Spicy chicken wings = if I were on death row, my last meal choice. **That good.**
(5)
Curt B.
The food is great and the outdoor seating in back is nice but you pay a lot for what you get at this place. Given the price I was expecting to see rice with the entrees but you have to order (and pay) for that separately. Everything we tried was fantastic but it adds up fast.
(4)
Kazu O.
These would be the #2 best chicken wings I've ever had in my life. (The #1 title goes to San Tung in SF). Being second place ain't bad, though; these wings are delicious! Also loved the smoked game hen, the noodle soup, and that sticky rice. There are a lot of bold, strong, spicy flavors here so it's not for lovers of bland food, but if you can handle the spice, definitely check it out. By the way, speaking of spice, I came here twice within a few day span. The first time I came, everything was very spicy and it was making us sweat. The second time I came, though, the flavors were a lot more mild. I wonder if this place suffers from a consistency issue..?
(5)
Kelly L.
- Bar like feeling, super small space - Really helpful people who kept asking if we needed anything else - Wings were bomb! I want some more as I type but when you're eating it, it feels like a lot. Share and get something else! - it'd be really good pair
(5)
Jasper R.
Best wings of my life. I highly recommend getting them hot. Great cocktails. Friendly staff. You won't be disappointed coming here if you like delicious Thai food.
(5)
Lisa D.
I came back. And it's because everyone promised me I didn't order the right items! Turns out, they were right. I really like the food at Pok Pok. I still withheld a star because I feel the price is still unfair. I'm happy to pay for good quality food, but there should be a little more food on the plates. So far like everyone else I am in love with the wings. Get them hot, or you're really missing out on a lot of flavor there. I've had several dishes there since the come back but nothing else makes me as giddy as ordering the hot wings. I stand by my first review of the game hen.
(4)
Jaqueline Y.
We were so lucky and lived within walking distance of Pok Pok Noi when Nam and I visited Portland. A friend had recommended this to me and told me I had to try the fish sauce wings and the boar collar. So glad I listened to her! Upon entering the dimly lit restaurant, we sat at the bar (I think there is further seating inside, but I didn't venture past the initial room) and were provided 2 glasses of water and menus. I took a sip of the water and thought something was off. It tasted...different. Not bad different. Really good, actually! So good I'm devoting a whole paragraph of a yelp review to it hah. Found out from our server that they infuse their water with pandan leaves! So genius. I don't really like drinking water, but I must've drank like 5 cups of that water in one sitting. It was just ever so slightly sweet and maybe even the tiniest bit creamy. You might not even notice it, as my friend thought it was just regular water! But I really enjoyed it. Onto the entrees - we ordered everything spicy and our wish was their command. The boar collar was one of my favorite dishes in Portland and had the perfect amount of spice. For my 626 peeps, the sauce reminded me of Banana Bay's crying tiger sauce. Bomb dot com. They bring a plate of raw mustard greens stacked with ice on top to keep it fresh and prevent it from withering, just like they do in Thailand (according to my very knowledgeable server). We ordered a side of sticky rice to go with the boar collar and wings, and it was a great complement to our meal. The fish sauce wings were superb, crispy and juicy with the right amount of salt and spice. I can see why people rave about these. I've never had wings like this! Dishes run about $15 each but they are filling. The wings aren't skimpy little pieces. They are giant with the drumstick still attached and everything. I wish the boar collar's portion size was a bit bigger, but only because it was so delicious. Service is excellent also. We were catered to the entire night and our servers made sure we were having a good time. We ended our meal with an order of lychee drinking vinegar ($5). Our server was super awesome and let us try both the lychee and pear vinegars before we ordered. It was really interesting and I'd definitely order it again if given the opportunity. If I remember correctly, the vinegar is aged, then sweetened and mixed with soda water. Not too tart and acidic. Give it a go!
(5)
Julie F.
The original Pok Pok is closed this week (just my luck) so I visited the sister restaurant Pok Pok Noi to try the highly acclaimed Ike's fish sauce wings. You get 6 good-sized wings plus a daikon salad for $14.50. The wings are definitely tasty and unique with a nice crunch to them. Dare I say, they could be considered a tad bit salty although fish sauce is inherently salty. I read that Pok Pok Phat Thai restaurant just opened in L.A.'s Chinatown with the original Pok Pok restaurant opening in L.A. soon.
(4)
Andreas R.
I was in a Portland for the weekend for an event for young adult and we decided to eat our last lunch in Portland by going to Pok pok after our morning mass. We have an army of 29 young people and they are able to provide the table for us!! They have the best chicken wings in the whole world!!! spicy level was on point, so its not too spicy and it got a little sweetness to it. Papaya salad was also great and the best thing was the coconut rice!! it definitely complements that chicken wings. cannot wait to go back to Portland and visit this place again. Great service btw and that is the cherry on top.
(5)
Kelly S.
My journey to Pok Pok Noi ended with a text exchange: Me: "Uh... my fingers smell like those damn chicken wings" Her: "Never wash your hands again!" I was tempted but my "be a good plane neighbor" side got the best of me. Still, those wings. Let's start near the beginning though. I've been to Pok Pok Noi before and liked it. Didn't love it. But liked it. Apparently that draft got lost in the annals of history but this one I am determined to write. Because, you know, they need another 5 star review. We sat on the outside patio on a gorgeous Portland day, drinking a cocktail (try the bloody) and ordering way too much food. Included in the melee: fish sauce wings, papaya salad, spicy forest mushroom salad, their special of the day & some "street corn." All of the dishes -- sweet, spicy, sour, sticky, citrus-y and amazing. The street corn was the least favorite dish, surprising given my love for the grain (vegetable?) but there was definitely a fracas as we wrestled over who got the last wing, or that single bite of the hot hot hot papaya salad. I have no clue how you can pack that much punch in one dish... much less every single dish. Both times I've been to this location, there's been no wait. Since standing in line totally isn't my thing, I'm thankful for that. This is one of those places I want to put in my pok-pok-pocket and bring back with me to Austin.
(5)
Sylvia L.
"So... is the line at Pok Pok worth the wait?" I asked the Lyft driver. "I hate lines. But... yes. And I never say that. I avoid brunch at all costs in this city." That sealed the deal and I made the pilgrimage at dinner to Pok Pok Noi, ready to stand in line for about an hour. I had a podcast ready and rearing to go. But wait. No line. Why doesn't everyone just go to Noi??! There was NO LINE at 6:15pm on Thursday. In fact, it was empty inside (I think the diners were all in the patio in the back though because it was a nice day outside). The wings themselves: substantial and had a thick-ish fried batter on them. In terms of the sauce: would have liked even more spice, but it was a very flavorful fish sauce with sweet and spicy elements. Wish I had time to try more dishes, but it was quite filling. Came with 6 large wings. Portland really does thai food really well.
(4)
Trina V.
We made the mistake of eating at a bbq place but hubby wanted to try their wings so we made the walk here maybe a couple hours after lunch to get some to go. When we got our order, we just wanted to get a little bite and take the rest to go. Omg! It was so good we overdid it. I wish we skipped the other place and went straight here so we could sample all the options! This venue felt street authentic, particularly the outside area. It was pretty interesting coz I haven't seen that scene anywhere. Service was pretty excellent too. Make sure you get a nice drink to offset the spice.
(5)
Vanessa Y.
Came here for the Pok Pok wings. Came in an order of 6. Asked how hot the spicy wings were and the server said "mild to hot". Now, the BF and I CAN eat spicy but my goodness, it was SPICYYYYYYY! We washed it down with a beer and a Pok Pok Gin and Tonic and left. Good service and good drinks. Just don't order the spicy
(3)
Cynthia Z.
Not to be confused for the pok pok off division...pok pok noi had not been crowded every time we've been there! Which is great when we're hungry and don't want to wait! I'm sure it won't be like this forever tho! Request for a table on the back patio which is covered and heated in the winter...and cool in the summer...or take a seat on the bar and watch all the patrons arrive. Enjoy the clean surrounding while listening to Thai /Vietnamese music in the background . A scaled down menu but all the favorites! Yes order the chicken wings...order it hot if you can handle the spice! My favorite hands down is the sweet pork and coconut rice served a side The just enough amount of papaya salad! That rice is infused with just enough Coconut milk! Just a little sweet that compliments the shredded pork! That aroma is heavenly! Save room for an order of mango and coconut milk rice for desert! Or order some of their ice cream to go! They serve water flavored with the pandan leaves. My mom who is from Thailand says it's a perfect replication of back home. Try their vinegars drinks. If you are unsure then ask! Everything is great!
(5)
Maria Simone S.
BEST SPICY CHICKEN EVER! Last time I visited friends in Portland they insisted we stop by Pok Pok Noi and pick up some spicy chicken wings. Woaw, so good. The chicken was still moist, the skin nice and crisp, and the spices just a perfect blend of hot and savoury. Definitely a place I would recommend if you like some spice on your food.
(4)
Allison C.
Got the chicken special and it was delicious, but it was expensive! $20 for a little plate. Comes with chicken, sticky rice, papaya salad, and a bit of cabbage. Did I mention it's a little plate!? The employees there are top notch, and it's a cute little place. There's a bar area at the front and I think what might be an outdoor dining patio towards the back. Someone next to us also ordered spicy wings which also looked delicious, but I think I'd check the price next time. And be sure I'm not super hungry.
(4)
Gem S.
This 5-star rating and review solely goes to the magical wings they serve in this establishment. It's all sorts of amazing and bursting with so much flavor that you don't know what to make of it. When you finally realize how awesome it is, you eat a little slower so that you're not taking any bites for granted. I mean, really, the wings make this place. Hands down.
(5)
Daisy D.
We had just watched Chef Ricker when he appeared on the Bring the Heat episode of The Taste. In fact it was what inspired our dinner choice at Pok Pok Noi when we discovered we were in walking distance during our stay in PDX. Unfortunately PPN didn't bring the heat for us this night. We started with an order of Ike's Spicy wings. I ordered the Muu Sateh and my husband ordered the Pok Pok special. Again the waitress was kind enough to make him aware his papaya salad was spicy. The food was fresh & tasty and I could have easily taken a bottle of my peanut sauce home. But as they coached the contestants on the show, it just seemed to be missing that oomph. Maybe it's our (almost) porcelain skin that leads our servers to believe we can't handle the heat. But to paraphrase Anthony Bourdain in the aforementioned episode, I like my spicy food to walk a very fine line between pleasure & pain.
(3)
fused g.
We've been to Pok Pok on Division and for the most part, the food was fresh, flavorful and interesting to eat--and all served in a fun atmosphere. Pok Pok Noi leaves something to be desired....at least it did the other night. It wasn't busy and it was around 8:00pm or so, we were only a party of 4 yet the kitchen managed to not make one of the noodle dishes and after waiting at least 5 minutes for the noodle dish to appear, we flagged down our server.....when it finally came (after the three of us had eaten 1/2 of our meals), the noodles were in a cold broth....not luke-warm but cold like sitting-in-the-cooler type cold (1 star). The Chicken Wings were room temperature, old and dry, certainly not piping hot or juicy nor fresh tasting...i believe they had been sitting around a bit (1 star). We also ordered the House Special - which was a little piece of chicken, some salad and something else -- another expensive dish and small portions (2 stars) ... the Steak Salad was very good w/ an order of sticky rice (4 stars). Service was seemingly fine but something happened with the firing of the soup and then instead of our server bringing a fresh order, the manager came to inquire -- first stating it was cold because we had let it sit at our table...no we said, we just got it after a 10 minute delay and it was served to us cold... it was awkward and an uncomfortable discussion and finally a heated noodle bowl was brought...yet the error was never taken off the bill (0 stars).....$100 for a meal of small portions, mediocre wings and error-prone service.....i think Pok Pok is raking it in.
Very good Thai food/ very different from the norm. A cute place, we ate at the bar. Friendly staff. Had the papaya salad- wayyyy too hot for me. I could only take a few bites. Still tasty though. Had the curry noodles soup- the bomb! Very tasty. Would totally get it again. Had the whole fried tilapia- so good! Fried really good with a bunch of herbs and garlic pieces fried. The dipping sauces were bomb, then you dip your piece of fish back into the little crumbs of fried up herbs. Yum! Got the homemade vanilla ice cream- tasty but the consistency was a little different.
(4)
Joanne O.
One of my favorite spots in Portland! I am so sad there's nothing like this in LA but the chicken wings was my favorite dish. My group and I ordered it twice in one sitting. The rotisserie chicken and the coconut water was also just as good and refreshing! Will definitely come back here on my next trip.
(5)
Joanne B.
Prior to traveling to Portland for the first time last month, I did my homework and read great reviews of Pok Pok Noi, so that's how we ended up here. This spot was steps away from the Airbnb rental we were staying at during our visit, so it was very convenient to get to. When we arrived for dinner on Sunday evening, there wasn't a wait, so we were immediately brought to the patio out back. I read favorable reviews of the fish sauce wings, so we wanted to try it out for ourselves. We started off with some refreshing cocktails first, I had the Mango Alexander with mango, vodka, coconut cream and lime while my hubby had the watermelon cocktail that was their special of the day. They don't serve regular water, it's infused with Pandanus leaf. At first I wasn't a fan, but after a few sips, it wasn't so bad. For dinner, we opted for the vermicelli noodles dish on the special menu board and the Sii Khrong Muu Yang (the baby back ribs marinated in soy, honey and ginger). The wings were the first to come out and they were pretty tasty and flavorful. I don't think I've had anything like it, but it was worth trying at least once. Would I rave about it to friends back home? Probably not, but it was good. I wasn't a fan at all of the ribs, they were dry and tough to eat. It didn't have much flavor, so we didn't bother finishing this dish after trying a few pieces that were cut into cubes. The vermicelli dish on the other hand was excellent. We really enjoyed the flavors in this bowl of goodness that we'd order it again if we returned back. Overall, Pok Pok Noi was a hit for us with the exception of the one dish we didn't like that much. They must be doing something good if the local stores are selling their cookbook and drinking vinegars, we'll just have to explore more of their menu next time to make us want in on the Pok Pok wagon.
(3)
Deb F.
We hit this place at just the right time as there was NO ONE THERE! Unheard of in Pok Pok land. Saturday at 1:15-ish seemed the perfect time. This location is small and has only counter seating and maybe a table or two outside if it's not raining. I had a tough time deciding what to get, but chose #6, Khao Man Som Tam - shredded marinated pork over rice, served with an off the hook papaya salad that was just the right degree of spicy. So freakin' delicious! My friend ordered jasmine tea, and even though it sat in the teapot for a good 20 minutes, that tea was so weak. It just wasn't steeping. She asked for another tea bag, and the server got one for her. When the bill came, she was charged for 2 tea bags. Now, I know - she used 2 tea bags. But the attitude that came with said tea bag was really curt and unfriendly. "That's how it is. We have to keep track of inventory. Sorry." At $3.50/tea bag, that was one spendy cup of really weak tea. You'd think they could do right by her and just comp her that 2nd tea bag. Definitely great food at Pok Pok! And without a wait, it was even better.
(4)
Martin J.
Well, where to start. The drinking vinegar is amazing, try the grapefruit as a waiter suggested. Chicken wings are damn crispy and finger licking good, and while the hot version said hot it ain't too hot. We had a special as well, noodles and the like, and thought it was tasty, coconut and chiles and the like.
(4)
Tiffany C.
I've been to Portland twice and missed Pok Pok both times. On my third trip I made sure that Pok Pok was a must do. Overall all the food had a bit of a kick. I think my tongue was numb after eating here (nothing that ice cream can't cure). We ordered the wings, good marinade, and probably the best thing we ordered. I personally prefer the san tung's wings (sweeter and crispier), but these are a close second. The game hen with the papaya salad was also great. The hen was perfectly juicy and tender. Lastly we also got the boar collar, which was good, but I wouldn't say it's a must order. Probably the best thai food I've ever had, but things are a tad pricier than most other thai places, but a good place to try.
(4)
Charlie P.
Seriously one of the best restaurants in Portland. We take out parents here almost every time they are in town. The fish sauce wings are a must and the boar collar is a family favorite. Unfortunately the prices are getting a little on the steep end; 5 wings for $15 is up there. Granted you get a whole wing, it's still getting a little ridiculous considering just a short while ago you got 6 wings for $12. We'll still be back but I'm concerned about the raging inflation.
(4)
Charlie P.
Dare I give this 5 stars for fear my take-out order or wait for a table will take longer? Well, when in season the corn is spectacular, albeit a bit spendy for corn on the cob - but I just keep getting it along with almost anything on the menu (you have heard enough of the superb wings, so no more comment needed). The whisky sour is unreal!
(5)
tatiana p.
Finally got to try Pok Pok after hearing amazing things about it forever! I had the mushroom salad with sticky rice. I enjoyed the flavors of the salad. But I would say I did not think Pok Pok lived up to the hype. I'm still glad I tried it though. I also think $18 for a mushroom salad with sticky rice is a bit expensive. The waitress was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I would go back but Pok Pok probably isn't the best choice for a pescetarian.
(4)
Warren C.
Really authentic and delicious Thai food. Long wait over an hour. They will text you when table is ready. Have drink across way and even order some items from restaurant while you wait.
(5)
Matt O.
3.5 stars. Wife got the coconut rice papaya salad, liked it a lot. I got the grilles pork skewers which were very good, though a small portion. We split the chicken wings. Surprised that they are the crowd pleaser. To me, they were way to salty, and fried too deeply. The result was a wing that is coated in hard chewy caramel layer, with chicken inside that is a little dry. Combined with the high saltiness it did not work. A little disappointed given the reputation of the place.
(3)
Julie H.
I've been eating at Pok Pok since it was a food truck on Division. I've happily watched Pok Pok grow and expand. I bring friends to Pok Pok. I send friends to Pok Pok. I see Andy Ricker on Anthony Bourdains television show and I am super happy for him. I see the cookbook for sale and I buy it because I am an avid supporter and I love food porn. A few years ago I moved from Portland and while I now live 1500 miles away, I always try and make Pok Pok aa stop on my visits (every 2-3 months). Sadly, tonight I received the worst service I have ever experienced in my entire lifetime at PP Noi and because of it, I will never return to Pok Pok Noi, or any location for that matter to eat the most delicious chicken wings ever again.
(1)
Yuan J.
Excellent, unique Thai food! I ate the signature dish, the Spicy Wings (not that spicy at all) which were delicious and flavorful. I would recommend a side of sticky rice to go with it! :)
(5)
Nick E.
This place pushes decent food for inflated prices. They've built a hell of a brand. Can't hate on em for being successful but it's definitely a little costly for what you get. Portions are generally small. An order of their fish sauce wings is $14. $14 for six chicken wings. Damn. You have to pay extra to get rice. The place itself is pretty small. There was a cool place to have a beer a couple doors down. I don't think i'll be coming back here anytime soon. I think you could get food that is comparable from a truck or hole in the wall.
(3)
Henry C.
I believe it was the manager that showed us to our table, but he was very kind. The restaurant is also considerate of it's neighbors and stops serving people on their outside patio after 9:30 PM which is very nice of them. The chicken wings were very good!
(5)
Julia C.
Disappointing. Maybe I expected too much, but the food looked better than it tasted. The wings are $14, which I think to them means they have to be big to justify the tag for 6. Which may be true, but outside of very delicious coating, they are terrible - the fat is barely rendered. The wings at Luc Lac are much better. I was really looking forward to trying the boar, and it was awful. So sour I didn't even notice the heat (which is considerable). I am not from the area, so I doubt I'll have too many opportunities to try it again, but based on my first experience I wasn't a fan.
(2)
Alyssa C.
This place has an almost identical menu to the Pok Pok original location and no wait! We walked in with a group of 4 on a Saturday night at 8pm and got seated immediately with an outside table! Boom! Everything is delicious - the mandatory wings, the papaya salad that's so spicy you need to order a thai iced tea to wash it down (if you're me) and excellent service, too! I only give 4 stars not 5 because my most favorite cocktail ever, the Khing and I, which I had at Whiskey Soda Lounge, wasn't as good here (to be fair they were out of Mekhong and only had sailor jerry's) but you DO miss out on some of the original location stuff, although for no wait, kind of worth it!
(4)
Erin C.
Way less line and wait than pokpok even though the menu is limited to 12 items. I pretty much go there for the spicy wings and boar collar every time. It's great to just call in to go as well so there's no wait at all! it's a great alternative to Pok Pok if you just want some delish street thai foods but don't want the pok pok wait.
(4)
Don B.
I'm a sucker for the flavors of Thailand. The spicy and the sour. The tang of lemongrass and kaffir lime. The heat mixed with sweet. And without exception, Pok Pok delivers on that. It's no secret that I'm a fan of the original location, and this little scaled-down outpost delivers as well. Often without the wait! The menu here is a drastically abbreviated version of what the mothership serves, but it's short, to the point, and everything is available for take out. Whether it's the creamy, sweet, spicy, sour deliciousness of the khao soi gai or the spicy, fishy, salty fish sauce wings, I really have a hard time going wrong. As far as I'm concerned, Andy Ricker makes the best som tam in the city, with the proper amount of attendant spice. While there's not a ton on offer here, you really can't go too wrong with anything. I'm a huge fan of som tam gai yang, and that's the signature dish here. The game hens run on the small size, but they're not short on flavor. Very similar to how I had this dish in Thailand. The hen runs on the small size and the price can pack a punch, but the process that goes in to cooking these little birds just right kind of justifies it. Just know that you're paying for quality over quantity and hopefully your expectations will be on par. Frankly I know it's not an inexpensive endeavor for a guy with an American appetite to get full here, but honestly there are few places in Portland (or the US for that matter) that offer this level of flavor and care in preparation. And every time I pop in for a to-go order, I'm reminded of just how good the food is here.
(5)
Scott L.
I originally had rated Pok Pok at 3 stars but have been back for the wings again and they are really good. The service was a little spotty again but I think that's just how it is in a place as popular as this one. I think they've got a regular customer now.
(4)
Lisa S.
Pricey but very tasty. Best wings ever. Huge and delicious. Wine selection could have been better but it was their specialty cocktails that won me over. Love that there is a food truck in the airport!!
(4)
Suhasini J.
Woah!!! The chicken wings...I still think of how succulent and delicious they were! A must try.
(5)
Joey A.
Them spicy chicken wings though! Best yet in PDX
(5)
John Paul D.
Seriously good thai. Some of the best wings you will ever eat. Just get some wings for everybody so nobody has to beg. It's the polite thing to do.
(4)
DizzyIzzy D.
I love our monthly trips to Pok Pok. There are so many good dishes, but I always go back to my favs: spicy fish sauce wings and papaya salad.
(5)
Maxene A.
From the words of my own mouth: "that pork should be proud" Pok Pok Noi, you make being a carnivore such a pleasure! So here's how this place works; take the Pok Pok menu, select 12 favorites, and serve only that.. that is what PokPok Noi is about -thesame savory and spicy menu, just limited. So this food is off the charts! I know I should feel way guilty about polishing off the chicken curry noodle bowl and the pork dishes but how do you get me to stop, everything tastes so damn good! PLUS.. it always tastes better on a rainy day which you find a lot of in Portland. My Favorite dishes are: #6 Khao Man Som Tam green papaya salad, a bed of coconut rice and that fantastic slightly sweet shredded pork with crispy fried shallots and cilantro on top. This is the dish I am referring too about being a proud pig! The papaya salad has a great spicy tart kick and the meat has the perfect blend of savory and semi sweet coming out of it. #9 Neua naam Tok Spicy limey flank steak salad. just as described. a small on portions but large on taste, you might want to add a side of rice as I always do to soak up the meat and lime juice, and it's a meat only dish, small on the salad title. #4 Khao Soi The hearty curry noodle soup, I like to order mine with chicken and pile in the crispy noodles, pickled mustard greens, cilantro and lime, feels like comfort food! 4 stars: Although the food is just as great as their main restaurant, the service can be a little rocky... especially when you have a group larger then 4. I like to just treat this restaurant as a counter service kind, just sit at the bar and order from there...makes the service seem relative to other counter service joints. The seating out back is not exactly comfortable, it's your standard wooden picnic table. which can be awkward for everyone when you have to stand up and raise a leg over higher then everyone's shoulders :/ and that's just to get out. Inside is bar stool seating against the bar and some small tables crammed around the parameter which can be really tight on a busy night. If you can get past the seating situation then you can move on to the food situation and I can only hope you will be just as happy as I am every time! Hey if you can't get pass the dinning situation, the food is just as amazing to-go!
(4)
Sophia Y.
