A Cozy Vietnamese BYOB Is Opening Just Off South Street

Ngon Ngon Restaurant is in the works on 3rd Street just south of South, replacing what was most recently vegetarian Asian eatery Mi Lah. The family-run Vietnamese BYOB should open by the end of February.

Given Ngon Ngon’s slogan, “I’m crazy with pho,” expect an emphasis on the Vietnamese noodle soup, along with other Vietnamese staples like broken rice and vermicelli dishes. The snug restaurant has big windows facing 3rd Street, space for at most eight tables up front, and another small dining room in the back. When Ngon Ngon is up and a running, it will offer dining in, take out, and delivery. (But, again, no liquor license, so BYO).

The restaurant’s address at 615 S. 3rd Street puts it right next door to South Street Philly Bagels, the popular bagel shop that now has locations on Chestnut Street, Fitzwater Street, and East Passyunk Avenue. It also shares the busy block with Jason Cichonski’s Ela, on the Bainbridge corner, and long-running Jon’s Bar & Grille on the South Street corner. In between are sports bar O’Neals Pub, Ox Coffee, Sushi Planet, and Reef Restaurant & Lounge.

Before the space was Mi Lah, it was Italian BYOB Hostaria da Elio. Mi Lah is now in Ambler, and also has a quick-serve spot in 30th Street Station.