Ei8ht Noodles offers stand-out dishes

Why: Ei8ht Noodles recently opened in the space next to Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek where Bamboo Hut used to be. The family-friendly restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and has been remodeled to welcome diners into a modern, comfortable environment where they may choose from a light selection of Thai favorites that include both meat and vegetarian dishes.

What I tried: My dining companions and I had the mee krob with shrimp, the Saigon rolls with chicken, the Asian steamed bun with pork, and the barbecue pork fried rice. We also sampled the Thai boat noodles and the dragon noodles.

Three of our selections stood out from the others: the mee krob, the Asian steamed bun, and the barbecue pork fried rice. The mee krob was a limited-time dish made of crispy noodles that were somewhat stuck together with a sweet and sour sauce and topped off with lightly battered, deep-fried shrimp. The result was a whimsical, sweet and airy mound of crisp noodles matched with tender, delicious shrimp.

The Asian steamed bun was filled with tasty pork slices, sliced carrots, cilantro and a touch of teriyaki sauce. The bun was quite fascinating; it resembled a pillow. It tasted similar to white bread, and although it appeared that it might be a bit doughy, it was nice and fluffy and held together well. I found the steamed bun sandwich, which is about the size of a street taco, a welcome departure from deli and panini sandwiches.

The barbecue pork fried rice was artfully presented by pressing the main ingredients — curry rice, pineapple, barbecue pork, egg, raisins and onions — into a short tower and topping it with dried pork, green onion, cashews and cilantro. The dried pork had a fuzzy texture, which added interest and a kick of extra saltiness to the dish.

The Saigon rolls were served with hoisin sauce and crushed peanuts for dipping. Within the sticky rice wrap was a combination of stir-fried shredded vegetables, basil, crushed peanuts and chicken (you may opt for tofu instead of chicken). The rolls were a little difficult to eat because the warm ingredients within rendered the wrap stickier than usual and somewhat delicate, but they were appetizing.

The Thai boat noodles were served in a generously sized bowl filled with an extremely sweet pork broth, which leaves a hint of a flavor close to cinnamon in every sip. Thinly sliced beef, rice noodles, bean sprouts, green onion, peanut and bok choy also were part of the dish.

The dragon noodles consisted of rice noodles, bean sprouts, tofu, chicken and dried shrimp with a sweet sauce. The flavors in the dish did not pair well with one another. The dish seemed to have grand ideas, of perhaps a three-in-one type of meal, but it fell short of success. The dried shrimp was out of place, and chicken and tofu did not belong in the same dish.

Atmosphere: A cool, balanced palette of subtle colors provided the foundation for the uncluttered decor. Wood tables and chairs upholstered in autumn shades brought warmth to the space, and halogen track lights supplied an even amount of light. A wall bench with tables and chairs and a few free-standing booths provided a variety of seating options. Each table was set with a petite, artificial succulent.

Menu highlights beyond what I tried: The chicken salad, which combines grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes and onions with Vietnamese vinaigrette, sounded like a simple and fresh option. The coconut vermicelli noodle salad with grilled chicken or crispy tofu, served with mixed greens, pickled carrots, bean sprouts, cucumber, cilantro and a touch of Ei8ht Noodles’ special coconut sauce, sounded intriguing. Among the noodle dishes was an entree made with roasted duck. Also on the menu are udon, chicken satay rice, teriyaki meat (chicken, shrimp or salmon), and tofu combinations. Dessert options consist of roti ice cream and roti Ovaltine. Beverages include soda, tea, fresh coconut juice, Thai iced tea, Thai coffee and milk tea to which you may add boba. Ei8ht Noodles also has two beers on tap and a few bottled options.

Other observations: I found the service to be super attentive and polite. The atmosphere is comfortable and the vibe is unhurried. To-go service is available.