Oregon, a state renowned for its majestic natural beauty and diverse culture, is also a compelling culinary destination, especially for those who love Vietnamese flavors. Vietnamese cuisine in Oregon goes beyond familiar pho dishes, offering a delicate blend of tradition and innovation, creating a unique and memorable dining experience. Join “Travel the World” as we explore famous Vietnamese restaurants in Oregon, where you can savor local specialties in a completely new way.
1. HaVL – Renowned Pho and Exquisite Vermicelli Daily
Hidden in an unassuming shopping center, HaVL is a gem of Vietnamese cuisine in Oregon. Founded by Christina Ha Luu in 2006, the restaurant impresses diners with its cozy ambiance and simple decor, yet it harbors dishes rich with homeland flavors. HaVL’s reputation extends far and wide thanks to its signature beef pho, which has been honored with the prestigious James Beard Award for three consecutive years, a testament to the quality and sophistication in each bowl of pho.
Beyond pho, HaVL is also famous for its diverse vermicelli menu, which changes daily throughout the week, bringing surprise and delight to diners. If you visit on Thursday, don’t miss the flavorful bun cha oc (vermicelli with snail and grilled pork), rich in Hanoi flavors. Saturday is the time to enjoy spicy Bun Bo Hue (Hue-style beef vermicelli soup), imbued with the essence of Central Vietnam. And on Sunday, Mi Quang (Quang-style turmeric noodles), featuring golden noodles, pork, fresh shrimp, refreshing raw vegetables, and crispy grilled rice crackers, will be the perfect choice to end the week. HaVL is not just a restaurant, but also a journey to explore Vietnamese cuisine through distinctive dishes, a place where you can savor Oregon local specialties through the lens of refined Vietnamese flavors.
2. Oc House – Vietnamese Seafood Paradise and Late-Night Culinary Adventures
If you are a devotee of Vietnamese seafood, Oc House is definitely a must-visit destination in Oregon. This restaurant is known as a paradise of snails, clams, mussels, and countless other enticing seafood dishes, promising to satisfy every palate. Oc House’s menu extends beyond seafood to include many other attractive options such as flavorful frog legs, fresh squid, balut (fertilized duck egg), and other Vietnamese specialties.
Oc House’s special appeal lies not only in the quality of its dishes but also in the friendly and hospitable atmosphere created by its professional staff. The enthusiasm and attentiveness of the staff will make you feel like you are dining at a close friend’s home. In addition, its operating hours extending until late at night make Oc House an ideal late-night dining spot for those seeking a special culinary experience after a long day of exploring Oregon. At Oc House, you not only enjoy Oregon local specialties from the sea but also feel the warmth and hospitality of Vietnamese culture.
3. Luc Lac – Unique Fusion of Street Food and Cocktails
Interior of Luc Lac restaurant with counter service and patrons
Luc Lac, a Vietnamese restaurant with a counter-service style, is a unique creation of brothers Adam and Alan Ho, opened in November 2011. Luc Lac is famous for its harmonious combination of Vietnamese street food and a cozy cocktail bar atmosphere, creating a completely new culinary experience in Oregon. Popular dishes at Luc Lac include crispy spring rolls, flavorful stir-fried clams, delicious pho, tempting steak rolls, and unique sugarcane shrimp.
In particular, Luc Lac also boasts a diverse drink menu, in which “Sassy Sour” is the best-selling cocktail, favored by many diners. With the style of a “Vietnamese sandwich shop/cozy cocktail bar,” Luc Lac offers a youthful, modern space that is still imbued with Vietnamese essence. In over 10 years of operation, Luc Lac has been honored with many prestigious culinary awards, including “Best Pho” and “Best Baguette” (Willamette Week 2015), 26th place in the list of “Portland’s best late-night eats” (Oregonian’s Michael Russell ranking 2016), and many other awards. Luc Lac is where you can savor Oregon local specialties in a modern and innovative Vietnamese culinary space.
