If you’re a big fan of Asian cuisine, then you’ll be glad to know that Portland is a hub of top-notch restaurants. From home-cooked meals to five-star dining, Portland has it all!
Japanese cuisine is a huge part of Portland’s food scene, with everything from sushi and nigiri to seafood-packed Hokkaido chirashi and savory egg custard chawanmushi available at izakayas all over town.
1. Uncle Tsang’s Kitchen
The oh-so-famous Uncle Tsang’s Kitchen isn’t the only place in town to get your Asian food fix. There’s a food cart pod a block south on the same street that hosts high-end breweries like 21st Amendment, along with several of Portland’s best new restaurants including Kung Fu Tacos, the best burgers in the city, and the city’s latest take on a Chinese dinner. The cart has been around since 2010 and is a cinch to find, especially if you’re willing to stray a few blocks from the Pearl District. The pod is a veritable cornucopia of the foodstuffs, including the top-notc a la carte and build-your-own options.
2. Ma Po Tofu
They also serve a variety of dishes from other Asian countries, such as Japan and Vietnam. Its menu is filled with delicious food that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
The restaurant has an excellent selection of vegetarian options, and their pho soup is one of the best in the city.
Besides the delicious pho soup, they offer several other types of noodle soups. The most popular is the Bun Bo Hue, which is made up of beef rice noodles.
The noodle soup is layered with flavors, coating your tongue in sweet umami and the slight spiciness of lemongrass and chili oil. It also comes with your choice of beef or chicken thigh.
3. Zien Hong
Zien Hong is a Chinatown stalwart that serves some of the best mee sums in the city. A great place to go during lunchtime, it has a variety of meats and vegetables for you to choose from.
For something sweet, Mojo Crepes has a tasty menu of dessert crepes. Their banana- Nutella crepe is delicious, and their Tokyo sundae is packed with red bean paste and green tea ice cream.
The taro-based BBQ pork at Van Hanh is one of the most unique dishes in town. This restaurant is a favorite for vegetarians and vegans alike, offering a meatless version of Chinese roast pork that consists of woven vermicelli noodles, fried shallots, cilantro, cucumber, lettuce, and a side of faux fish sauce.
10 Creative Ideas For Eating Asian Food
4. Just Thai Kitchen
Known for its delicious Khao Man Gai, this popular restaurant brings the most popular Thai dish to Portland. It is a chicken and rice dish that is served with a sauce made from fermented soybean puree, garlic, ginger, Thai chilies, vinegar and sugar.
The food here is a bit on the expensive side, but the quality is excellent and the service is very friendly. It is a perfect place to go for dinner when you are in the area.
5. Saucebox
Portland is one of America’s most diverse cities, with a range of food cultures that can be found in a single restaurant. From decades-old, established mom-and-pop restaurants to new, trendy startups downtown, the city has a wide array of delicious options for food lovers and diners alike.
If you’re a fan of Asian cuisine, it can be tough to narrow down your choices. With a diverse mix of establishments from traditional staples to contemporary fusion, finding the best Asian food in Portland can be daunting.
That’s where Saucebox comes in. The popular Vietnamese restaurant in Southeast Portland has been a top spot for years and continues to impress. Whether you’re craving a classic Thai chicken and rice dish or a taro-based BBQ pork noodle soup, the place is worth a visit.
6. Mee-Sen Thai Eatery
Mee-Sen Thai Eatery is an excellent choice for those who are looking to enjoy tasty and appetizing meals. This restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere and the staff is helpful and friendly.
In addition, the food is good at affordable prices. It has a high rating on Google and many visitors have recommended this place to others.
This eatery is a great option for those who are looking to enjoy delicious noodle dishes. They have a wide selection of noodles to choose from such as Sen Mee and Woon Sen.
7. YaYa’s
He’s bringing that food to Northeast Portland, where it hasn’t been done before. He’s teamed up with Micah Camden, and the restaurant is set to open June 23.
The menu is full of the rich meats you’d find in the city’s Chinatown: roast duck, crispy pork, char siu, and brisket. They’re served alongside white rice with a few pickles, which helps balance the sweet and sour sauces that accompany them. It’s all ready to grab and eat on the go, or you can sit inside and enjoy the picnic-table vibe.
8. Loving Hut
Loving Hut is a vegan restaurant with a menu full of pan-Asian and international dishes. They believe in plant-based foods as a way to improve health and offer their selection at an affordable price.
They also have a good happy hour menu that offers substantial discounts on food and drinks. They also have a nice rooftop patio area with great views.
Besides their excellent food, they also have a bar with interesting cocktails made with ingredients like rose, yogurt, and cardamom. It’s a great place to go for dinner with friends and a date or for a night out on the town.
A Sichuan-based Chinese menu is surrounded by a small bar in this Portland, Oregon restaurant. It serves Chinese dumplings, noodles, and street-inspired small plates.
9. Kung POW
When it comes to Asian cuisine, Portland is known for its many diverse flavors. You can find restaurants specializing in a wide variety of dishes from China, Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand here.
The city has a vibrant food scene that draws travelers and locals alike to sample delicious and authentic Asian fare. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a large banquet feast, there’s a restaurant for you here!
Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen is a popular restaurant serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a stylish setting. This counter-serve eatery features a broad selection of traditional dishes from Saigon, including vermicelli bowls and pho. They also have a curated selection of beverages, including craft beer and wine.
10. Empire
One of the most notable culinary developments in Portland came with chef Andy Ricker’s Southeast Division Street Thai restaurant, Pok Pok, which opened just over 15 years ago as a small chicken shack.
Ricker changed a lot more than just Portland’s dining habits; he also set the stage for a new wave of Asian-born entrepreneurs who have helped transform Rose City into a thriving East Asian culinary destination.
A good example is Bing Mi, a food cart slinging Chinese street food-style crepes folded into quarters and stuffed with fillings like bacon and smoked sausage. They’re topped with scallion and garlic and served in a way that looks almost like a breakfast burrito.
