Hit or Misso? La Dong NYC

Some might argue that the Michelin Guide is Eurocentric—a criticism I’ve found myself considering after dining at Michelin-recognized Asian restaurants that, in my experience, have been surprisingly bland and underwhelming.

But when I sat down at La Dong and asked my family, “What’s good here?” their eyes widened.

“Everything.”

And, for once, they were actually right.

We ordered five different dishes and a drink: the Calamansi Matcha Spritz. I wasn’t expecting much from the drink—it didn’t sound particularly enticing to me—but boy, was I wrong. It was sweet, tart, and perfectly balanced by the subtle bitterness of matcha. Bright, refreshing, and surprisingly addictive.

The pomelo salad was the perfect savory yet refreshing summer salad. The juicy pomelo and green Moscato grapes added a burst of sweetness to the shrimp and shallots, all tossed in a perfectly sour tamarind dressing. 9.5/10

The crab fried rice was excellent. It somehow tasted incredibly light while still packing plenty of savory flavor. The accompanying green chili-lime sauce added a bright, spicy punch that brought the whole dish together. 9/10

The cha cua, or Vietnamese crab cakes made with blue crab, shrimp, and pork, were good, but they weren’t a standout for me. 7/10

The American Wagyu carpaccio was my favorite—although my cousins might disagree. The richness of the beef was cut beautifully by fresh lime, shrimp paste, and watercress. Peanuts, shallots, and watercress added layers of texture, giving the dish a combination of soft, chewy, crunchy, and fresh. It was incredibly flavorful without feeling heavy. 9.5/10

Lastly, the ca chien nuoc mam, a whole fried branzino marinated in fish sauce, was also extremely good. Sweet, savory, and wonderfully crunchy without being overly greasy. 9/10

Every dish seemed to punch you in the face with flavor—bright herbs, fresh greens, acidity, heat, sweetness, and an incredible variety of textures. After my experience at La Dong, I think I finally understand what my family meant when they said “everything.” La Dong will be one of my first stops the next time I’m back in New York.

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Food: 9.5/10 - WOW!!!

Atmosphere: 8/10 - Nice casual

Service: 8/10 - Good, I also save my 10s for a place like Eleven Madison.

As always, these are simply my personal opinions, shared with the hope of offering constructive feedback. Every dining experience is unique.

What do you think—do you agree with my thoughts on La Dong? And more importantly, where should I review next? Drop your favorite restaurant below!