TLDR
Vibrant Khmer cooking in a tiny, lime-green Crown Heights space. Known for showstopping whole fish and heritage pork in an energetic, music-filled atmosphere.
Instagram Posts References
Ranked as the #12 best restaurant in Brooklyn according to over 100 million ratings on Beli.
Willa Moore reviews Bong, a small yet vibrant Cambodian restaurant in Crown Heights, praising its delicious seafood and pork dishes, perfect for a date night.
Details
This vibrant Crown Heights eatery offers a deeply personal exploration of Khmer cuisine in an intimate, art-filled space [1]. Guests rave about standout dishes like the heritage pork chop and crispy whole dorade, which showcase bold, complex flavor profiles [1]. While widely considered a must-visit for its unique culinary offerings, the restaurant's intense popularity often makes securing a reservation a significant challenge [2].
Food Overview
The menu focuses on bold, personal Khmer dishes, with the whole fried fish, heritage pork chop, and oyster with strawberry mignonette being frequently cited as highlights [1], [3]. While many praise the intricate flavor combinations, some diners have found certain dishes overly salty or noted that portion sizes felt small for the price point [1], [4]. A side dish to potentially avoid is the 'ode to chicken', which some have reported to be dry [2].
Highlights / Recommended
"The heritage pork chop, crispy whole fish with mango or tamarind sauce, and the na taing (pork dip) are consistently high-rated recommendations [1], [2]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •pork chop(4)
- •clams machew(4)
- •cha kapiek(3)
- •heritage pork chop(2)
- •na taing(2)
- •clams(2)
- •lobster(2)
- •ode to chicken(2)
Caveats
The restaurant is extremely difficult to book, often requiring persistent monitoring of reservation cancellations or early walk-in arrivals to secure a seat [2]. Some diners report that the space is physically cramped and loud, which may impact the dining comfort [1].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About BONG
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Really Craving Cambodian Food Which Spots Do We
"The user enthusiastically recommended Bong."
PositiveFrom post: Really Craving Cambodian Food Which Spots Do We
"The user found Bong to be great, contrasting it with Lula Mae."
PositiveFrom post: Really Craving Cambodian Food Which Spots Do We
"Bong was mentioned as a restaurant to try."
NeutralFrom post: Really Craving Cambodian Food Which Spots Do We
"The user stated that Bong is currently the popular spot for Cambodian food, although they had not personally dined there."
NeutralFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This individual, who is Cambodian, has been to Bong three times and found the flavors lacking and disappointing each time, feeling the food caters to the American palate. While happy Cambodian cuisine is gaining attention, they find Bong's food to be just 'fine' and overpriced for the lackluster experience."
NegativeFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This commenter had a positive experience at Bong, finding the price reasonable for the amount of food, especially the crab salad, shrimp, and whole dorade fish. They felt the staff were warm and welcoming and would return."
PositiveFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This commenter claimed that Bong does not serve authentic Cambodian food and is catered towards white people, making it not recommended for Asians. They found it expensive."
NegativeFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This person found Bong to be underwhelming and overpriced, stating that the food was just 'okay' and not memorable, despite ordering without drinks and spending around $300 for three people."
NegativeFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This user described Bong as one of their most disappointing dining experiences in NYC, citing ridiculously overpriced food."
NegativeFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This user defended Bong against criticism, stating they would choose it over Kabawa. They argued that Bong is expensive due to ingredient quality, rent, and small space, and that their dishes tasted authentic and flavorful. They also corrected that Mam is Vietnamese, not Cambodian."
PositiveFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This commenter compared Bong unfavorably to Khe-Yo, a Laotian restaurant that previously closed. They found Bong to have a limited drink and dessert menu, middling food, uncomfortable seating, and to be overpriced, similar to their negative experience with Khe-Yo."
NegativeFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"The commenter found Bong amazing the first time they visited last year, but extremely underwhelming on a second visit two months prior to this comment, noting a drastic difference in quality."
NeutralFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This commenter had a very positive experience at Bong, enjoying the ambiance, music, and food, particularly the fish and a carpaccio-style dish. They felt the prices were justified by the quality and experience, despite the small space, and appreciated the staff's warmth."
PositiveFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This user had a positive experience at Bong, enjoying the food and atmosphere, including the passionate staff. They found the dishes distinct and memorable, though acknowledged that the prices might be high for some. They also mentioned that the lobster dish is large enough to share."
PositiveFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This user had a positive experience at Bong and looks forward to returning, contradicting the original poster's negative review."
PositiveFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This user agreed that Bong was overpriced and underwhelming, finding the fried fish incredible but other dishes merely 'mid.' They also noted the restaurant was overbooked, leading to a cramped and disruptive dining experience."
NegativeFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This commenter suggested that Bong might be a more casual restaurant, possibly struggling with budget constraints for its small space. They believe the restaurant received too much hype and that expectations should be realistic given its size and potential investor backing."
NeutralFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This user found Bong's lobster dish disappointing due to the tight table space making it difficult to eat. They also found the small plates forgettable and overpriced, not on par with other restaurants, and felt the overall experience in Crown Heights shouldn't be more expensive than Manhattan restaurants."
NegativeFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This user calculated the total protein ordered (3 shrimp, 6-7 clams, one fish) and deemed the $185 price criminal for the quantity and sloppy presentation."
NegativeFrom post: Went To Bong Cambodian Tonight Would Not Recommend
"This user enjoyed their meal at Bong, finding it expensive but worth the price. They specifically praised the shrimp dish as one of the best they'd had recently and enjoyed all the dishes they tried."
Positive