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    Lela's Bistro

    4.4 (465 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    LELA'S BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Pork belly noodle bowl
    Grace C.

    Lela's Bistro was just ok. The ambiance was homey and cute - in a house converted to a business on NW 23rd, it is in a great, touristy location. However, the food was just ok. The menu has good variety - pho, bowls, banh mi, curries, with plenty of protein options. The flavors were lacking and you can get better Vietnamese food in SE Portland. I got the pork belly noodle bowl and it was just alright. Portion sizes were fair, but the pork belly wasn't flavorful and also a bit tough. Lela's Bistro has tough competition from the other Vietnamese eateries we have in around Portland, but Lela's effort isn't unnoticed. I don't think we have the best food options on NW 23rd, so Lela's is just up to par. They are not my choice for Vietnamese, but may do the job if you are in the area!

    Banh Mi Combo - Lemongrass Chicken

    Such a cute and cozy spot and so yummy!! I was initially hesitant about a "cup of pho" as a side bc we don't usually eat like this, but it was perfect, warm, flavorful, and complimented the meal very well. Lemongrass chicken bánh mì was very good. Good textured bread and ratios of veggies + meat. One of the go-to local spots. Love the patio and rocking chairs. Friendly staff and fast service.

    Pho - Beef (gf)
    Andrew L.

    I had intended to come to Lela's Bistro for lunch but I found myself in NW and starving on a Tuesday night. It was a great visit! The pho was piping hot and delicious. The atmosphere in the restaurant is very low key with quiet music and pleasant vibes. You order at the counter and pay and then they bring your food out. I like this setup as you don't have a server coming around. Just my preference. Anyways, another pho joint checked off the list. A+ Lela's Bistro!

    Pho - Chicken (gf)

    Our favorite place for Vietnamese food. A lovely old house with cozy ambiance and delicious food. The pho is always our go-to. 10/10 every time!

    Banh Mi Combo - Fried Eggs (v) Pho - Vegetarian (gf,v)Pho - Beef (gf)
    Kayla P.

    Easily the best Bahn mi I've ever had. The portion was a perfect size for me to share, even though this was so good that I would've loved to have eaten the whole thing. The flavors were great, I loved the sauce in the Bahn mi. The pho was also great; a perfect addition to the sandwich. It was pretty quick to get my food. I'm already making plans to visit again.

    Pho - Beef (gf)
    David S.

    Ordered beef pho for $17.50 before tip. Just as good as I remember when I lived down the street. Service is friendly and efficient. My food comes super fast in 10 minutes and pair that with the old Portland house atmosphere it feels cozy. Also, a lot of places don't boil their bones long enough for the collagen to infuse the broth, this place definitely spends a long time on their broth. Family owned so that's huge plus.

    I was looking for healthier Vegan options after my yoga class today and I checked several restaurants nearby. Lela's was the only one with clear Vegan options, it was nice not having to search the menu inside out or deconstruct dishes. Josh was friendly and helpful. Highly recommend.

    Noodle Bowl w/Pork Belly (gf)
    Marylyn T.

    Cute little Vietnamese spot that makes you feel so cozy on a busy street! Great service despite it being a place where you order & pay ahead of being seated. The servers were attentive and kind. The food was great. I got the crispy pork belly noodles, and the pork belly was perfection. It paired well with the noodles and fresh veggies along with their fish sauce dressing.

    Salad Rolls w/Pork & Shrimp (gf)
    Elysia G.

    Such a cute place on 23rd in Portland! It's in a converted old house, you can sit inside or out on the porch. The FOOD is Fantastic! We had a salad roll, pork & shrimp, that was delicious! I love salad rolls! I also love pork with shrimp, such a great combo! Then we both ordered a Banh Mi Lemon Grass Chicken with a choice of a cup of Pho or a salad. I went with the beef Pho and my husband went with the chicken Pho. The Pho was AMAZING! Soooooo goooood! Definitely get at least a cup of Pho. The Banh Mi's were also perfect. Fresh and delicious with fresh vegetables and herbs & the chicken was perfectly seasoned and moist. Seriously, I could have a Banh Mi for lunch Every Day. Highly recommend this place and we will be back!

    Daphne S.

    Lela's is nearby my office so I've come for many team lunches. The food is pretty good. I've had better pho though. The staff is nice. You have to bus yourself. The cucumber water is yummy. The seating can get full at lunch. The food can take a while to come sometimes.

    Eggrolls, Salad Rolls w/Vietnamese Pork Sausage (gf)
    Nicol L.

