La Dong

Walked in right when they opened without a reservation and was seated right away. The first impression was great. It’s a beautifully decorated, high-end Vietnamese restaurant with a modern vibe. Service was friendly but felt a bit rushed. I only received one of my appetizers before the main course arrived, and the other one came after the noodles. For a high-end restaurant I would expect foods should be served in order. Food presentation was on point, but the portions were quite small. I ordered the Wagyu pho and bún bò Huế. Honestly, I didn’t enjoy either dish. I’ve been to over 100 pho spots across many cities, and I’d say the broth and noodles here were just average. Given the price easily the most expensive pho I’ve ever had. I expected a lot more in terms of depth and flavor. I was very thirsty for the next several hours also. That said, I might be biased from rich pho culture in the SF Bay Area. I don’t mind paying premium prices if the food quality matches, but in this case, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I’d recommend this place more for a date night or group gathering where ambiance matters. But if you’re a serious foodie or pho lover like me, you might want to skip it.

La Dong is a Fine Dining Vietnamese restaurant with traditional, sophisticated, beautiful, clean and impressive design that is rare around this level of food places. The quiet noble wood sculpture and the ceiling with the umbrellas ☔️ is the stage for a very very good food. I took only the PHO 🍜 BEEF 🥩 the broth was perfect and full of flavors , the beef slices were also delicious and melt-in-the-mouth, and I love the red chili 🌶️ pepper that comes with it on the side. It gave another boost. The staff is very knowledgeable and really nice.

Finally found a delicious Vietnamese restaurant by accident! We passed by this Vietnamese restaurant today and decided to give it a try! Beautiful interior design, exquisite wood sculpture design and decoration with traditional Vietnamese umbrellas and bamboo lanterns, let your eyes. We ordered traditional Vietnamese Pho, which was amazing! great quality of beef balls which I added extra, the beef slices were also melt-in-the-mouth, delicate onions made the soup sweet. I highly recommend beef Pho. The service staff was very friendly and polite! We will definitely come back!

Been twice and both times the service and food were fantastic! Even though they do have the staple Vietnamese dishes, they also incorporate flavors and textures which elevates the food. I particularly enjoyed the crunchy element in the Summer Roll Shrimp and the dipping sauce is incredible! The presentation of each dish is stunning as well. Though the price point is high for Vietnamese cuisine, it’s definitely worth every penny! Really incredible dining experience and definitely recommend this spot!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at La Dong, and it was an unforgettable experience. The moment I walked in, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, with charming decorations that reflect the delightful culture of Vietnam. We started our evening with two signature cocktails, the 888 and 2628, both of which were refreshing and perfectly balanced. For our appetizers, we ordered the Vietnamese beef carpaccio and Bánh Xèo. The carpaccio was beautifully presented, with tender slices of beef complemented by fresh herbs and The Bánh Xèo were crispy and filled with shrimp, Vietnamese pork sausage and vegetables. making for a delightful start to our dining experience. For the entrees, we chose Bún Chả Hanoi and Cá Chiên Nước Mắm. The Bún Chả was incredible, featuring perfectly grilled pork, crab & shrimp spring roll, vermicelli noodles and serve with a sweet fish sauce dip. The Cá Chiên Nước Mắm, crispy fried fish drizzled with a flavorful sweet fish sauce, was the highlight of the evening, with its tantalizing taste and texture. Our bartender’s Earth at La Dong was exceptional, he was friendly and knowledgeable, providing great recommendations that enhanced our dining experience. Overall, La Dong exceeded my expectations, offering a fantastic blend of delicious food, refreshing drinks, and welcoming service. I highly recommend it to anyone craving authentic Vietnamese cuisine, and I can’t wait to return for another delightful meal!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+ I wish I could give more than 5 stars! The beef pho and spring rolls are an absolute must try -packed with flavor and so satisfying. The service was excellent, and the staff made me feel genuinely welcome. The food? Honestly, some of the best Vietnamese 🇻🇳 I’ve ever had. I’ll definitely be coming back again and again. Highly recommend!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at this amazing Vietnamese restaurant, and I have to say, it was an incredible experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious – every dish was packed with authentic flavors and fresh ingredients. I especially loved the pho; the broth was rich , and the noodles were perfectly cooked. What made the experience even better was the excellent service, specifically her name is Jab and Dream. The staff were so friendly and attentive, always making sure we had everything we needed. They were happy to recommend dishes and explain the menu, which was really helpful. The atmosphere of the restaurant was cozy and welcoming, making it a great spot for both casual meals and special occasions. I can’t recommend this place enough – if you’re a fan of Vietnamese cuisine or just looking for a great dining experience, this is definitely the place to go!

