My family has been going here since before I was born. This place is my childhood and this squid is on my top 3 dishes/foods of all time. I crave this constantly. It is not an exaggeration of how good this squid is. I have yet to find any squid/calamari that comes even close to this level of amazingness. My mom as a Mandarin speaking person gets along very well with the staff and service is great. The restaurant is very standard Chinese restaurant. The food is what transcends everything about the experience here. If you are a foodie, this is the place to be solely for awesome Chinese food! read more

Thien Hong - Pepper-Salted Squid - Chinese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Been coming here for years for the salt and pepper squid, and it's really the best. I like how it's more crispy than other places and the salt crystals dissolve so nicely, almost like a salty, sweet flavor. They've updated their menu in recent years and added some dim sum items; as well as other things, especially veggies. It's a bit pricy, but everything is these days, but I feel well worth it. I haven't experienced a bad or just okay meal here, excellent as always. read more

Thien Hong - Pepper-Salted Squid - Chinese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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The salt and pepper squid is literally chef's kiss, with rice you can make it a meal. It was so delicious that I don't remember anything else that we ordered. Staff was very friendly. Ambiance is just OK. Very casual dining, older part of the city. read more

This is one of those "if you know, you know" places. My family took me here when I was a kid and I've been obsessed with their salt and pepper squid ever since. I've tried countless other salt pepper squid places across the country and nothing compares. It has the perfect combination of crispiness and chewiness - the squid is cut to a perfect size where it's not too big or not too small. Also the perfect blend of saltiness, pepperiness, and just enough sweetness. If you ever come here and not order the salt and pepper squid, you're doing yourself a huge disservice. Just look around and see how literally everyone else is eating the same thing. Oh and shout out to our server - we forgot our to-go box of food on the table and she ran out to our car with it right before we left. read more

Thien Hong - Pepper-Salted Squid - Chinese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This place overall foods quality has been downgraded. The old owner for decades has sold the business but not sure if they retained the original chef/ cooker. That being said, only salt n pepper squids are delicious but with high MSG Lol. This dish alone keeps hooked me to always to stop by when we have an event in Portland. read more

I've been going to this place since early 2000's as a kid growing up, due to going to the Grotto every Sunday. I've seen this place at its peak, and how it has slowed down over the years. Since COVID I have only gotten take out. I go for the pepper salted squid. Is it as good as when I had it as a kid? I'd say no, but still the best place to get it. I tend to go right at opening and order it before arriving. It always made fresh. The quality is always delicious. I live about 30-40mins away, and I will make the trip for just the squid. Pro tip, take it out of the bag to avoid condensation. read more

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It was okay.. nothing to rave about Some dishes had wok flavor (green beans), some didn't (beef chow fun) Salted Fish Fried Rice had big cubes of salted fish.. well now that's a first.. I guess they don't make these often.. also what's up with peas and carrots.. they don't belong in a traditional dish like this.. but good thing is, it is moist Catfish Claypot - traditional Vietnamese dish was too one tone in flavor, but fish was perfectly tender Deep Fried Spare Ribs were hard Service was good Was surprised they don't have egg foo young when they had other Chinese American dishes as well 2.5% charge for credit cards, 0% for debit Ambiance was like 1980s Chinese restaurant setting read more

The staff overcharges. Repeatedly. I have been billed more than my actual order multiple times. Each time by about 10 to 20 percent. This is not a mistake. It is a pattern. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, even after hearing the same complaints from others. I finally added up my receipts. Every single bill had a discrepancy in their favor. This is a warning. If you eat here, check your bill line by line. Compare it to the menu prices. The total will not match. I am done. I will never return. read more

Then Hong has the Best Calamari I've ever had. Delicious food, a staple in the Portland Area.