We were going to dessert and saw this place in passing. Another restaurant on my tourist was Pok Pok and thought this was it. It wasn't, but luckily it had what I wanted (even though we just at dinner). This place had a large bar in the front and I think they had more seating in the back including outside seating. All I wanted was the fish sauce and that is what we got to-go. The bartender was really nice in taking our order and getting us water while we waited. We got our order pretty quickly and didn't eat it until later. I was full after eat dessert so I didn't have wings until breakfast (don't ask...). Despite it being in the fridge for a whole night, and not having a microwave to heat it up, it was still really good. I could tell that it had been somewhat fried the night before, but what I'm assuming people really go for is the flavor. It's jam packed with a spicy (if you want) fish sauce garlic flavor! And the chicken was still juicy and tender! Let's just say that me and the BF had to fight for the last wing. Overall, get the chicken wings. I'm sure it would be a 5 star if I had them fresh, but they were still really good. Also, there was no prices on the menu on the wall and I didn't know that it was $14 for 6 wings!!! Outrageous. If I lived there, I would go for the occasional splurge though.
(4)
Shannon L.
Since I was hunting for a review about what it would like to take my 5 and 3 year old here, I am going to start by saying, THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR YOUNG KIDS. We visited with a large group who were all in town for a wedding celebration. It isn's a place for large groups either. 8 of us had to sit outside, and the rest sat inside on the bar. All of that being said. . . THE FOOD IS AMAZING! After we were able to secure a grilled cheese sandwich from the nearby wine bar for the kids, my husband and I ordered based on what the locals recommended. We had the Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce wings (prepared extra spicy crusted with crushed red peppers), the Muu Paa Kham Waan (SPICY boar's collar), and the Mee Sateh (pork skewers with peanut sauce - not spicy), a side of coconut rice, and a Thai iced tea prepared with lime juice. Everything was filled with incredibly unique flavors, and were DELICIOUS! I highly recommend getting the coconut rice with a side of peanut sauce and pour the sauce over the rice. That was my personal favorite. This place is a MUST if you are in the Portland area!
(4)
Jim P.
All the food is great but the wings are amazing, they are pricey but worth it. It's unique and worldly yet has strong local feeling. To go orders are awkward, but worth it.
(5)
Lilly J.
Love the steak salad! The service is snotty, but the food is worth it. I always take it to go. Not the ambiance in which I prefer to eat.
(4)
Scott A.
Wow, what a great birthday meal. This is some of the best Thai food in Portland. It forces you out of your comfort level with no ubiquitous Pad Thai or other curry stand bys. #6 The green papaya salad with coconut rice and pork explodes in your mouth with a perfect combination of sour, tart, sweet and heat. Don't miss it! #3 The chicken skewers have a hot cucumber salad that contrasts nicely with the rich peanut sauce. #7 The wings are fishy, sweet, caramelized, spicy goodness. Good thing they have wipes because you'll lick your fingers clean, but the sticky goodness remains. Cocktail choices are varied and delicious. We tried the Lord Bergamot and Salted Plum Vodka Collins. To the newly married Austin couple sitting next to us on the patio, have a great rest of your honeymoon. Great service, food and company. We'll be back!
(5)
Beth W.
Came for the wings, ordered the special. Was not disappointed. This place is fantastic.
(5)
Claire L.
Tasty cocktails (if a little pricey). I had the tamarind whiskey sour and my friends had the hot toddy- a double hot toddy ran $17 a piece. Great service. Had to wait but that's to be expected of a spot with such great food! Love the wings! And the chicken curry, and everything else I had. The sticky rice dessert was killer! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Roni F.
I am sure we missed out on some of the highlights as we ordered only vegetarian dishes. The fish sauce glazed wings on a neighboring table looked out of this world. We ordered the papaya salad which was no different than any other, as we skipped the funky spicy crab addition (the salad was plenty hot without it). The Khao Soi curry had a great variety of textures, mild in spice, but comparably mild in flavor too. Perhaps all the spice from the other dishes dulled out palette? The standout for us was the mushroom salad, but it was essentially a version of vegetarian larb. The pandanus water was a simple, but lovely addition. Great atmosphere in the cozy patio, even for winter. Overall, it was fine. This was not the revelation in exotic cuisine I hoped for, but it was good enough to warrant another shot and possibly a breaking of vegetarianism to try some of the more unusual offerings.
(4)
Joe D.
This place is great. It's as famous as it's chef. I've eaten at all the locations. Ike's fish sauce wings are one of my favorite dishes, period. The papaya salad is also spectacular. The sweet sticky rice is awesome for dessert. I don't care for the durian custard, but it's good without it. When mango is in season the sweet sticky rice is accompanied with it. Very tasty, sweet and salty. This place is a must eat!! It has Ike's fish sauce wings which are one of the best dishes in the country, in my opinion.
(5)
G D.
Maybe I don't "get" the Portland food scene but this is not a normal Thai restaurant in the sense of the menu being a familiar one. Don't expect to see your usual red curry / green curry / pad gra pow / fried rice with chicken etc on the menu. Am I committing some sort of food sin by saying that? Anyway, we ordered as best we could off the rather expensive menu but were disappointed with the dishes that came out. If I lived in Portland I wouldn't go back. Can't see what all the fuss is about, personally. Nice waiter and good service though.
(2)
Clark C.
My family has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years. I worked at a popular Portland restaurant throughout my 20's. I rarely give reviews. However after the 3rd negative experience, I felt I had to share. On my first visit to the Division location I, like everyone else, was excited to try the restaurant of the year. Unfortunately this excitement was extinguished by the elitist attitude of the multiple employees that I encountered. The food was good, I won't deny that. However, the overall experience left a bad taste in my mouth. Our second visit was non memorable. I am sure the food was good, but It wasn't noteworthy, as I can't remember it. On our third and what is to be our final visit, I came to the Noi location during a non-busy day/time with my wife. We stood at the bar for more than 5 minutes. No one acknowledged we were there. We waited. And waited. Finally, we left. As we were leaving, no one acknowledged we existed. I would like to state again, they were NOT busy. There many empty tables and multiple employees milling about. No one acknowledged us.
(1)
T H.
I have dreams about their wings. Everything on the menu is delicious. Simple and short.
(5)
Jackie W.
The vietnamese chicken wings. I could bathe in that sauce happily all day. Everything else there I've tried is good but I'm all about them wings.... I think they should be called crack wings - so addictive.
(4)
Steve S.
A converted home without the space to feed the number of people that want to try it. Prices are excellent for portions and taste. Order multiple entres to share; not that you have to share, but you'll want to. So many flavors! Try their customer favorite : wings. These are B-dubs wings. These are large, full wings with true Tai spicing. The Brussel sprouts are crisp and flavorful. Hated them til tonight. Now I know how they are supposed to taste. Enjoy, and relax with Steve Smith's own hot teas. Tell them Steve Smith, himself, sent you.
(5)
Chris C.
The restaurant itself isn't as cool as the original but if you just want Good food you cannot go wrong here
(4)
Cynthia R.
I could eat here every week, several times a week and NOT get sick of it. The wings, oh my, so spicy and saucy and delicious....the papaya salad, spicy, viniagry, soooo good. Hallelujah!! lol I seriously loved this place. We need one of these to add to the lot of amazing Thai fusion places in Chicago. We had this soup....it had coconut milk and veggies. Oh sweet Lord, give me some of that stuff right now! We had some AMAZING food in Portland in the days we were there, and Pok Pok Noi was my favorite!!
(5)
John G.
Go with the Double Mountain Sacre Blue beer on draft, very dark, but light in taste and body. This place was a little better than OK, it's small, but kinda funky and intimate, you're basically sitting at a long counter. They have two beers on draft and mixed drinks. I think I had the number one menu item, the hen. The dipping sauce is what made this meal, d-lish and so flavorful! Add the sticky rice to your meal too. This POK POK was closer to us than the big one, so we gave this a go. Not your traditional Thai, or maybe I just haven't had enough Thai to know really. They had a lot of customers pouring in, seemed like a nice place for the family too. I'd give this place another go if I lived in Portland.
(3)
Desiree D.
This place is a little small on the inside of the restaurant, but they have an outdoor seating area that's covered and heated which is nice. This place is also on the expensive side. 3 items cost $45. The food was a mixed bag. The flavors were great, but the food wasn't all well prepared. The pork skewers were good, but had a large piece of fat at the bottom which was not appetizing. The ribs were absolutely disgusting. They were rubbery and tasted like hot dogs. Clearly they were boiled and not cooked well. If you're not going to take the time to make them well, they really should be taken off the menu. Their best item was the Vietnamese wings, which were great. flavorful and cooked well - not too crispy or too soft. A really unique flavor, but definitely delicious!
(3)
Mark J.
Are my expectations too high after eating at Pok Pok for years? No. We had a lack luster experience here, the wings were undercooked and the boar collar (one of my favorite dishes) was over cooked. The service was pretentious, for seemingly no reason, this is a wing join honey, not Beast. I mentioned it to the waitress, but she either did not understand my concern, or was to pretentious to get it. I let it go then gave a full tip, I was so disgusted with the food, I know servers work hard, but I truly was disgusted with myself for leaving a full tip after this experience. We have not been back after this happened, and have no plans to go back any time soon. It hurts me to say it because I have been a Pok Pok fan for many years, It actually lowered our image of the real Pok Pok as well, it was that bad. This is a clear issue with some of the popular Portland restaurants, is this a case of popularity riding on their haunches? I gave two stars, because one star means I would never set foot in the location again, and I would have a beer here considering they are our neighbors.
(2)
Sarita d.
Fingering licking good wings which you'll want to order multiple times. Get the spicy version. Make sure you have a reservation.
(5)
Soo L.
Came here on recs from several different people during our trip to Portland. We got the famous fish sauce wings (spicy) and the Khao soi with chicken. The wings were super delicious the first bite but as the meal went on i realized how salty it was and started to get a distinct burnt taste. The Khao soi's broth was delicious and perfect for the rainy and chilly weather that night. The chicken was super tender and is what the waitress said is traditionally served with the Khao soi although you can also get it with beef or veggies. If we're back in Portland sometime we definitely want to try the boar's collar!! Our server was awesome and gave us recs for other places to try in the area.
(4)
Jeff M.
Best dish was a surprise: #4 Khao Soi with chicken. Spicy and savory with soft and hard noodles. Also try the Muu Paa berk neck - also spicy and a little sweet. Hit the spot!
(4)
Aimee L.
After never being terribly impressed with the original Pok Pok, I was a bit cynical going in but was happily, joyfully, deliciously surprised with the utter awesomeness of this location and menu. Much better food (we had the papaya salad and the boar, with shrimp chips on the side), awesome service, and the Mango Alexander cocktail? Thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Yay for Noi! We'll be back soon. Very soon.
(5)
Dana W.
My mouth salivates at the mention of Pok Pok. The boar collar is the best meal I've eaten in Portland - it is incredibly spicy but the tears are worth the taste one hundred times over. I've never been disappointed by a meal there; the food is beautiful! It can certainly be a bit noisy during busy eating hours, and seating is limited. These are the only downsides, though. Pok Pok Noi is 100% worth your time and money.
(5)
Anthony T.
Those fish sauce chicken wings doe done did it. It was just the right amount of spice and crispiness. The servers were very polite and as a visitor to Portland I would recommend it to everyone.
(5)
George T.
Ahhhh Yes!!! How I looked forward to dining at this fine establishment. Everything was fabulous! Let's start with the food: Spicy fish sauce wings is a must! Khao Soi is an immensely flavorful dish you have to try it to believe it. Even the water was infused with some thai herb that enhanced your experience. We were looking forward to some soft shell crab but that didn't appear to be available. Kai Yaang (thai bbq chicken) very moist and delicious dipping sauces. Muu Paa Kham Waan was refreshing for my taste buds (a bit of spice and garlic with lemongrass infused sauce). I'm salivating for more! Decor: Everything was designed to feel authentic as if you were in somebody's home in Thailand. As you walk through the restaurant towards the patio you go through the kitchen and see how cool this place really is. Make sure you end with some sticky rice and mango. One last thing if you're into bloody mary's you should try the pok pok bloody mary. Infused with lemongrass and just the right spice to accompany a scrumptious meal in this category. Enjoy!
(5)
Tall C.
Don't be a big appetite person like me and expect to get full for a fair price at this magnificently looking place with it's awesome service. That's the only reason why I left 1 star off. $18 for a grilled Cornish Hen is going overboard. It wasn't rubbed or marinated with anything special, yet one of the dipping sauces was fantastic (the other dip was the usual sweet chili sauce). 2 dishes and 4 drinks (3 well) came out to $66 for me and my lady. Yeaah, that Inner Eastside price will get ya....but! the Coconut Milk, Mango-Vodka drink with the lime is the business! On a hot day, this is the place to dip into to cool off, but be ready to spend some loot.
(4)
Mike M.
Meh. I took a friend from out of town to pok pok noi because he had heard all thd hype. I was disappointed. The food was over priced and the portions small. The neua naam tok was on a 8"x6" plate and was a bit tough and overcooked. It wss $17 and sticky rice was $3. Not a lot for $20. I also had the wings, which were okay. Didn't really blow my socks off. My part of the check was $38 with one beer. Just seems so high in comparison to the actual food costs in each dish. The staff was fine, but I'll pass next time.
(2)
D E.
All the tastiness of Pok Pok on Division w/o the huge wait. Ikes Fish Sauce wings are always a crowd fav.
(4)
Margaretha Q.
Packed. One of the tips from my friend: come early when they just opened, so you can enjoy your food okay.
(4)
Brent S.
The food is delicious, enough for me to shrug off the fact that it is slightly overpriced. However, the server for my group of 5 people had a seriously condescending attitude and seemed like he had better things to be doing then the rudimentary aspects of his job. How about some halfway friendly and invested service to go with your delicious food?
(2)
Christine M.
Oh man, our evening at Pok Pok will not be forgotten. To start, we were with great friends on an unexpected-polar-vortex-induced stay in Portland. So that was great. We had also tried to visit Pok Pok on Division on a previous trip to town, but were not prepared to wait (and had been flying all day so no forethought with reservations). This location was quaint, and much larger than it appeared when we first walked in. A group of four of us split about 5 dishes. A whole fish plate with tons of greens and sides to make a wrap, a mango salad, some skewers, and a few other things I'm not recalling at the moment, but all were fabulous. Additionally I had the blackberry som and still think about that drink. A drinking vinegar might not sound that great to you but I am pregnant so feel limited to water most of the time. This flavor bomb (which at first I took for an alcoholic beverage) totally hit the spot, was unique, and so very tasty. If it weren't for airline regulations I would have picked up some concentrate the next day at Salt and Straw, because I was still thinking about that drink. Yum. The outdoor area, warmed by heaters nearby, the company, the food, drink...it all ranks highly as one of the highlights of our extended stay. Our host that night forewarned that if we thought we'd had, or even liked, Thai food before, this would likely be a new experience. He was right on there! I can't wait for our next trip to Portland to return!
(5)
Robert B.
Many times when your expectations are so high one is usually let down, at least this has been my experience often when it comes to Portland "must" eateries. Pok Pok was a delightful exception. My wife and I went to the Noi location due to its much quieter and easier to actually successfully dine percentage rate, compared to the original and usually super busy Division location. This location features 10 of the most popular entrees from the Original Pok Pok. We started with some Mango Alexanders...which are yummy coconut and mango alcoholic beverages that ranks up there with any drink you are bound to come across. After reading profusely about the signature fish sauce wings, we of course had to order them and they were amazing! You more than likely never have had wings quite like this! Definitely a unique treat! The real show stopper for us was the wild boar with coconut rice. Flavored to perfection. Truly a standout dish. Pok Pok is a cool and relaxing place, but the food is definitely the star! A little bit more pricey than a lot of places, but is easily a contender for best place to eat in Portland!
(5)
Michael G.
Pros: 1. Great northern Thai food options...get the Khao Soi with chicken. Amazing. Papaya salad was great, fresh, and spicy. And Thai hot wings...they're fantastic. A beer, some rice, and you're set. 2. lunch counter style seating. It somehow works very well here. 3. Reasonably priced entrees to share, and great portions! Cons: 1. Portland hipster servers. Some here are good...but some shame you for asking for hot sauce. Wtf??? 2. Lack of beers on tap. But hey, I'm there for the food, so who cares. 3. There just aren't enough of these places around the world. That is the real shame. Would I come back here? Yes. Should you eat here? Yes. Is it ok to waterboard a hipster server who gives bad service? Yes. As long as you tip them first. Thank you Pok Pok Noi. I love you longtime.
(4)
Gerald K.
Pok Pok Noi is tucked into small space on 15th and Fremont. It is the little sister to Pok Pok on SE Division. The food is always outstanding and the staff are excellent. I drop by for to go often and they are on it......Always confirm your order before they ring it up. If you order to go it is carefully packaged to make the trip home. We love the #1 Kia Yang, grilled chicken with tasty dipping sauces. The #6 Khao Man Som Tam, shredded Carlton Farms pork with spicy green papaya salad is awesomely addictive! If you do not like spicy food stay home!!!!
(5)
Uyen T.
Cute, small restaurant with friendly service. The fish sauce wings are a must - large enough portion to share! The flank beef salad is delicious - with scallions and sesame flavor. Add an order of sticky rice or coconut rice with the beef salad.
(4)
Alan G.
Save your money and taste buds and eat somewhere else. I was so excited to finally try out Pok Pok after watching the food tv channel. What a nasty dump. The portions are just fucking ridiculous. I got four dishes and paid $64.00. The worst sticky rice I have ever tasted and the ribs are the cheapest you can even get at the butcher. I guess I saved on my appetite and waist line just not my wallet. Save your money and go eat somewhere delicious..
(1)
El W.
I love Pok Pok Noi, so so much! Even on their off nights I can't be too disappointed, the depth of flavor, spice and texture is outrageous. It is my go to restaurant if I want to spend some dough on an awesome dinner. My favorites are the boar collar, spicy fish wings, papaya salad and the game hen. Though I haven't tried anything I didn't like. The drinking vinegars are so tasty, ask them what's in season. I had a fresh Oregon strawberry vinegar that was like drinking a strawberry field, seriously crazy delicious. I have noticed that service standards tend to go down on a very busy night which is why I recommend going earlier before the dinner rush hits for the best food and service. Either way, if you like incredibly tasty spicy food don't miss out!
(4)
Lisa L.
Food Network, Why have you forsaken me? If you're a new Oreganion, everyone will tell you to try Pok Pok and their infamous wings. All I can say is overhyped $12 7 piece wings that tasted overly sweet that I think got a cavity. I only could muster myself up to eat 2 of the wings with a large helping of sticky rice, water, pickled veggies and my Cha Yen. You think paying double digits for wings that they would disassemble the whole wing but why take away the fun for us? Definitely not a hot spot for first dates. The wings were reminiscent of a sweet and sour chili sauce that was extremely sweet for my taste. I would have been much more satisfied with my Wingstop or Buffalo Wild Wings. Other items that I tried was the papaya salad (#2), which was pretty decent until the spicy fury kick-in and my whole mouth was numb. I've had my fair share of spicy papaya salad and this was hands down the spicy-est of them all. I took about 3 bites and was done. The papaya was light and crispy but was drowned in the sauce that it was a bit vinegary and way to spicy for my taste. The only thing I liked was my Cha Yen (Thai milk tea) *thumbs up for getting that right! Tried it once, won't be back again or recommend it.
(2)
June T.
I am a chicken wing freak. 15$ for 6 chicken wings and a measly salad has become a justifiable purchase in my budget because the wings are so damn tasty. Last time I stopped in the wings were almost inedible because WOW, SO SALTY. I get that fish sauce is an inherently salty flavor but holy moly it was off the chain. I should have sent them back but I ate as much as I could because I was weak with hunger and then fed the rest to my dog at home. I know I'll be back again for my fix, since the wings are usually so crispy and juicy and magical, even though they are being sold at crack prices. But honestly, if they play me like that again with the salty wings I'm going to have to take a break from Pok Pok.
(3)
Tony T.
Place isn't very spacious. Only a few smaller tables up front and the main dining area is a covered patio with heat lamps out back. Food is good, service is good but don't expect the full PokPok menu as you would get in the SE. It's pretty limited.
(4)
Gilad B.
One of the best thai meals of my life. This little place offers all the best dishes from the original pok pok without the line. Everything was excellent, especially the wings! Come and you will love it but get ready for some spice.
(5)
Thuy N.
The wings is a must! The papaya is the second must. Be sure to order the sticky rice. Oh my the mango with sticky rice is just right for some dessert! Love this place. I would eat here once a week if I lived nearby!
(4)
Alan A.
Don't let the small bar appearance of this place scare you away. The drinks are a little pricey, but the food is heavenly, dreamy and delicious. A flavor profile that is different from the normal but really tasty. Visit and enjoy.
(5)
Jennifer C.
I was really expecting more as I'd heard rants and raves from friends. It wasn't bad but nothing to write home about. The wings were decent and spicy with a good flavor profile. We had the rib pieces as well and they were just okay. We asked for another side of sauce and were a bit surprised to see a $1 charge on our bill as our waitress had never mentioned the charge when we ordered the extra sauce (it's kind of like glorified teriyaki sauce). Our waitress was super nice and did give us great service. The food is spendy for what you get and I think Portland has a lot of better options. Probably won't be going back anytime soon.
(3)
Tracy C.
Thinking of the wings here makes my mouth water. You can get them regular or spicy, I've gotten them spicy both times. So freaking good. Crispy, full of flavor, meat fall off the bone good! The ribs are pretty good too, comes with two sauces on the side both delish. Coconut rice?! Soo good! And I don't like coconut, at all. Sooooo yumm! Small place but they have a outdoor patio that has heaters and it's tented for the winter. Friendly staff and doesn't take too long to get your food even when their busy.
(5)
Eric S.
This is a very tough review to right for many reasons....1st of all I think if I give a 1 star rating then it is my fault for not squaring things away and speaking up that I am not satisfied. 2nd of all price for me plays a part in rankings because of the price/value propisition. 3rdly I do know they have multiple locations and I hear that the location on Prescott is not as good as the other one on division. 4thly I do not think we ordered correctly. With that all said, and much thought I give pok pok a 1 star rating. We ordered the wings, the pok pok salad, and the lemongrass beef. The wings were very fatty and to me a good wing renders down the globs of fat and delivers a crispy skin. The flavor on the wings was ok, but chewing on globs of fat was not. Plus it was 14 bucks for some wings which is very expensive. BW3 does wings 10x better and for 1/3 the cost. The lemongrass beef had tons of inedible lemongrass rings on it....approximately 1/2 the whole dish was nasty lemongrass. It all had to be picked out. I would have turned it back, but it was not my dish. It too was very expensive and the portions were small. The pok pok salad was very very hot and spicy, but not that good either. The real kicker to me was that you have to pay extra for rice at this place. I have never in my life been to a place where you needed a lot of rice to cut the strong flavors, but you had to pay 2 bucks for a tiny portion of rice. To me it is a slap in the face to not serve rice with the dish when you need it so bad. This place is not fine dining, but you pay fine dining prices. My conclusion is that Portlanders love lines and they automatically think that a long line means it is good, so when they are done waiting in line and eating overpriced food they somehow trick themselves into thinking it was good. No offense to the wonderful folks in Portland. I went across the street and ate at Appathaising Thai on Division street and the food was 10x as good for 1/2 the price. If Pok Pok had been half as much in price I would have given them 2 stars.
(1)
J H.
Get. The. Wings. -1 star for the small, awkward space
(4)
Christopher F.
A limited selection of Pok Pok proper's already limited selection, yet they still run out of menu items. If you want to pay ~$24 for a flavorless, underseasoned noodle soup and a roasted chicken that's the size of an official little league baseball, this is the only place to go. The manager was at least responsive, and listened patiently to my long-winded complaint. He correctly suggested that some of my issues with the soup could be fixed with fish sauce, but on balance, the broth lacked basic seasoning, and I'll just go to a pho place if I want soup in the future.
(2)
Christopher K.
For a scaled down menu, a better attitude, and customer service that far exceeds the parent restaurant, Pok Pok Noi is a welcome addition to the location previously housing Podnah's Pit. I only wish it were a little cheaper. And I really wish they were open for lunch. And if you haven't tried the DURIAN CUSTARD dessert, do it. It might not sound good, it might even sound strange for those of you who've experienced durian; but it's one of the best desserts I've ever eaten.
(5)
Caitlin C.
The wings were great, the outdoor seating was fun, the water tasted kind of off. Slightly fish tank ish.
(4)
Angelique L.
