Food: What Locals Eat at Pok Pok PDX

Welcome to the first post of 2017! As some of you know, big things are ahead for me in 2017, but more on that later. I’m here to bring you a post about one of the most famous places to eat in Portland. Pok Pok.  It’s a staple watering hole for locals and tourists alike. Pok Pok, “serve(s) food found at pubs, restaurants, homes and the streets of Southeast Asia with the majority of the food coming from Thailand, and specifically from the North and Northeast of Thailand.” It’s flavors are out of this world. Trust me you won’t find these dishes anywhere in the US. They are unique and beautiful. I just love this food.

You can expect long longs most hours of the day at this gem, but like most amazing things, its worth the wait. For this dinner, I joined my friend Chloe to explore the Pok Pok menu.

The Menu

Pok Pok’s extensive menu can be intimidating. Don’t be afraid! You can’t really go wrong here. My favorite dining style is to order several plates and share with the group. Chloe and I may have ordered enough to feed a small army, but it’s all SO delish.

In my opinion, a lot of the dishes are quite spicy. If you aren’t into spice- make sure to chat with your server. Everyone who has waited on me has been extremely knowledgable about the menu. They will surely steer you in the right direction.

Another thing to note- the bar program is excellent! I love the innovative and fresh cocktails always offered at Pok Pok. Make sure to check out the cocktail specials- they are usually creative and seasonal.

What I Order at Pok Pok:

I’ll be honest- I do not order the same thing regularly at Pok Pok. The diverse menu has so much to order. That said, I do have some favorites and tried and true staples. I go for a mix of spicy, sweet and fresh flavors. I tend to lean towards noodle dishes in general and you will see that reflected in my choices. So here it goes:

• Sunny’s Yam Wun Sen Chao Wang
  Spicy and sour glass noodle salad with naem (a house-made sour pork sausage), ground pork, mussels, dry shrimp, Chinese celery, pickled garlic, Thai chiles, shallots and carrot. Lime, fish sauce, garlic oil dressing.
• Tam Kai Yaang
  Spicy roasted game hen salad with long beans, tomatoes, peanuts, cilantro, Chinese celery, Thai chiles, dry shrimp, garlic, lime, palm sugar and fish sauce.
• Khao Soi (Chicken, Beef, or Vegetarian) 
  Northern Thai mild curry noodle soup made with our secret curry paste recipe and house-pressed fresh coconut milk. Served with house pickled mustard greens, shallots, crispy yellow noodles and roasted chili paste.
• Ike’s Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings
  Half dozen fresh whole natural chicken wings marinated in fish sauce and sugar, deep fried, tossed in caramelized Phu Quoc fish sauce and garlic and served with pickled vegetables.
• Whiskey Soda Float
  Homemade bourbon ice cream and cola float with a brace of Amarena cherries on top.

Now you have the local insights- Next time you head to Pok Pok- try one of these dishes. You won’t be disappointed. Maybe one of your New Years resolutions was to try a new restaurant- give this a whirl.

Hope you are enjoying the new year and staying warm!