U City’s LuLu Seafood is on the Move (with more than a food truck)

It’s been hard to keep up with entrepreneur Julia Li of LuLu Seafood, LuLu Healthy Balance, and the upcoming Create Space on Delmar, but today I think we are finally up to speed on what she’s got steaming this spring.

1)  LuLu Dim Sum: This food truck was just wrapped yesterday, is permitted in both the city and the county, and will hit the streets in April. “We’ll do seafood, of course,” she confirms, “and I think we finally figured out how to steam things on board…” Also in association with the truck is Bun for Bun—a philanthropic endeavor that donates one bun to a designated charity per bun sold on the truck. She assures us her team is currently applying to the region’s plethora of food truck festivities and gatherings. 

2) LuLu Fresh Express: Set to open in June, this fast-casual spot at 9626 Olive will offer the pre-packaged meals they already sell at Dierbergs and United Provisions as well as “Porano-style” walk-through service where you can build your own wrap, plate or bowl. They focus on making dishes that remind Western civilization what food is actually like in China: really, really healthy. “Somewhere that got lost in translation,” says Julia. It specializes in meals that have no MSG, are gluten-free, dairy-free, and low in calories. But don’t worry, she says, “We’ll also have all the staples [General Tso’s, Kung Pao, etc.], because that’s what St. Louis wants.” There will be a small seating area, but it will mostly be a grab’n go approach, so as to not detract from the mainstay of Lulu Seafood down the street…  

3)  The Dragon Room: The recently renovated basement at LuLu Seafood has been transformed into a handful of private karaoke lounges. There is a large one to accommodate bigger parties, and a few smaller ones for more intimate gatherings. There are over 20,000 songs to choose from, and it will serve up the handcrafted cocktails from upstairs. She’s had a few parties as test runs, which she can only comment on through small fits of laughter: “It’s been hilarious.”