I'd heard about Pok Pok already before my stay in Portland, from friends who lived there and said we should go. Then, a friend suggested meeting there for dinner. But then my other friend, who I was meeting up with in Portland from L.A. heard about it from our AirBnB hostess and wanted to go. So, I went to Pok Pok Noi, in the neighborhood we were staying, and the original Pok Pok the next night. First, I like the original Pok Pok better. It's bigger, more atmospheric, with a much larger menu. This one, has a very small menu, 10-12 items at the most. I only saw one thing that really looked good -- after the wings, of course, which my friend was ordering. Inside, it has the feel of a lonely airport bar. Of course, we were there about a half hour before closing but with only five, maybe seven stools, it can't get too happening in there. Our waitress was very welcoming, despite our late arrival, and informed us that the back patio (which must be where most of the seats are) was closed. We sat at one of the tables out front (there are two). Sitting on a sidewalk on a leafy neighborhood street had a much more European feel. I liked it out there! I got a dish of coconut rice with shredded pork and a spicy papaya salad. The first I bite I took set my mouth on fire, I licked my lips and theny startled tingling as well. But I was hungry and it tasted good so I kept eating. Surprisingly, it's the papaya salad that's spicy and the rice and pork is mild. So I took a little of each for every bite and it was just perfect. My mouth kept buzzing and by the time I was done, it was numb. This dish is really good, though! Also offered is a big selection of their vinegar sodas which taste like Kombucha but I don't know if they have the enzymes and fermentation benefits. And they're super expensive so be prepared to tack another $5 onto your bill for one of those. The next time I went to Pok Pok, I recommended the papaya pork dish to my dinner mate and ordered something else.
(3)
Lili K.
More like Pok Pok NO! Another OVERRATED tourist joint. I went before a dinner rush but they have poor service, food, and tiny space. Only one server on the floor and service was extremely slow. Not many menu options, and portions are small for the high price.
(1)
Eliz P.
We ate dinner here for the first time, it was delicious! My husband had the boar collar, loved it, I had the flank steak salad I loved it, both with just the right amount of spice. Had the sticky rice with both meals. It was the right amount of food. We also had a specialty drink, excellent! The dinners were each $15 and the drinks $10. We will return.
(4)
Rebecca S.
Really great food! Probably the most authentic Thai I've ever had. It was pretty pricey which would have been no big deal but kinda too pricey considering we were sitting on picnic tables under a tent. Maybe it was just a temporary location. If you love great food and don't mind eating in an outdoor, makeshift dining room, this is a great place.
(4)
Sam S.
Pok Pok was so popular they needed to open a second location, Pok Pok Noi, to handle all the demand. We ate here the other night because the wait for a table at Pok Pok was two hours! Thankfully the wait at Pok Pok Noi was a more reasonable 15 minutes. Pok Pok Noi isn't much to look at outside or inside. When you first walk in it's a small room with a bar and counter running the length of the space. You can see part of the kitchen towards the back. There are a few tables in front but most of the seating is in back on the patio. To get there the staff will take you past the bar, through the kitchen area, and outside to a covered patio. It was really weird. So how was the food? In my opinion, it was lousy. I love Thai food and have eaten Thai dozens and dozens of time. What I love is curry though, especially a good yellow curry. Unfortunately Pok Pok Noi doesn't have traditional Thai dishes like yellow curry through so instead I ordered some sort of yellow curry soup. The flavor of the soup was fair and the chicken was pretty food (albiet a little fatty and greasy). Rice was extra and the jasmine and sticky rices were both bad. I don't know how a restaurant screws up rice, but their jasmine rice was much too dry and the sticky rice was difficult to eat because it seemed glued together. My brother and his girlfriend raved about how good this place was and their tastes in restaurants are usually spot on. But my wife and I didn't like the food at Pok Pok Noi and would not recommend it. I would never go back here and after paying the expensive bill, I'm sorry I agreed to come here in the first place. Meh!
(1)
Lu J.
This restaurant is expensive, the portions are tiny, and the entrees tasted horrible. My husband ordered what appeared on the menu to be a beef/vegetable stir-fry but came out to be a mere 2 or 3 oz of sliced beef drowning in a pool of salt and spice (and not in a good way either). I ordered the pok pok special which looked pretty big on the menu but turned out to only be five or six bites worth of over-spiced duck and cost $16 (it was a #1 - which is $9.50 - plus a papaya salad and rice - $6.50 more?!?!) . I don't understand how this is rated as a four star restaurant. I will never go there again!
(1)
Rebel R.
I love this place! I've never had to wait to be seated. The food is amazing. The somtam / papaya salad is the perfect blend of sour, sweet, and spicy. I usually get the pork with coconut rice, I could eat it just about every day!
(5)
Kirsten H.
I like this location more because it is often far less crowded. We got the Ike's Vietnamese fish sauce wings and Het Paa Naam Tok both of which were mouth watering. The service is a little unfriendly or inattentive but otherwise our experience was pleasant. If for nothing else come here for the food, it's worth it.
(4)
Neal C.
Everything was quite tasty but I wish they had some noodle choices to go along with. We got the sticky rice but that was a minute portion and we still craved a form of rice noodles. Bartender was Portlandesquely aloof.
(3)
Stephanie P.
As a first I'd like to say that the recipes at this restaurant and the original pok pok are fantastic. Flavorful and wonderful to eat. When those dishes are executed correctly its almost worth paying way way way too much for them. Pok Pok noi's staff is rude, aloof and all together very hard to tip. I've had hairs in my food, unnecessary wait times and then other times just being straight up ignored. I wish I could get this food elsewhere in town, the staff isn't worth dealing with.
(2)
Wendy H.
I can't help it, I love Andy Richer. I love the restaurants he's opened, I love the foods and decor and learning experiences. His cookbook is seriously amazing. Fast efficient and knowledgeable service, decent price points, and so much to try. I would eat anything he made.
(5)
Marlaina R.
Portland has become a bit of a 2nd home for me as I go and visit there about 3 times a year and coming to pok pok noi is basically a ritual that my sister and I engage in. The wings are absolutely incredible! Spicy, salty, with a perfect hint of sweet.... ooooh they rock my world and I wish I could hop on a plane from L.A. to have some right now! I do not typically eat pork but their boar salad is amazing. The freshest herbs and spices imaginable all mixed together with tender cuts of perfectly cooked boar... wow and wow. I also love the chilled greens that are served with the boar - they serve as kind of a chaser to cleanse your pallet. Make sure to get a side of the sticky rice - it is a nice complement to any meat item on the menu. I tried the drinking vinegar once and I'm not a fan, but they have Bitburger on tap so really you don't need anything else! After writing this review my next trip back to Portland can't come fast enough!
(5)
Nicol W.
The food here is so amazing. I had the vegetarian khao soi and the broth is delicious. I love the toppings that come one the side. I dumped everything in my except the chili paste, I added enough for my taste. The papaya salad is delicious and fresh. My daughter had the muu sateh and loved it. She likes peanut sauce so this was a perfect choice for her. My husband ate the fish sauce wings and is now planning to make them at home with our Pok Pok cookbook. I will definitely come back next time I'm in Portland.
(5)
Jack M.
PokPok is good. The only thing I'd say is I can't go there more often because it's a little pricy for what you get. It's fun from time to time. The soup is the best in the world. But It's priced higher than it should be.
(3)
Kccstrong A.
Everything is always good but we think the #9 Spicy Flank Steak salad is a ridiculously small amount of food for the money and would never order again.
(3)
Silvana B.
Ok - so this pains me, but the truth is that Pok Pok Noi has been slipping on their wings. They were perfect deliciousness before, and I don't know what happened, but it's the second time in a row that they were " Meh". Here's what was wrong with my meal: - The wings were not all the way the way done. Since I did take out I only discovered this at home. Otherwise I would've said something in the store. - I ordered 1 order of the regular and 1 order of the spicy wings. Some of the spicy wings had a really thick paste of chili on the bottom the bottom of the wing, and no nice distribution across the whole wing. Almost seems like the marinating was done sloppy or something. - The quality of the wings; somehow some wings seemed really dry. I don't know how to better describe it. Overall it was an underwhelming experience and if my last two visits are representative for the quality of wings they serve now the price/quality ratio is no longer worth going to Pok Pok Noi. There are other places in Portland that are up there. So, I will try to go one more time. If I'm disappointed again it's going to be the end of my love affair with Pok Pok Noi. *sad*
(2)
Fenny G.
Came here because of their awesome reviews on Yelp and honestly, I hate when I cannot go with the flow. The food that we ordered were good but they didn't WOW me. I had better chicken wings but the best thing about this wings is the sauce, I love shrimp paste and I really think they use a lot of shrimp paste in their ingredient because I could smell it while sitting in the patio area. Their vinegar drinks are refreshing (4 starts for that!)
(3)
Patti F.
Damn, I REALLY wanted to like this, I really really did. There were 2 vegetarian options (both were salads, which to me isn't really "dinner" fare), on a very meat-laden menu. I'm not saying having a meat-menu is bad, but it's Portland, so I'd like more than a salad for dinner being a vegetarian. I wouldn't know if it's authentic, never been to Thailand. I only know I wasn't impressed for the price/quality/food choices. We each had one of the menu specials, and perhaps it's the ingredients, but $14 for a bowl of soup seems just a bit overpriced. I know Pok Pok's reputation, and I know people love it - but for me, a $14 bowl of noodles, sauce, pickled veggies, etc. just wasn't worth the price. Yes, it was tasty, but I probably won't be back - I'm not cheap but I just don't think spending $60 for two bowls of "soup", and two cocktails is worth it.
(3)
J W.
The smaller Pok Pok across town is still delicious. Missing some of the menu items from the main restaurant, but still great.
(4)
Sage J.
Oh man. Fish sauce wings all day every day. It's really terrible that I live just up the street from this amazing establishment! The customer service is fantastic. I've never had a non kick-ass server or bartender. Everyone is rad! Also, there is never a wait to get in (take that, Division location!) and there is always seating. Don't be fooled- there's more room in the back! The heated patio is great and Pok Pok feels like a true, authentic Thai experience. The whole menu is great but if you go with a friend/date, it's cheap to split the wings, and get a side of coconut rice. Trust me, you will be full and satisfied! Can't wait to go for the millionth time :).
(5)
Ziyan C.
Amazing food, amazing drinks. So glad I came here on my 3-day whirlwind tour of Portland. Plus, 5 of us came in at 8pm on a Friday and only waited about 15 minutes. MUST-HAVES: Spicy Wings, Khao Soi (curry noodle - I liked the beef), Mango Alexander (deliciously sweet drink). ~~AMBIANCE~~ Rowdy, fun, loud! Shared picnic tables in back. Bustling. Just feels like a great time, feels like you've been thrown into a different world, love that they don't try too hard with decor but just keep it simple. Fun to wind through all the hallways and practically through the kitchen and back to get to the main seating area. ~~COST~~ $100 total (including tax/tip) for five dishes, several drinks = more than enough food for 5 people! ~~SERVICE~~ Efficient, food came out fast, but after that it became a little more difficult to flag down our server for questions/extra drinks/etc. They were always more than friendly & willing to help once we got their attention though! ~~DRINKS~~ * Mango Alexander - 5 stars (mango, vodka, coconut cream & lime, shaken & served up. $9) Oh my goodness this was freaking delicious. Yes it is a sweet, fruity, girly drink, but even all my guy friends who usually love their manly beers were loving this. The flavor is intensely fresh & it has this really smooth texture, somewhere between a normal drink, a sorbet, & a smoothie. It somehow was also really strong w/o tasting too much like it (my fave kind =) and got me a good tipsy throughout the meal (warning: I am a major lightweight). ~~FOOD~~ #1 Kai Yaang (Whole Bird) - 4 stars pic: waiting on a friend! (charcoal rotisserie roasted natural game hen stuffed with lemongrass, garlic, pepper and cilantro served with spicy sweet and sour and tamarind dipping sauces. $15.90) Moist, tender meat. Thinly crisped skin. Reminds of me of the Chinese dish drunken chicken. Make sure to have each bite with sauces! Otherwise there isn't much flavor in the meat itself. Tasty but I would say if you're getting the wings (and everyone does), this isn't necessarily a must-have unless you really want a giant chunk of tender chicken meat! $12 Muu Paa Kham Waan (Boar) - 3.5 stars pic: waiting on a friend! (boar collar meat rubbed w/ garlic, coriander root and black pepper, glazed w/ soy and sugar, grilled over charcoal and served w/ chilled mustard greens and a spicy chili/lime/garlic sauce. $13.95) Very strong spicy flavor! The meat was tender and soft, in thin strips. Good with the fresh veggies provided. Served cold. This was tasty but I wouldn't say necessarily a memorable dish on my 3-day tour of Portland. #4 Beef Khao Soi - 4.5 stars pic: waiting on a friend! (Northern thai mild curry noodle made with our secret curry paste recipe, natural chicken on the bone and house-pressed fresh coconut milk. Served w/ pickled mustard greens, shallots, cilantro, crispy yellow noodles and roasted chili paste. $12.95) I really liked this - then again, I like anything with curry and noodles! The noodles were thick, like a home-made udon but slightly more al dente. The flavor was amazing, plus those crispy pieces added a great crunch to each bite. #7 Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Spicy Wings - 4.5 stars pic: waiting on a friend! (Fresh natural chicken wings marinated in fish sauce and palm sugar, deep fried, tossed in caramelized Phu Quoo fish sauce and garlic and served with Vietnamese table salad. $13.95) So worth the hype! Very spicy, very tasty, the skin crisped just right, and I like that they do the entire wing so if you're sharing everyone gets all the different parts of the wing. Coconut Rice - 4 stars $2.50 I know, a very ordinary dish to review, but I really liked the fat sticky texture of their rice. The coconut had a nice subtle flavor to it too so it didn't overpower other dishes but more like enhanced their flavor.
(4)
Dan H.
What on earth was I missing? Why had I never been here before? Am I slacking? Am I going insane? Am I asking too many questions? All the hype is true. Pok Pok does food and does it very well. My whole experience here was wonderful. I have a guest in from out of town and he wanted to take me out for dinner to thank me for letting him stay at my place. I was figuring we would head up to Alberta to see if we could find a place to eat. On our trip up that way we passed Pok Pok Noi and I mentioned it to him. This was his first time in Portland, but we decided to continue on to Alberta. Walked around a bit and found a restaurant I thought he might enjoy, but apparently he had Pok Pok on his mind. Since I had never been I had no problem getting back in the car and making the drive back. Once inside we were greeted immediately and asked if we were eating in or taking out. We were eating in and our seating options were explained. Inside at the bar or outside on the patio (heated and covered this time of year). We opted for the patio. Go all the way back and make a right and then 2 lefts and it feels like you've actually walked to Thailand. Big picnic tables and warm heating lamps make for a nice space. Also there wasn't anyone out there save for the server. He gave us a hearty hello and presented us with menus and some of their water that is infused with Pandan Leaf. My friend mentioned it tasted like jasmine rice and apparently pandan leaf is sometimes used to flavor rice. It was quite different, but very refreshing. After ordering a few beers (they are pretty large here) we decided to get a few dishes to share. Started out with one thing they are known for. Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings ($12.50 for 6) which we ordered spicy. These wings are marinated in fish sauce and palm sugar. They are then deep fried and tossed in caramelized Phu Quoc fish sauce and garlic and served with Vietnamese table salad. These live up to the hype. Very flavorful with a good spice. $12.50 might be a bit steep, but it is a large portion. Next up was Muu Paa Kham Waan ($12.50). Boar collar meat rubbed with garlic, coriander root and black pepper, glazed with soy and sugar, grilled over charcoal and served with chilled mustard greens (the ice is right on top) and a spicy chili/lime/garlic sauce. This was our servers favorite. We got some sticky rice to go along with this and made little tacos with the greens, rice and meat. So much flavor in this dish. We also had the Papaya Pok Pok with salted black crab ($8 + $2.50 for the black crab and the added spice). Spicy green papaya salad with tomatoes, long beans, Thai chili, lime juice, tamarind, fish sauce, garlic, palm sugar, dried shrimp and peanuts. This was our servers second favorite dish, but he usually ordered it without the crab as it was too spicy for him. That wasn't an issue for my friend and I. We were both quite pleased with the spice. I was expecting it to be spicier, but I had no issue here. Nice clean flavors in this dish. Finally we ordered the Neua Naam Tok ($12). This is Spicy Isaan flank steak "salad" with fish sauce, lime and chili powder dressing, shallots, lemongrass, mint, cilantro and toasted rice powder. A nice third dish that we could wrap up in the greens and the rest of our sticky rice. Not very spicy at all which was nice as the spice from the papaya salad was finally dying down. Service was really great here and that is saying a lot here in Portland. Everyone that worked there said hello to us and we felt very much at home. Our server was attentive. Around when we needed him and not when we didn't. Gave us a bunch of suggestions and was very knowledgeable about the menu. I have not had an overall experience like this at a restaurant in a long time. It really makes this meal stand out. Can't wait to get over to the original location to check out some of their odd dishes.
(5)
Heather J.
Pok Pok without the wait! Yes, the menu is shorter, but I love walk in, sit at the bar and just dig in. Tonight I ventured away from my usual standards of the game hen (mmmm, and those sauces!) and the chicken wings and had the green papaya salad with shredded pork (like Thai carnitas!), and I'm glad I did. So tasty, and such a nice medley of flavors from the sweet pork and crunchy shallots to the refreshing and spicy green papaya, all washed down with a limeade (only because I'm giving up booze for lent. Otherwise I'd be drinking the tamarind whiskey sour of course). Warning: they accept cash or debit cards only.
(5)
Tonya P.
The fish sauce wings are absolutely necessary for eating... and I don't even usually like chicken wings! Great price, considering they're enormous (and delicious). Warning: if you order the papaya salad, it's hella spicy. Yes, even the "mild" version. Bottom line -- if you have visitors from out of town, you must feed them Pok Pok.
(5)
Rex N.
I love pok pok and whiskey soda lounge. The service is great. The food and drinks are great. I eat there whenever possible. Pok pok noi, first trip and I am certain I won't ever return to this location. The food is still great but the service was among the worst I'd had anywhere in Portland. Service was snide and inattentive. Children shrieking everywhere. Felt rushed and unwelcome. Subsequently left the smallest tip of my life.
(2)
Natalie W.
The food is good, I won't deny that. Read the other reviews if you want to know about the food. I just want to write about the service. I've been here a bunch and it's usually hit-or-miss, but this last time was horrible. There were 5 of us all together; we all ordered drinks and food. When the check came, I took a look at the items so that I could split it up, and i noticed that a few of the items listed were not ones we had ordered. Quite a few items, in fact. I crossed them out and returned the bill to our server. Turns out she had put another table's order on our tab (intentionally) and then forgotten to take it off when she printed out our bill. The extra items added over $50 to our total, which I wouldn't have noticed if we hadn't been splitting the check. The server brought out a new check. To her credit, she was super apologetic about screwing up. Two people at the table were unevenly splitting the tab, so I marked down who would pay for which items. I gave it to the server, but she told us that she couldn't do it that way - we had to do the math and write down the dollar amount to be charged. Really?! Oh, and I had to take the automatic gratuity into account (for a table of 5!) when I calculated the totals. She did not deserve a 20% tip. Needless to say, my entire table was very frustrated by the end of the meal. Ugh. Pok Pok is really delicious, but the crappy service makes me not want to return.
(3)
Jeremy L.
Tiny little place, and pricy, but you can't argue with the food. The wings and papaya salad are amazing!
(4)
Aj B.
Another excellent meal here at Pok Pok Noi. Had their chicken wings, of course. This time there was deep fried tilapia which was fab! Closing with condensed milk and pandan home made ice cream for a perfect meal.
(5)
Kim K.
I'll admit - I was weary. I'm pretty skeptical about fusion-y food... We ordered a soup as well as some chicken that came on a skewer with peanut sauce. Both dishes tasted Great. Nothing that left me salivating, but I'd eat it again. I was there with a a few pro-spicy friends. They had said that most things on the menu were extremely spicy, so if you are anti-spice like myself, beware! There isn't much seating, but I like the covered/heated outdoor seating area outside. ...minus the creepy twisted hallway one must pass through to get there!
(3)
Ellen F.
I don't see what all the fuss is about here. The food is okay at best and really overpriced given the quality and quantity. Here's my play-by-play: - The Wait: Depending on when you go, be prepared to wait 20+ minutes. - The Service: Okay, but nothing memorable. They're generally pretty busy, so don't expect much attention. - The Cocktails: Meh, they're decent but forgettable and overpriced by about $2.00. - The Food: Overall, it's pretty mediocre. Fish Sauce Wings: Pretty good. They recommend ordering them spicy, but be warned that the spice sneaks up on you and compounds. Expensive at $14 for 10 wings, no sides. Coconut Rice (recommended with wings): Good, but expensive and it's a small serving. Khao Man Som Tam (sticky pork): The pork and rice are tasty, but considering the green papaya salad that accompanies it is sorta gross, it is an expensive meal. Relatively small portion size. Khao Soi (noodle curry): If you're a curry lover this dish will surely disappoint. It tastes as though they took the perfect curry and added eight ounces of water to it. I was very sad eating this. - Take Out: The food was sort of cold (they don't have a heat lamp to keep take out orders warm) and the wings we ordered did not taste fresh or cooked to order. Overall, it might be worth an exploratory trip, but be prepared to shell out some bucks especially if you have a cocktail or two. For me the tipping point is the price. With so many affordable options within walking distance of this place there's just no incentive for me to go back.
(2)
Michael B.
#7 Fish Sauce Chicken Wings, #12 Grilled Boar Collar with Mustard Greens and Stick Rice, Mehking & I, Thai Basil Drinking Vinegar. This was the first half our PDX Alberta Arts District food bonanza, so we intentionally ordered only the best of the best here, in a strategic effort to save room for what would follow. Pok Pok Noi is essentially a distilled down neighborhood version of the original Pok Pok. Translation same amazing, James Beard Foundation wining food, but without the crazy lines. The whiskey cocktail was potent and refreshing. The drinking vinegar was fragrant and pungent, but in a great way. Now the food, that was out of this world good!!! The wings were so amazing I'm certain I swallowed a few of the bones will trying get every last piece of skin and meat. The boar collar with chilled mustard green and sticky rice deserved a new paragraph because this was a dish that will stick with me for a long time. It's deceptively simple, but the heat of the chillis offset by the iced mustard green stems was genius and something I ever saw during any of my half dozen trips through Thailand. This is not to be missed!!!
(5)
Jessica S.
One of my favorite places in Portland. The wings, oh good Lord the wings! So amazing. My husband and I first came here when visiting Portland to see if we wanted to move here. We ate, we smiled, we giggled, we drank drinking vinegars, and we moaned and mmmm'd. If I still smoked I'd have had a cigarette afterward. I like this location because it tends to be less busy than Pok Pok itself. It is small and most of the seating is outside through a maze that takes you by the kitchen areas. I kind of dig that about it, too. The staff has always been super friendly. We've ended up in ongoing conversations with our severs more than once. The manager has come around and asked us if everything was satisfactory. This is one of those places we take people when they visit from out of town. Because it has never let us down and is always exceptional.
(5)
Sara W.
Easily our best meal during our visit to Portland. I enjoyed the casual atmosphere. The flavors of the food - especially the sauces - were phenomenal! The Kai Yaang is roasted chicken served with spicy/sweet/sour and tamarind dipping sauce. The chicken is moist and the sauces serve as the perfect complement. You must order the Neua Naam Tok!! It is described as "spicy hot" on the menu, but don't let that intimidate you if you're not a fan of spicy food. It has a mild zing but is not at all overpowering. The complexity of flavors including lemongrass, cilantro, shallots, lime and chili powder in the sauce is an outstanding match for the flank steak. Everything is a la carte here. So, if you want rice or any other side dish order it with your entree. We were disappointed with the sticky rice and mango dessert. The portion was small for the price (over $8) and the mango was under-ripe. Service was swift and friendly.
(4)
Trisha S.
My coworkers have been raving about this place, so during my first trip to Portland, I had an opportunity to check it out. We came to this location to avoid the rush at the original downtown location. We started off with drinks: the drinking vinegars were highly recommended so I chose the Pok Pok Som Tamarind to try. My coworkers ordered the Pok Pok signature bloody mary's with fresh basil leaves, and I had the salted plum vodka collins as my cocktail. These drinks packed on such unique flavors. I already felt like I was back in Thailand. Even the water tasted amazing! As for food, we ordered A LOT. Amongst all the dishes, the boar collared meat with mustard greens and the fish sauce wings were what I miss the most! They also serve corn on the cob cooked with coconut milk and Thai spices - delishhhhh! Pros: It's the sister restaurant so on good days, it's not as crowded. The menu is exactly the same and the servers are all very attentive. Cons: The outdoor seating is common table where many parties can sit so it gets a little cramped. When you're walking out, you're also walking past the kitchen so you have to be careful when passing servers, cooks, etc. I can't wait to return and sit outdoors when it's raining. It's a little slice of Thailand when you want a quick getaway! :)
(5)
Kelsey S.
