Duy Tran Is Taking Over the Menu at Bao Nation Next Week

After the briefest of stints taking over the menu at Monroe Restaurant and Night Club in Central Square, chef Duy Tran has crossed Mass. Ave. and will be running the menu over at Bao Nation starting next Tuesday, the chef told Eater.

Tran previously pioneered a concept called DooWee & Rice, which first opened in Somerville and later took up residence at Wonder Bar in Allston. He debuted a menu at Monroe on August 1, but his tenure there ended just a few days later as the establishment dealt with an issue with the city of Cambridge.

After some chatter of where he might end up, Tran did some traveling and catering, and he is now ready to step into his new role with Bao Nation, located at 571 Massachusetts Ave. near the H Mart.

Tran polled supporters to gauge what they wanted from the restaurant’s menu, and he will be revamping the bao while adding in his signature wings, a selection of poutine-style french fry items, and a "night market-style" menu for Bao Nation’s walk-up window.

"With the walk-up window we'll utilize all the parking we have off of Mass. Ave., and I would love to generate a late-night crowd, so I will personally be switching up late-night dishes only available at the window," Tran told Eater.

Those dishes, he said, will include his own take on cup noodles, which will be introduced as the weather changes, along with a "soupy toast" that will be a Cambodian beef rendang with toasted baguette.

• Central Square’s Monroe Gets New Chef But May Get New Restrictions [EBOS]
• DooWee’s @ Monroe Closes Indefinitely Amid Venue Changes [EBOS]