Ngon!

About Ngon!

Ngon brings the vibrant street food culture of Vietnam and a passion for bold Asian cuisine to Mount Victoria in Wellington. Led by Head Chef Lynda Nguyen-Ly, the kitchen draws upon a cherished family cooking legacy, pairing traditional culinary roots with thoughtful modern Asian fusion influences.

The menu spans everything from slow-simmered 24-hour beef pho and regional noodle soups to fluffy steamed bao buns, loaded noodle salads, and shared platters. A fully licensed establishment, Ngon pairs its savory street-food fare with regional New Zealand wines, Asian-inspired signature cocktails, Vietnamese iced coffees, and craft beers, welcoming guests for casual weekday lunches, family dinners, and relaxed evening gatherings.

Ngon: Family Recipes and Vibrant Vietnamese Comfort in Mount Victoria

Perched on Roxburgh Street in Mount Victoria, Ngon offers Wellingtonians a lively, welcoming taste of Vietnam rooted deeply in family heritage. Spearheaded by Head Chef Lynda Nguyen-Ly, the kitchen transforms personal family recipes and Saigon-inspired street dining traditions into a vibrant modern restaurant experience.

The philosophy behind Ngon centers on balancing the bold, fragrant hallmarks of Vietnamese cooking—lemongrass, kaffir lime, fresh mint, and slow-simmered broths—with modern Asian fusion creativity. From comforting lunchtime bowls to celebratory evening spreads, the focus remains on warm hospitality and distinct, layered flavor profiles.

Time-Honored Broths and Street Fare

At the core of the kitchen's culinary craft is The 24 Hours Pho (Phở Bò). Simmered patiently over an entire day, the deeply savory beef broth forms the foundation for tender rib-eye beef, slow-cooked brisket, and seasoned beef meatballs tossed over delicate rice noodles. Diners seeking a spirited kick gravitate toward the Spicy Hue (Bún Bò Huế), featuring thick rice vermicelli, rich cuts of beef, and Vietnamese pork ham steeped in aromatic chili oils and herbs.

Beyond hearty noodle soups, Ngon embraces informal, shareable street food culture. Fluffy steamed bao buns arrive packed with fillings such as crispy pork belly, honey soy chicken, or soft-shell crab, dressed with pickled daikon and chili-spiked mayo. Crisp salads tossed with fresh herbs, crunchy peanuts, and tangy dressings provide bright contrast alongside charcoal-grilled skewers and homemade pork and chive dumplings.

Comfort Curries and Modern Mains

Heartier plates showcase the kitchen’s mastery of nostalgic home cooking. The Grandma Chicken Curry stews succulent chicken thighs and potatoes in a fragrant, creamy coconut sauce served alongside steamed jasmine rice and warm roti. Diners also seek out the Waterfall Chicken—spiced poached poultry fried to a golden crisp and served over fragrant garlic and ginger fried rice.

For evening sharing, platters like the Banh Hoi bring together crispy pork belly with intricate steamed woven rice vermicelli, herbs, and homemade dipping sauces. Those who favor sweet endings can finish the meal with a classic Vietnamese flan draped in caramel or a coconut panna cotta brightened by passionfruit sauce and lychee.

Licensed Dining and Signature Cocktails

Ngon is a fully licensed establishment featuring a bar program designed to match the bold spice profiles of the food. Guests can choose from boutique New Zealand wines sourced from regions like Martinborough and Hawke's Bay, or sip craft beers from local Wellington breweries Parrotdog and Garage Project alongside imported Saigon Export.

The creative cocktail list includes inventive concoctions such as the Saigon Tropic, the Hanoi Crimson, and the Spice Up Beijing with its spicy salt rim. For midday or non-alcoholic refreshment, traditional shaken Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk, Bac Xiu, and sparkling tropical fruit coolers offer an energizing treat.

Signature items

• The 24 Hours Pho (Phở Bò)
• Spicy Hue (Bún Bò Huế)
• Saigon Flame Ribs
• Waterfall Chicken
• Grandma Chicken Curry
• Sticky Crispy Pork

Menu

Salad

• Coconut Prawn Salad (Gỏi Tôm Sốt Dừa) — Asian slaw, coriander, mints, cherry tomatoes, coconut crisps, fried shallots, coconut chilli dressing.
• Vietnamese Chicken Salad (Gỏi Gà) — Asian slaw, coriander, Vietnamese mints, peanuts, fried shallots, homemade sweet and sour dressing.
• Roast Duck & Orange (Gỏi Vịt & Cam) — Asian slaw, coriander, mints, cherry tomatoes, fried garlic & shallots, garlic soy dressing.
• Tofu Salad (Gỏi Đậu Hủ) — Asian slaw, cherry tomatoes, coriander, mints, peanuts, fried shallots, sweet and sour dressing.

