13 July 2023
Ngon Bistro, the beloved University Avenue Vietnamese restaurant with French influences, will close after a 16-year run.
The restaurant, which placed Vietnamese cuisine in a slightly upscale, and definitely cool, atmosphere, had loyal fans who raved about the ribeye pho, rabbit dumplings, serrano-pepper-braised pork pasta and more. Cocktails were delightful, too, and there was always something good spinning from the vinyl record player at the bar.
Chef/owner Hai Truong took over the space in 2007 from his aunt, who ran Pho Anh there.
It was always a bright spot in St. Paul’s culinary scene, and customers and neighbors mourned the loss on social media, where Trong posted the following message:
“It’s been an epic run of 16+ years but we’ve made the difficult decision to close Ngon. Our last day of service will be Saturday, July 22nd. Stop in for one last meal with us.
“Support your local small businesses & restaurants! See you again. Cheers, Hai.”
Ngon Bistro: 799 University Ave., St. Paul; ngonbistro.com
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