Southeast Asian cuisine with a twist: Vang Go Bistro in Norfolk, Va.
The restaurant, found on 21st Street, just opened in early June.
NORFOLK, Va. — A new restaurant in Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood is serving more than just flavorful dishes: it’s serving up a sense of home.
Vang Go Bistro, located on 21st Street in Norfolk, is the passion project of restaurant industry veteran Evan Vang. After spending decades working behind the scenes, Vang is now at the helm of his own eatery.
“I do have my moments when I’m in here and I go, ‘This is ours.’ I have my moments where I just smile,” Vang told 13News Now. “I’m back there prepping, and it’s just this great feeling, overwhelming feeling.”
The restaurant specializes in Asian fusion cuisine, but he says the menu doesn’t fit in one box.
“I’d say about 60% of it is [Asian fusion], and the other 40% is just us messing around. We like to have fun and try things out. Most of it, it’s all comfort food,” Vang explained.
And comfort is exactly what guests will find in dishes including dumplings tossed in chili oil and chicken, spicy peanut noodles, and even a bacon-wrapped hot dog. Another standout is Vang’s specialty: Southeast Asian-style spring rolls served with “Hawk Sauce,” a blend of yellow mustard, honey, and spices.
“At the end of the day, eating some of our food is like getting a hug for your belly,” said Gary Wasser, partial owner and operator of Vang Go Bistro.
Wasser and Vang have known each other for over 15 years, dating back to when they helped open a local Yard House location. Their close bond is part of the restaurant’s foundation, and it’s a feeling they hope to pass on to every guest who walks through the door.
“You come in here to get yourself out of our comfort zone, but to feel comfortable,” Wasser said. “Once you walk through our doors, nothing else matters. If you’re not here one day, you’ll wonder how everyone’s doing. And we’ll wonder how you’re doing.”
Family is a recurring theme at Vang Go Bistro. Inside the restaurant, a large painting of Vang’s father watches over guests, while framed family photos line the walls.
“He’s the one who made these [spring] rolls in piles and piles. The whole neighborhood would get excited,” Vang said.
The family arrived in the United States in the late 1970s, leaving a Thai refugee camp as a result of the Laotian Civil War. Vang said of the painting: “I wanted to give him some tribute for all he’s done for us.”
He added, “When you come to my house, there’s always just pictures on the wall, and everyone would just dive in and start working and helping out. I guess the idea was just to bring that feeling here. You are in our home, this is our history, and this is how we got here.”
Vang Go Bistro opened earlier this month and is currently open Tuesday through Sunday.
This piece is part of 13News Now’s weekly Friday Flavor segment. If you have an idea of where Marta Berglund should visit next, send her an email at [email protected] or message her on social media.
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