Curries

• Grandma Chicken Curry (Cà-Ri Gà) — Chicken thigh, carrots, potatoes, creamy coconut curry gravy, fried shallots, steamed rice, roti.
• Vegan Chicken Curry (Cà-Ri Gà Chay) — Plant-based chicken, carrots, potatoes, creamy coconut curry gravy, fried shallots, steamed rice, roti.
• Duck Curry (Cà-Ri Vịt) — Carrots, cherry tomatoes, lychee, potatoes, creamy coconut gravy, fried shallots, coriander, kaffir lime, steamed rice.

Desserts

• Vietnamese Flan (Bánh Flan) — Soft custard dessert topped with a layer of caramel.
• Coconut Panna Cotta (Panna Cotta Dừa) — Maple-toasted coconut & almond crumble, passionfruit sauce, lychee.

Noodle Soup

• The 24 Hours Pho (Phở Bò) — 24-hour beef broth, rib-eye beef, brisket, beef meatballs, rice noodles, onion, spring onion, herbs, sprouts, lemon, hoisin, sriracha.
• Spicy Hue (Bún Bò Huế) — 24-hour beef broth, rib-eye beef, brisket, Vietnamese pork ham, thick vermicelli noodles, onion, fried shallots, sprouts, lemon.
• Bamboo Duck (Bún Măng Vịt) — Boneless roasted duck, vermicelli noodles, onion, spring onion, and fresh coriander.
• Mushroom & Tofu Pho (Phở Chay) — Vegetable broth, tofu, king oyster mushrooms, carrots, bok choy, rice noodles, herbs.

Small Bites

• Spring Rolls (Chả Giò) — Minced pork, carrots, mushroom, vermicelli noodles, homemade fish sauce (3 rolls).
• Summer Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn) — Lettuce, cabbage, carrots, vermicelli noodles, herbs, hoisin peanut sauce (choice of prawn, chicken, or tofu).
• Pork & Chives Dumplings — Fried shallots, spring onion, roasted red peppers, homemade soy sauce (6 pieces).
• Vegetarian Dumplings — Fried shallots, spring onion, roasted red peppers, homemade soy sauce (6 pieces).
• Nem Nuong — Pork skewers, spring onion, crushed peanuts, fried shallots, sweet and sour fish sauce.
• Calamari (Mực Chiên) — Salt and pepper calamari served with a lemon wedge and tartare sauce.

Noodle Salad

• Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef Noodle Salad (Bún Bò Nam Bộ) — Asian slaw, rice vermicelli noodles, pickled carrots & daikon, peanuts, fried shallots, lemongrass beef, sweet & sour fish sauce.
• Crispy Pork Noodle Salad (Bún Heo Quay) — Rice vermicelli noodles, crispy pork, Asian slaw, pickled vegetables, peanuts, shallots, sweet & sour fish sauce.
• Roasted Chicken Noodle Salad (Bún Gà Nướng) — Rice vermicelli noodles, roasted chicken, Asian slaw, pickled vegetables, peanuts, shallots, fish sauce.
• Bun Cha (Bún Chả) — Rice vermicelli noodles, grilled pork, pork spring roll, mixed salads, sweet & sour fish sauce.

The Bao Down

• Tofu Bao — Steamed bun, tofu, lettuce, pickled carrots & daikon, spicy mayo, coriander.
• Honey Soy Chicken Bao — Steamed bun, honey soy chicken, lettuce, pickled carrots & daikon, spicy mayo, coriander.
• Crispy Pork Belly Bao — Steamed bun, crispy pork belly, lettuce, pickled carrots & daikon, spicy mayo, coriander.
• Soft-Shell Crab Bao — Steamed bun, soft-shell crab, lettuce, pickled carrots & daikon, spicy mayo, coriander.

Fried Chicken

• Fried Chicken (Gà Chiên) — Plate of boneless chicken thigh, pickled carrots & daikon, spicy mayo; choice of original, sticky sesame, garlic soy, honey soy, or spicy sriracha sauce.

Lunch Bao Deals

• Bao & Pork Dumplings — Any bao bun, pork & chives dumplings, pho broth, and mini brownie (dine-in only).
• Bao & Prawn Summer Roll — Any bao bun, prawn summer roll, pho broth, and mini brownie (dine-in only).
• Bao & Spring Rolls — Any bao bun, pork spring roll, pho broth, and mini brownie (dine-in only).