This use to be bomb here ! Salt and paper squid was best in the city and/or ever !!!!!!!! Bad news....not any more. After Covid prices was going up and up for it. NOW $22 for an order of salt and pepper squid ! Look at the photo...very over fried and prob using old oil to fry it. Taste burnt ! I think I'm done from here ...will try another spot in Troutdale. To top it off of high prices ...they now charge you 2.5% for using a credit card, a nice kick in the balls after you eat it ! Other pict was 9 years ago look at the difference. Sad but true this was prob last time we get it from here. Original owners retired ....and so are we !!! read more

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No frills here, and that's alright by me. Everytime you go, you HAVE to have the pepper salted squid if nothing else! We usually get vibes brocalli in garlic & oyster sauce & a bowl of rice, that's all you need! The PSS- IS ADDICTIVE, so don't say that I didn't warn you! read more

Thien Hong - Pepper salted squid: gotta have it! - Chinese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We have loved this place for over 20 years and it WAS amazing food every time!! I know it changed owners a while back but it was still good. Ate there today and absolutely everything was not good. S&P squid was decent but General Tso's & dim sum was terrible. Also dirtier than ever before and service was terrible. Sad to say it made this a never again place we will visit. read more

Excellent . The best Asian restaurant in town. My friends and I have been there since we were young.

Thien Hong is one of the restaurants that I frequented with my family when I was growing up in the Portland area. I remember their salt and pepper squid was so delicious that we always had to order two plates. We used to joke that the salt was actually cocaine because it was so addicting. I moved away more than a decade ago, but on my most recent trip back, I wanted a taste of nostalgia again. The decor hasn't changed a bit. We ordered a spread of snow pea leaves, crispy chow mein, a few dim sum pieces, walnut shrimp, and of course, their signature dish, the salt and pepper squid. The fried squid pieces were pretty small. I remember the squid pieces being a lot larger a long time ago, but the flavor is relatively the same and is still good. I think this dish is the thing that keeps people coming back, but otherwise, their other dishes are pretty average in comparison to other Cantonese restaurants that you can go to in the Portland area. Thien Hong is worth a visit if you want to try salt and pepper squid that can't be replicated anywhere else. read more

Thien Hong - Salt and Pepper Squid - Chinese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Yes, yes & yes! Every time I've come here when visiting Oregon from California in the last 2 1/2 years this place was only serving to-go orders due to the plandemic. So I would only order two pepper-salted calamari orders. I'm happy to say this summer I got to come by when they're doing indoor seating again! The lady at the front greeted us immediately as we walked in with a smile and seated us at our table. All of the employees seemed to be happy and grateful that they get to serve customers inside again! The ambience is still the same as it was before, old school family owned Chinese restaurant. And everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! I want to go back before we go back home to California this Sunday lol read more

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Great Salt & Pepper calamari and you get a very healthy serving size for the price. Z

Idk. The last few times we've gone here, it seems like the quality has significantly decreased. And there was food stuck to the white rice container when they brought it out, on more than one occasion. I'm guessing they don't really wash them, instead just top off the rice. read more

Classic Chinese spot that has been around for years in Portland. The Salt and Pepper Squid is the reason to always come back. Wide range of options. Service has been much better with new ownership. read more

Thien Hong - Salt and Pepper Squid - Chinese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Had a great experience here! Even with our large group of 14, the service was impressively fast--we got our food within 10-15 minutes. The food was fantastic, and the sweet and sour catfish soup stood out as my favorite. We had tofu enoki, salted pepper and squid, honey walnut shrimp, and a couple of noodle dishes and almost everything is gone. I forgot to take pictures of the actual food, but here are a couple of shots of the aftermath! The atmosphere was no-nonsense vibe but the waitresses were friendly read more

Thien Hong - 3 plates of salt and pepper Pepper-Salted Squid - Chinese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I've going to this place for 31 years. Can't you believe that! Any food you order is pretty much good. Most favorite #1 item people or just me go for is the Salt and Pepper Squid. It's lightly battered, crispy on the outside, perfect chewiness on the inside. The seasoning is light, not overly salty. My other favorite dishes are the green bean, clay pot, honey walnut shrimp, eggplant hot garlic sauce...and more. The place is pretty updated 5 years ago. Parking areas is very limited but you can also park on the street. The lady is always very nice and sweet to customers. Ambiance is great for lunch, dinner with big/small group or with kids. read more

Thien Hong - Chinese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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This place is back to five stars. Had the pepper salted squid today, probably the best I've ever had there. And I've been eating there 25-30 years. The fried rice was a little bland but otherwise cooked perfect read more

