While in town for a conference, I went to Buranko Cafe & Bar for my first dinner in town due to…read moreYelp reviews. It was so delicious that I brought my spouse back for dinner when he arrived later in the weekend. When I went the first night I got the shrimp pad Thai and it was the best pad Thai I've had in a long time. So full of flavor and fresh ingredients. I also got the hazy IPA from the local brewery, Backwoods. When we came back later in the weekend, my spouse got the shrimp pad Thai since I sang its praises. I got the million dollar shrimp tom kha ramen and it was DIVINE! I literally cherished every slurp and bite, it was so incredible and flavorful! My spouse got a different local IPA and I got a unique twist on a Negroni. The staff were extremely friendly helpful, ensuring that we had an impeccable experience from start to finish. Prices were also reasonable for the high quality ingredients, quantity, and presentation. The ambiance was wonderful, offering a clean, welcoming, and modern-green chic aesthetic. Not only did we have an amazing dinning experience, but also an amazing service and ambiance experience! If we are ever in town again, Buranko Cafe & Bar will be our top spot to stop!

This used to be one of my favorite restaurants a few years back, and it had been a while since my…read morelast visit. The inside still looks really cute, but my mom and I didn't get to sit in the woven chairs even though it was pretty empty when we went. I probably should have asked to move tables, but I didn't want to make it a hassle for the staff. We ordered the cheesy crab wontons, shrimp pad thai, and crispy chicken. The crab wontons were really good , crunchy and filling are well seasoned it wasn't just stright up cream cheese, I enjoyed them a lot with the sweet chili sauce. The crispy chicken was also really yummy, can't say the same for the the pad thai tho it was so, so salty. I'll continue to come back in the future!

We finally made it to Janken for my sister's birthday, and apparently our strategy was to order…read morehalf the menu and see what happened. There were 4 adults, 2 small children, a full table and no self control. The cocktails were incredible, and the staff was so thoughtful they even split a mocktail for the kids, who felt very fancy and important because of it. We ordered sushi, fried rice, bao buns, lobster rolls, steak tartare, duck, scallops, sliders, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, dumplings, fries... honestly, if it was on the menu, there's a decent chance it landed on our table. By the end we were so full that dessert never stood a chance. The only thing none of us cared for was the Dynamite Roll. The warm creamy crab topping just wasn't our thing. There were also a few dishes I'm glad we tried but probably wouldn't order again--the Peking duck, bao buns, and tableside fried rice. Now for the stars of the show. The STEAK TARTARE. I order steak tartare every chance I get. I've had it all over and make it at home. This was hands down the best steak tartare I've ever eaten. Not "best in Portland." Not "best recently." Best ever. Next time I'm ordering one for the table and one for myself because sharing was a mistake. The hamachi crispy rice was absolutely divine. The King Salmon Roll was fantastic. The fries were somehow memorable enough that I'm mentioning fries in a restaurant review, which feels important. The kids loved their avocado rolls, and the staff happily accommodated their requests. Overall, Janken nailed it. Great food, amazing drinks, wonderful service, and somehow managed to make dining out with two little kids feel easy. I'm already planning to come back for my birthday. This time I'm determined to save room for dessert, try more sushi, and finally enjoy an entire order of steak tartare without having to fend off family members with my fork.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but this experience was extremely disappointing…read more We came to Janken to celebrate my daughter's birthday, expecting a special and professional dining experience. We spent nearly $400 on dinner and expected a much higher level of service and communication. We ordered several dishes, and while most of the food arrived, the last two dishes never came. We waited over 30-40 minutes with no updates from the staff. No one checked on us or informed us of any delay,we had to ask multiple times ourselves. What made the experience even more frustrating was that we noticed another couple who arrived after us. Their food continued to come out promptly, and staff checked on them several times throughout their meal. Meanwhile, we were left waiting, wondering where our food was, with little to no communication from anyone. Each time we asked about our missing dishes, we were told, "Just one minute." Ten minutes later, there was still no food. After waiting so long, I finally asked to cancel the remaining dishes. About five minutes later, one of the dishes was brought out anyway without any explanation. I told the waitress that we had already canceled it, and she simply said "okay," took the dish, and walked away. A few minutes later, another staff member brought out the other canceled dish and told us it was complimentary and that we could take it to go if we weren't hungry. The issue was never about getting free food. I wasn't looking for free food.I brought my daughter here for her birthday because I believed this was a nice restaurant that would provide a memorable experience. Instead of leaving with happy memories from my daughter's birthday celebration, we left feeling frustrated, disappointed, and upset. The lack of communication, poor service, and overall handling of the situation completely overshadowed what should have been a special evening.

Been coming here for 10 years now and I'm so glad they're still around. The owner is incredibly…read morefriendly and funny. I super appreciate the authentic Asian flavors here and the fact that they're entirely gluten free. It's the perfect place for me (Asian) and my partner (who has celiac disease).

