  braised chicken, bok choy, mustard greens, white onion, anaheim chilies, scallions, vietnamese caramel sauce, served with white or brown rice ($10.00)
- Etc
  Mother-in-law’s Kimchi
  
  ($4.00)
  
  Broken Fried Rice
  egg, scallions, cilantro
  
  $6.00
  
  Add Grilled Chicken: $1.50
  
  Add Shrimp: $2.50
  Napa Sesame Salad
  
  napa cabbage, carrots, red onion, cilantro, wonton strips, sesame seeds, sesame ginger dressing ($5.00)
  
  Poached Egg
  
  add a poached egg to any dish ($1.50)
  
  White Rice
  
  ($2.00)
  
  Brown Rice
  
  ($2.50)
- Dessert
  
  Chocolates’ More Bao
  
  marshmallow, graham cracker, fudge, chocolate bun ($5.00)
  
  Banana Nutella Bao
  
  bruléed banana, nutella, marshmallow, chopped hazelnuts, cinnamon sugar bun ($5.00)
  
  Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwich
  
  handmade cookies & ice cream. ask about our seasonal flavors ($5.50)
  
  Mom’s Carrot Cake
  
  slice of our housemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. whole cake for sale by special order ($5.50)
  
  Classic Ice Cream Float
  
  vanilla bean ice cream, choice of boylan’s soda or fountain soda ($6.00)
Drink Menu
- Speciality Cocktails
  
  Basil Lemonade
  
  stoli citrus vodka, fresh lemon and orange juice, thai basil ($10.00)
  
  Ginger Lychee Martini
  
  skyy vodka, ginger syrup, lychee purée, fresh lime zest, candied ginger ($11.00)
  
  Tipsy Thai Tea
  
  bacardi rum, kraken spiced rum, black tea, pineapple juice, condensed milk, cherry and orange twist ($10.00)
  
  Wet Cucumber
  
  gordon’s gin, cucumber, fresh lime juice, mint ($10.00)
  
  Mekhong Swizzle
  
  mekhong whisky, fresh lemon and lime juice, simple syrup, soda water ($10.00)
  
  Mandarin Serrano Hot Flash
  
  absolut mandarin, st. germain, fresh orange juice, passion and grapefruit juice, simple syrup, serrano chilies ($10.00)
  
  Parisian Sparkler
  
  chambord vodka, pineapple juice, prosecco, chambord ($11.00)
  
  Cosmojito
  
  bacardi limón, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, kaffir syrup, fresh mint ($9.00)
  
  Passion Margarita
  
  hornito’s tequila, passion fruit purée, agave nectar, fresh lime juice ($10.00)
  
  Creamsicle
  
  absolut vanilla vodka, fresh orange juice, demerara syrup, fresh cream, vanilla ($10.00)
- Classic Cocktails
  
  Old Fashioned
  
  maker’s mark bourbon, orange, luxardo cherry, bitters, ginger ale ($10.00)
  
  Coconut Basil Gimlet
  
  seagram’s gin, coconut milk, coconut syrup, fresh lime juice, thai basil ($10.00)
  
  Island Mojito
  
  bacardi rum, pineapple juice, coconut syrup, fresh mint, lime ($10.00)
  
  Kaffir Mule
  
  kaffir infused vodka, ginger beer, lime ($10.00)
  
  Sazarac
  
  templeton rye, demerara syrup, absinthe, peychaud bitters, lemon twist ($11.00)
  
  Orange Manhattan
  
  four roses bourbon, antica formula, orange bitters, maraschino cherry ($11.00)
  
  Gin Fizz
  
  seagram’s gin, fresh lemon and lime juice, simple syrup, orange, blossom water, cream, vanilla ($10.00)
- Sparkling
  Lamarca Doc Prosecco, Italy, NV
  apple, white peach, honeysuckle
  
  $9.00
  
  $34.00
- White
  Fess Parker Riesling, Santa Barbara, 2012
  
  aromatic, tropical, balanced acidity ($34.00)
  
  Starborough Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, 2011
  citrus, tropical fruit, herbal notes
  
  $8.00
  
  $30.00
  William Hill Chardonnay, Central Coast, 2010
  orchard fruit and oak, hint of sweetness
  
  $9.00
  
  $34.00
  Lagaria Pinot Grigio, Italy, 2012
  pleasant fruity aroma, fresh and crisp
  
  $7.00
  
  $26.00
- Red
  Leese-fitch Merlot, California, 2010
  caramelized apples, boysenberry, sage, light clove
  
  $8.00
  
  $30.00
  Parker Station Pinot Noir, Central Coast, 2012
  plum and cherry flavors, round and balanced
  
  $9.00
  
  $34.00
  Bridlewood Red Blend, Central Coast, 2011
  full bodied blend, jammy fruits, soft tannins
  
  $9.00
  
  $34.00
  Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, 2011
  dark fruit, caramelized and toasted oak notes
  
  $11.00
  
  $42.00
  Peachy Canyon Cirque Du Vin Paso, Robles, 2010
  herbs, spices, lush dark fruit flavors
  
