Portland's 7 Most Famous Foods
It's no secret that Portland has made its name in the national food scene over the last few years. We boast a rich local culinary scene, and many Portland dishes and restaurants have been national break-out stars. You may even be visiting Portland having heard of our gastronomic reputation, and ready to binge on all of Portland's most famous foods. You won't be disappointed–Portland’s food scene celebrates diversity and variety; and behind every restaurant and dish, there is a story, making each experience unique and memorable.
1. Nong's Khao Man Gai: Khao Man Gai
Khao Man Gai—*Photo courtesy of Nong's Khao Man Gai
Arguably amongst the original wave of Portland's famous foods is Nong's Khao Man Gai. Born in the Portland food cart scene, owner Nong Poonsukwattana brought her family's dish of chicken and rice to Portland in 2009, after arriving in 2003 with just $70 and a suitcase. Over time, she expanded to a couple of carts in the downtown area before opening two permanent locations (the last of the original food carts closed down in 2018). She has since been a semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef Northwest and won the Food Network's ‘Chopped’ in 2014.
Make Sure You Try:
What makes Nong’s food so special is that the whole menu is focused around one dish - Khao Man Gai. A dish that has been perfected in flavor—from the poached chicken to the rice, to the accompanying side dishes. She poaches free-range chickens and reserves bones for stock, which is then used to infuse the jasmine rice, of which she uses the highest quality. It took Nong over a year of testing to get the recipe just right.
The chicken is served either on a plate or wrapped in thick white paper with fresh cucumbers and cilantro. On the side, a soup made from chicken stock and winter squash, and a bowl of Nong’s tasty Khao Man Gai sauce - a soy, ginger, and garlic sauce. If you can’t get enough of it, you can buy your own sauce at grocery stores throughout Portland.
Nong takes pride in using the highest-quality ingredients in her food and the result shows. Over the last decade, she's taken a simple dish and turned it into a steadfast staple in the Portland comfort food scene. Here at Forktown, we eat this dish regularly, serve it on some of our itineraries, and crave it in between!
Address:
Downtown: 417 S.W. 13th Ave.
Eastside: 609 SE Ankeny St, Suite C
2. Blue Star Donuts: Blueberry Bourbon Basil & Orange Olive Oil
Blueberry Bourbon Basil—*Photo courtesy by Blue Star Donuts.
Olive Oil Blood Orange—*Photo courtesy by Blue Star Donuts.
Opened in 2012, Blue Star Donuts rattled the Portland donut scene in town, originally dominated by the famous Voodoo Donuts. They've since become so popular in Portland that they have spread to other cities from Los Angeles to Tokyo, and have been featured in many publications such as Vogue, Forbes, and the ever-great Portland Monthly. CEO, and owner, Katie Poppe has been the recipient of many awards including Oregon’s Most Admired Company, EO’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and a regional finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year. She has co-founded and opened over 30 restaurants, which also includes local Little Big Burger and Boxer Ramen.
The shops are clean and cute, with white tile everywhere and wooden countertops, and with stools facing the full-height windows. But the real secret to this shop's popularity lies in their little delicious donuts. Blue Star uses local, seasonal ingredients—fresh fruits, herbs, spices, and even liquors come together in unconventional combos that intrigue the palate. My two absolute favorites are the Blueberry Bourbon Basil and the Olive Oil Blood Orange donuts (pictured above).
Make Sure You Try:
Blueberry Bourbon Basil
This donut is a combination of fresh sweet blueberries, fresh fragrant basil, and good local bourbon, which adds an irresistible caramel flavor.
Olive Oil Orange
A fresh twist on the powdered sugar donut, a lightly sweet orange-vanilla cake that's coated with a house-made high-quality olive oil powder that has been fused with spices and fennel. It's a total sleeper hit.
Address:
Blue Star has over EIGHT locations all over the Portland Metro Area. Find the one nearest you here.
3. Pok Pok: Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings
*Photo courtesy of Pok Pok
**Sadly, Pok Pok has closed for good during the 2020 pandemic. Portland will always owe a debt of gratitude to Andy Ricker who introduced us to a whole range of Thai dishes unfamiliar to most Americans and helped put Portland’s culinary scene on the map. I personally loved Pok Pok, had many amazing meals there, and made countless memories with my family and friends. You can get a small taste of Pok Pok with one of Andy’s 3 cookbooks, including Pok Pok: Food and Stories from the Streets, Homes, and Roadside Restaurants of Thailand (from Powell’s Books, where else?), or try your hand a the Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings, details below.
