In spite of some new arrivals on the scene, the survey makes it clear. When it comes to the Best Chinese in Portland, we still aren’t a mecca for the cuisine. Why is that? Seattle has some decent examples. Vancouver BC has some excellent restaurants. I’ve never understood why so many of our Chinese restaurants are below expectations.
This year, Shandong drops from first place, and Frank’s Noodle House comes from nowhere to take the top spot. I need to give them another try. I haven’t been to Taste of Sichuan, but heard good things when they were opening. Opinions?
1130 votes were cast:
1. Frank’s Noodle House – 14.16% $
- Noodles made the old fashioned way by stretching and folding the dough. Northwest Chinese cuisine
- 822 NE Broadway St., Portland OR 97232 Map (503) 288-1007
2. Shandong – 10.62% $$
- Mostly classic, Northern Chinese dishes. Annoying website without prices.
- 3724 Northeast Broadway Street Portland, OR 97232 Map (503) 287-0331
3. Lucky Strike – 8.85% (tied with Taste of Sichuan) $$
- Spicy Sichuan cuisine. Funky spot.
- 3862 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard Portland, OR 97214 Map (503) 206-8292
3b. Taste of Sichuan – 8.85% $$
- SW China, contemporary Sichuan cuisine and hot pots
- 16261 Northwest Cornell Road Beaverton, OR 97006 Map (503) 629-7001
- 1825 SE 164th Ave #110, Vancouver, WA 98683 Map (360) 253-8133
4. Wong’s King Seafood – 8.63% $$$
- Banquet style with a focus on seafood, dim sum. My review
- I don’t think it is nearly as good as it used to be.
- 8733 Southeast Division Street Portland, OR 97266 Map (503) 788-8883
5. Ocean City Restaurant – 7.96% $$
- Varied regions, dim sum, classic Chinese cuisine and seafood, banquet style.
- A recent visit left me so unimpressed I couldn’t finish the food.
- 3016 Southeast 82nd Avenue Portland, OR 97266 Map (503) 771-2299
6. Szechuan Chef – 6.86% $$$
- Szechuan food and hot pot with all-you-can-eat selection.
- Southwest Macadam Ave., Portland, OR 97239 Map (503) 227-3136
7. HK Cafe – Red Tea House – 3.98% $$
- Dim sum, banquet style. Classic Chinese staples
- 4410 Southeast 82nd Ave., Portland, OR 97266 Map (503) 771-8866
Previous years:
- 2013 – Shandong, Lucky Strike, Ocean City Seafood, Wong’s King Seafood, Taste of Sichuan
- 2012 – Lucky Strike, Shandong, Wong’s King, Ocean City Seafood
- 2011 – Lucky Strike, Wong’s King, Ocean City Seafood, Shandong
Susan Wolff says
Taste of Sichuan in Vancouver is the best Chinese restaurant in Vancouver. We have been waiting a long time for one to come here. There use to be one on Fourth Plain and Highway 500 several years ago. We had my brother and sister in law meet us there from LO. He likes spicy, odd things and he was impressed. He has eaten in China. We have high standards for Chinese and other foods and Taste meets and surpasses our standards. Fresh ingredients, great staff, real Chinese chefs, they have it all. We have tried many places in PDX also.
Three77 says
This list only proves that many in PDX have no idea what real Chinese food is. Explore 82nd if you want to find the best examples in this town.
Hint: dingy = delicious
PDX Food Dude says
Do you have specific suggestions?
Clay B says
Here’s one: Pure Spice on Division at 84th. Look at the specials board. Sometimes they will have razor clams. It will take some time to explore the menu (been there about 15 times and am just getting started). I’ve seen local chefs here as well. Carmen, the owner is one of the nicest people you will meet.
Jodie Ostrovsky says
I wish someone would explain to me why Taste of Sichuan is considered so good. I had one of the worst meals of my life there of any kind, not just Chinese. One of the dishes we ordered, the Crispy Walnut Prawns, actually had Miracle Whip as part of the topping. I don’t know if the urban legend about there being a separate menu for Westerners and Asians is true, but I’d really like to understand why my experience was so wildly different from the general reviews. I love Chinese food and I would be willing to give this place a second chance if someone could explain the dichotomy to me.
Clay B says
Making the right choice from any menu is more than half the game. Crispy walnut prawns (or several similar iterations) are pretty disgusting no matter which restaurant they are ordered from. As I recall, the front of the menu is dedicated to the more standard dishes. The last page or so has the chef’s recommendations. This is a good place to start.
Palmer says
I love good, authentic Asian cuisine of all kinds. My favorite though, is Good Taste On NW 4th in Chinatown just north of Burnside. Best food hands down. By far the best BBQ pork which they do in house. I’ve tried many things on the menu but my go to dish is the BBQ Pork Won Ton Noodle Soup. With that said my 2nd favorite would have to Wong’s King Seafood on Division it’s #1 though in Dim Sum!
Sam says
Taste of Sichuan, #3? Szechuan Chef, #6? But, it’s Chinese food for Americans, right? As long as people here like it, it’s good.
I personally think Lucky strike is worth going back. Unfortunately, Spicy world left Portland — that’s another place that shows some authentic flavor of the Sichuan cuisine.
Josh W says
I was pretty surprised that Chen’s Good Taste didn’t hit people’s radar, I agree that is hands down the best Chinese in Portland. Super bowl #1 is one of my favorite dishes in town, you must try it.
Clay B says
I’ve been going there for 20 years. The BBQ is fantastic. If you go there with other folks, the special meals on the white boards can be fun. The problem with this restaurant is that it is too funky for many people and the location as well. Definitely not a B&T destination.
Nancy says
Kung Pow! on NW 21st is pretty good, owned by same folks as Shandong but in my opinion much better.