Zen Chinese Bistro — Restaurant in Portland

There are not enough positive words in the English language to fully capture my gratitude for this restaurant. After being diagnosed with Celiac disease, I had to come to terms with the fact that there is so much food I'd never be able to eat again without a reaction. However, Zen Chinese Bistro reversed the curse for Chinese food. I stumbled upon their website and was almost dumbfounded when I saw they offered gluten-free dishes. A bigger surprise came when I read the comments from other individuals who have the same dietary restrictions who praised Zen for their stringent policies and assortment of safe dishes. It was only a matter of time when on a day trip I got to eat here myself and experience it all first hand. Our group showed up a little early and came back once the dinner service started. Since we were a group of five adults, there was a brief wait while the upstairs was set up. The first floor has a bar with several smaller tables, which is perfect for solo or couples. Upstairs is a large U-shape that overlooks the lower floor and has views of the surrounding area. While they do not have their own parking lot, there are many public lots in the city which are a couple of minutes walk away. No need to ask for a dedicated gluten-free menu because all dishes are clearly labeled and made that way without needing to be asked. This was the first time in years I had more choices than a salad, and I even had to chance to sample other dishes friends ordered without hesitation. Portions are plentiful, and we ended up taking some of it home, so I had a second meal from our dinner. The service was outstanding, and our server was attentive and answered all questions completely. She made our experience outstanding, and I look forward to coming back to Zen when...

Just found Zen Chinese Bistro, by happenstance, and was impressed and hope others will find it and enjoy it as much as we did. The location may be somewhat off the beaten track but it’s not hidden nor hard to get to. If your in Longfellow Square visiting the Museum, you’re almost there. The exterior is austere but well cared for. The interior is the antithesis, it’s modern, well appointed and comfortable. It has a terrific bar and plenty of stools inviting you to try one of their fancy cocktails, e.g. a watermelon margarita. I would highly recommend it as a superb place to grab a drink with a date or a crowd. The table seating is varied, comfortable and compatible to conversation. They also have a mezzanine, which we didn’t inspect. Enough on the atmosphere, onto the food. The menu offerings are more than adequate but not as overwhelming as a chow mein shop. The appetizers offerings are satisfactory and inviting. We weren’t up for a big meal so I satisfied myself with a very good hot and spicy soup. The portions are plentiful so be prepared. My wife tried the Zen plater which was much more than expected and well prepared. I had a tough time trying to figure out what to try from the numerous offerings. Since it was our first visit, I was pedestrian and went with the chow fun with jumbo shrimp- excellent choice! The shrimp were jumbo and more than expected. The vegetables were crispy and delicious but the plate could have been a tad warmer. Our server was pleasant and took good care of us. The price, for all that you get, is also pleasant. Rather than to blather on, since I’m not a good critic. Suffice it to say this place is outstanding and enticing me to come back and try the many other dishes I...

During our visit to Portland, we decided to satisfy our craving for Chinese food at Zen Chinese Bistro. Our order included the Crispy Rice & Chicken Soup, Orange Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, both served with white rice, and a side of egg rolls to go.

The Crispy Rice & Chicken Soup was delightful, and the Kung Pao Chicken was decent. However, the Orange Chicken left much to be desired – it was hard, dry, and the sauce didn't live up to our expectations. Overall, our dining experience was average.

The ambiance of the restaurant felt a little lackluster, and the cleanliness was subpar, which detracted from the overall dining atmosphere.

While our visit didn't meet all of our expectations, it's worth noting that the soup and Kung Pao chicken were highlights of the meal. It's possible that others may have different experiences, and we hope that the restaurant can address the issues we encountered.

In conclusion, if you decide to dine at Zen Chinese Bistro, I recommend trying the soup and the Kung Pao chicken, but you might want to be cautious when ordering the...