First Look: Zenwich in the Central West End

When people move to a new city, they usually have to leave their favorite restaurants behind. In the case of Zenwich, restaurateur Chai Ploentham (Blue Ocean Restaurant) has found a way to bring his favorite Chicago sandwich shop with him to St. Louis. Yesterday, Monday, June 1, he opened the restaurant’s second location at 8 S. Euclid Ave. 

“All my friends said, ‘Dude, you gotta bring it to St. Louis,’” Ploentham told Sauce in January. Once he found the right location in Central West End, he finally decided to go forward with the project. 

“This corner is surrounded by Brasserie and Taste bar – a lot of great businesses here, and I want to be part of it,” he said. 

The menu is evenly split between sandwiches, ramen and sides, with two salads (creamy sesame, tangy ginger) and three kids’ menu options (grilled chicken breast, chicken tenders and crispy vegan teriyaki). Sandwiches include the spicy garlic shrimp, Thai barbecue and a teriyaki katsu, and can be served on bread or in a rice paper wrap. All sandwiches can be made with tofu. Ramen includes spicy miso, black garlic pork bone and a seafood ramen with Bay scallops, Maine lobster and Alaskan snow crab. 

For Ploentham, there was a method behind the unique menu. “Being Zen means having peace of mind. The logo represents that – the idea that everything relates to another thing,” he said. “On the menu, we have five sandwiches and five ramen. One of each kind of protein.” He added that the pasta is locally made. 

As of now, the restaurant has no bar program, but Ploentham intends to introduce one eventually. 

Patrons can currently dine on the patio or order online for carryout or delivery. 

Check out the slideshow below for information on hours, seating and more.