This was one of the worst dining experiences I have had in a long time. I ordered their special, which was fried yellowtail. I love fish, and I have had this type of dish before at Thai restaurants and in Thailand. This was the worst fish I have had. It was dry, flavorless, and full of so many bones. I had one bite with 7 bones in my mouth! I understand the fish has bones, but they should know how to fillet a little better than that, or at least give us a warning that this fish is going to have a lot of bones in unexpected places before I stick a bite in my mouth! We also ordered their wings (which I have had at their other location numerous times). They were good as usual, but we had asked for them not spicy and got them spicy. When we finally decided to say something (granted it was at the end of our meal), it was received horribly. We were not pleased with the meal, but were not so upset about it until we got the bill. The fish was $28, which is easily $10 more than most things on the menu. The price wasn't communicated to us before ordering, but I expected it to be closer to $20 (which would still be on the higher end of the prices for their menu). They did not offer to do anything after we expressed our dissatisfaction, and barely seemed to be concerned. I guess if you are that popular, you just don't care if people are don't like your food. At the beginning of out meal, our server was overattentive, and came to check on us about 6 times, from when we sat down to getting our food, and barely gave us a second to decide what we wanted before asking us about 3 times first. Then it got busier, and we never saw him again. Another person brought us out the check and took our plates of uneaten nasty fish away and said nothing. In my opinion, that is some of the worst customer service I have ever experienced. It was typically passive aggressive for Portland, but at a restaurant with a reputation like Pok Pok, they should have it a little more under control than that. I will not be back, ever.
(1)
M W.
The menu is limited and seating is scarce, but this place is well worth a try, and way less busy than the original pok pok on Division. The kao soi is my go to here. If you're interested in something way different to drink, try a sipping vinegar, they are quite unique.
(4)
Tracie U.
When in doubt. stick with the fish sauce wings...seriously. If you like fish sauce, believe the hype. You definitely gotta like fish sauce to enjoy these wings. Consider yourselves warned. I would understand if you're not a fan of the stuff; its hard to get past a smell, I can only compare to ass..unwashed ass at that. Unlike in other dishes where it just kind of melts into the other flavors and contributes is salty, fishy goodness in a more modest fashion, it is THE star in this dish. On my first visit, for some reason I decided to ignore the copious number of recommendations for the wings. To be fair, it says the Kai Yaang (Charcoal rotisserie game hen) is the signature dish so I went with that. I thought it was okay but nothing remarkable. Maybe it was an off night. The soups my friends tried were not very impressive either. Surprisingly bland, actually. I finally went back and tried the fish sauce wings...YES. A thousand times yes. we also tried the Neua Naam Tok (flank steak salad) which was delicious. The fish sauce in this dish played more of a supporting actor role so if you're a fish sauce-a-phobe, I think you could handle it.
(3)
Jeff F.
What a great Thai place that we bumped into! We somehow got lost finding parking in this area and we bumped into this cluster of restaurants and I immediately recognized Pok Pok Noi from Diners Drive Ins and Dives from Food Network. Thai food is one of my favorites and it's nice to see local eats reinventing. I ordered the famous Fish Sauce Wings - Amazing! I had an umami moment.
(5)
Kiersten M.
I had a tamarind whiskey sour and the vegetarian curry noodle soup. Both were really good and my boyfriend enjoyed his food, too. Service was super slow, but we were seated right away on Friday night so I'll take it!
(4)
JW R.
Thank you Willy Week for explaining why everyone was so nice here during our last visit. Rucker was in NYC and someone hired some nice people while he was away. I'm sure he'll be all surly about that when he gets home. The food's still totally overrated. The game hen tasted good but was totally a pain in the ass to eat. The sticky rice was pretty amazing. I'd be willing to try more menu items unless someone starts hiring rude people again.
(3)
Brandon B.
I legitimately hate this restaurant. All the waiters were annoying and I didn't see ONE Thai person cooking the food. I came here with a couple friends because we heard it was a great thai restaurant. When we get seated I take a look at the menu. I'm really craving a massaman or red curry with tofu (I'm vegetarian.) I look at the menu six times and there's no curry! WHY?!?! The only vegetarian things I could get were wussy, overpriced salads or a curry noodle soup. I decided to get the soup since my friends were sold on getting the chicken wings and didn't want to leave. I get my food and it sucks, it's bland, sort of cold, and get three pieces of tofu. Then I put some Sriracha on and it still doesn't taste good. I was beyond pissed. I waited around for the waiter to come back so I could tell him I didn't want the soup, but his shift was over so he was no where to be found and we didn't get another server. We waited for fifteen minutes before I just left. I convinced my friends to leave too. We all ditched and didn't pay and I don't feel bad at all. THIS IS NOT A THAI RESTAURANT. It's a stupid place for hipsters who think they're cool by not eating "traditional" Thai food. NO CURRY, NO GOOD NOODLE DISHES, AND TERRIBLE VEG OPTIONS. If you want chicken wings go to Fire on the Mountain, not this sorry excuse for a Thai restaurant. I went here like six months ago and I'm STILL pissed about how terrible it was.
(1)
Tracy N.
there's a lot of hype around this place, and rightfully so. it's DAMN GOOD. the papaya salad is seriously spicy though. Would recommend getting 2 glasses of drinking vinegar to go with your meal (rhubarb n ginger are my favorite flavors). If delicious soda is not your thing, get the sticky rice and just pat it on your tongue to quell the flames.
(5)
Julie C.
Love the wings, love the salt plum vodka collins and the staff. Love. Butt...... If you have personal space issues and dislike eating at a counter cheek to cheek, get carryout.
(4)
chad A.
Second time here and we gorged. Fish sauce wings - 5 stars! Sweet, garlicy savoriness. Curry - Not so great. It lacked a depth that most curries have. Grilled corn - Really good. The charcoal smoky flavor is excellent for corn. Gai Yang - cooked perfect but lacked flavor. You get a bit of the charcoal smokiness, but not much of the lemongrass. Not bad though. Som tam - nice and fresh. The papaya was crisp and all the flavors were a nice balance of sour, sweet, salty, herbaceousness - is that a word? Grilled pork - can't remember the name, but charcoal grilled pork with a sweet\sour spicy sauce. I relish in moments like this while I'm still young enough to have good cholesterol. Yeah, it was good. Overall, the place is a little over hyped. That being said atmosphere adds a great deal to the food. Mr. Ricker has brought a more authentic interpretation to Thai food than most with outdoor seating, 60-70's Thai rock, the use of charcoal and sticking with more regional traditions than many. While two of the dishes lacked flavor (something that should never happen in SE Asian cuisine) the place has been consistent and an overall fun experience that I don't have to fly across the Pacific to enjoy.
(4)
Nina T.
For locals this one is way better than the one on division. No annoying conversations and less hype. Food is as amazing as always. Savor it!!
(4)
David P.
Funny Story but True!!! We unknowingly sat next to Kevin S. (review below) during late lunch below on Saturday....I recognize the tilapia and apologies for no refills policy story!!! It IS a small world.......although their tilapia did look pretty tasty....just saying.....although I agree $20 is a pretty big hurdle for a fried fish and little sauce.... Pok Pok was very good....would go 3.5 stars, but a 4 ok also.......although the price thing was a little out of proportion to the food and atmosphere...but hey, it is what it is. Wings were tasty, game hen was good, but the real star was the Pok Pok salad. This alone is worth the trip IMHO. A wonderful mix of flavor and textures. Service was attentive, and overall, it was about what I expected....maybe overhyped a bit, but that is how it goes when you get yourself on TV and you have Guy Fieri high fiving you........ I do respect how hard they are working to find unique flavors, and succeeding in many ways. I would definitely try again if only to try other dishes.....and another helping of the Pok Pok salad......
(4)
Shovelle S.
Fools I tell you! Fools!! All of them!! bahaaaahhha bwahhaaaaaaa! Yes, fools. Anyone what waits at the main location instead of hopping over here. fools. um, er, no, just kidding, stay at the Division location, please. Do us all a favor and wait in your lines. Seriously, a last minute last meal of 2012 idea put landed us at the PPN location. Wow. Easy ordering, heated patio, fast service, and same delicious food.
(4)
Adrian K.
Love. Love for days. For dayyyyys. + Tamarin Whiskey Sour was great + #4 was awesome + #10 was more awesome + The peanuts were so tasty + Kind of cool decor - Deviation was gross and tasted like flowers - Freezing inside
(4)
Owen P.
In Short: Pok Pok makes my favorite Thai food ever for all time. Pok Pok Noi offers most of the main restaurant's menu in a location less than 1/2 mile from my house. I don't like reviews with three sentence-long introductions where the reviewer tries to show us how clever and funny they are - I'm looking at one right now as I write - but I have to digress a tad. I do NOT like traditional American Thai food. With few exceptions, it's brownish/greenish mush with rubbery whitish/grayish meat, undercooked broccoli and crinkle-cut carrots, and zero flavor. Enter Pok Pok. The chef and creator is a James Beard award winner - check the bathroom at Pok Pok's main location if you don't believe me - whose schtick is recreating Thai street food in America. I recently introduced a Seattleite friend who'd spent weeks in Thailand previously, and he told our waiter with reverence usually reserved for the holiest of holy sites: "This is the BEST Thai food I have EVER had in America. This is what the Thai really eat." One taste, and it's easy to see why: the meat is flame-kissed and juicy, the sauces fiery and aggressively spiced. The drinks are carefully balanced and delicious, the ambience carefully crafted to deliver you into a Bangkok street lined with food carts while someone blasts a Thai cover of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" out of a tinny boombox. Pok Pok Noi only gets 4 stars from me because the full menu from Pok Pok isn't available. What is available is stellar and - more importantly - a bike ride from my house. The Richmond location of the main restaurant isn't all that far, but far enough that we don't bike there. Food-wise, the selections are unassailable. The Vietnamese fish sauce wings - get them spicy or don't bother - are the mainstay of the menu, served with cooling spears of carrot and pickled radish. The boar collar is a revelation of tender meat and tantalizingly hot spice - there's a pattern here - paired with iced mustard greens. For an authentic dining experience, get the Half- or Whole-Bird - a grilled game hen stuffed with lemongrass and served with two sauces, one spicy-sweet, one spicy-spicy - and pair it with an order of sticky rice. My friend mentioned above ate with his fingers for the MOST authentic experience, washing it down with a cold Beer Lao. You can also get the spicy papaya salad and a whole fried Tilapia. I only get one drink at Pok Pok/Noi: the Apple Gin Rickey. Made with their ridiculously good housemade apple drinking vinegar and served on the rocks with a candied cherry, I will kill two of these with dinner and long for a third. They are dangerously delicious, and an alcoholic beverage is a requisite companion to such spicy food. They also have a wide - if exotic - selection of non-alcoholic drinks, including mango and coconut juices. The drinking water is flavored with an aromatic leaf, one of the myriad small touches of genius that make the Pok Pok restaurants such a joy to visit. Bottom Line: You think you know Thai food? If you haven't been here, you don't know Thai food. Go to Pok Pok, and if you can't make it to Richmond, go to Noi. Thank me later.
(4)
angie s.
Went in here to avoid the madness that is the original. Tried the fish sauce wings that everyone raved about. They were gummy and sweet. They tasted like a slightly better version of some cheap General Tso's from a Chinese carry out joint. The other things we had (cornish hen) were just alright and I did not like having to buy rice with the other dishes. Pretty overpriced and not worth me ever coming back.
(2)
Kay C.
Was here from out of town and been wanting to try their fish sauce wings forever. We sat at the bar and ordered the wings, boar collar, and papaya salad. Also got some bloody marys and they had a special Pimm's Cup. Everything was stellar. We ordered the wings spicy but they weren't that spicy, esp compared to the boar collar which was REALLY spicy. The salad was great and kept well - I had leftovers the next day. The wings were good but I have to admit I wasn't blown away like I thought I would be. Overall though really great food and I loved that the cocktails had a Thai spin on them.
(4)
Charles D.
Super tasty. Everything I had here had its own unique and complimentary flavors. This is some Southeast Asian food that you won't typically find at your local Thai or Vietnamese place. The Pork was my favorite. Also, I was in town visiting from Dallas and left my credit card in the little black payment book. The manager was really helpful and sent it back to me in Dallas at his own expense. With a card and note, no less! Great spot.
(5)
Tyler A.
When you step into Pok Pok, you receive a ginormous menu with a point 6 size font. It's overwhelming, you don't know what all the names mean, and you read and read and read. Step into Pok Pok Noi and the experience is visual. Big 15x15(?) photos of the dishes - yes it's a pared down menu but it's the greatest hits and you don't even have to read the menu. You think #6 looks like pork, be annoying and ask the server instead of even reading your menu! Cuz you can do that here. It's a small enough place, backyard heated patio, even though the small size doesn't seem to speed up the service any, they're friendly, food is fairly quick, and it's a manageable pok pok. We usually get the spicy chicken wings, some other protein (boar collar or them little ribs), and the noodles (without the crispy noodles on top of soft noodles -- it's a texture thing). Just look them up on the board. Probably too much food and we could just do with the noodles but hey, this isn't the streets of Thailand, this is America and overeating is an inalienable right. Papaya salad is also wicked good, as is the sticky rice. Go nuts!
(5)
Gene B.
An empire built on chicken wings. Tasty, tasty wings! This is my favorite of the Pok Pok locations, because when I stay in Portland I generally stay in the North, there's never really a wait here and it's a bar and I like bars! The only draw back is that it has an abbreviated menu from the original Pok Pok on Division. So, I have to forgo some of my favorites like the Yam Makheua Yao, smoky eggplant salad with pork and shrimp. But they have most of the heavy hitters off the menu and, of course, there's Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings and if it nothing else here, but those, I would still show up. If some how you're totally oblivious about Pok Pok and authentic Thai food, be forewarned that this is not your strip mall Thai food. You're not going to find any gloppy overly-sweet Pad Thai here! The flavors in Thai cuisine are robust and assertive, which is why I love it so much! A full bar is available, naturally and I've had really, really good service every time that I've been at this location.
(5)
Rachel S.
The wings are the best thing on the menu! You must get them or you are missing out on the experience.
(5)
Misty S.
I will be going back. We went to Pok Pok Noi after an 11 mile hike in the Gorge so we probably just missed the Saturday lunch crowd. There were a few people sitting outside and one inside. There was a nice young man there to take our order. He answered questions and gave us a few recommendations. It's an order, pay, then sit down setup which is great for us. It's nice to be able to get up and get your own water when you want it. When the food was brought out to us I was impressed. I had no idea the plating was going to be so pretty and fancy. The colors just popped and the freshness of the veggies really got me excited about my lunch. The flavors were absolutly amazing. It was just so light and refreshing. Oh, and that coconut rice was yummy. I've never had Thai food like this before. I'm definitely going to have to go back to try some of the other menu items and give you all a better review to read but seriously it's worth trying. If you are big eaters like us, I would recommend ordering 3 entrees to share between 2 people. However, if you are just looking for a light, fresh, flavorful lunch and didn't hike 11 miles before hand... I'm sure you would be fine with just one entree each.
(4)
Marilynn L.
Got take out and it was still awesome at home and far from hot. The khao soi noodles are not revelatory but exactly as it should be. The famous wings is a huge order of wings (we shared among four people and had plenty). Loved the spicy steak salad. Didn't like that we had to order rice on the side. These dishes don't go well with rice actually but arne't filling enough on their own (portion sizes decent but just the type of dish like salad and wings don't go with rice). The mango alexander had me swooning too. Best Thai I've had? I think so!
(4)
Matt D.
What's with all of my favorite restaurants making little versions of themselves? First Little Bird, and now Pok Pok Noi? If it allows me to stuff my face with delicious food more frequently, then I'm all for it! So, as the name states Pok Pok Noi (translates as Little Pok Pok, or Little Mortar and Pestle) is just a smaller version of the main Pok Pok. The inside of the place seats just 11 people, so they will obviously have a takeout focus. In fact, it was so busy today (for the grand opening) that I decided to get takeout myself and I'm writing this review as I eat the food! As another food blog stated, Pok Pok Noi's menu appears to be a collection of greatest hits from the bigger Pok Pok. Yes, they still have the fish sauce wings. Yes, they still have the Kai Yaang. Yes, they all looked and smelled amazing while I was there. I decided to actually go with something I had surprisingly never had before; the Papaya Pok Pok with Plaa Raak. It's hot. Really hot. In fact, it's so hot that it's melting my face off more than any grimey dubstep song ever has. However, the beauty of this dish (much like their other spicy dishes) is that the heat doesn't mask the flavor at all. It all works together in this beautiful cohesive harmony that's almost as if I stuck the entire region of southeast asia in my mouth. The addition of the Plaa Raak (softshell crab) and sticky rice is absolutely essential, unless you're a vegetarian. The texture of the crab may be different to many at first, but it's amazing sweetness and delicate fishy flavor it adds to the dish is perfect. Also, the dish will have a lot of juice left so the rice works as a perfect sponge! All in all, I'm really glad that Pok Pok opened this new location. It's much closer to home, and I may be inclined to do takeout more often with an option this fantastic.
(5)
Giang L.
I had strong reservations about this place, so much hype and was not looking forward to waiting in line. However, we went after 9pm and were promptly seated, good sign so far! The water is flavored with pandan, so good! We got the infamous wings of course, they were off the hook and so flavorful. They reminded me of a Vietnamese dish, ca kho (braised catfish), in terms of flavor, which I don't mind because that's one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes. We also had the boar collar, oh man that was spicy, it hurt my stomach! Definitely recommend the wings. You can even call in your order for pick up.
(5)
H O.
+: I am a fan of this new location, the tourists can have the original SE spot. -: I love the outdoor patio but there were a lot of bugs over the summer. !: Celery is the best drinking vinegar flavor! ?: No questions.
(4)
Chris A.
Don't expect the typical Thai food experience. This seems to be an acquired taste, but for my taste buds it works. The portions are small but the flavors make up for it. Two of us shared 3 dishes and were full. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and answered all of our questions. We did not have to pay until we finished our meal. If you haven't had a pok pok experience go to the main location on Division first. If you want take out or a paired down pok pok experience without the wait, this is the place. Get the wings and the boar collar.
(4)
Georgie K.
Okay, the food is good. We got Curry soup and another chicken dish that was also good. So good, but the set up in there blows ( that is why only three stars. It is so small and you have to wait in line to order food and they have modern rocker types waitng on you. Then you take a number and you have your choice of sitting at the bar or you can go sit down outside to wait for your for your food. I just do not like that kind of service for the prices. The dishes are $12.00 and up and I think that is a little spendy for standing in line and go have to sit down outside in covered ( heated that is nice ) pati. You have walk right through kitchen and it is not a pretty path. The bathroom is split, meaning the toliet is one spot and the sink is another. We will go back, but it is not my favorite place because it is wonky in there, but the food is good.
(3)
Tommy D.
YES it was that good! Read the reviews. We had a group of about 10 on a Thursday PM. Had to wait but worth it. Ate outside in their covered patio...fine if you brought a jacket. FOOD: generally I am not a fan of Thai, but this was excellent. Definitely more of a street feel to what they served and that made it all the more good. My wife go the pork coconut and papaya salad awesome. My daughter got the shortribs..great, I got the chicken wings awesome, and check (not so awesome). Just kidding on that last one. One down side...the infused water took some getting used to. I should have just had a beer instead. This food make me look forward to my trip to Thailand!!!
(4)
Leah N.
WAY too expensive for what you get! Sure, it's tasty, but I don't want to pay $14 for like 4 strips of meat and some herbs. They don't even include rice, you have to pay extra! For an idea of how ridiculously overpriced they are, the specials when I went were a $26 fried tilapia dish (which, as every broke young person knows, is the cheapest fish you can buy), a $4.50 ear of corn, and a $8 mango sticky rice. Yeah, mangos are an expensive fruit relatively, but $8 for rice? Come on. My advice: go to Grain and Gristle instead- they're literally right next door, affordable, and awesome!
(2)
Colleen W.
I'd like to keep this place a secret. I don't want you to know that this Pok Pok location has a ton of seating in the outdoor patio. I don't want you to know that this place has the same delicious menu items with an hour less waiting time. I don't want you to come here. I'm greedy.
(5)
Kat N.
My oh my... their infamous wings... oh, so good! The caramelized wings were definitely finger lickin' good. I could eat their wings, papaya salad and sticky rice for weeks and I think I'd be ok with it. We had a drink while waiting for our food and chatted with the bartender there. Super nice people and quick service. It's unfortunate that I didn't go here sooner, because they're now on winter hours and will be closed by 10pm. =( That's still late enough for me to swing by on the way home from work to get my fix. They don't have the whole menu from Pok Pok, but what they do have are the best sellers. Also, some tempting specials, too. So after trying them... will we be back? Oh yeah. You can bet your sweet, sticky, spicy ass we will.
(5)
Erin W.
I am not a fan of Thai food but heard such rave reviews about Pok Pok that I couldn't resist dropping in while in Portland. We went to Pok Pok Noi to avoid the line at the original restaurant. Also, we intentionally dropped in for a late lunch - for the same crowds reason. Great plan...no other customers were there. We ordered a delicious mushroom dish and a black crab green papaya salad. We were warned that the black crab was really hot. Should have taken this warning to heart. My mouth was on fire and in general the salad was way too fishy tasting...wondered how fresh the black crab was. The mushroom dish was amazing...but still, not sure about Thai food.
(3)
Marc S.
Limited menu here, plus even more so since went late. The boar collar was seasoned very uniquely and loved the sourness factor. Wings were good but not a ton of meat on them. I would return to the main restaurant for a full experience.
(4)
Jacob M.
I don't understand the popularity of this place, or the Pok Pok franchise in general. I had lunch here, and it was...fine? I didn't know what to order, so I had my server suggest what she thought was the best they had to offer. I got some sort of chicken and some rice and a special house vinegar drink. All of them were fine, but none of them were noteworthy. I was a bit shocked by how much it all cost, as well. Service was fine, although I agree with other reviews that the space layout is super bizarre. Podnah's used the space much more effectively when they were here. Not sure why Pok Pok rebuilt it to be as uncomfortable as possible.
(2)
Ben P.
Dyn-o-mite. With an O for Ossum. Highlights: Game Hen Salad (#8) Chicken Soup (#4) Wings (#7) First coupla trips here I played it safe and didn't pick what ended up being my favorite stuff. The Satay is fine. The Steak salad is OK - good flavor but some weird things going on with texture. Something is gritty in there... So I think I was under-impressed. But after living 1 block away for most of the last year I can safely say 5 stars (4.5 if I could). This is NOT your typical american Thai food where coconut milk and basil seem to be the only ingredients in the cupboard - no no - The flavors here, while too spicy for some (uncultured swine) are so unique, fresh, and generally don't leave you feeling like you need a arterial stint. I mentioned I'd dock a half-star if I could - the portions are not 'small' but for the dollars, they're a little light - so don't go here if you're stugglin to pay the gas bill. $1.50 for a handful of sticky rice? Whats the ROI on that sale - 1000%? Highly recommending the Game Hen Salad (#8) Its usually medium spicy and light with some kind of sweet vinegar and lots of lime. Not a lot of leafy greens, but instead some green beans, and tasty, moist chicken (or I guess 'game hen'). One of my favorite dishes in Portland. Khao Soi - Chicken Soup - on a cold fall day mmmmmmmm. It gets no better. This one is much more rich than light - akin to the normal American thai in that category - but they take it to a whole 'notha level. A drumstick and a thigh on the bone, skin and all sits in the thick rich broth - then you add some (rice or egg?) flat noods, and some crunchy chow mein noods, along with a handful of magical onion, some pickled chunks of something, cilantro, and some hot paste to your liking. Really amazing. $12.50 for a decent portion - enough for a meal or to share if you get other stuff. Fish Sauce Wings - Excellent - I'm NOT a wing guy. Hate those sloppy wet gristly little things u get at the Wing-Barn or wherever. But these. No these are different. Salty and sweet, almost like a candied pecan or something - get em spicy (its not overpowering). They're one of the few items on the menu that is more generously portioned (though it costs more at $12.50) Also recommend the Wild Boar with raw mustard greens (yes you eat em, they're not just there for their looks). The sauce again is sweet and spicy, maybe a bit more than the hen salad - Once in a while they over cook the boar. If that happens - sorry. OK. Enjoy. Oh and the desserts are damned fine too. Also some interesting mixers - drinking vinegar - for cocktails.
(5)
Jen C.
Wings and Papaya Salad and coconut water. Yum. This was our first time, and we will be going back. The prices are way higher than they should be, but the service was great and the menu was pretty good. Four of us shared a number of dishes. We all loved the wings and the papaya salad the best. The pork on a stick was dry...very dry. Even the peanut sauce to go with it didn't help. Everything else was pleasing. Get the wings! Watch out for the prices...
(4)
Rose L.