This is our go to Chinese Restaurant Food is delicious, services & staff are sweet, and spacious - seating doesn't feel like we're packed in. read more

I never went here before, so I can't speak to whether the salted pepper squid got worse or whatever. What I can say is that the salted pepper squid is delicious! I didn't know squid could taste so good. Also, for what it's worth, my fiancée has gone here since she was a kid and can't really tell the difference. I also got the sweet n sour chicken and that was also very good (but can't really compare to the squid!) The service was great too. The staff is so polite and helpful. The service was also super fast for us and food came out very timely. I also appreciate they serve tea with everything and also boxed our food for us. read more

It pains me to write this review. I've been coming here for more than twenty years. We've had family celebrations here and lots of good memories. I didn't realize that the original owners sold it but it shows. I'm writing this in hopes the restaurant will see it and make changes because I hope the business stays open and continue to make their famous salt and pepper squid. They charged $5 for plain white rice, which at most Asian restaurants comes with the meal without extra charge. What's worse is the rice was yellowed, hard and old. We didn't eat it, it was obvious that it wasn't made fresh. There's now a policy that if there are five customers or more they automatically add on an 18% tip. I could understand this for larger groups but I've never seen this added on for just 5 people. We usually tip 20% anyway but I mention this so you look closely at the bill before adding another tip. The salt and peppered soft shelled crab wasn't cooked all the way through so we sent it back. They remade it without hassle but then it was a little hard on the outside. The salt and pepper squid is the only item on the menu that brings us back. A year ago when we came it was soggy but this time it was just the right crispiness. They got that one right. The garlic green beans and tofu dish was still delicious. If we return we might just order these dishes for takeout. The server was great, she was attentive and apologetic when we sent back the undercooked crab. I hope the restaurant returns to using fresh ingredients, especially the rice. read more

I hate to add this review but the people need to know. I've been getting a migraine (I literally have to take excedrin migraine to feel better) from this tasty Salt and Pepper squid. I've noticed that every time I've eaten here I get super tired and a fat headache. I know when I usually eat foods with msg it hits me hard. So how much msg are they putting into this thing? I would like to keep eating the tasty salt and pepper squid because it's so good but if I am getting hit with a headache and put to sleep I might have to think about it before consuming. read more

Extremely disappointing. Went there for years. Food is awful. Salt and Pepper squid was dry, no flavoring, stale and was probably previously cooked and served at room temperature, not hot as it used to be. The cashew chicken had no flavor, bits of cashew, tiny pieces of chicken and big chunks of zucchini. The crispy shrimp chow mien had soggy noodles. The waitress tried to push expensive choices. She boxed the leftover food. We gave a huge meal to some homeless people. read more

We first started coming to Thien Hong in 1992 on the recommendation of a friend. We found it to be very fast, consistent, and moderately priced. Service was quick and efficient. Some of the dishes were true stand-outs: salt & pepper squid, hot & sour soup, sizzling oysters with black bean sauce, garlic eggplant, and various versions of cripsy fried noddles. Pork preparations were also good. Over the years we averaged going there once or twice a month, and relied on them for take-out for large family gatherings. I never ate anything there over the years that was not at least a competent preparation; if I did not care for it, it was simply a matter of taste. We'd go on Xmas eve, sometimes, it was that good. During COVID we got take out, but only infrequently, since the salt & pepper squid is much better eaten immediately, as served. We got to know the owners fairly well; we had a daughter in the late 90's and they saw her grow to adulthood because we ate there frequently. During COVID they told us they would probably not re-open for dine-in, then we saw the For Sale sign, then later that it was re-opening. When we went in we could see that none of the old owners were there anymore, and the food was *close*, sorta, to what it had been, but it suffered by comparison. That was about two months ago. We have since seen the old owner, and she verified that it was under new ownership, that they had bought the recipes with the restaurant, but the old owners had no further connection. We ate there last night. It no longer compares in any way to the old preparations, although they retain the same names. In many cases, the food lacks flavor, and the portions have shrunk. I would suggest that none of the pre-COVID reviews applies to the food under the new ownership. You may like it; we do not. read more

