Philadelphia’s MoonNight serves Vietnamese and Japanese dishes, including Pho, Ramen, Chả Giò, Gyoza, Buns, Bánh Mì, Yakitori, Crispy Garlic Wings, and Fried Wontons. MoonNight serves several vegan options, including vegetarian spring rolls, spicy cucumber, vegie dumplings, a ramen, a Pho, and a Seitan Banh Mi. They also sell lots of fruit tea, some green teas, milk teas, smoothies, and Vietnamese coffees. It is a small brightly lit restaurant with 5 or 6 tables. This review reports on my first trip there, when I just needed a snack, and I will be going back to fully explore the menu.

The Dumplings: MoonNight sells pork gyoza, veggie gyoza, deep fried pork and shrimp wontons with sweet chili sauce, steamed veggie dumplings, pork buns, fried curry chicken dumplings and, because this is Philly, cheesesteak buns (cheesesteak, pickled cucumber and lettuce). I tried the pork buns which come two to an order and are steamed fluffy white buns, stuffed with braised pork belly, pickled cucumber, lettuce and a sesame spicy mayo dressing. These buns were delicious, the braised pork was tender and tasty and I really enjoyed the mayo dressing, which had a decent kick. There was enough sauce on these buns that eating them is a little messy.

The Location: MoonNight is on E. Passyunk Ave, just south of Mifflin street. The E. Passyunk Ave corridor is one the major nightlife districts in Philadelphia and has tons of restaurants, cafes and bars. MoonNight is very close to a triangular pocket park, which is home to the statue of the legendary Philly boxer Joey Giardello. This park has a few tables and is a great place to eat some to-go food from MoonNight.