Owned by Andy Ricker, Pok Pok is a Thai street food restaurant—a small but intimate spot that serves the city's best Vietnamese fish sauce wings. Only one year after opening, Pok Pok was named "Restaurant of the Year" by The Oregonian (2007). They also won a James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef, Northwest in 2011. Since then, they’ve opened three New York locations, one of which received a star in the 2015 Michelin Guide for New York City.
Make Sure You Try:
The Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings, consisting of a half-dozen fresh, whole and natural chicken wings marinated in fish sauce and sugar, deep-fried, and tossed in caramelized Vietnamese fish sauce and garlic. Served with Do Chua (pickled vegetables) on the side. These wings are the true definition of finger-licking good and are a regularly requested item at local social gatherings—I was just at a birthday party last month catered by Pok Pok, to everyone's delight! In 2013, the secret recipe of the famous sauce was finally declassified in the Pok Pok cookbook, along with other recipes and techniques for cooking Thai food in America, or find the recipe online at Portland Monthly.
4. EEM: White Curry Brisket with Burnt Ends
Photo courtesy of Dina Avila/EPDX
Eem is the newest amongst jewel in Portland's crown on this list. Started as a pop-up venture in 2018, this one-of-a-kind collaboration between three Portland powerhouse chefs combines Thai flavors, Texas barbecue, and tropical cocktails served in colorful ceramic blowfish mugs or large brass-colored punch bowls. The restaurant made national best-new-restaurant lists and won “Restaurant of the Year” in the Oregonian in 2019. For months after their opening, there were lines out the door and when finally take your first bite, it's easy to see why. There's not a single dish on the menu that doesn't delight!
The creative genius behind Eem includes: Earl Ninsom, co-owner, the man behind the Thai flavors; co-owner Matt Vicedomini, master of barbecue; Eric Nelson, co-owner, the powerhouse behind the drinks; and chef de cuisine Colin Yoshimoto. Between them, they own several other renowned Portland restaurants and food ventures, including Matt's BBQ, Hat Yai, Langbaan, and Mee Sen (Earl's original Portland restaurant and a stop on our Mississippi Tour) and have consulted or collaborated with many, many more.
Make Sure You Try:
The White Curry Brisket Burnt Ends! A fatty brisket made with white curry, using white vinegar and sugar, topped with Matt's burnt ends, roasted cauliflower, and scallion. This dish is richer than should be legal and you'll be left wondering, "how?!" Pair it with an equally amazing cocktail like the, Mistakes were made... or the non-alcoholic Rock-Bottom Riser.
Address:
3808 North Williams Avenue, OR 97227
5. Ox: Bone Marrow Clam Chowder
Bone Marrow Clam Chowder—*Photo courtesy of Willamette Week
**Ox is currently closed due to the pandemic. Follow their Instagram account for opening updates.
Ox is a stylish Argentinian-inspired restaurant that serves local meats and fish cooked on a wood-fired grill. It was opened in 2012 by two chefs, Greg Denton and Gabrielle Quiñónez. In 2017, they won the James Beard Award for Best Chef Northwest. For years, they only took reservations for parties of 6 or more and the wait for a table without a reservation would be hours (yes, it is that good). Now you can make reservations for any sized party at Resy.com, and it's highly recommended that you do so. If you don't have reservation, you can grab a seat at Whey Bar next door and order some drinks and snacks. While the grilled meats and seafood are the stars of the menu, Ox treats vegetables with equal consideration. I've found their vegetable dishes to be inspired and as delicious as the meats.
Make Sure You Try:
The dish to try is the Bone Marrow Clam Chowder. It’s a bowl with fresh clams still in their shells, spiced with jalapeño, served with smoky bone marrow, and topped with fresh-cut spring onions and parsley. It’s the perfect umami flavor. Trust me on this! It's not anything that grabs your attention on the menu immediately, but it's not to be overlooked.