Found this place via a list of best Vietnamese restaurants in NYC so my expectation was high as I was already familiar with a couple on the list and they are excellent. Well my expectations were exceeded. The food is inventive in addition to classics, but above everything the execution is brilliant. Seasoning is precise flavors come through on multiple levels. This place is worth a detour if you are not around Union Square.

Loved it, I'm not a repeat person but I'll come back here :) Food is yummy, service friendly and fast, and ambiance is lively! I didn't have any traditional Vietnamese dishes but I'll come back for that to see how they are. The items I did try - sugarcane shrimp, ca chien nuoc mam (fried branzino), and dry duck noodle were delicious! People who like sweet sauces will like the sauces here. Everything is very flavorful and plated nicely. Our server was great and sooo fast. They clear the table and make room for more dishes for you. We finished paying and sat and chatted for 10-15 min and they didn't rush us out which was very nice of them. Overall coming back to try more :)

It's not good as I expected, one of the reason might be because the AC cold down the food during I was chatting with my friends. Most of the dishes were not surprising, it's just regular Vietnam food. I really like the coconut sea salt coffee, which is really special! Recommend this drink to everyone

We got the soft shell crab salad, crab fried rice (good amount of lump crab on top) and bun bo hue! Everything was a good portion size with nice flavors. The bun bo hue had a nice flavor with a large pork knuckle and the pork blood which I don't usually enjoy was very soft and pleasantly not too iron-y. Only reason it's not 4-5 stars is because we kept feeling rushed. The waitstaff asked us no less than 5 times if we were done despite me responding with we were still eating/picking each time. They also completely forgot my friends iced coffee Pricey for Vietnamese food but recommend trying it at least once.

The food, atmosphere, and interior is so lovely. The decor inside is stunning and they've done a nice job decorating. I came here with a friend for lunch and we had a good time. We both got the lunch special bahn mi which comes with a soup or salad. I also got a Vietnamese coffee and it was delicious. Service was really attentive and prompt. Probably a touch more expensive because La Dong appears to skew a little more upscale but the bahn mi was great and the dressing for the salad was phenomenal. I would definitely come here again to try other dishes.

I've been let down by most Vietnamese restaurants I've tried in NYC. Growing up in California, I was spoiled by spots in San Jose, Westminster, Garden Grove, and home cooked meals from my mom. I've also eaten all over Vietnam - north, central, and south - so my standards are high. I've tried a lot of places in Jersey and NYC and nothing really stood out until I came across La Dong. We were hesitant at first. The space looks upscale and the prices are definitely on the high end - $18 for a banh mi, for example when I'm used to paying $6. I didn't have high hopes going in. However, this place really really surprised me. The cha ca la vong was grilled just right with a balanced mix of flavors and herbs - I actually prefer it over Thien Long in San Jose. The bun cha hanoi had juicy, plump meatballs and a well balanced nuoc cham. It didn't have the smoky edge you get in Vietnam from charcoal grilling but that's understandable. What they did with the meat gave it a unique character that still worked. Even though it's several times the price of what you'd pay in Hanoi, the flavors are all there - honestly better than a lot of places I've been to in Vietnam - and I've had a lot of bun cha. I was still skeptical about the $18 banh mi, but it was clear they put effort into it. The pate tasted housemade, the cha lua was legit, and the bread had the right crisp though I wish it had more chew like the ones in Saigon which has more humidity and hydration when baked. I also wanted more pate and mayo like how they do it at Banh Mi Ba Huynh. Still, it was a solid banh mi and worth trying. We also ordered the mam tom cocktail. It sounds super questionable - nuoc mam and mam ruoc - but it actually worked. It was surprisingly balanced and refreshing considering how strong those flavors usually are. Our waitresses were super friendly and attentive. I've already started telling my friends about La Dong and I'll definitely be back!

What an unexpected (Michelin Guide) GEM near Union Square for upscale Vietnamese food! My friend and I took advantage of their weekday lunch special (runs from 11:30 am-3:30 pm), which affords you a $16-19 main dish (pho, banh mi, or noodle/rice dish), accompanied by a salad or soup. For a restaurant like this where dinner entrees run for $21-43, this is a fantastic deal. The portions were excellently sized, and our dishes were really tasty. My friend also got Vietnamese iced coffee and it was giant. They have the full range of beer, wine, fancier cocktails, and a robust list of non-alcoholic options, so there's something for everyone. In addition, the restaurant itself is stunning and photogenic. It is perfect for an intimate meal or to bring a date you want to impress. Enjoy!

