The building at 2920 N. Oracle Road has come to life once again.
The savory aroma of freshly cooked beef and sesame oil fills the air, making your stomach rumble the moment you step out of your car. The walkway leading to the door is illuminated by rows of twinkling Chinese lanterns and the relaxing sound of water trickling down a stone fountain.
Inside, each table features a Chinese Zodiac placemat where you can determine your sign’s compatibility before a steaming bowl of wonton soup is placed in front of you. From the décor to the family recipes, every detail of this new spot breathes life back into the historic building.
We can thank Bianca and Lenny Mark for that.
Bamboo Noodle House is the latest restaurant to call the former El Chinito Gordo and Club 21 building home, serving authentic Chinese noodle dishes crafted from family recipes that span generations.
Lenny Mark is no stranger to Tucson’s culinary scene. His parents opened the Cantonese restaurant Bamboo Terrace at 1754 W. Ajo Way in 1983. Lenny began working there at age 14, learning everything from wok cooking to business management.
In 2019, Lenny and Bianca opened El Chinito Gordo in the former Club 21 building. For years, they served Mexican fusion dishes before making the difficult decision to close their doors last May. Running two restaurants had taken its toll, leaving the couple exhausted. They decided to shift their focus entirely to Bamboo Terrace.
While the family restaurant thrived, a trip to Apple Annie’s Orchard sparked a new idea. After running into friends who later visited him at Bamboo Terrace to share their own projects, Lenny felt the creative spark return. He was ready to go back to his old stomping grounds—but this time, he was bringing noodles.
“We didn't want to do another Bamboo Terrace,” Lenny said. “We wanted a simplified menu with things that we usually have to go out of town for.”
Whatever noodle you’re craving, Bamboo Noodle House has it: thck, spaghetti-like noodles for the fan-favorite lo mein; flat rice noodles for the chow fun; crispy noodles for the Cantonese chow mein; and long, thin noodles for the wonton soups. Lenny’s father always stressed that the right type of noodle is crucial for proper proportions.
“At first, I didn't see the difference, and he said, ‘Oh, there's a difference,’” Lenny recalled. “He took me to some places where it was done how he wanted, and I finally understood.”
That attention to detail, mixed with beloved family recipes, makes Bamboo Noodle House stand out. During a Wednesday lunch rush, the restaurant buzzed with conversation. Since opening in late January, it has quickly become a Westside hotspot.
A banana matcha from Bamboo Noodle House.
The menu offers everything from orange chicken and spicy braised beef noodle soup to fried rice with chicharron. I opted for the beef chow fun and an order of homemade dumplings. They also serve boba drinks and matcha lattes; Lenny’s niece, a boba enthusiast, sources high-quality matcha for the shop. My banana matcha was a perfect balance of fruitiness and rich, earthy tea.
The dumplings arrived with a soft, snappy exterior and a flavorful interior. My favorite part was the pan-fried bottom, which provided a satisfying crunch.
Next came a mountain of beef chow fun. The flat rice noodles were tossed in a savory, smoky sauce with white and green onions, bean sprouts, and tender beef. Every bite was better than the last — the noodles were perfectly coated, neither dry nor swimming in sauce. It is the ideal comfort meal, the kind that makes you wish you were curled up on the couch watching a movie.
Chow fun with beef from Bamboo Noodle House.
Whether you are a longtime Bamboo Terrace fan or are still grieving the loss of El Chinito Gordo, you can count on Bamboo Noodle House to satisfy your cravings, one giant bowl of noodles at a time.
