Phuc Yea Proves Pop-Ups Can Become Miami Institutions
Fourteen years later, this MiMo favorite still packs the house
I've been going to Phuc Yea since its pop-up days—back when you had to literally hunt down their portable sign downtown. After not having dinner there for maybe two or three years, I figured it was time for a proper revisit with my family so we could order everything and remember why this place has been a go-to recommendation for over a decade.
Turns out, some things never change. The PY noodles are still my favorite thing on the menu. The fish caramel chicken wings still don't disappoint. And the Dragon's Lair cocktail still had me sipping it most of the night.
Is it still worth the hype? Absolutely. Phuc Yea works because it never apologized for what it is: bold Vietnamese flavors served without pretension in a space that buzzes with the kind of energy that keeps tables full.
The Space: The 4,000-square-foot MiMo District spot feels like walking into someone's really cool house if that someone happened to be an artist with excellent taste in lighting. Miguel Paredes murals cover concrete walls, geometric pendant lights cast warm glows over the cherry-red bar, and a wall stenciled with meaningful dates tells the story of how this all came together. The upstairs dining room has speakeasy vibes without the pretension.
What to Eat & Drink: Start with the Green Papaya Salad—crispy shallots, dried shrimp, and just enough heat to wake up your palate. Don't skip the Chicken Wings with fish caramel sauce—sticky, sweet, and the perfect balance between Vietnamese flavors and American comfort food. The PY Noodles remain the move: signature egg noodles with lemongrass garlic butter and oyster sauce that feels both comforting and exciting.
For groups, the Smoked Bone-In Short Rib is the table's main event. House-rubbed beef falls off the bone, served family-style with steamed bao buns, lettuce wraps, spicy watermelon, and smacked cucumbers. Build your own bites and pass plates around. The Dragon's Lair cocktail (vodka, sake, vermouth, rice, and sesame with spicy wasabi peas) makes sense nowhere else but here.
Perfect For: Groups who want to share plates and actually talk to each other. Date nights where you want energy but not chaos. Anyone who appreciates food that tells a story without beating you over the head with the narrative.
Pro Tips: Happy hour runs Wednesday through Sunday, 6-8 p.m. Yes, even on the weekends. Getting 50% off cocktails on a Saturday night at 6 p.m. is practically unheard of in Miami.
Expect to Pay: $70-100 per person per person for dinner with drinks, depending on how much you order family-style.
How's the parking? There’s a small parking lot on site, but it fills up quickly. Street parking can be tight in MiMo, but there's usually something within a block or two. The restaurant's popularity means earlier arrival helps.
@phucyea / 7100 Biscayne Blvd., Miami