Langbaan — Restaurant in Portland

I hate to say it, but Langbaan just isn't worth it. And before you think I'm one of those people who just doesn't like spending a pretty penny on a meal, I just dropped $800 and $700 per person at the Alchemist and Geranium in Copenhagen, and had no issue doing so because those were absolutely worth it! At what came to about $160 per person, Langbaan just doesn't deliver the Michelin level food you would expect (per my other reviews, I've dined at 169 Michelin restaurants around the world, so hopefully am speaking from a point of comparison).

Of 11 dishes served, only 1 (the scallop tart) was truly great. A few others were slightly above average (the cod), others average, and the rest outright misses (the shrimp was overcooked, the wagyu steak of all things was tough/chewy - a big no no, the soup was far too sour). Aside from the food itself, there also were a few oddities that I had issues with:

1. The server introduces the restaurant by saying "we have a new menu as of Friday, which means you are one of the first people in America to try it." If you are going to say something like this (which comes off as pretentious - I've never heard such a thing at those 169 Michelins I've been to), you have to deliver, otherwise it really comes off the wrong way.

2. The meal is advertised as 11 courses, but 4 of those are brought out at one time as part of the main course, and it really is just 1 course with multiple parts, not 4 separate courses (unless you want to count the rice as a course, or the duck curry sauce that you put on said rice). Again, I haven't seen something like this done elsewhere, so found it a bit misleading.

3. The servers were all really nice and friendly, so no issue there, though they would frequently introduce dishes by saying "What I love most about this dish is..." Because multiple of them did this, you could tell it was required/scripted, which takes away from the genuineness of such statements.

4. For all the pretentiousness, they don't replace plates/utensils after each course, there is no AC, and when we arrived, we had to stand outside (this was during a recent heat wave of 100 degrees) until after our start time because the hostess said "they weren't ready."

I really wanted to love Langbaan (I wouldn't have taken my mother and sister there if I didn't), and per many of my other reviews, I don't have an issue giving high marks when deserved. But this missed on so many levels that I get the feeling the high reviews from other patrons are from those who don't eat this level of meal a lot (so of course it is the "best" meal of their life). I hope Langbaan improves. And hey, maybe it was just an off night. But to me, it wasn't...

“Langbaan,” the Thai word for ‘back of the house’, is an intimate dining room tucked beautifully in the space with Phuket Café . For a long time now I had tried getting reservations and was actually lucky to get one for my birthday dinner . Reservations open up a month in advance and fill up fast due to limited seating and timings or because the food is phenomenal . Each month, the revolving prix fixe menu features, anything but typical Thai “street food” highlighting the flavors and cuisines of Thailand and this month the focused on the Muslim communities in Thailand . Its an 11 course dinner and the menu mostly has 1-2 bite courses, but by the time you are done you would be discreetly loosening your pant buttons . The menu changes seasonally so I wont get into the details of that but I must say that it blend old-school Thai dishes with modern ideas and Oregon seasonality. You might find yourself spooning into a bone marrow slathered in basil seeds or a curry that will blow your mind away . The food is truly artistic at this place . My favorite was the Dtom Som Plaa - a soup so good , I feel like they should open a restaurant just to sell that . They had a wine pairing but we opted to get cocktails and were very pleased with our choices . The drinks complimented the food and may I add even enhanced the whole experience . The staff was knowledgeable and deserve every single bit of praise . They worked together in unison like an orchestra and one dish after the other just kept popping up on our table . Each dish comes with a story on its preparation and ingredients and the staff ensures to tell it with so much fun no matter how many times an evening they narrate it. The only thing that I did not enjoy is the seating , If I am paying such a high price for a meal I would expect to perhaps be seated comfortably . The bar seating was just obnoxious and the door right behind us opened every 5 minutes and the cold gush of wind kind of ruined things ever so often . It had snowed in Portland that day and needles to add it was CHILLY. Overall I would recommend this place to everyone . It truly is one of the best tasting menu restaurants in Portland and deserves every bit of...

Langbaan feels like Portland’s answer to Kiln in London. Both take inspiration from the bold flavours of Isan and rural Thai cooking. Both revolve around open kitchens and charcoal fire. And both serve deeply layered dishes in spaces that are intimate, low-lit, and quietly confident.

The July 2025 menu was centred on Northeastern Thai influences. It was carefully composed and technically sharp. The seafood was especially strong. A Hokkaido scallop tart with coconut cream felt clean and exact. The Dungeness crab with tom saap granita was subtle, cool, and beautifully balanced. Every plate delivered flavour and finesse.

At times though, the menu leaned more into refinement than reinterpretation. It might have been more exciting to see bolder variations or playful departures from tradition. The presentation was thoughtful, but occasionally safe. Still, the kitchen clearly knows what it is doing and does it with skill.

Kiln, for comparison, is not strictly or traditionally Isan. It captures the spirit of regional Thai border cooking and filters it through British ingredients and a stripped-back fire-cooking style. Langbaan feels more grounded in its sourcing and more deliberate in its storytelling. The food is less rustic but more anchored. The room reflects that as well. It is calm and focused, with a gentle rhythm between the chefs and the front of house.

Langbaan does not aim to replicate the food of Thai night markets or beach towns. It offers something more considered. It tells a story that connects Thai tradition with Pacific Northwest ingredients and a Portland state of mind. It may not be boundary-pushing, but it is precise, expressive, and...