4. Friendship Kitchen – Renowned Bun Bo Hue and Exquisite Vegetarian Dishes
Located near the Albertina Kerr Center, Friendship Kitchen is not just a restaurant but also considered a local attraction, an authentic part of the city’s culture. This restaurant is famous for its renowned Bun Bo Hue (Hue-style beef vermicelli soup), prepared according to a family recipe, bringing the rich and spicy flavors typical of Hue. In addition, crispy fried chicken wings and tofu, perfectly seasoned, are also dishes loved by diners from the first bite.
Friendship Kitchen is not limited to savory dishes but also pays special attention to vegetarian cuisine. The restaurant serves a number of vegetarian dishes highly praised by diners, with delicate, refined flavors while still ensuring complete nutrition. With fast and convenient takeout service, Friendship Kitchen is an ideal choice for busy people who want to enjoy quality Vietnamese food. Coming to Friendship Kitchen, you not only savor Oregon local specialties through the flavor of Bun Bo Hue but also explore the diversity of Vietnamese cuisine, including pure vegetarian dishes.
5. Pho Hung – A Success Story from a Small Pho Stall to a Large Restaurant Chain
The story of Pho Hung began in 1990, when Mr. Tien Kim Thanh, a person with no business or pho-cooking experience, decided to take out a loan to buy a struggling pho shop on SE Powell Street, Portland. With effort and passion, within just one year, he paid off his debt and turned Pho Hung into one of the most famous Vietnamese pho brands in Oregon. Currently, he has expanded the Pho Hung restaurant chain with four branches in Oregon and Texas, along with Pho Ngon restaurant in Oregon (acquired from Saigon Pho) and Pho Thanh restaurant in California.
Pho Hung is not only famous for pho but also serves a variety of vermicelli dishes, spring rolls, and other traditional Vietnamese dishes. Pho Hung’s success has not only been limited to the United States but has also spread to Vietnam and some neighboring countries, affirming the position of Vietnamese pho on the world culinary map. Pho Hung is a testament to how perseverance and passion can turn a small pho stall into a culinary empire, bringing Oregon local specialty – Vietnamese pho – to international friends.
6. Pho Van – Family-Secret Pho Flavor and a Journey to the World
Exterior of Pho Van restaurant with outdoor seating
Pho Van is a chain of Vietnamese restaurants based in Portland, Oregon, starting its culinary journey in 1992 with its first store in southeast Portland. Under the leadership of owner Lam Van, Pho Van has continuously developed and expanded, with subsequent stores opening in 2002, 2003, and 2006. Not only stopping at the US market, Pho Van has also reached out internationally, entering the Chinese market in 2012, affirming the position and attraction of Vietnamese pho flavor globally.
In addition to its signature pho, Pho Van is also famous for many other attractive dishes, especially grilled fish with scallion oil, served with rice paper rolls, herbs, and sweet and sour fish sauce, creating a harmonious and irresistible flavor combination. Besides, refreshing green papaya salad, crispy spring rolls, and golden crispy banh xeo (Vietnamese savory crepe) are also must-try dishes when coming to Pho Van. Pho Van is not only a place to enjoy Oregon local specialties through pho but also a journey to explore the diversity and sophistication of Vietnamese cuisine.
7. Cuon – Vietnamese street food – Fresh and Nutritious Vietnamese Street Food
Cuon – Vietnamese street food brings an authentic Vietnamese street food experience right to Oregon. This restaurant specializes in serving familiar Vietnamese street food dishes, from noodles to pho, with a special focus on the quality of ingredients and fresh, nutritious flavors. At Cuon, ingredients are carefully selected, exceeding common standards, bringing rich and fresh flavors to each dish. You can choose from a variety of toppings such as chicken, pork, meatballs (pork sausage), tofu, tempura shrimp, or crab spring rolls, according to personal preference.