  $9.00
  
  $34.00
- Sake
  
  Hakutsuru Draft, Japan
  
  clean, fresh (300ml) ($9.00)
  
  Momokawa Organic Nigori, Oregon
  
  silky-smooth, ginger, coconut, pear (300ml) ($13.00)
  
  Hakkin-iri Ginjo Platinum, Japan
  
  floral nose, sweet and sour mash (300ml) ($18.00)
- Draft Beers
  Lost Coast Great White, Eureka, California
  crisp, hint of citrus 5.0% abv
  
  16 Oz: $6.00
  
  32 Oz: $11.00
  Bitburger Premium Pils, Bitburg, Germany
  slightly sweet, light honey, refreshing 4.8% abv
  
  16 Oz: $7.00
  
  32 Oz: $13.00
  North Coast Scrimshaw, Fort Bragg, California
  subtle hops, crisp, clean 4.4% abv
  
  16 Oz: $7.00
  
  32 Oz: $13.00
  Abita Amber Lager, Abita Springs, Louisiana
  crystal malt, perle hops, caramel flavor 4.5% abv
  
  16 Oz: $5.00
  
  32 Oz: $9.00
  Old Speckled Hen, Suffolk, United Kingdom
  toffee, malt 5.2% abv
  
  16 Oz: $7.00
  
  32 Oz: $13.00
  North Coast Old Rasputin Stout, Fort Bragg, California
  rich, complex, warming finish 9.0% abv
  
  16 Oz: $7.00
  
  32 Oz: $13.00
  Shipyard Monkey Fist IPA, Portland, Maine
  bitter candy, gives way to lemon citrus 6.9% abv
  
  16 Oz: $7.00
  
  32 Oz: $13.00
  Raging Bitch Belgian-style IPA, Frederick, Maryland
  sweet malt, grapefruit hoppy flavors 8.3% abv
  
  16 Oz: $9.00
  
  32 Oz: $17.00
  Weihnestephaner, Provence, Germany
  light bodied hefeweizen, fruity, spicy 5.4% abv
  
  16 Oz: $7.00
  
  32 Oz: $13.00
  Shandy Gaff, Studio City, California
  
  abita amber lager mixed with spicy ginger beer ($7.00)
  
  Vanilla Beer Float, Studio City, California
  
  vanilla bean ice cream, weihnestephaner, orange ($8.00)
  
  Coffee Stout Float, Studio City, California
  
  coffee ice cream, old rasputin stout, chocolate fudge ($8.00)
- Bottled Beers
  
  Racer 5 Ipa, Healdsburg, California
  
  citrus, floral, semi-aggressive hops 7.0% abv ($6.00)
  
  Boont Amber Ale, Boonville, California
  
  toasted caramel, light hoppy bitterness 5.8% abv ($6.00)
  
  Duvel Ale, Breendonk, Belgium
  
  champagne of beers, floral, spice 8.5% abv ($9.00)
  
  Arrogant Bastard Ale, Escondido, California
  
  rich caramel, bitter hop, aggressive 7.2% abv (22oz) ($10.00)
  
  Hitachino Red Rice Ale, Ibaraki, Japan
  
  mix of sake, malt and bitter notes to finish 7.0% abv ($11.00)
  
  Abita Light, Abita Springs, Louisiana
  
  abita springs water, smooth 4.0% abv ($5.00)
  
  Chimay Tripel, Hainaut, Belgium
  
  sweet bitterness, ripe apples 8.0% abv ($10.00)
  
  Delirium Tremens, Melle, Belgium
  
  creamy, tropical fruit notes, good carbonation 8.5% abv ($10.00)
  
  Singha, Bangkok, Thailand
  
  herbal, slightly sweet 5.0% abv ($5.00)
  
  Anthem Apple Cider, Salem, Oregon
  
  natural apple sweetness, subtle dry finish 6.0% abv ($8.00)
- Non-alcoholic
  
  Bottled Water
  
  ($2.00)
  
  San Pellegrino
  
  ($2.50)
  
  Fountain Soda
  
  coke, diet coke, sprite, diet sprite, ginger ale ($2.00)
  
  Boylan Bottleworks
  
  root beer, diet root beer, black cherry, diet black cherry ($2.50)
  
  Izze
  
  pomegranate, grapefruit ($2.50)
  
  Orangina
  
  ($2.50)
  
  Martinelli’s Apple Juice
  
  ($2.50)
  
  Reed’s Extra Ginger Brew
  
  ($2.50)
  
  Housemade Lemonade
  
  ($3.00)
  
  Lamill Organic Iced Tea
  
  tropical green, bergamot black ($2.50)
  
  Lamill Organic Hot Tea
  
  ($3.50)
  
  Lamill French Press Coffee
  
  ($3.50)
  
  Classic Ice Cream Float
  
  vanilla bean ice cream, choice of boylan’s soda or fountain soda ($6.00)
Happy Hour Menu
- Small Bites
  
  Lemongrass Caramel Chicken Wings
  
  tossed with a sweet & spicy glaze ($3.00)
  
  Pork & Leek Potstickers
  
  grapefruit, tomato sambal sauce ($3.00)
  
