La Dong
Vietnamese restaurant · Chelsea ·
Traditional Vietnamese meals, pho, bánh xèo, and cocktails
Traditional Vietnamese meals, pho, bánh xèo, and cocktails
"A Vietnamese restaurant newly added to the Bib Gourmand list." - Melissa McCart
"Most iterations of chả cá I’ve had are chunks of turmeric‑marinated fish fried crisp and finished with dill for that fried‑versus‑fresh contrast; in a showier twist, this busy, somewhat boisterous Vietnamese spot serves a whole butterflied branzino instead. The marinated‑then‑grilled fish ($43) feels a touch lighter without losing flavor: the dill shows up as a lively, herbaceous undercurrent that cuts through the slight char. A tangle of softened scallions crowns the fish, with a side platter of cold noodles, lettuce, and herbs for wrapping; scrape off the flesh for perfect lettuce‑wrapped bites and don’t skip the skin — the grill turns it into a smoky little treat." - Bettina Makalintal
"At La Dong I enjoyed the Chom Chom 2628, a rambutan-based martini that highlights the fruit’s sweet, juicy, floral character with a vodka base, house-made rambutan cordial, lemongrass shochu, white wine, elderflower liqueur, dry vermouth and a touch of salt, and even incorporates Asian numerology—the number 2628—symbolizing good fortune." - Kat Odell
"The selling point of this Vietnamese restaurant is its versatility. At La Dong, you can get a bánh mì for under $20, or you can have an ambitious, multi-course meal underneath a chandelier. If you’re opting for the latter, always order the fried branzino with a sticky fish sauce glaze and the wagyu pho." - willa moore, bryan kim, matt tervooren, will hartman
"A Union Square Vietnamese effort by the Thai Pranakhon team that serves items like “a clever riff on the Vietnamese turmeric crepe.”" - Melissa McCart
