La Đồng

La Đồng (often written La Dong) opened in mid-September 2024 at 11 East 17th Street, just off Union Square, from owners Jaruwijit Jaruthiphayakhantha and Hathaichanog Setasathien with chef Pithayakorn Panapoi, the group behind nearby Thai rooms Pranakhon and Thai Villa. The house frames a colorful “Asian colonial house” dining room (lotus lamps, mural, booths) and a menu that runs classics beside chef specials, with a Mekong north-to-south pitch. Signatures include Phở Hà Nội, Miyazaki A5 and American wagyu phở with broth poured tableside, a turmeric-crepe riff with shrimp and herbs, steamed rice cakes, whole fried branzino with nước mắm glaze, and bánh mì with a side of house soup. Michelin lists a Bib Gourmand (also on the 2025 OpenTable Bib list as new). Eater, Time Out, and The Infatuation covered the ornate room and value-leaning mains. Walk-ins are welcome; Resy and OpenTable book ahead. The house posts table-time guidelines by party size.

Guests praise the room design, tableside wagyu phở, attentive service, and lunch specials. Table-time limits, peak waits or full-party seating rules frustrate; some glazed fish plates run sweet; wagyu and cocktails climb the check. A few find the ornate setting touristy or prefer simpler Chinatown bowls for everyday phở. Book near Union Square, order a classic phở or the wagyu pour, and share one chef special.