  Napa Sesame Salad
  
  napa cabbage, carrots, red onion, cilantro, wonton strips, sesame seeds, sesame ginger dressing ($3.00)
  
  Tofu Popcorn
  
  with cilantro cashew chutney ($4.50)
  
  Thai Meatball Lettuce Wrap
  
  with mixed herbs, finger chilies, pomegranate soy glaze ($2.50)
  
  Sumac Fries
  
  housemade seasoning, ketchup ($3.50)
  
  Roasted Sesame Edamame
  
  warm with sesame sea salt ($2.50)
- Bao
  
  Original Hoisin Pork
  
  braised & pulled pork, pickled red onion, cucumbers ($4.00)
  
  Thai Peanut Chicken
  
  grilled chicken breast, thai peanut sauce, carrots, cucumbers, cilantro ($4.00)
  
  Pulled Bbq Pork
  
  braised pork, our signature bbq sauce, asian vegetable slaw ($4.00)
  
  Fried Chicken & Slaw
  
  crispy chicken breast, tamarind bbq sauce, asian vegetable slaw ($4.00)
  
  Sweet Soy Organic Tofu
  
  grilled & glazed tofu, caramelized shiitake mushrooms, pickled cucumbers, bibb lettuce ($3.00)
- Beers
  
  Lost Coast Great White, Eureka, California
  
  crisp, hint of citrus 5.0% abv ($4.00)
  
  North Coast Scrimshaw, Fort Bragg, California
  
  subtle hops, crisp, clean 4.4% abv ($4.00)
  
  Abita Amber Lager, Abita Springs, Louisiana
  
  crystal malt, perle hops, caramel flavor 4.5% abv ($4.00)
  
  Monkey Fist Ipa, Portland, Maine
  
  bitter candy, gives way to lemon citrus 6.9% abv ($4.00)
  
  Singha (bottle), Bangkok, Thailand
  
  herbal, slightly sweet 5.0% abv ($4.00)
  
  Abita Light (bottle), Abita Springs, Louisiana
  
  abita springs water, smooth 4.0% abv ($4.00)
- White Wines
  
  Lagaria Pinot Grigio, Italy, 2012
  
  pleasant fruity aroma, fresh and crisp ($6.00)
  
  Starborough Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, 2011
  
  citrus, tropical fruit, herbal notes ($6.00)
- Red Wines
  
  Bridlewood Red Blend, Central Coast, 2011
  
  full bodied blend, jammy fruits, soft tannins ($6.00)
  
  Leese-fitch Merlot, California, 2010
  
  caramelized apples, boysenberry, sage, light clove ($6.00)
- House Cocktails
  
  Basil Lemonade
  
  stoli citrus vodka, fresh lemon and orange juice, thai basil ($7.00)
  
  Wet Cucumber
  
  gordon’s gin, cucumber, fresh lime juice, mint ($7.00)
  
  Mandarin Serrano Hot Flash
  
  absolut mandarin, st. germain, fresh orange juice, passion and grapefruit juice, simple syrup, serrano chilies ($7.00)
  
  Old Fashioned
  
  maker’s mark bourbon, orange, luxardo cherry, bitters, ginger ale ($7.00)
  
  Cosmojito
  
  bacardi limón, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, kaffir syrup, fresh mint ($7.00)
  
  Kaffir Mule
  
  kaffir infused vodka, ginger beer, lime ($7.00)
- Premium Well Cocktails
  
  Premium Well Cocktails
  
  ($6.00)
Late Night Menu
- Bao
  
  Original Hoisin Pork
  
  braised & pulled pork, pickled red onion, cucumbers ($4.50)
  
  Tempura Crusted Cod
  
  alaskan cod, sambal chili tartar sauce, bibb lettuce, scallions ($5.00)
- Small Bites
  
  Lemongrass Caramel Chicken Wings
  
  tossed with a sweet & spicy glaze ($6.00)
  
  Pork & Leek Potstickers
  
  grapefruit, tomato sambal sauce ($5.00)
  
  Thai Meatball Lettuce Wraps
  
  with mixed herbs, finger chilies, pomegranate soy glaze ($5.00)
  
  Blistered Shishito Peppers
  
  warm sesame ponzu, bonito flakes ($5.00)
  
  Sweet Potato Fries
  
  housemade seasoning, citrus sambal aioli ($5.00)
  
  Sumac Fries
  
  housemade seasoning, ketchup ($4.50)
  
  Roasted Sesame Edamame
  
  warm with sesame sea salt ($3.50)
- Etc
  
  Mother-in-law’s Kimchi
  
  ($4.00)
  
  White Rice
  
  ($2.00)
  
  Brown Rice
  
  ($2.50)
- Dessert
  
  Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwich
  
  handmade cookies & ice cream. ask about our seasonal flavors ($5.50)
  
  Mom’s Carrot Cake
  
  slice of our housemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. whole cake for sale by special order ($5.50)
  
  Classic Ice Cream Float
  
  vanilla bean ice cream, choice of boylan’s soda or fountain soda ($6.00)

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