A new Vietnamese restaurant is on the way to Mt. Juliet. LUBU Kitchen will open this spring at 12910 Lebanon Road, owner Cuong Dinh told What Now Nashville.
“I have been working in the hospitality industry as a chef since 2013. Opening a restaurant is one of my dreams,” Dinh said. “It’s a great opportunity here in America to make it happen.”
LUBU, which means “busy,” was inspired by Dinh’s parents, who often used the word in the kitchen as they cooked for the family.
“LUBU is a tribute to those unforgettable days in Vietnam and to the home-cooked flavors that brought us together,” according to a statement.
LUBU will offer Vietnamese cuisine including pho and banh mi, as well as Vietnamese coffee and bar offerings such as cocktails and beer. Menu items will be made in house daily. Eventually, LUBU will also offer breakfast.
“We’ll focus on producing healthy food. In Vietnamese cuisine, we have a lot of veggie dishes, so we’ll focus on nutritious dishes,” Dinh said.
The space will seat about 90 people inside and 20 outside, and renderings display a color scheme of earthy tones with greenery throughout the space. Construction on the space is ongoing.
“The inspiration is that we want a homestyle design where it feels very warm and welcoming,” Dinh said.
Dinh hopes to open in the spring, with the exact opening timeline depending on renovations and shipping timelines for materials coming from Vietnam.
