The newest branch of Pok Pok in the building that previously housed The Bent Brick, is now open in NW Portland. One huge change for the restaurant chain is half of the dining room is available for online reservations. I don’t believe they have tried this before. Though the menu is smaller than the Division location, it features many greatest hits including the chicken wings and the Kai Yaang chicken, but branch out if you haven’t before, try the Cha Ca “La Vong” catfish, and the best Khao Soi I’ve had anywhere. The Hoi Thawt with the oysters takes me right back to the Thailand every time. There are some appetizers I don’t remember being on the menu before, one of my Thai favorites, Miang Kham leaf wraps, are a blast of contrasting flavors – “Betel leaf wraps filled with diced ginger, lime, Thai chiles, peanuts, toasted coconut, shrimp floss, shallots and served with a sweet palm sugar-tamarind sauce.” Lon Naem, “Rich dip of coconut cream, sour cured pork sausage, prawns, tamarind, palm sugar, fresh shallots, galangal, coriander leaves, mandarin zest. Served with khao taen, betel leaf tempura, white turmeric and green mango” is new to me.
By the way, I never noticed until tonight, that Andy Ricker has gotten together with Olympia Provisions to make Sai Ua Sausage, a fragrant, spicy blend. A few of those, some chili sauce and a beer and I’m ready for summer.
The NW location is at 1639 NW Marshall St. Portland 97209 – open Mon-Fri 5PM-10PM and Sat- Sun 11:30AM-10PM.
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