    We love dog friendly patios! The egg rolls and salad rolls were really good! I always find getting 3 rolls is awkward when it's just two, though. I also wasn't a huge fan of their nước mắm. The subs were delicious! I liked the amount of veggies, I wish it had been stuffed with more protein, though. I got the vegan pho option and liked it more than the regular that my partner had, especially when dipping the bánh mì. The regular one was a bit sweet.

    Sam T.

    Located alongside 23rd is a very hole in the wall Vietnamese spot. The service was fast and the people working there are very friendly and attentive. We were a big group so we had to shift tables around which is all good and they even helped us along the way. I got the banh mi and pho broth and it was good! The banh mi you can tell is freshly made and the pho broth was rather sweet for my taste. All in all, it's good food, but a little overpriced for what it is.

    Tofu Banh Mi and Broth!
    Mia H.

    I was a bit hesitant to try this spot out because as a Vietnamese person, I have pretty high standards for pho. Located on 23rd, there's a lot to do before and after you grab a bite here, and just like so many other shops, it's really cute inside. With plenty of spacing, the restaurant feels more like a home turned restaurant and I love it. I got their banh mi and broth, but my friend got their pho. First, their banh mi was pretty standard. It wasn't anything out of this world but I would definitely get it again! Their pho on the other hand was pretty unique. It's not anything like I've had in the past (what I consider really authentic, Southern Vietnamese pho), but I still really liked it. It was a sweeter, lighter broth than what you would expect--not so strong on the five spice or richness that you would typically get form beef stock. However, the portion was perfect and it left me wanting more. Overall, as the pho is so different to what I've had, I wouldn't come here for pho if I were craving it, but I would definitely come back for *their* pho (if that makes sense).

    Banh Mi Combo - Beef Bulgogi

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    4 months ago

    Best banh mi sandwiches! Always hits the spot! Service was also great. Would recommend to anyone looking for some solid Vietnamese food

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    10 months ago

    Cute restaurant on NW 23rd. Yummy food, quick service and a nice outside eating area!

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    Momiji Sushi Restaurant

    Momiji Sushi Restaurant

    3.8(37 reviews)
    2.5 miSouthwest Portland
    Free WiFi
    Free parking

    Momiji's location is a bit of a double-edged sword: somewhat hidden, and out-of-the-way for the…read morecasual diner, but eminently located for anyone stuck in and around OHSU for an extended period of time. It also suffers slightly from that association, as one might consider it "hospital food", with all of its sordid associations. Thankfully, I can confirm there's nothing to worry about here. It's not "top shelf" sushi, by any means, but what they offer is still delicious, prepared competently and quickly, and priced affordably. My wife and I dined here after an entire half-day spent in a series of appointments and check-ups, and were famished by the time we wandered over to check this place out (we'd been meaning to ever since our last extended visit to OHSU). Among the multiple rolls in our order, the Miso Sexy and the Valentine rolls stood out among our favorites; they also make a decent miso soup here, too: not too watery, not too strong, but just right! As my wife is pregnant (again!), I know another visit to Momiji is on the horizon, as we will definitely be delivering at OHSU again. When that time comes, there's no doubt I'll be sneaking out of the delivery room, skipping the cafeteria, and making a bee-line straight for this place, likely smuggling a spicy tuna hand roll or two back with me (my wife's favorite).

    Had a drink while waiting for takeout. The space has plenty of seating but was a little loud. The…read moreapple sake was delightful. Service was the right amount of attentive vs. distant. The sushi rolls fell apart very easily, making them harder to eat. The flavor was good. Also had a bento with teriyaki chicken which was ok. Plenty of food for sure.

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    Momiji Sushi Restaurant
    Momiji Sushi Restaurant
    Momiji Sushi Restaurant

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    Wa Kitchen Kuu - Tako Yaki

    Wa Kitchen Kuu

    4.5(240 reviews)
    1.9 miCentral Eastside, Kerns, Northeast Portland
    $$

    Parking is still sketchy in the area. Nevertheless, their rice texture is perfect…read more Sushi fresh, service excellent & hardworking owners makes this a repeat spot.