- impeccable service - tasty lunch specials - drinks look good, but iv never partaken - bright environment - spacious - fast turnover - i really liked the dry pho was similar to pad thai - chicken wings are tasty good portions for appetizer they are fried in fish oil, so there is a fish after taste - i enjoyed the fried rice

Tried La Dong for lunch and it did not disappoint! Started with the banh xeo (kind of like a Vietnamese taco)--super crispy and packed with flavor, definitely a must-try. For mains, we got the lunch special pork over rice and beef pho. Both were awesome, the pho broth was super rich and the pork was tender and tasty. The service was friendly and on point the whole time. Everyone that worked there came around and took empty plates and trash on our table when there was a need. Chill vibe, great food, and solid portions. Definitely coming back. Highly recommend if you're looking for some legit Vietnamese food in NYC!

I had a truly impressive dinner with friends (lovely dinning environment) , the pho here is easily one of the best I've had in NYC. They offer both a classic pho and a wagyu version; I went with the wagyu this time, but I'm already looking forward to trying the regular one on my next visit. The menu features a great selection of appetizers, highly recommend the spring rolls, they were fresh and flavorful. For dessert, the coconut ice cream really stood out. It was creamy, rich, and honestly better than what you'd find at many dedicated ice cream shops. They also have a solid cocktail menu with some great options to round out the meal. Overall, an excellent dining experience.

NYC lacks good vietnamese food... so was super excited to hear that La Dong opened up! While not the best Vietnamese food I have ever had, it is pretty good for NYC standards. Service is super fast and it is also easy to get a last minute res here :) - spring rolls (3/5): not super impressed by this. looked better in other photos I saw online (I wish the texture was a bit more like a nest), so maybe today was an off day for this dish. - papaya salad (2.5/5): not terrific papaya salad either. I would opt into one of the other salads - banh mi (4.2/5): this was my favorite dish of the night! they were able to cut it into 4 pieces for the 4 of us and the truffle broth was heavenly. the ingredients inside the banh mi were OK, but the sandwich overall was delectable and the bread was soft and crunchy! - pho (4/5): pho is also one of the better ones I have had in NYC. The noodles were solid and the broth was really good. Only thing is I wish the meat was a bit soft and tender, and also wish there was option to add tripe! - cha ca (2.5/5): I have had Cha ca in hanoi before and this did not taste like it. The flavors felt a bit off and did not love how the fish was cooked Solid Vietnamese food - def try the pho and the banh mi!

Food/drinks: delicious but I wouldn't say truly traditional Vietnamese! Got pho but needed some sauce to change things up. Really loved the grapefruit salad dish though!! Atmosphere: very cute inside! Service: friendly and good Price: $$, as expected but pretty small portions

***Excellent Service, Resys Recommended, Great Ambiance*** I came here on a Friday evening and was able to secure reservations at the last minute. It was definitely packed so I would not recommend walking in. The food was very delicious and filling. I would definitely come back!

If you're looking for Vietnamese cuisine that hits both the comfort and wow factor, La Dông is it. From the moment we walked in, the space blew us away--warm wooden accents, arched details, and vintage-style lanterns gave it a cozy yet upscale vibe. It somehow feels both like a hidden gem and a trendy destination at the same time. I ordered the shrimp with sugarcane served alongside a flavorful plum dipping sauce. It was beautifully presented and delicious--the shrimp was tender and savory with a hint of sweetness from the sugarcane, and the plum sauce added the perfect tangy balance. My friends ordered the bánh mì and a bowl of pho. The bánh mì was generously filled and had that satisfying crunch you hope for in the bread. The pho had a rich, aromatic broth and was topped with fresh herbs and tender cuts of meat--definitely a standout. Service was friendly and attentive, and even though the place was buzzing, we never felt rushed. La Dông makes a strong case for being one of the best Vietnamese spots in the city--not just for the food, but for the full experience. I'll definitely be back

Solid Vietnamese food spot with classic and also unique dishes!! My friend and I ordered the following to share: -steamed fried rice: this is unique. Each tiny dish has a piece of rice cake at the bottom of the toppings. You add the dipping sauce to the tiny dishes and use a spoon to scoop it up to eat. -bun cha Hanoi: this reminds me of other Vietnamese vermicelli dishes I've had in the past but the presentation of this dish is cool. It was also fun to construct your own wraps with the veggies, vermicelli, and meat. -crab fried rice: a good balance of crab meat and rice, a stable dish that you can't go wrong with. All the dishes were super delicious overall with beautiful presentation. Service is quick and attentive. Great ambiance and the interior design is super cool!!

