Dok Mali Thai Kitchen — Restaurant in Portland

I rarely leave reviews like this, but our experience at Dok Mali Thai Kitchen was incredibly disappointing. For the premium prices they charge, I expected flavorful food, attentive service, and a pleasant dining atmosphere. Unfortunately, none of those expectations were met.

From the moment we walked in, there was no greeting or smile—just a cold, unwelcoming vibe. The service was extremely poor. Our server never checked in on us throughout the meal. I had to get up from my seat multiple times—once to ask for hot sauce, again to request chopsticks (which we weren’t initially given), and later for a to-go container. It felt like we were expected to self-serve, which is unacceptable at these prices.

When I asked for hot sauce, the server silently dropped off a small dipping cup filled with paprika—without any explanation. A good server would’ve at least said, “We don’t have hot sauce—would paprika be okay?” That basic communication was completely missing. She also didn’t know how to open a wine bottle and carried an uncomfortable, indifferent attitude throughout.

The food was the biggest letdown—it lacked every bit of flavor. This didn’t taste like authentic Thai food at all. It was overly modified and bland. If you’re looking for real Thai cuisine, you’ll be disappointed.

There was also a strong chemical smell throughout the restaurant that made the experience even worse.

I’ve seen the owner respond to other reviews mentioning a staff shortage. I understand the challenge—but if you’re short-staffed to the point where customers are practically expected to serve themselves, you shouldn’t be charging premium prices. Nothing about this experience was worth the cost.

I genuinely regret dining here and won’t be...

My mom and I went to Dok Mali on a Friday afternoon around 2 pm. We were greeted less than amicably and seated at a table with a gooey residue atop the table. Only cocktail menus were given to us and the server was not by our table quickly enough to give us food menus, so we obtained one from the hostess stand ourselves. Our server asked us uninspiringly what we would like to order. She clearly did not enjoy her job, which I can understand, but made our dining experience depressing. I got the Taro boba, and I wish I hadn’t. The boba pearls were average, but tea was lukewarm. And the ice did not compensate the temperature. We ordered the dumpling flight which consists of 2 of their 7 dumpling types, crab rangoons, and their drunken noodle lunch special. The chive dumplings were consumed first, and sadly were the only flavorful dumpling. The other 6 tasted identical, and many dumplings were not served hot. For $25 (but it says $24 on the website), we were unimpressed. The rangoons were inedible. The wrapper was not crispy nor crunchy and the filling was ordinary at best. The drunken noodle special came with tempura vegetables, side salad, and two dumpling pieces. The wide noodles were cooked appropriately. The sauce and the noodle mix-ins were nothing to write home about. Dissatisfied with the dumpling flight and rangoons, we did not bother to taste the dumpling pieces or tempura vegetables. The salad dressing was too sweet. The meal came to $68. I sincerely hope Dok Mali gets their “new restaurant kinks” out, because at their prices, you should just go to Jojo’s Thai Kitchen in...

Thai Cuisine That Delivers Bold Flavor and Beautiful Balance

Dok Mali is a standout in Portland’s thriving food scene. From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted by a warm, modern atmosphere that immediately felt inviting—but the real magic began when the food hit the table.

We were blown away by the dumpling selection. Each one was thoughtfully crafted and beautifully presented, with flavors that were delicate yet satisfying—definitely not an afterthought, but a core highlight of the menu.

The Crying Tiger was unforgettable—perfectly grilled beef, bursting with smoky char and paired with a dipping sauce that packed heat, tang, and umami in equal measure. The Drunken Noodles were another favorite: wide, chewy noodles with just the right amount of wok char, tangled with Thai basil and bold spice that made every bite more crave-worthy than the last.

Dok Mali manages to balance tradition and creativity with confidence, and it’s clear there’s serious talent behind the scenes. Whether you’re a Thai food purist or just someone looking for a deeply satisfying meal, this place is well...