Wow. Had the pho that has chicken, beef, veggies, and tofu. Comes with bean sprouts and lime and…read moreThai basil on the side. And sriracha and house made (!) hoisin sauce. I drank the last drop from my bowl. Also, on Saturday night there was community karaoke, which was much fun. The waiter sang. It was epic. It was noisy but never hit 90 decibel for a warning. The community held space for newcomers

Is 6 stars possible? I don't know if it was my extreme hunger or if this is the best food I've had…read morein a long time.... But it just got better the more I ate so I assume the latter. I got the bento with 2 onigiri- green garlic & white miso and ginger & pistachio miso (what??)- I made it gf so they gave me gluten free karaage instead of the potato fritter. Amazing is an understatement! Couldn't take any photos because I demolished it. Very chill environment and staff, and the individual helping me (owner or manager?) was so helpful! 100/10 recommend. You need to go here! (Only note is that the onigiri does fall apart- it's brown rice so unavoidable- so I wouldn't wear long sleeves unless you can roll them up lol)

This was one of the most humiliating dining experiences I have ever had…read more We chose this spot for a friend's final night in Portland. She had recommended it, was excited to share it with us. There was no single incident that explains what happened. Instead, it was a series of interactions that became increasingly dismissive, hostile, and ultimately humiliating. The first moment that gave us pause came when my friend's ID was returned so carelessly that it landed on the floor. The server then walked away without explanation, only to return and inform us she would not be serving us drinks. Being denied a drink was never the issue, though the manner in which it was handled felt abrupt and unwarranted. When we attempted to understand the concern, there was no effort to communicate, clarify, or review the additional identification we had available, including a passport. Instead, the interaction became increasingly adversarial. We were told we could cause the restaurant to lose its liquor license and were ultimately instructed to leave. At that point, it no longer felt like a conversation about identification. It felt like a complete breakdown in professionalism and basic respect. Before leaving, my friend calmly asked to speak with someone in charge. She was visibly upset, holding back tears, but remained composed throughout the interaction. Rather than attempting to understand or de-escalate the situation, another staff member escalated it further, becoming confrontational and referring to her as a "bish." I have worked in food service and understand that mistakes happen. Portland has no shortage of exceptional restaurants. I would spend my time and money elsewhere. 0/5

One of the best sandwiches over ever had. I got a 7" BLT, amazing sandwich, they did not hold back…read moreon the bacon. The best part was the bread, it tasted fresh baked! Everyone was so kind and it really felt like it was a small family business. Also got a peanut butter cookie that tasted like it was baked by a grandma! The vibe was very comfortable, can't recommend this place enough.

This local staple features a massive menu and exceptionally welcoming staff, but the final product…read morestruggles with some execution and value issues. While it's great to check off a notable Portland spot, the steep pricing and a major quality control hiccup make it more of a one-time stop for me personally. 14" Famous Tickler (3/5): A standard cold sub loaded with ham, salami, pepperoni, and traditional toppings. The bread didn't appear to be toasted, making it a bit dry and tough to bite through without heavily relying on the complimentary garlic mayo on the side. It's a massive sandwich, but the flavor profile itself is fairly unremarkable. 14" Teriyaki Steak Philly (2/5): A hot sub that unfortunately fell short of the price tag. The sandwich was light on the bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and melted provolone cheese, leaving the sandwich feeling a bit bare. Adding to the disappointment, a piece of what looked like tinsel was found inside my sandwich, which was a major turn-off for quality control. Logistics Tip: Street parking in the area is free and easy to find. The counter service is incredibly friendly, laid-back, and highly efficient, bringing out orders well under their 15 minute estimate while offering great complimentary condiments like garlic mayo. However, outdoor seating is extremely limited and easily packs out, so plan to grab your food to-go. With two large sandwiches totaling $43, it leans on the expensive side for a casual lunch

Amazing.... area (Pearl District), food, staff, drinks, decor - everything!! Highly, highly, highly…read morerecommend this delicious spot to anyone. Bonus: They are very accommodating to dietary restrictions; I have a tree nut allergy and another guest was gluten free. The restaurant is also open yet cozy. Beautifully decorated and well done overall. Just do yourself a favor and make a reso to enjoy a yummy meal

I seem to have a very poor memory of this place. I thought they had improved their menu and food…read moreand was looking forward to eating here again. Overall I would say it was a disappointing meal as the food quality and offerings don't justify the price point. Cocktails were good and perhaps just stopping here for a drink is all that's needed. For food we ordered the following: Empanada: Tasty and probably the best thing we had, although the portion was small for the price Scallop Ceviche: Red onion overwhelmed everything so was hard to enjoy Quinoa rice dish: Super boring and not very tasty Lomo Saltado: Overcooked beef and soggy fries. Strawberry shortcake: seasonal dessert: Cake was dense and lacked flavor. This was an exceedingly disappointing meal and I'm sad to see this restaurant hasn't improved over the years.

easily the most tasty food in Portland , i know its a big statement , but you must try it to…read morebelieve , wether you're vegan or not - truly AMAZING highly recommend !

Been wanting to try this place for a while and so glad I did!! The cute little bunny dumplings were…read morenot only sooo tasty but sooooo adorbs!! Everything else always also great and the drinks were creative! Will definitely come back :) the servers were also very very nice!

Great chicken and rice. Not sure how they do it, but the chicken is soft, tender, moist and very…read moreflavorful and the rice is very aromatic and delicious. The sauce they use with the chicken and rice is great and is worth buying to take home to make your own dishes better. There is a good amount of seating both inside and out. I also tried the pork which was good but I prefer the chicken so will stick to that on a future visit. I have tried a lot of places that do the same thai style chicken and rice and it's almost always a miss for me, something is always off, usually the chicken is touch, or too dry, or lacking flavor but here it just hits right.

Simple yet incredibly delicious. It was the perfect meal after 10 days exploring Oregon. Service…read morewas quick. I was a little shocked that it came packaged the way it did but all good. I'll be back again for sure