SERVICE - located near union square park - making a reservation is recommended as they are were crowded even on a weekday evening - once seated servers want you to order quickly though are patient if you ask questions about the menu - ambiance good for a semi casual meal MENU - wide selection of Vietnamese classic and special dishes - some vegetarian and vegan options - average price ($18 per entree) FOOD - tofu mushroom banh mi (5/10): grilled oyster and shimeji mushrooms with shredded carrots and fried tofu in a toasted baguette served with a side of mushroom broth. To make it vegan I asked for the mayo to be removed. The portion is very generous and lasted me two meals. I was underwhelmed by the taste of the filling especially the tofu. A good banh mi for me is one that has a lot of freshness from the herbs and pickles and has a firm tofu that could be marinated for more flavor. This tofu just tasted fried and there was not enough herbs. WOULD I GO BACK? As a vegan, no, but for someone who eats meat there are more options.

Super authentic and amazing ($20) Pho. Labeled with good ingredients. And the coffee was also chef's kiss. Loved the decor and detail to the style of cooking from that region.

Nothing special - HONESTLY, the food is good, but it's overpriced, but that's Manhattan culture for you! It also leans more towards "fusion", as it's the sister restaurant of Pranakhon + Thai Villa, both of which are Thai restaurants, and you see the fusion in the menu with the option of Crab Fried Rice. For apps, I'd rec the Steamed Rice Cakes, which come in a portion of 4 small dishes. The Chicken Wings weren't bad, just quite slim and pretty sweet. We got the Fried Branzino, which comes with a bowl of rice. It looked much easier to eat than the Dill + Turmeric version. It was good, but again, overpriced! I'd SKIP the Wagyu Pho - the theatrics where they pour in the broth is pretty much what you pay for, besides the meat, but we also got the regular Beef Pho and they pretty much tasted the same!! These are also supposedly Northern style pho styles, but my Viet friend noted that the broth didn't taste very northern. Staff is GREAT! Overall, I'm glad that I tried this spot, but would go elsewhere for comparable taste and cheaper prices.

WOW!!! We happened to be in the area and decided to check out it out. The hostesses were very friendly despite being walk-ins and took our cocktail orders while we waited. The four of us went with the server's recommendations and shared the following: -summer roll (really flavorful) -crepe/Banh xeo (a modern spin of the traditional crepe, tasty) -shaking beef (the only dish that didn't taste as good as what you'd get at a regular Vietnamese place) -morning glory (small portion but yummy) - banh mi (generous portion, and surprisingly delicious) - fried fish/ca chien nouc mam (OMG! This was the dish..good to share too) Beautiful decors, delicious & boozy cocktails (Red Dao), attentive service, and amazing food...it doesn't get any better than that!

I don't eat at a lot of Vietnamese restaurants in NYC so I was really looking forward to trying La Dong. As soon as I stepped in, I could tell this is one of the prettiest restaurants I've ever been to. Everything from the ceilings, to the walls, to the tables were decorated beautifully. To start off, they give you complimentary shrimp chips & paste. The service from start to finish was impeccable. They took my order pretty quickly and I had little wait time for my drinks/food. They were thoughtful in explaining any dishes I had a question with, they replaced our plates in between appetizers and entrees, and would constantly clean the crumbs or empty plates on our table throughout the night. They also provided wipes for your handed to use as a lot of the appetizers require you to use your hands to make wraps. Here is what I ordered: Sugarcane Shrimp - consistency was like a fish ball (but shrimp...) and the sauce was sweet and tangy Crispy Spring Rolls - so crispy and juicy, doesn't look like the authentic spring rolls I've tried at other places but it was so good in it's own way and the cabbage/cilantro balances out the oils Dry Duck Noodle - never tried this type of dish before (because I normally order pho) but I wanted to try something new, the noodles had flavors I never had before and the duck was CRISPY to perfection on the outside and well flavored/moist on the inside Classic Banh Mi - baguette was so crispy and the ingredients inside were so fresh, it comes with a side of truffle soup which complimented it so well and helped wash it down None of the dishes disappointed! PLEASE TRY THIS PLACE

For a cute date night or GNO, La Dong is up your alley! Adorned with cute decor & a gorgeous mural when you step into the resto, this place is worth visiting for good aesthetics and good food. Make ressies before heading in - save yourself the wait!

Really good food, super attentive staff, and stunningly decorated space. We had the sugarcane shrimp appetizer, classic bahn mi, and Waygu pho. All were delicious, but the bahn mi stood out as especially elevated -- it came with a truffle soup that was a perfect compliment to the fresh toppings and flavourful meat filling. The staff were highly attentive, keeping the water glasses full, removing all trash from the table almost instantaneously, and guiding you through your space. The decor is varied and stunning, everything shows a great attention to detail -- beautiful space for a delicious meal!