    I absolutely recommend this place! I went to Portland for a road trip and was watching the Trail…read moreBlazers vs Bucks game at the Moda Center- this restaurant is located 8 minutes from the center! I was looking for food nearby and came across this restaurant. The food was surprisingly delicious! We ordered the chicken katsu curry, kama-age udon (hokkai miso soup), and the kama-meshi seafood. The chicken katsu was cooked perfectly: crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside! The sauce also was the perfect texture and taste. My favorite was the kama-age udon with the hokkai miso soup. I love udon but sometimes don't like how thick it is because it fills you up faster and is harder to digest, the udon here is thinner which I fell in love with! It's soft and chewy and the perfect thickness: you dip it on the soup when you eat it. I also loved the soup, I usually have leftover soup when eat noodles, but I finished every last sip! Definitely recommend this dish if you were to only order one item! We also ordered the kama-meshi seafood. I thought this one tasted okay! The flavors of the seafood come through, but I personally like stronger and heavier flavors. It was worth a try! Parking: This restaurant is in downtown portland so it was difficult to find parking. We ended up parking at a nearby garage and paid for parking. They do have a few street parking spots near the restaurant if you want to test your luck! Seating and service: We were seated really quickly as we went on a weekday! They have several tables and a large table that can be reserved as well as bar spots. The restaurant overall looks really nice and is pretty spacious. The servers were really nice and fast to get you what you need! A side note: they have heated toilet seats in their restroom so that's always a plus!

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    Wa Kitchen Kuu
    Wa Kitchen Kuu - Salmon Collar

    Salmon Collar

    Wa Kitchen Kuu - Spicy Tuna Maki ;)

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    Spicy Tuna Maki ;)

    Luc Lac - Luc Lac

    Luc Lac

    4.1(4.7k reviews)
    1.6 miDowntown, Southwest Portland
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Family-owned & operated

    This place sometimes feels like a hit or miss with this last experience as being a hit, we ate it…read moreall up and took the rest to go. Portions are large and meant to be shared family style. We shared the cream cheese wontons, coconut curry with chicken spice level 2(which comes with rice), and the luc lac. Everything was deliciousss! The chicken in the curry broke apart so easily and the curry itself was very flavorful. Spice level 2 was perfect for a little kick, but not too much. The meat on the luc lac has a nice char on it and a sauce that is almost sweet. Service is quick and the vibe inside is very trendy with colorful decor and lights. Great for a night out. Previous visits have sometimes left us confused as if we ordered something different than a usual so i would say it is not too consistent but great if you catch it on a good day.

    We came here for dinner on a weekday evening. There was long line, we had to wait about 15 minutes…read more While waiting, we leaned about their unique way of taking orders. They took our drinks order and handed the drinks while we were in the line. Once we got to the register, we put in our food order and paid. The restaurant was semi self served. We got to our table few minutes after ordering. Guests also had the option to order to go and dine in the tent tables outside. The interior of the place was so stunning. There were dragon on walls, umbrellas in the ceiling, a huge full service bar. Our dishes came out within few minutes. We got the chicken skewers, chicken pho, chicken luc lac and steak rolls. We liked the small plate dishes, but the entree ones were disappointing. The chickens were chunky and dry, bland flavor. As much as we loved the vibe of the place, we didn't enjoy the food as much. The staff members were very joyful and friendly. They were explaining the process to every guest and keeping everyone informed on waiting time. During dining, they were also available to help.

    Photos
    Luc Lac - Boo'd Up

    Boo'd Up

    Luc Lac - Indoor Dining

    Indoor Dining

    Luc Lac - Papaya Salad, Luc Lac, Pho Train, Coconut Curry, Cream Cheese Wonton

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    Papaya Salad, Luc Lac, Pho Train, Coconut Curry, Cream Cheese Wonton

    Ramen Ryoma - Miso based ramen

    Ramen Ryoma

    4.5(335 reviews)
    1.2 miDowntown, Southwest Portland
    $$

    Excellent service and a quiet little spot on the corner. I happened up on it while walking around…read morein the afternoon, and was sad to see it was closing around 230. I searched it up, and came back later, so glad I did. I got the deluxe Ryoma ramen with shoyu broth and a hot green tea. The broth alone was incredibly delicious. If I had more time in Portland this would be my spot! Highly, highly recommend. Best ramen I've had since being in Japan. Arigato gozaimasu!

    Ramen Ryoma is a decent, casual option if you are in the area and craving comfort food, but overall…read morethe experience felt pretty middle-of-the-road. While a few things stood out, the meal as a whole didn't quite hit the high marks I was hoping for. Here is how it broke down: The Starters (The Highlight): Karaage (Fried Chicken): This was easily the best part of the meal. The pieces were large, juicy, and had a great, ultra-crispy crunch on the outside. Takoyaki: Decent texture and well-presented on a long plate with plenty of bonito flakes, making it a solid appetizer to share. The Mains (A Bit Average): Spicy Ramen: The noodles had a good chew, but the broth lacked the deep, rich complexity you expect from a really stellar ramen. Even with the spicy paste mixed in, the flavor profile felt a bit flat. Chashu Don (Rice Bowl): While it was a generous portion packed with chopped chashu and minced meat, it ended up tasting a bit monotone after a few bites and could have used more balance or a punchier sauce. Overall, it's a fine spot if you want a quick, filling meal, but the flavors didn't quite wow me enough to make it a standout. Solid, but nothing mind-blowing.

