Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen, the Dallas spot that scored a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand in 2024, is gearing up to land in Manhattan. Community filings and new signage show the restaurant is planning a two-story outpost at 85 2nd Ave in the East Village, taking over the former Viva Cucina space with roughly 85 seats and a compact five-seat bar, according to application documents.
Sign Is Up, Website Says “Opening Soon”
Fresh branding for Ngon has gone up on the Second Avenue storefront, as first reported by What Now New York. Over in cyberspace, the restaurant’s own site now lists 85 2nd Ave on its locations page with an “Opening Soon” tag, a clear sign the team is actively getting the space ready for service.
Community Board Filings Spell Out The Blueprint
A Manhattan Community Board 3 questionnaire filed Jan. 29, 2026, by Ngon Pham NYC Holding LLC (principal: Thuy Thu Truong) lists the trade name as Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen and lays out the operating game plan. The document details proposed hours of Mon–Thu, noon–10 p.m., and Fri–Sun, noon–midnight, a total seating count of 85, and “1 bar with 5 seats,” according to the Manhattan Community Board 3 questionnaire.
How Dallas Put Ngon On The Map
Ngon made its name in Dallas with Hanoi-style street-food dishes and picked up a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand in 2024, per the MICHELIN Guide. The Dallas menu leans on signatures like bún chả Hà Nội, a phở that simmers for 24 hours, and multiple takes on bánh mì, plus a beverage lineup featuring Vietnamese coffee alongside beer, cider and wine, per Ngon's Dallas menu.
Goodbye Viva Cucina, Hello Hanoi Flavors
The Second Avenue address previously housed Viva Cucina, which lists 85 2nd Ave in its public listings and reservation profiles. In its place, the neighborhood is getting a Michelin-recognized, Vietnamese-focused kitchen with roots in Hanoi, joining an already crowded East Village dining scene at a time when turnover and fresh concepts keep reshaping the block-by-block lineup.
What’s Next Before Opening Night
With community-board paperwork filed and the New York City location live on Ngon’s site, the remaining hurdles are the usual ones: finishing the buildout and locking in city licenses ahead of an official opening. What Now New York has requested comment from the team, and the CB3 questionnaire notes that the application is currently making its way through administrative review.
