Nudi Blue Might Be Berkeley’s Most Exciting New Restaurant

There’s a new restaurant opening in Berkeley in late March, Nudi Blue. This new gem features a cozy interior, an inventive menu, and a seasoned chef whose talent we’ve long admired and have been eager to see take on something new.

Nudi Blue is a raw bar tea house that is unlike any in the Bay Area. From the special artisanal teas – sourced from the mountaintops of Chiang Mai that are served in sculptural, earthy, figurative pottery that feels expressive rather than strictly functional – to the delicious meals expertly crafted by the Nudi Blue team, this restaurant will be a new favorite East Bay restaurant to retreat to.

Jae is one of the chefs behind the award-winning Tanzie’s in Berkeley, and has been working in the local food scene for more than a decade. He has this gift for creating dishes that are full of flavor and character, polished in their plating but never fussy. If you’ve had breakfast at Tanzie’s, you already understand the level of care he brings to the table. 

While Chef Jae shapes the flavor, his co-owner of Nudi Blue, Binn, shapes the feeling. Binn brings a completely different, but equally compelling experience to the table. Originally from Thailand, he spent over 20 years directing commercials and running a production company. His world has always been storytelling, branding, and crafting atmosphere. Honestly, the perfect experience and foundation for creating a space with Jae.

And where did the name come from? Jae tells us more about that and the concept:

“Nudi Blue takes its name from the Nudibranch, a small, colorful, and rare deep-sea creature. Like the memorable sight of this sea slug, the founders hope the space creates a lasting impression. Nudi Blue embodies a playful yet meticulous spirit, blending creativity with careful attention to detail”

We’re going to talk about the tea and the food but I want to touch on a more personal reason this restaurant opening is worth getting excited about. We’re living in a time when showing up for someone feels even more meaningful. There’s something deeply comforting about becoming one of the first regulars and cheering someone on in real life with a seat at the bar and your tea in hand. Supporting people in our community as they take big creative leaps feels grounding in times where we need more of that. Being there at the beginning of something that matters in a chef’s life as well as a new restaurant co-ownership.

Chef Jae is stepping into something entirely his own and building a menu that is a combination of all of his influences throughout his career and his life. While much of Jae’s career has been rooted in Thai restaurants and that influence will shine through at Nudi Blue, what’s most exciting is watching him expand and grow into this new chapter as a chef. There’s something really exciting about watching a chef have room to experiment, to stretch, to discover a new voice through food. It’s not just the next project. It feels like a personal evolution.

And then there’s Binn’s background in storytelling and atmosphere that perfectly balances Jae’s culinary vision. Nudi Blue will not just be a place to eat, but a space where every detail has been thoughtfully considered, from handmade ceramics by one of Thailand’s top ceramicists, Doe Din Dang, to the warm, earthy tones throughout the room. His influence is in the subtle touches that make the space feel approachable and intimate.

Are you a tea drinker? I admit, I like it OK but I loved every tea I sampled when I spent an afternoon sipping with Binn and Jae, talking through their plans for the space. I swear, you haven’t truly tried Earl Grey or Rose Tea until you’ve sampled the teas at Nudi Blue. There’s magic in every sip.

This tea is swoon-worthy to the max and there are plans to have the tea pair perfectly with the food that accompanies it. This tea was shipped directly to Nudi Blue from the mountains of Thailand. Jae tells me more about the origin of the tea:

”Morning service will feature an exquisite selection of high-quality teas, handpicked from the mountains of Chiang Mai, accompanied by an array of pastries, tarts, and crepes. The quintessential way to experience the essence of our offerings is through our afternoon tea service, which serves as an exploration of the Chiang Mai Mountains. In this service, the tea takes center stage, while the accompanying bites play a supportive role.”

What else is on the menu? We’re bringing you this news so early that the menu hasn’t been finalized yet. But expect to see a raw bar menu that perfectly pairs with every tea available. Patrons will be encouraged to share plates with others at the table as well as enjoy teas from small tea pots perfect for 1 or for tea sampling in a group. 

The opening is just Phase 1 of this project. In Phase 2, they plan to add a full dinner program. The goal is to develop it into a more defined fine dining experience which is approachable, and thoughtfully considered with more magic to share.

Chef Jae also has cocktail experience from his days of honing his skills as a bartender at Nightbird and Alexander’s. Rumor has it that there might be a cocktail menu coming in the future and I can’t even begin to imagine how Jae might bring the exquisite teas at Nudi Blue into a cocktail menu.

Also, expect to see some smaller art events and maybe even some music to underscore the vibes Nudi Blue will bring. I’m looking forward to it all, cup in hand, sipping on a beautiful tea and enjoying something delicious.

Where can you find Nudi Blue?
IG: @nudi.blue
Address: 2049 San Pablo Ave.,Berkeley CA