Address:
2225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
6. Expatriate: Burmese Tea Leaf Salad
Photo courtesy by Yelp
Expatriate is a hip lounge with a candlelit bar, two turntables, and thrift-store decoration. Opened on July 11th, 2013, they serve Asian-inspired bites and swanky cocktails. Owners are Portland's power food couple – Kyle Webster, creator of the drink menu, and chef Naomi Pomeroy. In 2014, Naomi won a James Beard Award for Best Chef Northwest for her restaurant across the street, Beast. The bar’s décor was inspired by their vacation trip to Corsica. Expatriate is just around the corner from my house, and it's a go-to in our family for late-night bar snacks.
Make Sure You Try:
The Burmese Tea Leaf Salad. A national dish of Myanmar, featuring hard to find fermented tea leaves. It's crunchy, salty, funky and delicious.
Address:
5424 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97211
7. Canard: Steam Burger with Garlic Fries
*Photo courtesy of jeffsetter.com
*Photo courtesy of jeffsetter.com
Canard is a café by day and a wine restaurant by night, with a retro look and laid-back vibe. It’s a sister restaurant of Le Pigeon, which owners Gabriel Rucker and Andy Fortgang opened in April 2018. To their surprise, it was a huge success and was named Portland’s Best Restaurants in 2019 by Oregonian critic Michael Russell. Gabriel is also a two-time James Beard Award-winning chef.
Make Sure You Try:
For the perfect lunch, order Canard's famous Garlic Fries, sprinkled with gouda cheese, and a Steam Burger, Canard’s take on a White Castle style burger. It comes with a thin meat patty, American cheese, mustard, onions, and pickles. What makes the patty special is that it is blended with french onion soup base instead of griddled onions like most burgers.
Address:
734 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
A BONUS FAVORITE! Yes, we promised you seven, but this list just wouldn't be complete without the following Forktown Favorite. A company that cares deeply about its food, from the beginning of the process to the moment it reaches your plate!
8. Olympia Provisions: Spanish Charcuterie Board
Owned and established by Elias Cairo, in 2009, Olympia Provisions is Oregon’s first USDA-approved salumeria. Their facility produces cured meats, including salamis, sausages, and pate, which they distribute locally and nationwide. They also have two restaurants by the same name, fast-casual restaurant Olympia Provisions Public House (featured often on our Division Street Tour) and a food cart, Melty Meaty (featured often on our Downtown Tour). They have won many awards: fifteen Good Food Awards, "Best American Charcuterie" Award from Bon Appétit, and "Cutting Edge Butcher Shop" Award, from Food & Wine.
Make Sure You Try:
The Spanish Charcuterie Board
Try it at either location. It includes a mouthwatering array—including chorizo, ham, sausage, pickled peppers, cheese (Cana De Oveja or Manchego), and smoked and salted almonds.
Address:
SE 2nd & SE Washington
1632 NW Thurman St
Skim Through? Here's Your Recap!
1. Nong's Khao Man Gai: Khao Man Gai
2. Blue Star Donuts: Blueberry Bourbon Basil & Orange Olive Oil
3. Pok Pok: Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings
4. EEM: White Curry Brisket with Burnt Ends
5. Ox: Bone Marrow Clam Chowder
6. Expatriate: Burmese Tea Leaf Salad
7. Canard: Steam Burger with Garlic Fries
Bonus!
8. Olympia Provisions: Spanish Charcuterie Board
There are plenty of remarkable dishes for you to try in Portland in 2020. Whether you are craving something sweet or spicy, Thai, Vietnamese, or local, the city offers a variety of amazing dishes to choose from. My guests always ask what my favorite restaurant is, and it's so hard to pick. It really depends on my mood. Fancy French? Casual Italian? Crazy Asian mashup cuisine? Comfort food? There's something for every mood and occasion.
If you are interested in further exploring the Portland food and drink scene, we offer public and private tours. Up-scale restaurants, casual eateries, food carts—we have it all! Our Division Street food tour, which is one of the hottest neighborhoods in Portland, returns in the summer and you are welcome to join us! We will explore urban wineries, authentic New Mexican food, Indian street snacks, Portland's favorite sausage & salami makers at Olympia Provisions, and much more. You'll love this unique and vibrant neighborhood!
If you are interested in learning more about this tour or to book a spot, click here, and here to learn more about our other upcoming food tours.