Delicious food. There is a bit less room than the other location, but a much shorter wait. I love the wings. I'll definitely be back when I am back in town. I was driving this time, but I love the specialty drinks. I think they are called something vinegar.
(5)
Megan R.
with sooo many amazing restaurants in Portland, I rarely frequent any one specific restaurant. Pok Pok noi is the exception. Their chicken wings are one of the few foods that I crave on a monthly basis. The food is always super, the drinks are amazing and even their water leaves me wanting more.
(5)
Ashley S.
fish sauce wings are definitely a must! At first I was hesitant to try the fish sauce wings only because I've had it before and I did not like it. But the seasoning on it was full of flavor and one of the best wings I've ever had before. Nothing else compares. Although the price is a bit much, they're worth it. I also had their papaya salad ($9). I have had many papaya salads before in my lifetime and I must say I'm a bit disappointed, only because of how small the portion was. The salad was average and I wish it was a bit more spicier but all in all it was okay.
(4)
Andrew A.
Usually, I start a review about the food, but the staff was so nice at Pok Pok Noi that they warrant an immediate shout-out. The service wasn't just neutral; they went the extra mile to ask if we were enjoying our meal and to elaborate on some of the spices used. They were very pleasant and upbeat. Portland has a glut of Thai restaurants that seem to offer a vanilla experience (only a few seem to diverge from the basic formula), so Pok Pok provides a nice change. As a traveler to Thailand, yes rice does come in a baggie, the arrangement and spices used remind me of tastes I've had abroad. If the owner is trying to mirror a street food experience, I hope he considers the very crispy catfish that's found on many menus (usually as an appetizer), I think Portlanders would enjoy it. The only drawback to the seating/ordering process is that it's a far walk back to the register if you want to order additional items after sitting, and this is even more of a hassle if there's a line. Eating inside at the bar alleviates this. From a restaurant perspective, encouraging ordering everything up front probably increases the average ticket (Saburos does this), but I'm not sold on this concept. Maybe allow people to use a server if they want to re-order, but stand in line for the initial order. The drinks are yummy and creative, a tad high on price: $6.50 seems more reasonable. The Vietnamese Coffee is a good deal, but a little too much cream for me. The drinking vinegars are a great touch as is the flavored water. Some say the food prices are high, but due to the unique offerings and dining experience, they are fair. We've tried so many items and enjoyed them all, even loved some. I wish they would offer shrimp paste as an option for the Papaya Salad, again, Portlanders might appreciate this. Keep up what you're doing Pok Pok, you seem to have a great following.
(4)
Soren M.
What happened?! We are locals and have really appreciated to have places to go in walking distance, such as Pok Pok Noi. We used to go there a few times each month. Then things started to change: prices went up, beers are no longer served by 20 Oz. but now only 16 Oz. (but price increased), and you can no longer ask for custom spicing. Price, service, ambience and food used to be balanced and matched the settings for a solid Thai street kitchen. However, since the beginning of the year ambition apparently went up (the staff will even correct you and teach you Thai if you dare to order by number) and the prices seemed to follow. But everything else stayed the same or got worse (the muzak is still the sound of cats being killed) and Pok Pok Noi has become slightly overpriced and pretentious. In the future I think we will walk to Grain & Gristle next door - where quality almost meets the level of pretense
(1)
Dawnabelle R.
Arrived in PDX in the evening and thankful that this place was still open for dinner. The space is small, the seats are pretty much around the bar area, a few stools by the window and another 4-5 stools in the back. Since it wasn't crowded it was fine and we found a spot to sit. We ordered the fish sauce spicy chicken wings and that was so delicious (reminded me of the chicken wings from Noodle World in LA). We also had the #9 beef salad and the #12 spicy pork. Everything was rich in flavor. I also tried the lychee drinking vinegar: I loved how that was different and it was nice and fresh to drink. This place was perfect as our first taste of Portland.
(5)
Ricky M.
My favorite Pok Pok dishes at a low key uncrowded late night spot, I'll take it! This is definitely a neighborhood version of Pok Pok. They've got a little inside area and a couple of tables out front. Not the best place for a group dinner like the main location. It does however have a little back area that was nice to hang out in and enjoy our food. The service was good, food good, drinks were good. I definitely love this little spot.
(5)
Frank Lee F.
This used to be a regular take away option for me and the missus, but we can't afford them any more. We aren't afraid to throw down for food we love, but I just don't understand the recent price jacking... +$3! for many of the menu items we used to order? What gives? I work in food and I know what a lot of the raw product costs. I hope everyone on staff are making great living wages and getting full benefits now. Maybe they've started college funds for your children too. It's just too big a jump to $tomach for fairly simple, if tasty, meals.
(3)
Nathan S.
First off a mild disclaimer: I've known Andy Ricker for about 20 years now, back when we were playing music in the 90's Portland scene. That said, I lost track of him for awhile and next thing I know he's opened Pok Pok. What I didn't know at the time was what a huge deal he was becoming in the food scene. Since then I've been to Pok Pok Noi and the SE Division location a bunch of times and every single visit has been a real treat. Andy channels the authentic Asian street vendor vibe and tastes from his travels and has come up with a menu of items that are deliciously authentic and unique while still managing to remain accessible and thrilling to the palate. -Congrats Andy, I am proud to see you've followed your dream and that you are making legions of taste buds coast to coast swoon with pleasure. Well deserved accolades.
(5)
Erik A.
Great waitress. Slow food and small portions, but good (I had kabobs with peanut sauce). Prices are higher than the average for this neighborhood across the whole menu.
Very bad service. Both waitress were rude. We usually go to pok pok but that night the wait time was 2 hours so we went to pok pok nio...terrible service. Would never go there again. A big part of dining out is getting a good service and it didn't happen at pok pok nio.
(1)
Kevin S.
$20 for a tilapia put in the deep fryer with enough sauce for about 4 bites. And then you charge $1.75 for a refill of RC Cola? A whole tank of fountain RC is $22. If your server has to apologize for your ridiculous no soda refill policy maybe you are doing something wrong. But the Pok Pok dude is rich as hell, so who am I to say? I am happy to pay a high price for items that are creative, fresh and made with high priced ingredients. Pok Pok didn't really meet those criteria for me. This is very standard Thai. Better than most but the proteins are not expensive and what they do to prepare them don't really merit such a ridiculous mark-up. Throw the soda thing on top and it is just too much. I felt like a sucker.
(2)
Sarah C.
A total miss. We just got a large order of take out for two families to share and I could not have been more disappointed. The wings were not even close to the quality of Pok Pok in SE. Those are heaven on a bone. These were dry and puny. The ribs were little burnt bits of bone with a little meat on some of them. The salads - despite the fact that I was told they would be kid safe - were so hot that the adult from Texas could not eat them. The good things were the curry soup and the shrimp chips. They were not enough to get me to return.
(1)
Jen R.
Holy hell id give this place 10 stars if I could. SO good. Visiting Portland in late January, pok pok was highly recommended to us. Unfortunately the main location was closed, but we read about noi and made the trip there. So worth it... If I lived in Portland id probably eat there daily! food was so flavorful, spicy. Amazing.
(5)
Kyoni R.
Coming down to the PDX to help with the DDP. Me and the Cabrone landed in Portland at 10.30 pm. Jumped on yelp to find a late dining spot. Pok Pok was closed so it's little sister had to do. James Bear award winner bring it on. We jumped in a cab and told them the restaurant. Arrived at the restaurant in the middle of the suburbs. We walk in and the place is empty. Dark atmosphere with bar stools along a long bar. Pictures of the foods to your upper left and a full bar in front of you. Decorated by a picture of street vendors selling there foods. The waiter mentioned they turned off the coals to BBq a while back and directed what they had left. Looking at the menu I notice a lot of familiar food. These are street food from Thailand some from Chang Mai. Then I notice the prices. Last I remember I could order the whole menu and it would cost $5 (250 baht) and feed a group of 10. Well I ordered the Fish sauce wings and Hot Paa Naam Tok ( a mushroom salad that is spiced up) and sticky rice. Jorge ordered the Khao Sai Veg (Northern Curry with noodles has a coconut base) So we sat and conversed about his trip to Paris and Spain. Had a few beers and one by one the dishes arrived. My wings arrived and I asked for the sticky rice. It came in a small basked wrapped in plastic bag. The size of my fist I immediately said get me 2 more. $1.50 each for the rice. I proceed to break the wings and taste them. Scooping the rice with my fingers and alternating feasting on the chicken. Deep fried wings with glazed with fish sauce, sugar, and garlic. A fishermen recipe made popular on the shores of Vietnam. Then my mushroom salad arrived did the same till I cleaned out both plates. Lime and lemon grass salad with cilantro. Portions were small but filling. They gave me extra coconut rice to try. Rice cooked with sugar and coconut milk. Jorge had his soup a and he could not finish so I had some of it. It was a weaker Kai Tom Kha with noodles. Watered down coconut milk. Cubed tofu lemongrass. Was a medium bowl. This place was open till midnight so it was a plus. . I like what Jorge said it's expensive but you pay for the quality. He was right in Thailand it would have cost us a $2. In PDX Check for two came out to $45 w/ tip Waiters called a cab and we proceeded to back to Burnside. Hang out at the fire of the Jupiter Hotel. Then get ready to party the following day at the DDP.
The Wing. Oh the Wings. Just do it. The Best Food in Portland. Spicy is tastier. Not good for veg or vegan though the mushroom salad is pretty darn tasty. Drinking Vinegar also remarkable, followed up by durian icecream or durian custard and you're stoked. So so so good.
(5)
Briana D.
Everything was alright. The wings were probably my favorite. Hated nothing, yet didn't love anything, either. Portions are small, for what you pay.
(3)
Jack H.
Poor service Too expensive Too much attitude from staff
(1)
Josh W.
I live up the street from Pok Pok Noi and, since it opened, it's turned my love for all things Pok into a full-on addiction. Now I can walk in, pull up a stool or grab an order of wings to go. For the best experience, I recommend bringing a friend and sharing several dishes at the bar. Yes, the wings are awesome but there are so many other amazing dishes. Boar collar. But the standout for me was the whole fried tilapia with dipping sauce that is sometimes on special. Outstanding, knock-you-off-your-stool good! They usually have a good ESB on tap and their Som drinking vinegar makes for an excellent cocktail. All the staff have always been friendly and are happy to help navigate the menu. While the price point may not be for everyone, this is top notch authentic Thai. You have the right to complain about the price but if it's that much of a concern, well...more for me.
(5)
Uyen T.
1: This is the location of where Podnah's used to be. 2: 3 stars.. I don't know if it was because of the hype from my sister or from the food being okay at best. 3: Pok Pok Noi doesn't serve the typical Thai cuisine, it serves "Thai Street Food." The items on the menu would be difficult to find at most of the Thai restaurants in Portland but that doesn't mean that it's all that great. 4: The place is tiny with a counter that runs the length of the restaurant. 5: There is a back patio area with heating lamps for each table. Pok Pok Special $12 The roasted chicken was delicious! It was juicy and seasoned very well with lemongrass and a variety of other spices. There are two dipping sauces for the chicken - one sweet and one that tasted different... LOL I can't remember. The special also includes sticky rice that comes in a bag and papaya salad on the side. The papaya salad was spicy and included green beans, and some cherry tomatoes. Khai Soi Kai $12 My sister ordered these curry noodles. Chicken was tender, I thought the curry needed a little salt. The noodles were wavy and interesting in the mouth. Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings $12 The wings were good but a little too salty for my liking. Its sweet, salty and garlicky? These Vietnamese fish sauce wings are better at Pho Van or Utopia Restaurant and Lounge. I think they might even be cheaper + more wings. Sii Khrong Muu Yang $11 Don't order these pork ribs, they are a little dry and nothing special. Dipping them in the sauce made them taste better but I personally don't like ribs this way. It had a shine to them like they've been sitting under a lamp all day. Corn Special $4 Roasted coconut milk/cream and lime was delicious! At $4 an ear, Pok Pok Noi is making a killing! I almost want to say that I'd come back to eat the corn. Final verdict: Pok Pok Noi is decent and not exactly what I expected. I think Portlanders jump at every "new thing" and forget that they can get better authentic food at a less "hyped" up restaurant. PORTLANDERS, I challenge you to go to an Asian restaurant and not be intimidated by not being able to fully communicate with you waiter - it's part of the fun.
(3)
Linda A.
Three words. Thai HOT Chiles!
(5)
Wolf L.
We were trying to find a decent place to eat lunch on Father's Day. Dang if the lines weren't out the door at every place I wanted to go. We had just given up the ghost and decided to re-heat leftovers at home, when we drove past Pok Pok Noi. I've had this place Yelpmarked for a while. I see the signage from my #8 bus everyday on the way home from work. Seemed like a good time to give 'em a try. Awesome. There wasn't a single, solitary soul inside when we opened the door. (More customers arrived while we were there.) They have a picture menu up on the wall. Tiny interior space. You can eat at the bar or outside on the patio. I ordered the steak salad with a side of coconut rice. My wife got the Pok Pok Special: half roasted game hen, papaya salad and sticky rice. I also ordered a gin and tonic. I was a bit taken aback by the total. Seemed a tad pricey for an order-at-the-counter place. Nevertheless, the quality of the food made it worth the price of admission. My steak salad was perfectly prepared and deliciously seasoned. Wife's dish was very tasty, too. Good stuff. We devoured every single bite. I've seen some other reviews complaining about the service at Pok Pok Noi, but the servers were very friendly and chatty with us. The entire lunch experience was quite positive and I'll definitely go back to try some of the other dishes.
(4)
Miles N.
A five star rating is a big deal for me. Even if I love a place it usually still gets a 4. Pok Pok Noi is an exception. I love the street food style of thai that they serve. There are so many thai joints in Portland... and all tast pretty much the same with the same ol selection. Not Pok Pok Noi or Whiskey soda and PoK Pok for that matter. Totally different take on the Thai cuisine, feels and tastes so much more authentic. Best chicken wings I have ever had!. Thats a bold statement I know but its true. Ive actually eaten there too often and had to step back awhile..... Im ready to go back asap. see you there!
(5)
Stacy M.
Dear gawd. Their wings are freaking fantastic!! I don't eat meat on the bone- I haven't since I was a wee lass and let me tell you I am so glad I gave in to try one of these bad boys. I'm fairly certain these wings are sent from the heavens. if you ever eat one thing in Portland, it must be Pok Pok's wings!!
(5)
B M.
we live in the neighborhood and have been frequenting pok pok noi since they opened. we have enjoyed and talked to a ton of great employees that have since moved up and on to other locations. after our most recent visit i am hesitant to go back. we got the special and it was inedible! we have had almost every item on the menu (no joke) and this is the first time we couldn't eat it something. i gave our server a heads up, simply saying that it was extremely spicy and after the first bite we couldn't enjoy the taste because our mouthes were ablaze! she was very dismissive and told me that spicy was the first descriptor of the meal... ok but it should have read CAUTION first. i wasn't looking for a comp but apathy wouldn't have hurt the situation, instead we were told to try it with sugar on it, that outta cool it down enough to eat it. really? sugar?! i know one bad experience shouldn't out way all the great ones but it's really frustrating when you feel vested in a place, it makes it that much more disappointing!
(2)
jon j.
One of the best thai place I've tried.
(5)
Leisa H.
Fear not ye who reside in the Northern reaches of our fair Portland. You no longer need be crippled by the fear that you're out of reach of sweet sticky spicy amazing Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings, spicy yet refreshing papaya salad, spicy (seeing a spice-related theme here?) tender boar collar, and kai yang (don't worry about a translation, just order it) with it's tangy spicy (again!) dipping sauce. Pok Pok Noi to the rescue! The wait at the SE version of Pok Pok can be intimidating and, quite frankly, not as accommodating as I want them to be when I need those fish sauce wings at noon on a Friday. We called in an order for an in-office lunch. It was, I believe, day 4 of their service so there were some hiccups in that it took about 30 mins longer than they said it would. The order was perfect, however, and it was a rare sunny day so I certainly didn't mind waiting it out on the picnic table outside. The food is just astonishing. An absolute must for anyone who loves Thai food. (Also an absolute must for anyone who is indifferent about or hates Thai food because this certainly isn't like any other Thai food you've ever had.) A few things to know: * Is it more expensive than other Thai carry-out? Yes. Outrageously so? No. Worth it? Uh, absolutely. * Call in your order ahead of time * Dine in only if you're a party of 1 or 2, and even then you might elect to take it to go anyway because seating is sparse my friends * Cash/Debit only. (Thanks for sticking it to those credit card companies fellas!) * They are terribly accommodating to special requests, but trust, the way they make best is the way they make it.
(5)
Chavo C.
The food here is good, if a bit on the pricy side. The drinks are all right too. But there's nothing that justifies the hype. Disinterested servers AND they charge you before you are served and ask for a tip ahead of time as well! I know this isn't the fault of the server, but such a payment system should never have been set up.
(2)
Paul S.
We had a great meal and sat at the bar where the servers were attentive, helpful and friendly. Not a hipster in sight, as some of the other reviewers have commented. Ike's Chicken Wings stole the show, followed by the baby back ribs, spicy flank steak, pork loin skewers, and papaya salad (hot!). If you order rice (recommended) try the coconut rice. Water is infused and oddly tasty, but definitely try a drinking vinegar or two, citrus flavors are best. It's not cheap, plan on spending a little over $20/person, when all is said and done, but the food is excellent and the atmosphere is fun.
(5)
Mewford K.
I was SO excited when I heard this place was coming to the neighborhood. We came in after it had been open only 2 hours and it was already slammed. Sadly the food did not live up to the hype. It was mediocre dishes that were over priced. They have hardly any vegetarian options and my non-meat eating friend just opted to leave. I've given Pok Pok Noi 3 chances to earn back my excitement and love but the only thing I find myself impressed with are the drinks. Som is the only thing they seem to get right.
(2)
Lacey L.
Yum. Cant wait for the noodle house I hear you are linked up with!
(4)
daniel l.
Over-hyped and over-priced. Maybe I missed the boat on this, as other reviewers report that something changed starting in 2013. I had one of the specials: a $15 bowl of noodles with a bunch of pineapple. It sounded so good on the menu and I expected much more. I couldn't finish it, but not because I wasn't hungry. My wife had the game hen, which was small and not very tasty. She ordered some rice on the side, which was not cooked very well and served in a plastic bag. My beer was overpriced as well. Bummer. There are many other establishments in Portland offering better food for the same and lesser price. The staff were generally friendly, but I think that our dissatisfaction with the food was such that by the end of the meal everything felt like an awkward first date. We left hungry and out $30...
(2)
Cedric J.
Just like the main Pok Pok, only the menu is a bit different, the prices are better, and it doesn't take 6 hours to get into the place. Bucking frilliant! This is a magnificent idea. Go here. You can get the chicken wings. Enough said. Oh, and they have an outdoor patio. Super awesome!
(5)
Bill E.
Geez, I thought I'd already written a review! I LOVE this place and go often, almost every time I'm in PDX. The steak salad thing, spicy, delicious, spicy, YUM!! And have a cocktail, one with the drinking vinegar in it!
(5)
Erin May D.
Love Pok Pok, and this location has all my favorites but almost no wait. Try the Bloody Mary!
(5)
Anna K.
Before I moved out of Portland, my gfs asked me where I wanted to eat for my goodbye dinner. I decided on Pok Pok after reading articles about this place. I'm part Thai and am very critical about Thai food. I feel like a lot of people can't get Thai food right. But at Pok Pok Noi, they have it right on the money. The papaya salad tasted exactly like the one my mom makes. On their menu they even had an option to add a raw fermented crab in it. Papaya salad NEEDS to be stinky to be tasty. The stinkier the better!!! Another fave of the night was their fish sauce fried chicken wings. If you didn't know, fried chicken, papaya salad, sticky rice, and pork grinds (Pok Pok needs to add this to menu or as a side to papaya salad) goes hand in hand. You can't have one without the other. I really liked their kao soi. It was really yummy and it came with a lot of toppings to dress it up. I wish I went to Pok Pok earlier than my last week in PDX. I'm thinking about visiting my old roommies next year and I'll definitely be stopping by to get my fix.
(5)
Corinn M.
Not a huge fan of this place. The food is not very good and also very expensive.
(1)
Denise B.
Our server gave us great advise and recommended at least one more dish than we had in our party. Our favorites were the vegetarian khao soi soup and the chicken wings. Be sure to come as you are and bring your appetite.
(5)
Peter L.
Not being able to get a group into Pok Pok, we tried Pok Pok Noi, and we were very glad that we did. There was no wait, and the picnic tables out back are perfect for groups. The menu also looked very familiar, or rather, the greatest hits list from Pok Pok, as it was a smaller menu of about a dozen items. But it included all of my faves including the Ike's chicken wings, the papaya salad, and roasted hen. The spare ribs were also very good, and the place has a full bar plus a couple beers on draft, including a Ninkasi Radiant Ale which was just light enough for the 90 degree day. The only hiccup was waiting for a thai coffee to go for my drive back up to Seattle. It took them awhile - ok over 20 minutes. But I am glad I waited for it, as it was very good, and perfect for keeping me awake on I5. So if you can live with a more limited menu, definitely give Pok Pok Noi a try...it's just like Pok Pok without the wait and just as good.
(4)
Chee K.
Hmm...do I think it was tasty? Yes! Do I think it was worth the money? Nope? Maybe it's my sensibility but if I'm paying for $12 for takeout, I want a lot of food in that container. Instead, I got a tasty very small half a hen, some sticky coconut rice and some very spicy papaya salad. Now I'm not arguing that it wasn't quality and tasty but I think value should also should be included in the mix. My husband got some sticks of pork skewers and I felt even sadder for him. I felt I needed to order two dishes to get full. I do appreciate what they're doing, I'm just not sure I'm their customer base.
(3)
Rick W.
Driving by we slammed on our brakes upon seeing the Pok Pok sign in NE Portland. Game hen is on the menu, so are 11 other great dishes. Unfortunately the service was unenthusiastic, teetering on terse. We felt like we walked in two minutes before closing rather than at lunchtime. We looked at each other wondering what we did wrong and sighed with relief when each new customer was treated with the same disregard. The meal was of course great, but there's a lot of great food in Portland without bitter waitresses.
(3)
David R.
Intentionally limited selection, executed with enthusiasm, quality and good service. Also... got take-out the other night. When they ran long on my rotisserie chicken, gave me a beer while I waited. They're taking the madness of their opening rush completely in stride. Welcome to the 'hood.
(4)
Jill S.
I teetered between three and four stars for this review. Gotta love Pok Pok. Every time I visit, I get to meet a new ingredient or spice (which isn't too hard, being from the Midwest). When I moved to this neighborhood in September, I bragged to every friend and family member that I am walking distance *gasp* from tamarind whiskey sours *gasp* and no waits for seating *double gasp*! Since September, the food has been getting hotter and hotter, despite my pallet getting more used to hot food. I even brought it up to one of the servers, who provide really good service, who told me that the peppers come in with variable hotness throughout the year. Don't they taste their food and adjust? Bottom line: All the hits from Pok Pok. Tamarind Whiskey Sours. No wait most of the time. Should be delicious, as long as you can taste anything beyond capsasin.
(4)
David N.
Finally! We've been eagerly awaiting the opening of this little gem, and judging by the crowds yesterday evening, we weren't the only ones. The space is well done (patio included), the drinks are delicious, and the food...oh, the food. Disclaimer: I've never been to Thailand. I do not know all of the nuances of Thai cuisine, but the beauty of Pok Pok is you don't have to be an expert. Pok Pok (both original and Noi) turn out awesome food, bottom line. As far as take out Thai goes, Pok Pok Noi is on the expensive side, but the quality of the dishes is outstanding. They were also out of both sticky and coconut rice before 6pm, but chalk that up to being day two. No doubt they'll find their flow in short order. Recommendation: Try it for lunch.
(5)
Jasmine P.
Based I'm what I've ate omg great! Wings....spicy=dynamite! Pork satay dipped in the sauce.that comes with #12=fantastic! Me & my honey came back for that exact meal 2days in a row while LiL one was@practice. Jasmine rice was dry on day 1 so coconut rive on day 2
(4)
Corrie H.
This is a review for people who hate chicken wings. This is a review for people who think... meh, I'll eat one bite, just to know what everyone is talking about and then I'll eat something else, because... serious bleargh... chicken wings. I am one of those people. And I loved the chicken wings at Pok Pok Noi. I find this incredibly hard to believe. But it's true. The chicken wings (the spicy ones, of course) are actually now in my Top 10 Food Items of All Time. They were just that good. Everything else we had was great, too--in particular the boar collar (thanks for the tip, fellow Yelpers). And we loved the decor and the atmosphere. The place is a tiny pocket of cuteness, and there was no wait. Even better than that, we were the only ones in the joint, so got to ask our waiter lots of questions. He was the fantasy Portland waiter--a kind, engaging hipster foodie. Can't do any better than that.