Cuon is not only a great choice for those who love Vietnamese cuisine but also a low-calorie way to fully supplement nutrients and vitamins from fresh vegetables. The restaurant space is simply but attractively decorated, creating a cozy and memorable atmosphere for your meal. A bowl of pho at Cuon is a flavorful and soul-warming dish, while a bowl of vermicelli is a captivating combination of distinctive Vietnamese flavors. Cuon is an ideal destination to savor Oregon local specialties through the lens of Vietnamese street food, both delicious and healthy.
8. An An – Unique Vietnamese Brunch and Artistic Space
If you are looking for a Vietnamese restaurant serving unique brunch dishes, An An is the address that has recently attracted much attention in Oregon. An An is famous for its refreshing and delicious appetizer of lettuce wraps, becoming a “must-try” dish for many diners when coming here. In addition, the restaurant also has many other typical dishes such as flavorful spicy chang chicken, and attractive kung pao shrimp, offering a variety of culinary choices.
An An’s plus points are its fast service and friendly, enthusiastic staff. In addition, the restaurant space is also decorated with unique art walls, creating a dining space that is both delicious and visually appealing. An An is a perfect combination of Vietnamese cuisine and modern brunch style, a place where you can enjoy Oregon local specialties in a youthful and artistic space.
9. Thom Portland – A Rising Star of Vietnamese Cuisine in Portland
Interior of Thom Portland restaurant with modern design and seating
Thom Portland is a newly emerging Vietnamese restaurant, opened by brothers Jimmy and Johnny Le in August 2021. Despite being only a few years old, Thom has quickly established its position on the Portland culinary map and received much praise from food critics. Michael Russell of The Oregonian called Thom “the second-wave Vietnamese restaurant Portland has been waiting for” and included Thom in the list of Portland’s best new restaurants, while honoring the restaurant’s bun thit nuong (grilled pork vermicelli) in the list of “most memorable” dishes in 2021.
Karen Brooks of Portland Monthly also included Thom in Portland Monthly’s Best Restaurants list, and Brooke Jackson-Glidden of Eater Portland featured the restaurant in the 2022 overview list of “Where to Eat on Alberta Street.” These awards and positive reviews are testament to the quality and special flavors of Thom Portland. Coming to Thom, you will have the opportunity to savor Oregon local specialties through Vietnamese dishes that are sophisticatedly and creatively prepared, in a modern and stylish space.
10. Bamboo house – Diverse Vietnamese Dishes and Cozy Dining Experience
Bamboo house may not be the most famous pho address in Oregon, but if you are looking for a Vietnamese restaurant with a diverse menu of dishes other than pho, this is a worthwhile option to consider. According to many diners, the pho at Bamboo house is flavorful enough, not too outstanding compared to Pho Van or Pho Hung, but in return, the restaurant is strong in other Vietnamese dishes.
The dishes at Bamboo house are rated as rich in Vietnamese flavors and beautifully presented. Some recommended dishes when coming to Bamboo house include flavorful Pepper Salted Shrimp, warm wonton soup, delicious bun rieu (crab noodle soup), crispy banh mi (Vietnamese baguette), and strong Vietnamese coffee. If you still want to try pho at Bamboo house, ribeye pho is an interesting option. Bamboo house offers a cozy and diverse Vietnamese dining experience, where you can enjoy Oregon local specialties through many different Vietnamese dishes, not just limited to pho.
Conclusion
The journey to explore Vietnamese cuisine in Oregon is a fascinating and diverse experience, offering diners the opportunity to savor Oregon local specialties through the lens of unique Vietnamese culinary culture. From the renowned pho at HaVL and Pho Van, to fresh seafood at Oc House, the vibrant cocktail bar atmosphere of Luc Lac, or unique brunch dishes at An An, each Vietnamese restaurant in Oregon carries a distinct style and flavor, promising to satisfy every palate and bring memorable dining experiences. Let “Travel the World” continue to explore and share exciting culinary destinations around the world, connecting cultures and people through delicious meals and meaningful stories.