Beautiful space, delicious food, fast service. Make sure you get a reservation during peak hours, it gets very busy on the weekend. We got a bunch of things to share and the highlights for me were the pâté, chicken wings, wagyu pho and the grilled Bronzino with dill. Will definitely be back if I'm craving for Vietnamese!

We walked in around 6pm on a Thursday and were able to get seated right away. The ambiance of the place is lovely and the service was incredible. Everyone was super friendly and the food literally came out within 10 minutes. It was one of the quickest dinners I've ever had. As far as the food is concerned, I really loved my pho. The broth felt clean and smooth, and the beef was super tender. My only complaint was that the portions seemed small for the price. Otherwise, it might be my favorite pho spot in the city (for now).

Delicious Vietnamese food and great service made La Dong an excellent choice for dinner! The menu is full of classic dishes, with small twists. The summer rolls were packed with fresh ingredients, but eschewed the peanut sauce in favor of something that almost tasted like a curry. The pho was delicious, with a fantastic broth and lots of meat. The thicker noodles weren't my favorite, but still good! And they skip the usual accoutrements, giving only two sides to add to your bowl. Prices weren't too bad for all the food you get. I'd stop by here again for sure!

La Dong is a beautifully and culturally adorned spacious Vietnamese restaurant around Union square. Somehow it kept coming up on my insta newsfeed which led to our weekend lunch here. Reservations were very easy to make. The service needs improvement in that they were too attentively trying to clear food from our table when we were still eating. We hadn't even been there for an hour yet so we felt rushed and unable to enjoy catching up. The food was really good though. I really liked the crab fried rice. My friends really enjoyed the pho. The crispy spring rolls were above average as well. Despite the good food, not sure if we are going to come back given the rushed service.

Tried La Dong for lunch as a family and had a great experience! While they don't have a ton of veggie options, there are enough to have a choice, including a veggie bahn mi and pho. They don't do changes or substitutions, so nothing else can be modified to be made vegetarian. The service was AMAZING. They were so kind and accommodating of our toddler. They gave us an extra table for more space and brought out crackers and pieces of pomelo especially for him! We ordered: Summer Roll Cara Cara - Loved the flavor added by the cara cara oranges and the peanut sauce was . Tofu and Mushroom Bánh Mì - Big enough to last two meals and comes with truffle soup. A few too many mushrooms for me, but I loved the tofu and spicy mayo. As far as the space, the bar and dining area are beautiful with elegant Vietnamese touches throughout. Even the bathrooms are thoughtfully done (I love the sink!). I would go back just to sit at the bar and get a drink...the espresso martini is calling my name.

We were able to make a same day reservation on the weekend. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, but the tables were a bit close together. The service was friendly and we were able to take our time. We ordered the Bún Chả Hanoi which comes with grilled pork skewers, crab & shrimp spring roll, vermicelli, fresh herbs, pickle & sweet fish sauce dip. We also got the Pho Hà Nội which comes with rice noodle, slow cooked brisket, raw chuck eye, shallot, scallion, cilantro, side of pickled garlic & bird eye chili. This was plenty of food for 2 people and we were both full after. The pho soup was flavorful and it came with a good portion of meat. I wish the waitress explained how to properly eat the Bún Chả Hanoi, but we just made rolls with the lettuce and rice noodles and meat. The grilled pork and spring rolls were flavorful and well prepared. I will definitely be back!

10/10!! This restaurant was phenomenal. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.

One of the best Vietnamese restaurants I've ever been to! The restaurant is beautifully decorated with Vietnamese murals and lotus lamps, which makes this perfect for a date night or dinner with friends. I ordered the Ca Ri Suon Bo (beef short ribs curry), which came with a baguette on the side. The short ribs were so tender, they almost melted in my mouth. The curry was a perfect balance of spices, and paired beautifully with the soft and fluffy baguette. Will definitely be coming back!

Next level Vietnamese food, amazing ambiance, noise levels on the average end and, great location! Can't ask for anything more I guess? When traditional classics are elevated to next level, we appreciate that food a lot. The best Vegetable Pho ($21) I've ever had, where the broth packs a lot of flavor. The accoutrements consist of some spicy chilies and vinegar garlic which elevate the taste further, and just when you think you have a perfect dish, a spice packed garlic, cilantro hot sauce if what you can request for, if you enjoy spicy food - which goes extremely well with the rice noodles! The Crab Fried Rice ($32) from the Chefs special menu was amazing too and was a good plate to share between two. This dish accompanies the hot sauce. Specific shoutout to Jaycee for her excellent service, attentiveness, and her contagious smile! Will definitely visit again and will be the go to recommendation for Vietnamese food.