(5)
Kristofer L.
so this is kinda a specialty dining experience...where the quality and uniqueness of the meals is second to none. although you don't go to pok pok to fill up on food (the portion size is small...so unamerican ;) and it's a bit overpriced for the amount of food you get. with that said, the chicken wings are all they're hyped up to be (Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings, # 7) and i don't even like fish sauce or wings for that matter...a definite 5/5 on the wings. The Khao Soi soup (#4) is pretty good although better at Jade teahouse in Sellwood and the Muu Paa Kham Waan (#13...the boar collar meat) is excellent with some unique flavor pairings using the coriander root and garlic. the atmosphere is se asian street and pretty cool and the staff is usually hip dudes so it's a fun place to go...although like i already mentioned, it's more of a specialty stop than a trusty go-to.
(4)
Lydia H.
So more like 2.8 stars. I think I was expecting something much more than what I actually experienced based on all that I had heard about Pok Pok. I ordered the vegetarian version of the Papaya Pok Pok minus the chili as the counter girl warned me that it was extremely spicy (my taste buds just can't handle the heat). I also ordered a side of coconut rice. The Papaya Pok Pok was nothing special, although it was what I wanted that warm Saturday afternoon, something light. The coconut rice though was spectacular and I am usually not a fan of coconut. The patio was really nice and I like what Pok Pok did to the old Podnahs space. Overall I was underwhelmed by the menu and I thought things were a bit pricey.
(2)
Michael M.
I loved what I ordered, the number 10 mushroom salad to go. The container was only 1/3 filled, my $11 was over in 5 bites and a few nibbles. Don't get me wrong these were delicious bites but for $11 I was hoping to leave at least partially satisfied. ***Updated: 5/4/11. **** Okay, went last night again =) the food is seriously good, and I'm hooked on the mushroom salad, my rating has gone up two stars due to the fact I'm now receiving enough food to satisfy my serious appetite. Thanks Pok Pok Noi = )
(4)
Doug P.
Wings...gift that keeps giving!
(4)
Vanetta A.
I have to say I was underwhelmed. I had seen the reviews on this place and was looking forward to a place close to my home with good food for a good value. We ordered the grilled chicken ($12 for a whole chicken without rice), another $2 bucks for rice (I had to make more at home), $2 for cucumber side (it was good, but I was kind of expecting more than a 1 oz portion) and $9 for a flank steak salad that is packaged as unappetizing as possible (it looked like chicken liver in the round see through container). The food was very expensive, portions were small, it tasted ok, but I can't say that I would go back again. The guy at the counter was friendly, which is a plus...but doesn't feel like "my" neighborhood joint. Too bad, I had high hopes.
(2)
Sarah C.
Did I really just pay $20 for a drink with measured booze and a papaya salad that could of come from any thai place in town. Oh, and I ordered it at the counter and sat on a wonky stool. No thanks. This was my 3rd time trying to eat at one of the pok pok's and I just don't see what the fuss is all about, but i'm not one to think that odd meat that comes with all it's parts is cool. My friend had chicken that took her forever to deal with. Isn't the point of going out to eat that you don't have to deal with picking your bird apart?
(2)
Michelle J.
SO excited to have Pok Pok in the neighborhood. We ordered takeout on the day they opened - and they were donating proceeds for Japan earthquake relief, so we could feel good about our gluttonous order. All of my favorites from Pok Pok are here: boar collar, wings, papaya salad, short ribs; plus a few things that I hadn't had before. My only complaint is that Pok Pok takeout could become an expensive habit ...
(5)
Puddin' T.
I've heard so much..... yet and experienced so much better. Drawbacks: Little to no vegetarian choices (no vegan choices) AND sumpin foreign in my soup. In a town with sayyyy, at least two Thai restaurants on every block it's a shame, esp. since every other Thai restaurant caters to all diets. Lastly, why are they overpriced? Usually the vegetarian choices are cheaper, because there's not the added cost of meat. Actually, why are all the Thai restaurants in Portland overpriced in general. They're putting themselves out of business, I don't get it. With more Thai joints than you can shake a two-pronged stick at they should be getting competitive, not putting themselves out of business, but that's another story for another time. I ordered and picked it up. The non-Thai guy tells me, a person whose been eating Thai for the past 25+ years, that I put the noodles in the soup and they'll expand. WOW! thanks for stating the obvious. Either I looked like a total retard to him or maybe he just thought he was just being helpful, who knows. Comebacks: Very friendly over the phone, quick with the service (unlike sooo many Portland restaurants). They, unlike many other local Thai restaurants actually honor their hours. Really, the one actual vegetarian noodle dish wasn't much to write about AT ALL, but it was what I could get nearby at darn near midnight and he said over the phone they'll be up late anyway cleaning when I mentioned I'm close and will be there ASAP. That was nice. If I see some more palatable vegetarian choices in the future I will give them another try, but for now, "Meh. I've experienced better." Sorry, I don't like putting negative results, but I believe in speaking the truth when I'm absolutely addicted to Thai, crave, ate, even had phantom Thai food smells when there were none throughout my pregnancy, and when I had more time, cooked every vegetarian Thai dish I've ever known including deserts & beverages. Thai cuisine has so much to offer, so should you!
(2)
Dontouch M.
I'm a ramen/noodle connoisseur. I've had the beef kao soi a few times. like it, not love it. It's a good dish but I really think for $12.50 they ought to put more noodles in the soup. They pile lots of dry crackers on top to make up for the lack of volumn in the soup-bad move!!! I'm pretty sure that's not how they roll in Thailand. Love the vinegar drink. Love the whiskey sour. Love no.6. But everytime I wish I had a full bowl of noodle instead of a 1/4 bowl.
(3)
E G.
The flavor combinations create wondrous explosions in your mouth. The food is just amazing. I am working my way down the numbered list (although I started with the special). Everything has been delicious although so far the Pok Pok special has been my favorite. The drinking vinegars are seriously yummy. I am so glad that this restaurant is in NE!
(5)
Brendan D.
Been a couple times now! I recommend the wings and boar collar! so Good if you ask me! I also would get a drink with som if I was you! It is pretty spendy but you get great food!
(5)
Joy Z.
It was a light rainy night. The last night of my Portland trip and 2 hours before my flight home. Headed to Pok Pok first but the waiting list was too long. The staff recommended Pok Pok Noi (Little Pok Pok). 15 mins driving around with GPS, It didn't let me down. A small pub in the hole, full bar, very warm inside. candles lit, Thai street food carts wallpapers, Vietnamese folks songs humming in background. Hands down for Ike's Vietnamese fish sauce wings! A must try. I ordered spicy. They put full force in the spices and tastes, big wings, you have to use your hands, no silverware, which is awesome. The Vegetarian Naam Tok was also delicious with earthy wild mushroom mixed with toasted rice powder. Very flavorful with layers and layers of tastes. That's the way I like Asian food. First time I tried drinking vinegar. A bit hesitate but why not? It's supposed to be good for your health. I chose tamarind flavor and it was tasty. Compliment the spicy, savory food. Cute and calm bartender. Portland traits. lol. I said we were late and he was not hurried at all serving our food. I ended up pack my dessert mango sticky rice to-go. Still really good on the plane. Nice experience. I also get gift cards for my friends who live in Portland and they enjoy it too.
(5)
Penny W.
The savory food, service, and surroundings (including the casual patio) are all terrific, but the ice cream sandwich was without doubt or exaggeration the worst dessert I have ever had in my life. It is literally a "sandwich" -- for it's served on what appears to be a hot dog bun -- but, as far as I could tell, only metaphorically ice cream. Inside the bread was some gelatinous bits of something, whipped cream, possibly coconut, and sparse nuts and chocolate sauce on top. The very memory of its texture almost made me throw up all the way home. This was a terrible shame, because everything else -- from the iced tea with lime, to the papaya pork salad and ribs, to the wait staff -- was super nice. I honestly do not think this dessert should be on the menu. At the very least, the wait staff should warn the customers that it is a gelatinous pile of yuck served on a HOT DOG BUN.
(4)
Trieste D.
I ended up here last night looking for an open place that wasn't exclusively a bar. Boyfriend and I shared the Khao Soi soup (one of two vegetarian options), and it was pretty tasty. It wasn't spicy at all, but the plate of extras included some chili seeds that we dumped in. The bartender was friendly and answered all of our questions. We'd probably go again.
(4)
Nick B.
Nice and friendly staff, good food, and neat atmosphere.
(4)
Lisa C.
A little pricey but absolutely delicious. We always order the wings mild, boar shoulder and mild papaya salad. It's so damn good.
(5)
Keld B.
Wings alone are worth the trip. Chips are delicious as well. Beware the papaya salad - spicy!!! Not a cheap take out, but hits-the-spot late night.
(4)
D C.
The only reason this little joint is getting one star is because of the cool back patio. Was so excited to try this place and to say it was a letdown doesn't even scratch the surface! (I'm in the service industry and very thick skinned and forgiving). The lady who helped us was uber rude. I ordered the ribs which were dry and even a bit excessively gristly. I left hungry, and then to top it all off, with the food being so spicy, I took my pint glass which had more ice than soda back to the bar for more with which to wash down the heat and NO SODA REFILLS!! I just spent $44.00 on lunch for three of us, with a ten dollar tip and NO SODA REFILLS(which at cost is literally about a penny-and-a-half!). my friends' food was nothing to write home about to say the least; also overpriced dried out piddly amounts of food(we're not exactly Mid-Western fatty grease drinkers). Hey restauraunt owners: GIVE SODA REFILLS!! Don't bother with this rip-off, rude, greedy little joint!!
(1)
Fraz A.
Have yet to be disappointed by this place. I usually get the bird with coconut rice. The meat just falls off the bone, it's always cooked to perfection. The wings are also to die for. Very impressed with their array of homemade sauces as well, very tasty.
(5)
Sophia C.
I love Pok Pok's food so much that I am sometimes willing to forgo the experience of dining in their first restaurant on Division because this one is the closest one to my apartment and incredibly easy to get there. First, there is NO wait. My boyfriend and I went on a Friday night around 6pm and was able to order quickly and sit down and unwind after a long week. Second, while the menu isn't as extensive as their menu at their first restaurant, it had most of my favorites and was executed just as deliciously. The Vietnamese style chicken wings, mushroom salad, and their Som Drinking Vinegar were excellently flavored with a good balance among ingredients and distinctive flavors. Their sticky rice is fragrant and sticks together in a ball on its own. Lastly, the ambiance of their outdoor seating is great. If you're cold, they have heaters that you can turn on. They have it set up so it's nice and cool even during our 80+ degree days. It's almost too easy for my boyfriend and I to eat here every week, and we love it!
(4)
Travis M.
Quick affordable for product and very tasty. Just as food as there big restaurant.
(5)
Max Z.
Fast and Easy. Not as great experience with a smaller menu... but if you just want the wings. Come here!!
(5)
Robert B.
So we ended up at Pok Pok Noi by accident last week. It was great, sat outside on the enclosed heated patio, had the wings and the papaya salad. Papaya salad was very refreshing and tasty, the spicy wings FORGETABOUTIT!!! FFFFF phenomenal!! My wife flipped out, loved them to the point coming back to Portland last night @ PDX she asked if I could pick up 2 orders on my way home!! We have to go back and try the rest of the menu.No offense to Fire on the Mountain, but PPN is on top of the Mountain for their wings.
(4)
Brent F.
Only two days (or so) into their new space and they're already blowing up. I had heard they were about to open, or open, so stopped by. I wasn't the only one there, and was so psyched to have this little gem in the hood. Best thing to happen to this little hidden NE micro-hood ever ever. The mushroom version of the beef salad is so so so good, and some sticky rice. Yes please. I know I'm going to be a regular. Patio space looks solid. I can't remember what was here before, some burritos or something, but whatever it was, there's no way it could have come anything close to offering the good things that will be rolling out of this spot! Pok Pok Noi you made my Noit.
(5)
Clive P.
We went here on accident as we were hoping to go to Pok Pok, we're from Seattle, so what do we know. It sounds like we missed some of the larger menu but also missed some serious lines. I had the chicken #1 I believe. It was fan-fing-tastic. My wife had some pork dish, small, but very good. I thought it was odd that they only took debit cards. I have one though, which I don't have to pay a $5 fee for. I liked the weird water too.
(4)
Charlie B.
Great addition to the neighborhood. The food is excellent and a straight carry over from Pok Pok. The wings and papaya salad with pork are favorites. The downsides are somewhat small portions and no credit cards. Otherwise it's great.
(4)
Sandra C.
The little sister to pok pok. Casual, easy to sit. Try the boar collar.
(4)
Reed C.
I am still in a blissful fish sauce wing-induced food coma enhanced by the lip-tingling spicy-ness that is a green papaya salad and the joy of knowing that these lovely menu items for which I have stood in line in the rain when my feet hurt while my stomach growled are now everso deliciously close to my house that I simply cannot bring myself to punctuate or shorten a sentence.
(5)
fon z.
The menu isnt as large as the original location, but the food is just as good. The size of orders are the same as the original location also. It's a good place to order 3 entrees for 2 ppl or 4 for 3. We generally just order 1 per person to save room for ruby jewels for dessert.
(4)
akzidenz g.
hmm, this place is aiite. honestly, the food just doesnt taste as delicious as the first location. the prices are pretty high for "to-go" food and the portions are small. (and we actually always eat something else after we eat here....talk about oink oink.) i still love pok pok, but youll probably be seeing me frequent the division location instead.
(3)
Jam B.
sometimes i just go for the water?
(4)
Nate G.
I love it here. Having a few selections from the menu in front of me (to eat almost at once) and with a lager to wash it down is one of my favorite things. +The wings are so good I want to eat the bones. To all the folks who are swayed to visit a food establishment because of "hype" (your word), I implore you to find another reason to eat food. It makes me almost angry to read about your expectations. Here is what to expect: It will remind you of the experiences you had eating lunch at Tata's house as a child. Minus the beer.
(5)
Izzy L.
Not as charming as Pok Pok on Division, still very yummy. No lines is great, but they do not take credit cards- a minus! Fall and winter are great seasons for the curried noodle soup with chicken!
(3)
Susan C.
Great wings and fun decor.
(4)
Lava L.
Best khao soi in Portland! I've had the real thing in Thailand, and Pok Pok's khao soi is the only one I have had in Portland that comes close. The drinking vinegars are really good, and the ginger cocktail hits the spot on a summer afternoon. The only downside for me is that there aren't more vegetarian or seafood options, most items are for carnivores.
(4)
Lelay P.
nice place to eat outside, food is over-rated. at least, I didn't think it was that big a deal, i did love the staff, they are so down to earth and helpful.
(3)
Michele L.
Pok Pok has been our go-to restaurant for some time now. My son and his friends were coming up from OSU to help me celebrate my birthday and we decided, automatically, to go to Pok Pok. Today, however, was very disappointing. I usually order the Papaya salad and, since I am a vegetarian, it is perfect for me. It was probably my fault that I didn't think to ask for vegetarian, as I am so used to it being that way, but the server also didn't ask. When I put on my glasses and saw the shrimp I was confused; the server came over and let me know I had to order the vegetarian version specifically. OK...instead of offering to replace it, she asked if I wanted to order another. At this point I am still a little upset and say no; I am not buying two of them. A man I assume to be the manager came over and we had virtually the same conversation. Nothing there to make a customer happy. Then, I get the bill and they have automatically added on the tip, another thing that has never happened. I pay it without saying anything, but since I usually tip 20% she got less than she would have. When I got home I looked at their menu and it says they automatically add n 18% tip when there are 5 or more people...we were four. So, because of my experience with the server and the manager I won't be going back. It is too bad because I have always loved the food. Happy birthday to me! But, on the bright side, this is Portland and there are many very good restaurants from which to choose.
(2)
Christine E.
Live literally three blocks away and was excited when Pok Pok opened in NE Portland. Unfortunately, the prices are much TOO HIGH for a neighborhood spot where you have to stand in line to order and usually can't find a place to sit. Probably one of the more expensive places in NE Portland for dinner. I took my young son one day to get take out, and it cost us $30 with a tip! All we got were a couple of entrees, some rice and ONE vinegar/soda drink to pass the time until our take out was ready. I had to make more food once we got home.... haven't been back since. Vietnamese street food really shouldn't cost this much....
(2)
David K.
I went for the wings and was not at all disappointed. I washed them down with one of their lychee-flavored vinegar sodas. I wish a neighborhood bar existed like this in the Philly suburbs. Till then, I hope to be a regular visitor to Pok Pok Noi when in PDX. Thanks for taking me, Curt!
(5)
Darlene P.
I have to preface this by saying my mom is Thai-Isaan, so I grew up on food similar to the fare at Pok Pok and Pok Pok Noi. I have pretty high expectations because my mom is the best cook ever when it comes to Isaan food. I tried Pok Pok about 3 years ago, but hadn't been back. It was okay. Pok Pok Noi is just up the street from my place, so I thought I'd give it a try. Again, it was okay. I had the Pok Pok Special which is the roasted game hen, papaya salad, sticky rice and a couple of dipping sauces. The hen was okay but didn't quite hit the spot. Needs a little bolder flavor. The lemongrass didn't come through at all. It was just missing a little something-something. The papaya salad tasted fine, not too sweet, which is usually the case at Thai restaurants. The only thing was the green long beans weren't crisp...like they were quickly blanched, which would defeat the purpose of using them. The sticky rice was pretty standard. It's not supposed to be put into plastic, as that just makes it mushy, but I suppose there's few alternatives for take-out. At some places sticky rice is served super mushy because it's been reheated who knows how many times and then put in plastic baggies. The sauces were okay, just a little too sweet for my taste, but honestly when I eat gai yang with som tom, I never use the sauces. They interfere with the flavor of the som tom.
(3)
Tim S.
I was really excited to try this place due to all the hype. I am a big food lover, particularly Thai food, but was really disappointed in this place. Though a very friendly staff, I was promised as a first-timer that Ike's wings in fish sauce would "blow my mind". They were tough and uninteresting and by the 2nd one I was done... The Kao Man Son Tam was downright gross: very liquid-y and flavors were way too strong. Was also told the two of us would need 3 entrees ($35-40). We are big people, and 2 would have been plenty. Was pretty surprised at how mediocre everything was. Hopefully they
(2)
teresa m.
we've been wanting to come here for sometime. we began with the singha lager and a hot toddy. both were thirst-quenching. next we had the khai soi curry veggie soup and the het paar naam tok forest mushroom veggie salad. both were delicious, but over priced. the veggie options are limited, as some only had hot/spicy pickings. it would be more enticing to have a menu that had mild and veggie beyond one option. the ambiance is cozy, the server friendly and informative.
(3)
David R.
Get over the hype, and the slightly overpriced menu, and come here and eat. It's great.
(4)
Missi H.
just ate at the division restaurant and really liked the food and service. our server, brian h., was very knowledgeable about substituting/recommending vegan options. when my eggplant dish arrived with eggs on top, it was sent back and he immediately came to the table to apologize and gave us some extra rice on the house. not crazy about having to wait outside with my drink (weird setup) while we waited for a table, but other than that, it was a great, upbeat atmosphere for dinner after a long week. we'll definitely go back....
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
John O.
Spicy chicken wings = if I were on death row, my last meal choice. **That good.**
(5)Curt B.
The food is great and the outdoor seating in back is nice but you pay a lot for what you get at this place. Given the price I was expecting to see rice with the entrees but you have to order (and pay) for that separately. Everything we tried was fantastic but it adds up fast.
(4)Kazu O.
These would be the #2 best chicken wings I've ever had in my life. (The #1 title goes to San Tung in SF). Being second place ain't bad, though; these wings are delicious! Also loved the smoked game hen, the noodle soup, and that sticky rice. There are a lot of bold, strong, spicy flavors here so it's not for lovers of bland food, but if you can handle the spice, definitely check it out. By the way, speaking of spice, I came here twice within a few day span. The first time I came, everything was very spicy and it was making us sweat. The second time I came, though, the flavors were a lot more mild. I wonder if this place suffers from a consistency issue..?
(5)Kelly L.
- Bar like feeling, super small space - Really helpful people who kept asking if we needed anything else - Wings were bomb! I want some more as I type but when you're eating it, it feels like a lot. Share and get something else! - it'd be really good pair
(5)Jasper R.
Best wings of my life. I highly recommend getting them hot. Great cocktails. Friendly staff. You won't be disappointed coming here if you like delicious Thai food.
(5)Lisa D.
I came back. And it's because everyone promised me I didn't order the right items! Turns out, they were right. I really like the food at Pok Pok. I still withheld a star because I feel the price is still unfair. I'm happy to pay for good quality food, but there should be a little more food on the plates. So far like everyone else I am in love with the wings. Get them hot, or you're really missing out on a lot of flavor there. I've had several dishes there since the come back but nothing else makes me as giddy as ordering the hot wings. I stand by my first review of the game hen.
(4)Jaqueline Y.
We were so lucky and lived within walking distance of Pok Pok Noi when Nam and I visited Portland. A friend had recommended this to me and told me I had to try the fish sauce wings and the boar collar. So glad I listened to her! Upon entering the dimly lit restaurant, we sat at the bar (I think there is further seating inside, but I didn't venture past the initial room) and were provided 2 glasses of water and menus. I took a sip of the water and thought something was off. It tasted...different. Not bad different. Really good, actually! So good I'm devoting a whole paragraph of a yelp review to it hah. Found out from our server that they infuse their water with pandan leaves! So genius. I don't really like drinking water, but I must've drank like 5 cups of that water in one sitting. It was just ever so slightly sweet and maybe even the tiniest bit creamy. You might not even notice it, as my friend thought it was just regular water! But I really enjoyed it. Onto the entrees - we ordered everything spicy and our wish was their command. The boar collar was one of my favorite dishes in Portland and had the perfect amount of spice. For my 626 peeps, the sauce reminded me of Banana Bay's crying tiger sauce. Bomb dot com. They bring a plate of raw mustard greens stacked with ice on top to keep it fresh and prevent it from withering, just like they do in Thailand (according to my very knowledgeable server). We ordered a side of sticky rice to go with the boar collar and wings, and it was a great complement to our meal. The fish sauce wings were superb, crispy and juicy with the right amount of salt and spice. I can see why people rave about these. I've never had wings like this! Dishes run about $15 each but they are filling. The wings aren't skimpy little pieces. They are giant with the drumstick still attached and everything. I wish the boar collar's portion size was a bit bigger, but only because it was so delicious. Service is excellent also. We were catered to the entire night and our servers made sure we were having a good time. We ended our meal with an order of lychee drinking vinegar ($5). Our server was super awesome and let us try both the lychee and pear vinegars before we ordered. It was really interesting and I'd definitely order it again if given the opportunity. If I remember correctly, the vinegar is aged, then sweetened and mixed with soda water. Not too tart and acidic. Give it a go!
(5)Julie F.
The original Pok Pok is closed this week (just my luck) so I visited the sister restaurant Pok Pok Noi to try the highly acclaimed Ike's fish sauce wings. You get 6 good-sized wings plus a daikon salad for $14.50. The wings are definitely tasty and unique with a nice crunch to them. Dare I say, they could be considered a tad bit salty although fish sauce is inherently salty. I read that Pok Pok Phat Thai restaurant just opened in L.A.'s Chinatown with the original Pok Pok restaurant opening in L.A. soon.
(4)Andreas R.
I was in a Portland for the weekend for an event for young adult and we decided to eat our last lunch in Portland by going to Pok pok after our morning mass. We have an army of 29 young people and they are able to provide the table for us!! They have the best chicken wings in the whole world!!! spicy level was on point, so its not too spicy and it got a little sweetness to it. Papaya salad was also great and the best thing was the coconut rice!! it definitely complements that chicken wings. cannot wait to go back to Portland and visit this place again. Great service btw and that is the cherry on top.
(5)Kelly S.
My journey to Pok Pok Noi ended with a text exchange: Me: "Uh... my fingers smell like those damn chicken wings" Her: "Never wash your hands again!" I was tempted but my "be a good plane neighbor" side got the best of me. Still, those wings. Let's start near the beginning though. I've been to Pok Pok Noi before and liked it. Didn't love it. But liked it. Apparently that draft got lost in the annals of history but this one I am determined to write. Because, you know, they need another 5 star review. We sat on the outside patio on a gorgeous Portland day, drinking a cocktail (try the bloody) and ordering way too much food. Included in the melee: fish sauce wings, papaya salad, spicy forest mushroom salad, their special of the day & some "street corn." All of the dishes -- sweet, spicy, sour, sticky, citrus-y and amazing. The street corn was the least favorite dish, surprising given my love for the grain (vegetable?) but there was definitely a fracas as we wrestled over who got the last wing, or that single bite of the hot hot hot papaya salad. I have no clue how you can pack that much punch in one dish... much less every single dish. Both times I've been to this location, there's been no wait. Since standing in line totally isn't my thing, I'm thankful for that. This is one of those places I want to put in my pok-pok-pocket and bring back with me to Austin.
