Bing Bing Dim Sum's Debut Is Just Around the Corner

Work is nearing completion at Bing Bing Dim Sum, the second restaurant from chef Ben Puchowitz and partner Shawn Darragh, owners of wildly popular Cheu Noodle Bar. A January opening is in sight as major facade work has been completed, kitchen equipment is in, and and late-stage interior work is well underway.

The gold ceiling going up (above) is just the tip of the iceberg as far as painting going on inside Bing Bing this month — just like at Cheu, Puchowitz and Darragh have commissioned friends and relatives to cover the place in artwork:

Expect these blank walls to be completely covered in art by opening. [Photo: Bing Bing/Twitter]

We still have yet to see the custom toilets Puchowitz mentioned in an interview earlier this year, sadly, but the chef has shared some looks at the hardware that's gone into the kitchen:

This baby is gonna get worked! #newtoys @bingbingdimsum #custom #woksteamer

A photo posted by Ben PuchowitZ (@roundeyeguy) on Nov 11, 2014 at 10:34am PST

And then, of course, there's the menu testing. From seldom-seen Hong Kong-style egg waffles to pastrami bao and namesake sesame pancakes to vats of punch, there's plenty here to torment ourselves with in the coming pre-opening weeks. Expect non-dogmatic, fusion-happy takes on traditional dumplings, buns, and more, along with a full bar and the same kind of noisy, fun atmosphere you're accustomed to at Cheu.

Bing Bing, 1648 East Passyunk Avenue, (215) 287-2533, opening January 2015.