Shrouded across the street from one of Boulder’s most infamous restaurants, The Sink, is a tiny Asian street food spot. While The Sink might have the fame — it’s played host to the likes of Guy Fieri and Barack Obama — you won’t find it in the Michelin Guide.
What started as a food truck in 2016 is coming off three years of recognition from the culinary world’s highest authority, with its Boulder satellite only serving takeout.
Head chef Natascha Hess fell in love with Asian food during her time at the University of Wisconsin. While she played Division I hockey over the winter, she spent her summers studying abroad in China for three years where she fell in love with Asian cuisine.
“She’s always been a super taster,” Wade Bendsole, the director of operations, said about Hess. “Her heart’s always been with authentic Asian food.”
Hess and her husband Steve launched The Ginger Pig in 2016 and quickly gained attention in Boulder. It was named Westword’s best food truck of 2018, and Hess earned spots on both Food Network’s “Chopped” and “Beat Bobby Flay.”
The couple opened a Denver sit-down restaurant, keeping the same name, in 2020. Their small corner shop opened up on Boulder’s University Hill in October 2023. What was conceived as a ghost kitchen, just focusing on delivery, has transformed into a walk-up, takeout eatery.
“We realized we had to cater to a lot more foot traffic, which means we’ve changed the menu a few times over the last two years,” Bendsole said.
The Ginger Pig staff describes their food as delicious, gourmet dishes at an affordable price. That sentiment led them to a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2023. They’ve received one every year since.
While a full Michelin star is more associated with high-end establishments, a Bib Gourmand is given to restaurants with the most value to their meals, offering the highest quality at the lowest price.
“It was pretty awesome to me,” Andrew Edwards, a co-owner, said about the honor. “It meant we were doing what we were supposed to. It’s good food. It’s real food. It’s at a good price with a cool vibe.”
Although Hess was the original mind to the menu, Edwards does a lot of designing to the recipes himself. Staying true to authentic Asian street food, the Denver location represents the tastes of Singapore and Hong Kong while the Boulder location additionally highlights more Japanese, Chinese and Thai flavors. To keep the selection innovative, Hess still visits Asia every year and brings back the culture within the menu.
“We’ve taken it and added some more customizable options,” Bendsole said about their newest menu update last September. “We’re just constantly coming up with ways to lower the price point.”
Everything on the menu besides bread, including various gluten-free options, is made in the kitchen from scratch. The kra pao burger and char sui Chinese barbecue pork are crowd favorites, both under $15. There are cherished sweet options to tag on as well, like a kaya coconut jam and mixed berry jam French toast.
“Just always add on a French toast to your order,” Edwards said. “Even though it says French toast, it’s not what you’re used to and you can’t find it anywhere else.”
The Ginger Pig is continuing to make updates to their menu, bringing consistent authentic Asian street food to anyone that stops by.
“We’re going to give you delicious food [and] we’re going to give it to you quickly. We’re going to give it to you at a good price,” Bendsole said. “It’s probably something you’ve never had before, and it’s probably going to be delicious.”