This place is at best ok but not a place I could recommend. Here is how it scored: Salt and Pepper Squid $16: well this is one of their signature dishes and for me a disappointment. The squid was over cooked and as chewy as beef jerky. The taste was ok but nothing remarkable. It's the most expensive squid dish I have eaten. 3/5 Beef Chow Fun $10.26: the beef was tough and chewy. Not much flavor either. 2/5 Green beans spicy garlic sauce $10.25: soggy ovecooked and greasy. 2/5 White Rice: mushy and inedible. 1/5 If you want some decent Chinese food keep driving west a few blocks past this place. read more

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This is a review by a vegetarian * Didn't know how to accept payments via the payment system on which they ran a promotion * Messed up half the order (shrimp to a vegetarian) * Didn't include napkins or utensils in a to-go order. Neither did they ask * Salt-lick read more

We usually tip well when we go out to eat but this time we did not like the fact that they feel entitled to tips.. they circled the amount of tip they should get and write in your total for you on the receipt. Tips are earned. The service wasn't great either. read more

Thien Hong - they automatically add in the tip and total it.. entitlement at its finest for tips - Chinese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Best pepper salted squid in town!!! I could eat a whole order to myself. It's always our go to item to bring to potlucks.

Before the pandemic, this was our go to place for squid. Now, the quality has dropped but may be better eating in. Post pandemic, we have only gotten takeout. read more

This is so legendary that so many people are in love with their peppery and salt squid. I have been eating this for the past 23 years. Staring when I was a student and now a father of 2. Due to Covid-19's impact, they have not opened for dine in and only take-outs. I talked to the owner and she said they might close down for good because they have been working here since 1987 ( almost like Top Gun ), and gotten older. It they do decide to close down, it will be most likely within a year or two. Each time we try this, there is one day closer to its closure. You gotta try when you are in town. They are Cantonese Vietnamese immigrants and no Chinatown across the US can make what the can make and be popular for more than 30 years and attract people from Seattle to come for their squid and other famous dishes. Try like I have and you will love it. read more

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Service was much better than before but salt and pepper squid was not as good . Much larger portions .

After a long day traveling through Oregon, my family and I decided it was best to grab some dinner before continuing towards Washington. For those of you who do not know my dad, he is super picky and will never not have rice in his meal. No matter what. So when I looked what places were open, this was on the top of the list. To our surprise, we were one of the only two parties of people inside. We began to wonder if we had made a huge mistake. After we ordered, a few more people began coming in. We began to order dishes and were so happy with the salt and pepper squid that we ordered it two more times. Now back to what you were all wondering about: the service. The service was okay. Not a lot of smiles here. Could it be that the clouds made the outside a bit gloomy? Possibly. So for now, I'll say the service was okay. Our cups were full most of the time. But try it out for yourself and let me know what you think. read more

Don't waste your money at this restaurant. Used to be a good place to get Salt pepper Squid. Not any more!!!! Not fresh! Chewy! Must have changed ownership . read more

Food has been great!! I love their hot and sour soup! I ordered their green beans w/chicken and beans were tender. We had good service from staff. read more

Terrible service, expensive and really bad food. Stay away unless you care less about your health!!!

This is the Chinese spot my sister and I grew up eating at and we'd always get the same delicious item - pepper salted squid to this day, still my fave salt n pepper squid read more

Thien Hong - Pepper salted squid - Chinese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I swear if it wasn't for their Salt & Pepper squid this place would have been closed down by now. It's insane this specific item is $16, but it's expected I assume since it's the ONLY thing that keeps people coming back for more. It damn sure isn't their customer service. I took my mother here for her birthday dinner with my grandma. Of course the food was decent aside from the Salt & Pepper squid (is GREAT) Customer service: we weren't even there that long and it was far from busy. But the older guy that's always at the register is always so fast to get people in and out. He's so fast to try to grab your food off the table and not asking if you're done or not. It's incredibly rude! We found a fork and plate dirty on our table. Had to continuously bring it to their attention. The bathroom is pretty dirty! Also, they close on the most random days. There's been a few times I came from Beaverton and there's only a sign on the door that their closed. Their random vacation days - Thursday, Monday.. be sure to call to make sure they're open. read more