Vietnamese fusion restaurant. I made a reservation, arrived early, and still needed to wait for my table to be ready. The food was great but not worth the hype. Pomelo Salad (Chandler pomelo, grilled shrimp, Cara Cara, lemongrass, Kaffir lime, green moscato grape, mint, shallot & toasted coconut tossed in spicy tamarind dressing) - I should request it not spicy so that it can be more refreshing. The salad does not have much pomelo; it is more toasted coconut. Crispy Spring Roll (pork, crab, shrimp, wood ear mushroom, carrot stuffed in a Vietnamese net wrapper) - It's not too oily, but I can't tell if there are crab and shrimp since they were well mixed with the pork paste. Pho Ha Noi ( rice noodles, slow-cooked brisket, raw chuck eye, shallot, scallion, cilantro, side of pickle, garlic, and bird eye chili): The broth had a deep, rich beef flavor. The pho was overpriced for the portion, but the meat quality was definitely better than at other traditional Pho restaurants.

Food (5/5): Wow! This might be my favorite and the best Vietnamese restaurant place I've been to! The ribeye pho was possibly the best pho I've had. The meat was so melt in your mouth and the broth unbelievably delicious. All the dishes were so amazing. The prices are a bit higher but totally worth it. Service (5/5): The servers were helpful and attentive with food coming out fast. Ambiance (5/5): Beautiful upscale ambiance with umbrellas in the ceiling and the whole place looking fancy. Really nice spot.

La Dong is bringing restaurant dining experiences back! Okay, maybe those experiences haven't gone anywhere but either way La Dong is crushing it. First there's the charming interior design of the place that has just the right amount of art direction and charm to make you feel like you're somewhere cool. Then there's the details -- like the branded plates and the cozy nooks and the weirdly dark bathrooms. Just more fun little immersive things that nobody bothers to do anymore. Then the service is super friendly and prompt, lovely people who are chatty and down to help you decide from all the lovely things on the menu. And then of course there's the menu -- amazing! A great mix of interesting Vietnamese food and recognizable staples, all of it darn delicious. The gigantic sesame rice cracker is a stand out appetizer, as was the tofu scallion and meatballs. Also a fan of the crab fried rice, which is a generously large portion. I can't wait to come back and explore the rest of the menu -- maybe next time with a bigger group so we can really taste it all.

Not a bad spot for Vietnamese food, but I would say that it does lean more towards fusion, rather than authentic Vietnamese. The interior of the restaurant is dimly lit, lively, and has trends of traditional Vietnamese decor. Service was friendly and fairly quick. We ordered the banh beo, the banh xeo, the bun bo hue, the tamarind duck, and avocado ice cream (at the end). At the beginning of your meal, they give you complimentary shrimp chips with a chili sate, which was sweet and savory. The banh beo was pretty good and I would definitely re-order. The banh xeo was a bit of a surprise as it came out in a taco shell, and there weren't any flavors of tumeric or coconut (I was a bit disappointed by this dish). The fish sauce for both dishes were REALLY light so I had to ask for straight fish sauce. The bun bo hue was pretty solid and came with lots of meat. And, my favorite dish of the night was the tamarind duck, which I could eat any day--it was so good. Overall, not a bad spot for some Vietnamese food.

Fantastic Vietnamese restaurant off Union Square. The interior is beautifully designed with lots of dark wood and feels authentically SE Asian. Servers are delightful, very helpful, pleasant and efficient. We came for lunch and the food was excellent. We ordered the side add ons as well as the lunch menu items but the portions were so generous we need not have. What we ate: Cara Cara Summer Roll. This was light and refreshing. I frequently find the Peanut dipping sauce served with summer rolls to be cloying, this one wasn't. Spring Rolls. These were made with some sort of shredded outer wrapper that was crisp and crunchy rather than the usual soy or rice paper. The pork and crab filling was good. Really enjoyed these! Salad. Lunch comes with a complimentary small salad. It was great and had a yuzu soy dressing that had a wasabi type heat. Pork Bahn Mi. Delicious, over stuffed sandwich. The pork was braised and tender and balanced well with the pickled vegetables. I'd order this or one of the other Bahn Mi again for sure. Lemongrass Chicken over rice. Delicious again. Big portion with plenty of chicken and a fried egg along with nuts and salad. The chicken was tender and flavorsome. Prices at lunchtime are very reasonable especially given the sizes of the portions. At night the menu is more varied and slightly more expensive. I'd definitely come back here for either lunch or dinner and look forward to doing so soon!

