Portland Restaurant Guide đ§
đ Must-Visit: Skip These, and You Might as Well Skip Portland 1. Akizawa Vibe: Sushi so fresh it glows, unbeatable value The chef behind the bar knows their stuffânigiri rice is perfectly seasoned (not too vinegary), and the fish? Thick-cut salmon with marbled fat that melts on your tongue; tuna belly so creamy itâs like âsea butter.â Best part? Itâs cheap. $30+ per person gets you a mountain of sushi, way less than similar spots downtown. Sushi lovers, this is your new home. 2. Murata Vibe: Sushi thatâs consistent as clockwork, but skip the tonkatsu The sushi chef is a proâvinegared rice balances the fish (never overpowers it), and the uni? Piled high, jiggly and sweet, like âocean ice creamâ when mixed with rice. Zero fishiness, 10/10. But avoid the tonkatsu! The crust is rock-hard, the pork dry and stringy, with batter thick enough to be a snack on its own. Solo diners: walk in within an hour of opening (fish is freshest). Groups: book ahead, or wait till dawn. 3. Jakeâs famous crawfish Vibe: Century-old seafood, fresh enough to taste the ocean This near-century-old spot smells like briny goodness the second you walk in. Must-try crawfish: small but plump, with sweet, springy meatâdip in lemon butter, and youâll lick your fingers. The crab cake? Solid crab meat, barely any fillerâjust pure, bouncy goodness. The drink list hides gems: local âPortland IPAâ with citrusy notes pairs perfectly with seafood. Sit by the window, and itâs old-school American charm in a bite. 4. Somtum Vibe: Thai food lovers, rejoiceâbut donât overdo the spice The somtum (green papaya salad) is everything. Shredded papaya, shrimp paste, cherry tomatoes, peanutsâtangy, spicy, bright, and fresh. Pair with sticky rice, and itâs a flavor explosion that wakes up your taste buds. Word of warning: When they ask âhow spicy?â pick âmild.â Local âmediumâ is already fireâskip âextra hot unless you want tears with your mealđśď¸ 5. Wa Kitchen Kuu Vibe: Udon so good, youâll wait forever (and itâs worth it) The mentaiko udon is non-negotiable. Chewy noodles coated in salty, slightly briny mentaiko sauceâeach bite has that perfect mix of roe crunch and noodle slurp. Even the plain udon shines: dashi broth (made with bonito and kelp) is rich with depth. Only downside? Itâs slow. Like, âwatch a full episode of a showâ slow. Order early, or scroll your phoneâtrust me, itâs worth the wait. 6. Nong's Khao Man Gai Vibe: Pork leg rice is a star, Hainanese chicken is a dud Donât be fooled by the âHainanese chickenâ signâthe pork leg rice is where itâs at. Pork leg stewed till the skinâs jiggly and the meat falls apart, smothered in sweet-savory sauce over rice. Spoon it all together, and itâs comfort in a bowl. The winter melon chicken soup is a winner tooâlight, fresh, with subtle chicken and melon sweetness. But the Hainanese chicken? Dry as cardboard. Skip it. 7. Khao Moo Dang Vibe: Pork bone noodle is a surprise hit, others look promising Stopped in for a quick bite and left obsessed with the pork bone noodle. Milky broth, rich with pork flavor (but not greasy), chewy alkaline noodles, and thick, tender char siu. One slurp, and youâll get why itâs popular. The dry noodles at the next table looked great tooâglistening with sauce, sprinkled with green onions and peanuts. Next time, Iâm trying those. đ¤ Worth It If Youâre Near: Donât Wait in Line #portlandfood #PortlandGuide #RestaurantReviews #FoodieTips