Cocktails & Wine

• Saigon Tropic — Gin, triple sec, watermelon liqueur, passionfruit & lime.
• Hanoi Crimson — Feijoa vodka, pinot noir, cranberry, lime, ginger beer & mint.
• Spice Up Beijing — Rum, triple sec, mango, pineapple juice, lime & 'muoi ot' salt rim.
• Chiang Mai Bliss — Vodka, passionfruit liqueur, passionfruit, ginger beer, lime & mint.
• Singapore Sling — Gin, cherry liqueur, benedictine, bitters, grenadine, pineapple juice & lime.
• Pol Remy Brut — Sparkling wine with notes of brioche, creamy lemon, and peach.
• Luna Estate Pinot Meunier Rose 2024 — Aromatic floral notes, raspberry, and pink grapefruit.
• Rua Pinot Noir 2023 — Blackberry, raspberry, cranberry, with herbaceous notes of thyme and brambles.
• Church Road Sauvignon Blanc 2024 — Passionfruit, pink grapefruit, and elderflower with herbaceous notes.

Family-Style Chaos

• Ngon Special Platter — Spring rolls (2), nem nuong (2), prawn summer rolls (2), crispy pork, vermicelli noodles, pickled pickles, sweet and sour fish sauce.
• Bao Bun Plate — Honey soy chicken bao, soft-shell crab bao, tofu bao or choice of any three bao.
• Banh Hoi (Bánh Hỏi Heo Quay) — Crispy pork belly, Vietnamese steamed woven rice vermicelli, pickled vegetables, fried shallots, spring onion, fish sauce.

Non-Alcoholic & Coffee

• Vietnamese Iced Coffee — Shaken espresso and condensed milk.
• Bac Xiu — Shaken espresso, fresh milk, and condensed milk.
• Vietnamese Drip Coffee (Hot) — Traditional brewed hot Vietnamese drip coffee.
• Hibiscus Tea Sparkler — Hibiscus tea, soda, fresh strawberry, and mint.
• Golden Tropic Bliss — Passionfruit, lime, and lemonade.
• Lychee Bloom — Peach, lychee, lime, and lemonade.

The Main & Rice Dishes

• Sticky Crispy Pork (Heo Quay Sticky) — Steamed bok choy, fried shallots, spring onion, sticky ginger garlic soy sauce, steamed rice.
• Saigon Flame Ribs (Sườn Nướng Mắm Tỏi) — Grilled 5-spice pork ribs, chilli garlic fish sauce, spring onion oil, fried garlic, steamed rice, side salad.
• Grilled Pork and Egg (Cơm Sườn Trứng) — Pickled carrots & daikon, spring onion oil, steamed rice, homemade sweet and sour fish sauce.
• Waterfall Chicken (Cơm Gà Xối Mỡ) — Spiced poached deep-fried chicken, ginger & garlic fried rice, garlic fish sauce, spring onion oil, fried garlic & shallots, side salad.
• Kaffir Lime Chicken (Gà Nướng Lá Chanh) — Mixed salad, fried shallots, roasted red peppers, homemade soy sauce, steamed rice.
• Fried Rice (Cơm Chiên) — Onion, spring onion, garlic, mixed vegetables, fried shallots (available with chicken, vegetarian, vegan, or seafood).
• Pad Thai — Tofu, egg, rice noodles, bean sprouts, carrots, tamarind sauce, fried shallots, peanuts, coriander, lemon, chilli flakes (prawn option available).

Frequently asked questions

Where is Ngon located in Wellington?

Ngon is located at 2 Roxburgh Street in Mount Victoria, Wellington 6011.

Can I make a reservation in advance?

Yes, table reservations can be booked directly through their website.

Does Ngon cater to dietary requirements like gluten-free or vegan?

Yes, the menu clearly labels gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan options across soups, mains, salads, and small bites.

Is the restaurant licensed to serve alcohol?

Yes, Ngon is fully licensed and offers a curated list of New Zealand wines, craft beers, and Asian-inspired cocktails.

Are there special lunch deals available?

Yes, Ngon offers lunchtime Bao Deals for dine-in customers, pairing selected bao buns with dumplings or summer rolls, pho broth, and a mini brownie.

What non-alcoholic and coffee options are served?

They serve traditional Vietnamese iced coffee, Bac Xiu, hot drip coffee, peach iced tea, and tropical fruit sparklers.

Tips

• {"body":"The beef pho broth is simmered for 24 hours, giving it exceptional depth and richness.","title":"Try the 24-Hour Broth"}
• {"body":"Take advantage of the dine-in lunch bao deals, which include a side, dipping broth, and a mini brownie.","title":"Visit at Lunch for Set Combos"}
• {"body":"Reserve a table online ahead of time, especially for evening dining and larger parties.","title":"Book Ahead for Groups"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Menu clearly marks gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan items."}