La Boba, the bubble tea shop at 2614 N. Proctor St., launched a savory Vietnamese food menu on Sept. 14.
The expansion brings bánh mì, rice and vermicelli bowls, spring rolls and chicken wings to a storefront previously known for milk teas and croffles. Most items cost less than $13, first reported by the Tacoma News Tribune.
The expansion comes weeks after Fondi Pizzeria closed its doors Sept. 26 after years on the block. La Boba joins Toast Mì, another bánh mì shop on N. Proctor St. that opened in 2020 and has since expanded to Seattle and Lacey.
House bánh mì run $8.95 to $10.95 on a crunchy baguette with pâté, a butter-mayo spread, pickled daikon and carrot, cucumber, cilantro and jalapeño. Protein choices include grilled pork, chicken, beef, lemongrass tofu and dac biet, a Vietnamese cold-cut combination.
Rice and vermicelli bowls cost $12.95 to $13.95 with sweet-and-sour fish sauce. A house special bowl runs $14.95, or $15.95 with beef.
Snacks round out the menu: spring rolls with shrimp and Vietnamese ham ($7.95 for two), crab rangoon and chicken wings ($10.95 for five) in flavors like garlic parmesan, lemon pepper and fish sauce.
La Boba opened its Proctor location in 2024, selling bubble tea and croffles, which are waffled croissants priced at $9.50 to $10.50. The brand has since added shops in Lacey and Marysville, but the Proctor store appears to be the first to serve hot food, according to the News Tribune.
The shop shares a building with La Bella Nail Spa. Its kitchen closes at 7 p.m. daily. Full hours are Sunday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. In-person ordering is recommended. DoorDash delivery is available with a slight upcharge.
The Proctor District's community Instagram account welcomed the change on Sept. 15, one day after the kitchen opened:
@proctor: "They'll be doing their best to work efficiently and get your orders out as quickly as they can while still making sure everything is made with care."
La Boba also plans to sell pumpkin-themed croffles and pumpkin milk teas or coffee in fall 2026, a first for the Proctor location.