(5)Sylvia L.
"So... is the line at Pok Pok worth the wait?" I asked the Lyft driver. "I hate lines. But... yes. And I never say that. I avoid brunch at all costs in this city." That sealed the deal and I made the pilgrimage at dinner to Pok Pok Noi, ready to stand in line for about an hour. I had a podcast ready and rearing to go. But wait. No line. Why doesn't everyone just go to Noi??! There was NO LINE at 6:15pm on Thursday. In fact, it was empty inside (I think the diners were all in the patio in the back though because it was a nice day outside). The wings themselves: substantial and had a thick-ish fried batter on them. In terms of the sauce: would have liked even more spice, but it was a very flavorful fish sauce with sweet and spicy elements. Wish I had time to try more dishes, but it was quite filling. Came with 6 large wings. Portland really does thai food really well.
(4)Trina V.
We made the mistake of eating at a bbq place but hubby wanted to try their wings so we made the walk here maybe a couple hours after lunch to get some to go. When we got our order, we just wanted to get a little bite and take the rest to go. Omg! It was so good we overdid it. I wish we skipped the other place and went straight here so we could sample all the options! This venue felt street authentic, particularly the outside area. It was pretty interesting coz I haven't seen that scene anywhere. Service was pretty excellent too. Make sure you get a nice drink to offset the spice.
(5)Vanessa Y.
Came here for the Pok Pok wings. Came in an order of 6. Asked how hot the spicy wings were and the server said "mild to hot". Now, the BF and I CAN eat spicy but my goodness, it was SPICYYYYYYY! We washed it down with a beer and a Pok Pok Gin and Tonic and left. Good service and good drinks. Just don't order the spicy
(3)Cynthia Z.
Not to be confused for the pok pok off division...pok pok noi had not been crowded every time we've been there! Which is great when we're hungry and don't want to wait! I'm sure it won't be like this forever tho! Request for a table on the back patio which is covered and heated in the winter...and cool in the summer...or take a seat on the bar and watch all the patrons arrive. Enjoy the clean surrounding while listening to Thai /Vietnamese music in the background . A scaled down menu but all the favorites! Yes order the chicken wings...order it hot if you can handle the spice! My favorite hands down is the sweet pork and coconut rice served a side The just enough amount of papaya salad! That rice is infused with just enough Coconut milk! Just a little sweet that compliments the shredded pork! That aroma is heavenly! Save room for an order of mango and coconut milk rice for desert! Or order some of their ice cream to go! They serve water flavored with the pandan leaves. My mom who is from Thailand says it's a perfect replication of back home. Try their vinegars drinks. If you are unsure then ask! Everything is great!
(5)Maria Simone S.
BEST SPICY CHICKEN EVER! Last time I visited friends in Portland they insisted we stop by Pok Pok Noi and pick up some spicy chicken wings. Woaw, so good. The chicken was still moist, the skin nice and crisp, and the spices just a perfect blend of hot and savoury. Definitely a place I would recommend if you like some spice on your food.
(4)Allison C.
Got the chicken special and it was delicious, but it was expensive! $20 for a little plate. Comes with chicken, sticky rice, papaya salad, and a bit of cabbage. Did I mention it's a little plate!? The employees there are top notch, and it's a cute little place. There's a bar area at the front and I think what might be an outdoor dining patio towards the back. Someone next to us also ordered spicy wings which also looked delicious, but I think I'd check the price next time. And be sure I'm not super hungry.
(4)Gem S.
This 5-star rating and review solely goes to the magical wings they serve in this establishment. It's all sorts of amazing and bursting with so much flavor that you don't know what to make of it. When you finally realize how awesome it is, you eat a little slower so that you're not taking any bites for granted. I mean, really, the wings make this place. Hands down.
(5)Daisy D.
We had just watched Chef Ricker when he appeared on the Bring the Heat episode of The Taste. In fact it was what inspired our dinner choice at Pok Pok Noi when we discovered we were in walking distance during our stay in PDX. Unfortunately PPN didn't bring the heat for us this night. We started with an order of Ike's Spicy wings. I ordered the Muu Sateh and my husband ordered the Pok Pok special. Again the waitress was kind enough to make him aware his papaya salad was spicy. The food was fresh & tasty and I could have easily taken a bottle of my peanut sauce home. But as they coached the contestants on the show, it just seemed to be missing that oomph. Maybe it's our (almost) porcelain skin that leads our servers to believe we can't handle the heat. But to paraphrase Anthony Bourdain in the aforementioned episode, I like my spicy food to walk a very fine line between pleasure & pain.
(3)fused g.
We've been to Pok Pok on Division and for the most part, the food was fresh, flavorful and interesting to eat--and all served in a fun atmosphere. Pok Pok Noi leaves something to be desired....at least it did the other night. It wasn't busy and it was around 8:00pm or so, we were only a party of 4 yet the kitchen managed to not make one of the noodle dishes and after waiting at least 5 minutes for the noodle dish to appear, we flagged down our server.....when it finally came (after the three of us had eaten 1/2 of our meals), the noodles were in a cold broth....not luke-warm but cold like sitting-in-the-cooler type cold (1 star). The Chicken Wings were room temperature, old and dry, certainly not piping hot or juicy nor fresh tasting...i believe they had been sitting around a bit (1 star). We also ordered the House Special - which was a little piece of chicken, some salad and something else -- another expensive dish and small portions (2 stars) ... the Steak Salad was very good w/ an order of sticky rice (4 stars). Service was seemingly fine but something happened with the firing of the soup and then instead of our server bringing a fresh order, the manager came to inquire -- first stating it was cold because we had let it sit at our table...no we said, we just got it after a 10 minute delay and it was served to us cold... it was awkward and an uncomfortable discussion and finally a heated noodle bowl was brought...yet the error was never taken off the bill (0 stars).....$100 for a meal of small portions, mediocre wings and error-prone service.....i think Pok Pok is raking it in.
(2)Jairo Mauro A.
Most Lao and Thai home cooked meals begins with the gathering of family and friends. Like everything else nothing beats home cooking, especially a well cooked, handed down for generations recipe. I have a lot of Lao and Thai family and friends and have had grandmas best from the countries. This place had the flavor and atmosphere down to the tee. - Boar collar and sticky rice. The boar collar is a pretty spicy dish, but so good. I don't know if they use the traditional fermented fish sauce, (padaek) used in Lao dishes, but either way, it taste like grandmas. I wish I could had more from the menu, unfortunately the party I was with had stone oven baked pizza before stopping here. Best advise don't eat before you visit this place, and bring your family and friends, and share the meal. This place will take you out of the western way of eating a single dish, to sharing a great meal with the company of friends. Bon appétit
(5)kiomi k.
Very good Thai food/ very different from the norm. A cute place, we ate at the bar. Friendly staff. Had the papaya salad- wayyyy too hot for me. I could only take a few bites. Still tasty though. Had the curry noodles soup- the bomb! Very tasty. Would totally get it again. Had the whole fried tilapia- so good! Fried really good with a bunch of herbs and garlic pieces fried. The dipping sauces were bomb, then you dip your piece of fish back into the little crumbs of fried up herbs. Yum! Got the homemade vanilla ice cream- tasty but the consistency was a little different.
(4)Joanne O.
One of my favorite spots in Portland! I am so sad there's nothing like this in LA but the chicken wings was my favorite dish. My group and I ordered it twice in one sitting. The rotisserie chicken and the coconut water was also just as good and refreshing! Will definitely come back here on my next trip.
(5)Joanne B.
Prior to traveling to Portland for the first time last month, I did my homework and read great reviews of Pok Pok Noi, so that's how we ended up here. This spot was steps away from the Airbnb rental we were staying at during our visit, so it was very convenient to get to. When we arrived for dinner on Sunday evening, there wasn't a wait, so we were immediately brought to the patio out back. I read favorable reviews of the fish sauce wings, so we wanted to try it out for ourselves. We started off with some refreshing cocktails first, I had the Mango Alexander with mango, vodka, coconut cream and lime while my hubby had the watermelon cocktail that was their special of the day. They don't serve regular water, it's infused with Pandanus leaf. At first I wasn't a fan, but after a few sips, it wasn't so bad. For dinner, we opted for the vermicelli noodles dish on the special menu board and the Sii Khrong Muu Yang (the baby back ribs marinated in soy, honey and ginger). The wings were the first to come out and they were pretty tasty and flavorful. I don't think I've had anything like it, but it was worth trying at least once. Would I rave about it to friends back home? Probably not, but it was good. I wasn't a fan at all of the ribs, they were dry and tough to eat. It didn't have much flavor, so we didn't bother finishing this dish after trying a few pieces that were cut into cubes. The vermicelli dish on the other hand was excellent. We really enjoyed the flavors in this bowl of goodness that we'd order it again if we returned back. Overall, Pok Pok Noi was a hit for us with the exception of the one dish we didn't like that much. They must be doing something good if the local stores are selling their cookbook and drinking vinegars, we'll just have to explore more of their menu next time to make us want in on the Pok Pok wagon.
(3)Deb F.
We hit this place at just the right time as there was NO ONE THERE! Unheard of in Pok Pok land. Saturday at 1:15-ish seemed the perfect time. This location is small and has only counter seating and maybe a table or two outside if it's not raining. I had a tough time deciding what to get, but chose #6, Khao Man Som Tam - shredded marinated pork over rice, served with an off the hook papaya salad that was just the right degree of spicy. So freakin' delicious! My friend ordered jasmine tea, and even though it sat in the teapot for a good 20 minutes, that tea was so weak. It just wasn't steeping. She asked for another tea bag, and the server got one for her. When the bill came, she was charged for 2 tea bags. Now, I know - she used 2 tea bags. But the attitude that came with said tea bag was really curt and unfriendly. "That's how it is. We have to keep track of inventory. Sorry." At $3.50/tea bag, that was one spendy cup of really weak tea. You'd think they could do right by her and just comp her that 2nd tea bag. Definitely great food at Pok Pok! And without a wait, it was even better.
(4)Martin J.
Well, where to start. The drinking vinegar is amazing, try the grapefruit as a waiter suggested. Chicken wings are damn crispy and finger licking good, and while the hot version said hot it ain't too hot. We had a special as well, noodles and the like, and thought it was tasty, coconut and chiles and the like.
(4)Tiffany C.
I've been to Portland twice and missed Pok Pok both times. On my third trip I made sure that Pok Pok was a must do. Overall all the food had a bit of a kick. I think my tongue was numb after eating here (nothing that ice cream can't cure). We ordered the wings, good marinade, and probably the best thing we ordered. I personally prefer the san tung's wings (sweeter and crispier), but these are a close second. The game hen with the papaya salad was also great. The hen was perfectly juicy and tender. Lastly we also got the boar collar, which was good, but I wouldn't say it's a must order. Probably the best thai food I've ever had, but things are a tad pricier than most other thai places, but a good place to try.
(4)Charlie P.
Seriously one of the best restaurants in Portland. We take out parents here almost every time they are in town. The fish sauce wings are a must and the boar collar is a family favorite. Unfortunately the prices are getting a little on the steep end; 5 wings for $15 is up there. Granted you get a whole wing, it's still getting a little ridiculous considering just a short while ago you got 6 wings for $12. We'll still be back but I'm concerned about the raging inflation.
(4)Charlie P.
Dare I give this 5 stars for fear my take-out order or wait for a table will take longer? Well, when in season the corn is spectacular, albeit a bit spendy for corn on the cob - but I just keep getting it along with almost anything on the menu (you have heard enough of the superb wings, so no more comment needed). The whisky sour is unreal!
(5)tatiana p.
Finally got to try Pok Pok after hearing amazing things about it forever! I had the mushroom salad with sticky rice. I enjoyed the flavors of the salad. But I would say I did not think Pok Pok lived up to the hype. I'm still glad I tried it though. I also think $18 for a mushroom salad with sticky rice is a bit expensive. The waitress was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I would go back but Pok Pok probably isn't the best choice for a pescetarian.
(4)Warren C.
Really authentic and delicious Thai food. Long wait over an hour. They will text you when table is ready. Have drink across way and even order some items from restaurant while you wait.
(5)Matt O.
3.5 stars. Wife got the coconut rice papaya salad, liked it a lot. I got the grilles pork skewers which were very good, though a small portion. We split the chicken wings. Surprised that they are the crowd pleaser. To me, they were way to salty, and fried too deeply. The result was a wing that is coated in hard chewy caramel layer, with chicken inside that is a little dry. Combined with the high saltiness it did not work. A little disappointed given the reputation of the place.
(3)Julie H.
I've been eating at Pok Pok since it was a food truck on Division. I've happily watched Pok Pok grow and expand. I bring friends to Pok Pok. I send friends to Pok Pok. I see Andy Ricker on Anthony Bourdains television show and I am super happy for him. I see the cookbook for sale and I buy it because I am an avid supporter and I love food porn. A few years ago I moved from Portland and while I now live 1500 miles away, I always try and make Pok Pok aa stop on my visits (every 2-3 months). Sadly, tonight I received the worst service I have ever experienced in my entire lifetime at PP Noi and because of it, I will never return to Pok Pok Noi, or any location for that matter to eat the most delicious chicken wings ever again.
(1)Yuan J.
Excellent, unique Thai food! I ate the signature dish, the Spicy Wings (not that spicy at all) which were delicious and flavorful. I would recommend a side of sticky rice to go with it! :)
(5)Nick E.
This place pushes decent food for inflated prices. They've built a hell of a brand. Can't hate on em for being successful but it's definitely a little costly for what you get. Portions are generally small. An order of their fish sauce wings is $14. $14 for six chicken wings. Damn. You have to pay extra to get rice. The place itself is pretty small. There was a cool place to have a beer a couple doors down. I don't think i'll be coming back here anytime soon. I think you could get food that is comparable from a truck or hole in the wall.
(3)Henry C.
I believe it was the manager that showed us to our table, but he was very kind. The restaurant is also considerate of it's neighbors and stops serving people on their outside patio after 9:30 PM which is very nice of them. The chicken wings were very good!
(5)Julia C.
Disappointing. Maybe I expected too much, but the food looked better than it tasted. The wings are $14, which I think to them means they have to be big to justify the tag for 6. Which may be true, but outside of very delicious coating, they are terrible - the fat is barely rendered. The wings at Luc Lac are much better. I was really looking forward to trying the boar, and it was awful. So sour I didn't even notice the heat (which is considerable). I am not from the area, so I doubt I'll have too many opportunities to try it again, but based on my first experience I wasn't a fan.
(2)Alyssa C.
This place has an almost identical menu to the Pok Pok original location and no wait! We walked in with a group of 4 on a Saturday night at 8pm and got seated immediately with an outside table! Boom! Everything is delicious - the mandatory wings, the papaya salad that's so spicy you need to order a thai iced tea to wash it down (if you're me) and excellent service, too! I only give 4 stars not 5 because my most favorite cocktail ever, the Khing and I, which I had at Whiskey Soda Lounge, wasn't as good here (to be fair they were out of Mekhong and only had sailor jerry's) but you DO miss out on some of the original location stuff, although for no wait, kind of worth it!
(4)Erin C.
Way less line and wait than pokpok even though the menu is limited to 12 items. I pretty much go there for the spicy wings and boar collar every time. It's great to just call in to go as well so there's no wait at all! it's a great alternative to Pok Pok if you just want some delish street thai foods but don't want the pok pok wait.
(4)Don B.
I'm a sucker for the flavors of Thailand. The spicy and the sour. The tang of lemongrass and kaffir lime. The heat mixed with sweet. And without exception, Pok Pok delivers on that. It's no secret that I'm a fan of the original location, and this little scaled-down outpost delivers as well. Often without the wait! The menu here is a drastically abbreviated version of what the mothership serves, but it's short, to the point, and everything is available for take out. Whether it's the creamy, sweet, spicy, sour deliciousness of the khao soi gai or the spicy, fishy, salty fish sauce wings, I really have a hard time going wrong. As far as I'm concerned, Andy Ricker makes the best som tam in the city, with the proper amount of attendant spice. While there's not a ton on offer here, you really can't go too wrong with anything. I'm a huge fan of som tam gai yang, and that's the signature dish here. The game hens run on the small size, but they're not short on flavor. Very similar to how I had this dish in Thailand. The hen runs on the small size and the price can pack a punch, but the process that goes in to cooking these little birds just right kind of justifies it. Just know that you're paying for quality over quantity and hopefully your expectations will be on par. Frankly I know it's not an inexpensive endeavor for a guy with an American appetite to get full here, but honestly there are few places in Portland (or the US for that matter) that offer this level of flavor and care in preparation. And every time I pop in for a to-go order, I'm reminded of just how good the food is here.
(5)Scott L.
I originally had rated Pok Pok at 3 stars but have been back for the wings again and they are really good. The service was a little spotty again but I think that's just how it is in a place as popular as this one. I think they've got a regular customer now.
(4)Lisa S.
Pricey but very tasty. Best wings ever. Huge and delicious. Wine selection could have been better but it was their specialty cocktails that won me over. Love that there is a food truck in the airport!!
(4)Suhasini J.
Woah!!! The chicken wings...I still think of how succulent and delicious they were! A must try.
(5)Joey A.
Them spicy chicken wings though! Best yet in PDX
(5)John Paul D.
Seriously good thai. Some of the best wings you will ever eat. Just get some wings for everybody so nobody has to beg. It's the polite thing to do.
(4)DizzyIzzy D.
I love our monthly trips to Pok Pok. There are so many good dishes, but I always go back to my favs: spicy fish sauce wings and papaya salad.
(5)Maxene A.
From the words of my own mouth: "that pork should be proud" Pok Pok Noi, you make being a carnivore such a pleasure! So here's how this place works; take the Pok Pok menu, select 12 favorites, and serve only that.. that is what PokPok Noi is about -thesame savory and spicy menu, just limited. So this food is off the charts! I know I should feel way guilty about polishing off the chicken curry noodle bowl and the pork dishes but how do you get me to stop, everything tastes so damn good! PLUS.. it always tastes better on a rainy day which you find a lot of in Portland. My Favorite dishes are: #6 Khao Man Som Tam green papaya salad, a bed of coconut rice and that fantastic slightly sweet shredded pork with crispy fried shallots and cilantro on top. This is the dish I am referring too about being a proud pig! The papaya salad has a great spicy tart kick and the meat has the perfect blend of savory and semi sweet coming out of it. #9 Neua naam Tok Spicy limey flank steak salad. just as described. a small on portions but large on taste, you might want to add a side of rice as I always do to soak up the meat and lime juice, and it's a meat only dish, small on the salad title. #4 Khao Soi The hearty curry noodle soup, I like to order mine with chicken and pile in the crispy noodles, pickled mustard greens, cilantro and lime, feels like comfort food! 4 stars: Although the food is just as great as their main restaurant, the service can be a little rocky... especially when you have a group larger then 4. I like to just treat this restaurant as a counter service kind, just sit at the bar and order from there...makes the service seem relative to other counter service joints. The seating out back is not exactly comfortable, it's your standard wooden picnic table. which can be awkward for everyone when you have to stand up and raise a leg over higher then everyone's shoulders :/ and that's just to get out. Inside is bar stool seating against the bar and some small tables crammed around the parameter which can be really tight on a busy night. If you can get past the seating situation then you can move on to the food situation and I can only hope you will be just as happy as I am every time! Hey if you can't get pass the dinning situation, the food is just as amazing to-go!
(4)Sophia Y.
We were going to dessert and saw this place in passing. Another restaurant on my tourist was Pok Pok and thought this was it. It wasn't, but luckily it had what I wanted (even though we just at dinner). This place had a large bar in the front and I think they had more seating in the back including outside seating. All I wanted was the fish sauce and that is what we got to-go. The bartender was really nice in taking our order and getting us water while we waited. We got our order pretty quickly and didn't eat it until later. I was full after eat dessert so I didn't have wings until breakfast (don't ask...). Despite it being in the fridge for a whole night, and not having a microwave to heat it up, it was still really good. I could tell that it had been somewhat fried the night before, but what I'm assuming people really go for is the flavor. It's jam packed with a spicy (if you want) fish sauce garlic flavor! And the chicken was still juicy and tender! Let's just say that me and the BF had to fight for the last wing. Overall, get the chicken wings. I'm sure it would be a 5 star if I had them fresh, but they were still really good. Also, there was no prices on the menu on the wall and I didn't know that it was $14 for 6 wings!!! Outrageous. If I lived there, I would go for the occasional splurge though.
(4)Shannon L.
Since I was hunting for a review about what it would like to take my 5 and 3 year old here, I am going to start by saying, THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR YOUNG KIDS. We visited with a large group who were all in town for a wedding celebration. It isn's a place for large groups either. 8 of us had to sit outside, and the rest sat inside on the bar. All of that being said. . . THE FOOD IS AMAZING! After we were able to secure a grilled cheese sandwich from the nearby wine bar for the kids, my husband and I ordered based on what the locals recommended. We had the Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce wings (prepared extra spicy crusted with crushed red peppers), the Muu Paa Kham Waan (SPICY boar's collar), and the Mee Sateh (pork skewers with peanut sauce - not spicy), a side of coconut rice, and a Thai iced tea prepared with lime juice. Everything was filled with incredibly unique flavors, and were DELICIOUS! I highly recommend getting the coconut rice with a side of peanut sauce and pour the sauce over the rice. That was my personal favorite. This place is a MUST if you are in the Portland area!
(4)Jim P.
All the food is great but the wings are amazing, they are pricey but worth it. It's unique and worldly yet has strong local feeling. To go orders are awkward, but worth it.
(5)Lilly J.
Love the steak salad! The service is snotty, but the food is worth it. I always take it to go. Not the ambiance in which I prefer to eat.
(4)Scott A.
Wow, what a great birthday meal. This is some of the best Thai food in Portland. It forces you out of your comfort level with no ubiquitous Pad Thai or other curry stand bys. #6 The green papaya salad with coconut rice and pork explodes in your mouth with a perfect combination of sour, tart, sweet and heat. Don't miss it! #3 The chicken skewers have a hot cucumber salad that contrasts nicely with the rich peanut sauce. #7 The wings are fishy, sweet, caramelized, spicy goodness. Good thing they have wipes because you'll lick your fingers clean, but the sticky goodness remains. Cocktail choices are varied and delicious. We tried the Lord Bergamot and Salted Plum Vodka Collins. To the newly married Austin couple sitting next to us on the patio, have a great rest of your honeymoon. Great service, food and company. We'll be back!
(5)Beth W.
Came for the wings, ordered the special. Was not disappointed. This place is fantastic.
(5)Claire L.
Tasty cocktails (if a little pricey). I had the tamarind whiskey sour and my friends had the hot toddy- a double hot toddy ran $17 a piece. Great service. Had to wait but that's to be expected of a spot with such great food! Love the wings! And the chicken curry, and everything else I had. The sticky rice dessert was killer! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Roni F.
I am sure we missed out on some of the highlights as we ordered only vegetarian dishes. The fish sauce glazed wings on a neighboring table looked out of this world. We ordered the papaya salad which was no different than any other, as we skipped the funky spicy crab addition (the salad was plenty hot without it). The Khao Soi curry had a great variety of textures, mild in spice, but comparably mild in flavor too. Perhaps all the spice from the other dishes dulled out palette? The standout for us was the mushroom salad, but it was essentially a version of vegetarian larb. The pandanus water was a simple, but lovely addition. Great atmosphere in the cozy patio, even for winter. Overall, it was fine. This was not the revelation in exotic cuisine I hoped for, but it was good enough to warrant another shot and possibly a breaking of vegetarianism to try some of the more unusual offerings.
(4)Joe D.
This place is great. It's as famous as it's chef. I've eaten at all the locations. Ike's fish sauce wings are one of my favorite dishes, period. The papaya salad is also spectacular. The sweet sticky rice is awesome for dessert. I don't care for the durian custard, but it's good without it. When mango is in season the sweet sticky rice is accompanied with it. Very tasty, sweet and salty. This place is a must eat!! It has Ike's fish sauce wings which are one of the best dishes in the country, in my opinion.
(5)G D.
Maybe I don't "get" the Portland food scene but this is not a normal Thai restaurant in the sense of the menu being a familiar one. Don't expect to see your usual red curry / green curry / pad gra pow / fried rice with chicken etc on the menu. Am I committing some sort of food sin by saying that? Anyway, we ordered as best we could off the rather expensive menu but were disappointed with the dishes that came out. If I lived in Portland I wouldn't go back. Can't see what all the fuss is about, personally. Nice waiter and good service though.
