Cozy Congee — Restaurant in Portland

There's a quiet kind of joy in a bowl of congee.

The kind that doesn't beg for attention but earns it, spoon by spoon. At Cozy Congee, Jihae and her team have turned that quiet joy into a full-blown love language.

Tucked into a humble corner but already buzzing with regulars, Cozy Congee lives up to its name. It's new but it feels like it's always been there, like the kind of place your auntie might've opened if she had a knack for vibes and a killer instinct for seasoning.

Let's talk about that congee. Silky, warm, deeply nourishing. A bowl that doesn't just feed you, it remembers you.

The Chinese donut is a must, it's golden and crisp like a good mood and hits like a hug. The toppings are thoughtful, the flavors comforting without being safe. Also, try the Vitamilk to wash down all the flavor in between bites.

And don't let the season fool you. Sure, it's summer. But this is cool weather food with warm weather charm. Jihae has somehow made congee a summer dish.

Service is sweet and genuine. You get the sense that everyone behind the counter actually wants to be there. And that changes everything.

Jihae isn't just serving food. She's building something. A room full of heart. A reminder to slow down. A taste of home, even if it's...

Enjoyed the classic Chinese congee and Pork Thai Jok. We added pickled cabbage and it looks small when it came out yet so potent in taste.

Note that there's 2 different Chinese donut types here, where the add-on is the cut up version while the snack version is left whole, which is the one we opted for. The Chinese donut tasted more like a sweet bread than the deep fried dough kind , which we enjoyed a lot as it tasted lighter and "healthier", and it did not get soggy from dipping into the congee.

Tip, bite the bite-sized meatballs into half in the Pork Thai Jok instead of one single bite to bring out the varying flavor profile 😉

The only vegetarian option i noticed would be the simple congee. Street parking available, and no line on a...

The quiet atmosphere and relaxing music coming in over the stereo belies an establishment that puts a lot of effort and pride into every step and detail of their food, and of their practice. From the hand cut ginger to the laboriously concocted congee, every instance has been measured and counted and it shows in their food, and exemplifies their dedication to creating an elevated rendition of a timeless classic.

During their business hours you can expect to find the owner,Jihae, greeting guests, taking orders, making connections with her customers and passionately crafting her elegant bowls of congee. With her warm welcomes and heartfelt food, she has crafted a wonderful place to sit, and rest, and...