Wow! Best pho of my life! Going back tomorrow very busy Recommend having a reservation

Grabbed a dinner reservation for a small group and we're seated once our entire party arrived. Service was friendly and informative with suggestions around the menu provided as needed. We got wagyu pho and beef cubes. The portions were a little smaller than expected but overall had good flavors. We had crispy spring rolls to start and ice cream for dessert. All in all, the food we ordered was good. The interior was well designed with very pretty details around - I'd say the highlight of the experience. In summary, cute spot worth a shot.

My husband kept saying this is the best Vietnamese restaurant ever. The food was amazing, service was good and seating was comfortable. We came in to celebrate my mom's birthday and I wanted her to try something different. You can see the food was nicely served with lots of vegetables on the side.

Good place for Vietnamese food! Came with a friend and shared two dishes. The crab fried rice is definitely one of the better ones I've had. It comes with a sauce that helps make it flavorful and there is lots of crab on top. The dry beef pho was also good, lovely sauce with a bunch of vegetables and different meats.

As soon as I walked in, I was amazed at the vibe of the bar! Your full party needs to be present before you can get seated, but the waiting area is pretty big. I loved the dark ambiance once I walked in, with the dim lights and highlights with colorful lamps. It took a bit for someone to come and ask us for water and take our menu. However, the food came out pretty fast! They probably had one of the best summer rolls that I have ever had. The ingredients were fresh, blended well, and they put their own twist with some crunchy thing that was actually so good! Definitely needed more sauce as we were munching away. We were originally going to order a regular pho, but the waiter said we MUST get the wagyu pho if it is our first time here, so we were convinced. It definitely was different from the traditional pho as it was lacking a lot of the ingredients, but the broth was very rich and the meat was so tender and good! It was still very yummy. It definitely felt like a premium pho. The Bun Cha Hanoi also seemed like a popular dish so we ordered it, and I was glad to see that there were plenty of veggies and noodles! I do think there should be more meat given this ratio and it was a bit hard to eat, but everything put together was still very yummy. The portion size was definitely generous and good for sharing. Overall we enjoyed this place with the vibe and premium, quality dishes!!

The food was good, but didn't quite live up to the hype. The restaurant has a cool-looking interior. Summer roll - a bit bland on its own, mostly relying on the sauce to give it flavor. I found that the roll disintegrated very quickly while holding it. Banh mi - nice fluffy bread and tart and crunchy fillings. The tofu had a nice chew to it as well. The truffle and vegetable soup served with it was nice and subtle. Salted coconut coffee - not too sweet and in good balance.

I think the vibes are great. The decoration is cozy and somewhat Vietnam inspired. I gave 5 stars for the atmosphere here. However, for the food, as Vietnamese, I think it doesn't have the base taste of what Vietnamese dishes supposed to taste like. The server was trying to upsell every time she can, make the experience a little bit awkward

For vegetarians, vibrant noodle soups and broths to pass the winter months are often hard to find. In very aesthetic environs near Union Square, La Dong is serving up a very soothing vegan pho with a heavy emphasis on assorted mushrooms for when one feels overwhelmed. A generous portion of green chili and a slice of lime on the side take the broth to the next level of depth. I'm always surprised that the area immediately around Union Square is so barren of quality eats, so La Dong will definitely be a recurring destination for me.

Had a wonderful exeprience at La Dong! It is very refreshing to find an elevated vietnamese restaurant done at such an excellent quality. My party tried a mix of items, with my personal favorite being the ca ri hai san (seafood curry), which tasted velvety smooth backed by punchy flavors... I have been thinking about this dish for a few days now! Other people also really enjoyed the wagyu pho, which was delightful. We also tried an avocado ice cream at the end, which helped to end the meal nicely. Service at the restaurant was also superb!

# Overall: Definitely can recommend giving Ladong a try. I would recommend the classic pho over the wagyu pho. Since it was my first time here, decided to not be too adventurous with the menu, but there is an extensive menu that I intend on exploring more the next time I come back! # Ambiance Ladong's is right next to Union Square. From the street, the only indication you're in the right place is a big red sign with their name. Even though their facade is basically large windows, you don't really get a feel for their vibes until you're inside. Everything comes together to give a nice welcome and homely feel. # Food and Drink Complimentary Shrimp Crackers As you decide on your order, you're presented with a few shrimp crackers and some chili sauce to go with them. The shrimp crackers are nice and light. The chili sauce is not spicy but very strong in umami flavor. Pho Ha Noi I really enjoyed the pho here. The flavors just seemed to click for me. The broth was nice and hearty. The bird eye chilis were a perfect way to add spice. The pickled garlic added a new flavor profile. Wagyu Pho This pho was special in that the server will pour out the broth during serving (as opposed to a normal pho like the Pho Ha Noi). This was my girlfriend's dish and aside from the presentation, she didn't really feel that this pho was that much different from the Pho Ha Noi. Pork Banh mi Decided to order this instead of an appetizer since I heard about dipping the banh mi into the provided soup. The banh mi itself is a decent size, and while not the best banh mi I've ever had, it feels like a different dish with the dip soup. The banh mi itself still tasted good, but maybe could've gone without the mayo.