    Photos
    Ramen Ryoma - Second dining room

    Second dining room

    Ramen Ryoma - Karaage Chicken

    Karaage Chicken

    Ramen Ryoma

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    Duck House Chinese Restaurant - Pork Xiao Long Bao

    Duck House Chinese Restaurant

    3.9(1.2k reviews)
    1.9 miDowntown, Southwest Portland
    $$

    Duck House is absolutely incredible! Let me start by saying…read moreChinese food is usually not my first choice when dining out, but this place completely changed my mind. Every dish we ordered was off-the-charts delicious. We had: * Garlic dry green beans * Szechuan Dan Dan noodles * Beef dry pot * Pork soup dumplings I wouldn't change a single thing--everything was perfectly seasoned, full of flavor, and served fresh and hot. The service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting, great for a relaxed night out. If you're even thinking about trying this place, stop thinking and just go. Duck House is now officially at the top of my dining list!

    Came here on a Friday night, and I was pretty disappointed by the quality of the food…read more We got Mandarin Crispy Chicken and Chicken Fried Rice. The fried rice's flavor was pretty muted..I prefer a little saltiness in my fried rice and it honestly had barely any salt? It tasted like plain rice with a little soy sauce and maybe oil flavor? Just not very aromantic in general.. I disliked the Mandarin Crispy Chicken the most as I had an issue with the breading. It was very thick and each bite felt more breading than chicken..The flavor of the sauce was good but with how thick the breading was, the inside of the chicken had no flavor at all once I bit in.. Perhaps we ordered the wrong items, but I don't think I'll be back to try any others at least for now. It was a Friday night so it was busy but I'll say service was good and we had a minimal wait time!

    Photos
    Duck House Chinese Restaurant
    Duck House Chinese Restaurant - Kung Pao Chicken

    Kung Pao Chicken

    Duck House Chinese Restaurant - Shredded Pork with Beancurd

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    Shredded Pork with Beancurd

    Elephants Delicatessen - From their website, photo by Jingzi Zhao

    Elephants Delicatessen

    4.3(944 reviews)
    0.7 miAlphabet District, Northwest
    $$

    Elephants Delicatessen has such a cute and cozy ambiance. I love that it's all in one place with a…read morebakery, sandwich shop, bar, market, and hot food bar. The staff was also very friendly. I had the steak and chimichurri sandwich and it was amazing. The fries were great, and I also loved their candy selection. The only downside for me was that all of the cupcakes are gluten free, so they were a bit dry and dense compared to regular cupcakes. That said, I will definitely come back every time I visit Portland. It's a fun, comforting spot with lots of good options.

    I visit Portland, ORE at least once a year to visit family and we always stop here at least once…read more(and usually a couple times during the trip). With the plethora of eats to choose from, a friendly/efficient staff and service, and in or outdoor seating available, Elephants Delicatessen is a spot that's a must visit when you're in this fun city! There are multiple counters for different types of food. There's a sandwich/soup station, a pizza station, a hot foods station (for burgers & specialties), a cold deli station for cold salads/sides, and a bar/barista inside for adult beverages or coffee. Additionally, there's an area to purchase bottled wine and jams/jellies. Grab whatever items you order and pay at the register. If you order from a station, bring your ticket with you as that's where you get charged. Pretty much any type of deli flavor you're looking for, you can find it here. Some of my favorites involve the following: -Teriyaki Chicken Wings -Curried Chickpea Salad -Reuben Sandwich -Tomato Bisque -Corn & Crab Chowder -Broccoli Salad -Turkey and Avocado Sandwich -Pizza Slices (All of them!) I'm sure there's plenty of items I'm missing but those are the ones that stood out to me since I've eaten them multiple times. The staff is very helpful and move efficiently with all the orders flying around. As for seating, there's plenty of seating indoors or you can sit on the patio area outside. Also kid friendly too if you've got the little ones with you. One of Portland's finest eating spots!

    Photos
    Elephants Delicatessen - From their website, photo by Jingzi Zhao

    From their website, photo by Jingzi Zhao

    Elephants Delicatessen - From their website, photo by Jingzi Zhao

    From their website, photo by Jingzi Zhao

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    Lela's Bistro - vietnamese - Updated June 2026

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