Mi La Cay Closes: Three Decades of Vietnamese Dining End in Seattle's CID

Trinh Ong and her sister Ha Ong are closing Mi La Cay this Thursday. The decision ends a thirty-year run for the Vietnamese restaurant in Seattle's Chinatown-International District. The sisters have co-owned and operated the establishment since it first opened its doors in 1993.

Mi La Cay established itself as a neighborhood fixture before moving to its current location in 2016. During its early years, the eatery served traditional noodle dishes to diners from across the region. The owners attribute their initial success to the lack of competition in the area at the time.

Trinh Ong noted that the district remained the primary destination for authentic food and groceries during the 1990s and early 2000s. She stated that people traveled specifically to Chinatown to access these resources because other options were scarce. This draw kept the dining room full for decades.

Lines stretched out the door on Monday as news of the closure spread through the community. Loyal patrons filled the dining room in the days leading up to the final service. One customer, Alvin, said he had loved the food since his first visit and continued to return for years.

The sisters cited a combination of factors for their decision to step away from the business. Ong pointed to rising competition from restaurants outside the district and a shift in foot traffic patterns. Personal health issues for the owners also played a role in the final calculation.

The restaurant survived the pandemic through persistence and steady local support. At times, only the two siblings worked the dining room and kitchen to manage overhead and rent. However, business volume never returned to its previous peak levels after the health crisis ended.

Ong described the pre-pandemic period as non-stop from opening to closing. She contrasted that era with the current reality, noting that the steady wave of customers is no longer present. This decline in volume made the operation less sustainable for the small family team.

Neighborhood conditions also added strain to the business. Ong referenced persistent crime and open drug activity on 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street as compounding factors. She acknowledged that the area is in a transitional state, requiring time to stabilize.

The owners expressed gratitude to the generations of diners who supported the family over three decades. Ong emphasized that while Vietnam is her birthplace, Seattle is her home and community. The family invites customers to stop in for one last bowl before the keys are turned in.

Mi La Cay will close its doors permanently this Thursday. The space has served as a gathering place for the Chinatown-International District since 1993. The Ong siblings are handing over the keys after more than thirty years of service.