I took my friend from CA out for girl night. We supposed to go to other restaurant, but it was closed for a private event for few hours, so we found this Thai Vietnamese restaurant next-door, and they have vegetarian option for my friend, so we decided to eat here. I'm very easy eating so every food we order here are no meat dishes. We start with..... - Vegetable summer roll: it is ok, I'm not crazy about the dipping sauce so our server gives me a seafood sauce (which spicier but my friend couldn't eat it because it has fish sauce inside) - Sauteed morning glory: also good but a bit salty, probably have to eat with rice but we just have it as a appetizer. - Vegetable Pho: I admit nothing compared to an authentic Vietnamese restaurant in Queens. - Overall, food is ok, decoration is great, very beautiful place especially decoration on the ceiling. Service is very friendly and polite. If you are not serious about real taste of food, this place is trendy and have very nice ambiance.

One of the most beautiful and well decorated restaurants I've been to! The wagyu pho was flavorful and the meat was super tender! The banh mi hit the spot and was everything I hoped for in the sandwich. It comes with some soup which is different than the pho broth - and it is also very good. Good pho, but a little pricey

We were planning a cousins' dinner and one of my cousins recommended La Dong. She had been there before and vouched for the food. We had a 6:00pm reservation, but two of us ended up being a bit late. They were still able to sit us, but warned that they would start the 1.5 hour dining time at the point they sat us, regardless of when our last person arrived. This was fine with us, as we were the ones who were late. We ended up splitting everything, so here's a giant list of all the food that we ordered for 4 people: - Steamed Rice Cakes with shrimp, dried shrimp, scallion oil, shallot, garlic & Vietnamese dipping sauce - Nem Nướng, or grilled meatballs, served in red leaf lettuce wrap, Cara Cara orange, ginger, cucumber, toasted coconut, shallot & peanut sauce - Pâté & Bone: chicken liver mousse, pickle, bone marrow & toasted baguette - Vietnamese Beef Carpaccio with *rare* American wagyu slices, fresh lime, shrimp paste, watercress, Vietnamese coriander, peanut, crispy shallots & bird's eye chili - Cá Chiên Nước Mắm: fried whole Branzino (de-boned) tossed in sweet fish sauce glaze, fresh greens & herbs - Shaking Beef: wok tossed American Wagyu cubes, onion, yellow pepper in garlic soy (served medium-rare) & watercress-cilantro salad - Cà Ri Sườn Bò, or beef short rib curry: tender braised short ribs in Vietnamese yellow curry, baby carrot & coconut milk served with baguette. creamy, spicy & fragrant - Classic Banh Mi with homemade pork sausage, ground pork spread, chicken pâté, fresh herbs, pickle & Vietnamese mayo Ok, perhaps our eyes were bigger than our stomachs. But it was so good. My favorites out of the appetizers were the Steamed Rice Cakes and the Vietnamese Beef Carpaccio. The beef carpaccio was super fresh and I loved the mixture of sauce that was layered on top of the carpaccio. It gave the beef such a fresh, crisp flavor. Out of the entrees, I would say the banh mi and the beef short rib curry were my favorites. I'm a sucker for a good coconut milk curry and this one did not disappoint. It was so flagrant and flavorful. Service was great and our waitress was super friendly. And perhaps this is more my fault than anything, for not asking, because you always have to ask for the price when it comes to specials. But I did order our waitress's recommendation for a drink and it ended up being $43 for essentially a penicillin with special whiskey. It tasted good, but I don't think I would've gotten it if I had known it would essentially be 2.5 the cost of everyone else's drink.

From the moment I walked into La Dong, I felt genuinely welcomed. The host greeted me with grace, and soon after, I was seated and greeted by a waiter whose smile and energy lit up the room. I was hungry, and he got straight to the point--efficient, kind, and attentive. While waiting for my chicken pho, I was surprised with a complimentary snack that literally melted in my mouth. Such a thoughtful touch and absolutely delicious. The best pho I've ever had, rich, flavorful broth, perfectly tender chicken, and fresh herbs that brought everything together. I didn't need or want anything else. I was fully satisfied and left so happy. The ambiance was cozy, clean, and calming. If you're looking for soul-warming pho, La Dong is the place to go.