(2)Clark C.
My family has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years. I worked at a popular Portland restaurant throughout my 20's. I rarely give reviews. However after the 3rd negative experience, I felt I had to share. On my first visit to the Division location I, like everyone else, was excited to try the restaurant of the year. Unfortunately this excitement was extinguished by the elitist attitude of the multiple employees that I encountered. The food was good, I won't deny that. However, the overall experience left a bad taste in my mouth. Our second visit was non memorable. I am sure the food was good, but It wasn't noteworthy, as I can't remember it. On our third and what is to be our final visit, I came to the Noi location during a non-busy day/time with my wife. We stood at the bar for more than 5 minutes. No one acknowledged we were there. We waited. And waited. Finally, we left. As we were leaving, no one acknowledged we existed. I would like to state again, they were NOT busy. There many empty tables and multiple employees milling about. No one acknowledged us.
(1)T H.
I have dreams about their wings. Everything on the menu is delicious. Simple and short.
(5)Jackie W.
The vietnamese chicken wings. I could bathe in that sauce happily all day. Everything else there I've tried is good but I'm all about them wings.... I think they should be called crack wings - so addictive.
(4)Steve S.
A converted home without the space to feed the number of people that want to try it. Prices are excellent for portions and taste. Order multiple entres to share; not that you have to share, but you'll want to. So many flavors! Try their customer favorite : wings. These are B-dubs wings. These are large, full wings with true Tai spicing. The Brussel sprouts are crisp and flavorful. Hated them til tonight. Now I know how they are supposed to taste. Enjoy, and relax with Steve Smith's own hot teas. Tell them Steve Smith, himself, sent you.
(5)Chris C.
The restaurant itself isn't as cool as the original but if you just want Good food you cannot go wrong here
(4)Cynthia R.
I could eat here every week, several times a week and NOT get sick of it. The wings, oh my, so spicy and saucy and delicious....the papaya salad, spicy, viniagry, soooo good. Hallelujah!! lol I seriously loved this place. We need one of these to add to the lot of amazing Thai fusion places in Chicago. We had this soup....it had coconut milk and veggies. Oh sweet Lord, give me some of that stuff right now! We had some AMAZING food in Portland in the days we were there, and Pok Pok Noi was my favorite!!
(5)John G.
Go with the Double Mountain Sacre Blue beer on draft, very dark, but light in taste and body. This place was a little better than OK, it's small, but kinda funky and intimate, you're basically sitting at a long counter. They have two beers on draft and mixed drinks. I think I had the number one menu item, the hen. The dipping sauce is what made this meal, d-lish and so flavorful! Add the sticky rice to your meal too. This POK POK was closer to us than the big one, so we gave this a go. Not your traditional Thai, or maybe I just haven't had enough Thai to know really. They had a lot of customers pouring in, seemed like a nice place for the family too. I'd give this place another go if I lived in Portland.
(3)Desiree D.
This place is a little small on the inside of the restaurant, but they have an outdoor seating area that's covered and heated which is nice. This place is also on the expensive side. 3 items cost $45. The food was a mixed bag. The flavors were great, but the food wasn't all well prepared. The pork skewers were good, but had a large piece of fat at the bottom which was not appetizing. The ribs were absolutely disgusting. They were rubbery and tasted like hot dogs. Clearly they were boiled and not cooked well. If you're not going to take the time to make them well, they really should be taken off the menu. Their best item was the Vietnamese wings, which were great. flavorful and cooked well - not too crispy or too soft. A really unique flavor, but definitely delicious!
(3)Mark J.
Are my expectations too high after eating at Pok Pok for years? No. We had a lack luster experience here, the wings were undercooked and the boar collar (one of my favorite dishes) was over cooked. The service was pretentious, for seemingly no reason, this is a wing join honey, not Beast. I mentioned it to the waitress, but she either did not understand my concern, or was to pretentious to get it. I let it go then gave a full tip, I was so disgusted with the food, I know servers work hard, but I truly was disgusted with myself for leaving a full tip after this experience. We have not been back after this happened, and have no plans to go back any time soon. It hurts me to say it because I have been a Pok Pok fan for many years, It actually lowered our image of the real Pok Pok as well, it was that bad. This is a clear issue with some of the popular Portland restaurants, is this a case of popularity riding on their haunches? I gave two stars, because one star means I would never set foot in the location again, and I would have a beer here considering they are our neighbors.
(2)Sarita d.
Fingering licking good wings which you'll want to order multiple times. Get the spicy version. Make sure you have a reservation.
(5)Soo L.
Came here on recs from several different people during our trip to Portland. We got the famous fish sauce wings (spicy) and the Khao soi with chicken. The wings were super delicious the first bite but as the meal went on i realized how salty it was and started to get a distinct burnt taste. The Khao soi's broth was delicious and perfect for the rainy and chilly weather that night. The chicken was super tender and is what the waitress said is traditionally served with the Khao soi although you can also get it with beef or veggies. If we're back in Portland sometime we definitely want to try the boar's collar!! Our server was awesome and gave us recs for other places to try in the area.
(4)Jeff M.
Best dish was a surprise: #4 Khao Soi with chicken. Spicy and savory with soft and hard noodles. Also try the Muu Paa berk neck - also spicy and a little sweet. Hit the spot!
(4)Aimee L.
After never being terribly impressed with the original Pok Pok, I was a bit cynical going in but was happily, joyfully, deliciously surprised with the utter awesomeness of this location and menu. Much better food (we had the papaya salad and the boar, with shrimp chips on the side), awesome service, and the Mango Alexander cocktail? Thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Yay for Noi! We'll be back soon. Very soon.
(5)Dana W.
My mouth salivates at the mention of Pok Pok. The boar collar is the best meal I've eaten in Portland - it is incredibly spicy but the tears are worth the taste one hundred times over. I've never been disappointed by a meal there; the food is beautiful! It can certainly be a bit noisy during busy eating hours, and seating is limited. These are the only downsides, though. Pok Pok Noi is 100% worth your time and money.
(5)Anthony T.
Those fish sauce chicken wings doe done did it. It was just the right amount of spice and crispiness. The servers were very polite and as a visitor to Portland I would recommend it to everyone.
(5)George T.
Ahhhh Yes!!! How I looked forward to dining at this fine establishment. Everything was fabulous! Let's start with the food: Spicy fish sauce wings is a must! Khao Soi is an immensely flavorful dish you have to try it to believe it. Even the water was infused with some thai herb that enhanced your experience. We were looking forward to some soft shell crab but that didn't appear to be available. Kai Yaang (thai bbq chicken) very moist and delicious dipping sauces. Muu Paa Kham Waan was refreshing for my taste buds (a bit of spice and garlic with lemongrass infused sauce). I'm salivating for more! Decor: Everything was designed to feel authentic as if you were in somebody's home in Thailand. As you walk through the restaurant towards the patio you go through the kitchen and see how cool this place really is. Make sure you end with some sticky rice and mango. One last thing if you're into bloody mary's you should try the pok pok bloody mary. Infused with lemongrass and just the right spice to accompany a scrumptious meal in this category. Enjoy!
(5)Tall C.
Don't be a big appetite person like me and expect to get full for a fair price at this magnificently looking place with it's awesome service. That's the only reason why I left 1 star off. $18 for a grilled Cornish Hen is going overboard. It wasn't rubbed or marinated with anything special, yet one of the dipping sauces was fantastic (the other dip was the usual sweet chili sauce). 2 dishes and 4 drinks (3 well) came out to $66 for me and my lady. Yeaah, that Inner Eastside price will get ya....but! the Coconut Milk, Mango-Vodka drink with the lime is the business! On a hot day, this is the place to dip into to cool off, but be ready to spend some loot.
(4)Mike M.
Meh. I took a friend from out of town to pok pok noi because he had heard all thd hype. I was disappointed. The food was over priced and the portions small. The neua naam tok was on a 8"x6" plate and was a bit tough and overcooked. It wss $17 and sticky rice was $3. Not a lot for $20. I also had the wings, which were okay. Didn't really blow my socks off. My part of the check was $38 with one beer. Just seems so high in comparison to the actual food costs in each dish. The staff was fine, but I'll pass next time.
(2)D E.
All the tastiness of Pok Pok on Division w/o the huge wait. Ikes Fish Sauce wings are always a crowd fav.
(4)Margaretha Q.
Packed. One of the tips from my friend: come early when they just opened, so you can enjoy your food okay.
(4)Brent S.
The food is delicious, enough for me to shrug off the fact that it is slightly overpriced. However, the server for my group of 5 people had a seriously condescending attitude and seemed like he had better things to be doing then the rudimentary aspects of his job. How about some halfway friendly and invested service to go with your delicious food?
(2)Christine M.
Oh man, our evening at Pok Pok will not be forgotten. To start, we were with great friends on an unexpected-polar-vortex-induced stay in Portland. So that was great. We had also tried to visit Pok Pok on Division on a previous trip to town, but were not prepared to wait (and had been flying all day so no forethought with reservations). This location was quaint, and much larger than it appeared when we first walked in. A group of four of us split about 5 dishes. A whole fish plate with tons of greens and sides to make a wrap, a mango salad, some skewers, and a few other things I'm not recalling at the moment, but all were fabulous. Additionally I had the blackberry som and still think about that drink. A drinking vinegar might not sound that great to you but I am pregnant so feel limited to water most of the time. This flavor bomb (which at first I took for an alcoholic beverage) totally hit the spot, was unique, and so very tasty. If it weren't for airline regulations I would have picked up some concentrate the next day at Salt and Straw, because I was still thinking about that drink. Yum. The outdoor area, warmed by heaters nearby, the company, the food, drink...it all ranks highly as one of the highlights of our extended stay. Our host that night forewarned that if we thought we'd had, or even liked, Thai food before, this would likely be a new experience. He was right on there! I can't wait for our next trip to Portland to return!
(5)Robert B.
Many times when your expectations are so high one is usually let down, at least this has been my experience often when it comes to Portland "must" eateries. Pok Pok was a delightful exception. My wife and I went to the Noi location due to its much quieter and easier to actually successfully dine percentage rate, compared to the original and usually super busy Division location. This location features 10 of the most popular entrees from the Original Pok Pok. We started with some Mango Alexanders...which are yummy coconut and mango alcoholic beverages that ranks up there with any drink you are bound to come across. After reading profusely about the signature fish sauce wings, we of course had to order them and they were amazing! You more than likely never have had wings quite like this! Definitely a unique treat! The real show stopper for us was the wild boar with coconut rice. Flavored to perfection. Truly a standout dish. Pok Pok is a cool and relaxing place, but the food is definitely the star! A little bit more pricey than a lot of places, but is easily a contender for best place to eat in Portland!
(5)Michael G.
Pros: 1. Great northern Thai food options...get the Khao Soi with chicken. Amazing. Papaya salad was great, fresh, and spicy. And Thai hot wings...they're fantastic. A beer, some rice, and you're set. 2. lunch counter style seating. It somehow works very well here. 3. Reasonably priced entrees to share, and great portions! Cons: 1. Portland hipster servers. Some here are good...but some shame you for asking for hot sauce. Wtf??? 2. Lack of beers on tap. But hey, I'm there for the food, so who cares. 3. There just aren't enough of these places around the world. That is the real shame. Would I come back here? Yes. Should you eat here? Yes. Is it ok to waterboard a hipster server who gives bad service? Yes. As long as you tip them first. Thank you Pok Pok Noi. I love you longtime.
(4)Gerald K.
Pok Pok Noi is tucked into small space on 15th and Fremont. It is the little sister to Pok Pok on SE Division. The food is always outstanding and the staff are excellent. I drop by for to go often and they are on it......Always confirm your order before they ring it up. If you order to go it is carefully packaged to make the trip home. We love the #1 Kia Yang, grilled chicken with tasty dipping sauces. The #6 Khao Man Som Tam, shredded Carlton Farms pork with spicy green papaya salad is awesomely addictive! If you do not like spicy food stay home!!!!
(5)Uyen T.
Cute, small restaurant with friendly service. The fish sauce wings are a must - large enough portion to share! The flank beef salad is delicious - with scallions and sesame flavor. Add an order of sticky rice or coconut rice with the beef salad.
(4)Alan G.
Save your money and taste buds and eat somewhere else. I was so excited to finally try out Pok Pok after watching the food tv channel. What a nasty dump. The portions are just fucking ridiculous. I got four dishes and paid $64.00. The worst sticky rice I have ever tasted and the ribs are the cheapest you can even get at the butcher. I guess I saved on my appetite and waist line just not my wallet. Save your money and go eat somewhere delicious..
(1)El W.
I love Pok Pok Noi, so so much! Even on their off nights I can't be too disappointed, the depth of flavor, spice and texture is outrageous. It is my go to restaurant if I want to spend some dough on an awesome dinner. My favorites are the boar collar, spicy fish wings, papaya salad and the game hen. Though I haven't tried anything I didn't like. The drinking vinegars are so tasty, ask them what's in season. I had a fresh Oregon strawberry vinegar that was like drinking a strawberry field, seriously crazy delicious. I have noticed that service standards tend to go down on a very busy night which is why I recommend going earlier before the dinner rush hits for the best food and service. Either way, if you like incredibly tasty spicy food don't miss out!
(4)Lisa L.
Food Network, Why have you forsaken me? If you're a new Oreganion, everyone will tell you to try Pok Pok and their infamous wings. All I can say is overhyped $12 7 piece wings that tasted overly sweet that I think got a cavity. I only could muster myself up to eat 2 of the wings with a large helping of sticky rice, water, pickled veggies and my Cha Yen. You think paying double digits for wings that they would disassemble the whole wing but why take away the fun for us? Definitely not a hot spot for first dates. The wings were reminiscent of a sweet and sour chili sauce that was extremely sweet for my taste. I would have been much more satisfied with my Wingstop or Buffalo Wild Wings. Other items that I tried was the papaya salad (#2), which was pretty decent until the spicy fury kick-in and my whole mouth was numb. I've had my fair share of spicy papaya salad and this was hands down the spicy-est of them all. I took about 3 bites and was done. The papaya was light and crispy but was drowned in the sauce that it was a bit vinegary and way to spicy for my taste. The only thing I liked was my Cha Yen (Thai milk tea) *thumbs up for getting that right! Tried it once, won't be back again or recommend it.
(2)June T.
I am a chicken wing freak. 15$ for 6 chicken wings and a measly salad has become a justifiable purchase in my budget because the wings are so damn tasty. Last time I stopped in the wings were almost inedible because WOW, SO SALTY. I get that fish sauce is an inherently salty flavor but holy moly it was off the chain. I should have sent them back but I ate as much as I could because I was weak with hunger and then fed the rest to my dog at home. I know I'll be back again for my fix, since the wings are usually so crispy and juicy and magical, even though they are being sold at crack prices. But honestly, if they play me like that again with the salty wings I'm going to have to take a break from Pok Pok.
(3)Tony T.
Place isn't very spacious. Only a few smaller tables up front and the main dining area is a covered patio with heat lamps out back. Food is good, service is good but don't expect the full PokPok menu as you would get in the SE. It's pretty limited.
(4)Gilad B.
One of the best thai meals of my life. This little place offers all the best dishes from the original pok pok without the line. Everything was excellent, especially the wings! Come and you will love it but get ready for some spice.
(5)Thuy N.
The wings is a must! The papaya is the second must. Be sure to order the sticky rice. Oh my the mango with sticky rice is just right for some dessert! Love this place. I would eat here once a week if I lived nearby!
(4)Alan A.
Don't let the small bar appearance of this place scare you away. The drinks are a little pricey, but the food is heavenly, dreamy and delicious. A flavor profile that is different from the normal but really tasty. Visit and enjoy.
(5)Jennifer C.
I was really expecting more as I'd heard rants and raves from friends. It wasn't bad but nothing to write home about. The wings were decent and spicy with a good flavor profile. We had the rib pieces as well and they were just okay. We asked for another side of sauce and were a bit surprised to see a $1 charge on our bill as our waitress had never mentioned the charge when we ordered the extra sauce (it's kind of like glorified teriyaki sauce). Our waitress was super nice and did give us great service. The food is spendy for what you get and I think Portland has a lot of better options. Probably won't be going back anytime soon.
(3)Tracy C.
Thinking of the wings here makes my mouth water. You can get them regular or spicy, I've gotten them spicy both times. So freaking good. Crispy, full of flavor, meat fall off the bone good! The ribs are pretty good too, comes with two sauces on the side both delish. Coconut rice?! Soo good! And I don't like coconut, at all. Sooooo yumm! Small place but they have a outdoor patio that has heaters and it's tented for the winter. Friendly staff and doesn't take too long to get your food even when their busy.
(5)Eric S.
This is a very tough review to right for many reasons....1st of all I think if I give a 1 star rating then it is my fault for not squaring things away and speaking up that I am not satisfied. 2nd of all price for me plays a part in rankings because of the price/value propisition. 3rdly I do know they have multiple locations and I hear that the location on Prescott is not as good as the other one on division. 4thly I do not think we ordered correctly. With that all said, and much thought I give pok pok a 1 star rating. We ordered the wings, the pok pok salad, and the lemongrass beef. The wings were very fatty and to me a good wing renders down the globs of fat and delivers a crispy skin. The flavor on the wings was ok, but chewing on globs of fat was not. Plus it was 14 bucks for some wings which is very expensive. BW3 does wings 10x better and for 1/3 the cost. The lemongrass beef had tons of inedible lemongrass rings on it....approximately 1/2 the whole dish was nasty lemongrass. It all had to be picked out. I would have turned it back, but it was not my dish. It too was very expensive and the portions were small. The pok pok salad was very very hot and spicy, but not that good either. The real kicker to me was that you have to pay extra for rice at this place. I have never in my life been to a place where you needed a lot of rice to cut the strong flavors, but you had to pay 2 bucks for a tiny portion of rice. To me it is a slap in the face to not serve rice with the dish when you need it so bad. This place is not fine dining, but you pay fine dining prices. My conclusion is that Portlanders love lines and they automatically think that a long line means it is good, so when they are done waiting in line and eating overpriced food they somehow trick themselves into thinking it was good. No offense to the wonderful folks in Portland. I went across the street and ate at Appathaising Thai on Division street and the food was 10x as good for 1/2 the price. If Pok Pok had been half as much in price I would have given them 2 stars.
(1)J H.
Get. The. Wings. -1 star for the small, awkward space
(4)Christopher F.
A limited selection of Pok Pok proper's already limited selection, yet they still run out of menu items. If you want to pay ~$24 for a flavorless, underseasoned noodle soup and a roasted chicken that's the size of an official little league baseball, this is the only place to go. The manager was at least responsive, and listened patiently to my long-winded complaint. He correctly suggested that some of my issues with the soup could be fixed with fish sauce, but on balance, the broth lacked basic seasoning, and I'll just go to a pho place if I want soup in the future.
(2)Christopher K.
For a scaled down menu, a better attitude, and customer service that far exceeds the parent restaurant, Pok Pok Noi is a welcome addition to the location previously housing Podnah's Pit. I only wish it were a little cheaper. And I really wish they were open for lunch. And if you haven't tried the DURIAN CUSTARD dessert, do it. It might not sound good, it might even sound strange for those of you who've experienced durian; but it's one of the best desserts I've ever eaten.
(5)Caitlin C.
The wings were great, the outdoor seating was fun, the water tasted kind of off. Slightly fish tank ish.
(4)Angelique L.
I'd heard about Pok Pok already before my stay in Portland, from friends who lived there and said we should go. Then, a friend suggested meeting there for dinner. But then my other friend, who I was meeting up with in Portland from L.A. heard about it from our AirBnB hostess and wanted to go. So, I went to Pok Pok Noi, in the neighborhood we were staying, and the original Pok Pok the next night. First, I like the original Pok Pok better. It's bigger, more atmospheric, with a much larger menu. This one, has a very small menu, 10-12 items at the most. I only saw one thing that really looked good -- after the wings, of course, which my friend was ordering. Inside, it has the feel of a lonely airport bar. Of course, we were there about a half hour before closing but with only five, maybe seven stools, it can't get too happening in there. Our waitress was very welcoming, despite our late arrival, and informed us that the back patio (which must be where most of the seats are) was closed. We sat at one of the tables out front (there are two). Sitting on a sidewalk on a leafy neighborhood street had a much more European feel. I liked it out there! I got a dish of coconut rice with shredded pork and a spicy papaya salad. The first I bite I took set my mouth on fire, I licked my lips and theny startled tingling as well. But I was hungry and it tasted good so I kept eating. Surprisingly, it's the papaya salad that's spicy and the rice and pork is mild. So I took a little of each for every bite and it was just perfect. My mouth kept buzzing and by the time I was done, it was numb. This dish is really good, though! Also offered is a big selection of their vinegar sodas which taste like Kombucha but I don't know if they have the enzymes and fermentation benefits. And they're super expensive so be prepared to tack another $5 onto your bill for one of those. The next time I went to Pok Pok, I recommended the papaya pork dish to my dinner mate and ordered something else.
(3)Lili K.
More like Pok Pok NO! Another OVERRATED tourist joint. I went before a dinner rush but they have poor service, food, and tiny space. Only one server on the floor and service was extremely slow. Not many menu options, and portions are small for the high price.
(1)Eliz P.
We ate dinner here for the first time, it was delicious! My husband had the boar collar, loved it, I had the flank steak salad I loved it, both with just the right amount of spice. Had the sticky rice with both meals. It was the right amount of food. We also had a specialty drink, excellent! The dinners were each $15 and the drinks $10. We will return.
(4)Rebecca S.
Really great food! Probably the most authentic Thai I've ever had. It was pretty pricey which would have been no big deal but kinda too pricey considering we were sitting on picnic tables under a tent. Maybe it was just a temporary location. If you love great food and don't mind eating in an outdoor, makeshift dining room, this is a great place.
(4)Sam S.
Pok Pok was so popular they needed to open a second location, Pok Pok Noi, to handle all the demand. We ate here the other night because the wait for a table at Pok Pok was two hours! Thankfully the wait at Pok Pok Noi was a more reasonable 15 minutes. Pok Pok Noi isn't much to look at outside or inside. When you first walk in it's a small room with a bar and counter running the length of the space. You can see part of the kitchen towards the back. There are a few tables in front but most of the seating is in back on the patio. To get there the staff will take you past the bar, through the kitchen area, and outside to a covered patio. It was really weird. So how was the food? In my opinion, it was lousy. I love Thai food and have eaten Thai dozens and dozens of time. What I love is curry though, especially a good yellow curry. Unfortunately Pok Pok Noi doesn't have traditional Thai dishes like yellow curry through so instead I ordered some sort of yellow curry soup. The flavor of the soup was fair and the chicken was pretty food (albiet a little fatty and greasy). Rice was extra and the jasmine and sticky rices were both bad. I don't know how a restaurant screws up rice, but their jasmine rice was much too dry and the sticky rice was difficult to eat because it seemed glued together. My brother and his girlfriend raved about how good this place was and their tastes in restaurants are usually spot on. But my wife and I didn't like the food at Pok Pok Noi and would not recommend it. I would never go back here and after paying the expensive bill, I'm sorry I agreed to come here in the first place. Meh!
(1)Lu J.
This restaurant is expensive, the portions are tiny, and the entrees tasted horrible. My husband ordered what appeared on the menu to be a beef/vegetable stir-fry but came out to be a mere 2 or 3 oz of sliced beef drowning in a pool of salt and spice (and not in a good way either). I ordered the pok pok special which looked pretty big on the menu but turned out to only be five or six bites worth of over-spiced duck and cost $16 (it was a #1 - which is $9.50 - plus a papaya salad and rice - $6.50 more?!?!) . I don't understand how this is rated as a four star restaurant. I will never go there again!
(1)Rebel R.
I love this place! I've never had to wait to be seated. The food is amazing. The somtam / papaya salad is the perfect blend of sour, sweet, and spicy. I usually get the pork with coconut rice, I could eat it just about every day!
(5)Kirsten H.
I like this location more because it is often far less crowded. We got the Ike's Vietnamese fish sauce wings and Het Paa Naam Tok both of which were mouth watering. The service is a little unfriendly or inattentive but otherwise our experience was pleasant. If for nothing else come here for the food, it's worth it.
(4)Neal C.
Everything was quite tasty but I wish they had some noodle choices to go along with. We got the sticky rice but that was a minute portion and we still craved a form of rice noodles. Bartender was Portlandesquely aloof.
(3)Stephanie P.
As a first I'd like to say that the recipes at this restaurant and the original pok pok are fantastic. Flavorful and wonderful to eat. When those dishes are executed correctly its almost worth paying way way way too much for them. Pok Pok noi's staff is rude, aloof and all together very hard to tip. I've had hairs in my food, unnecessary wait times and then other times just being straight up ignored. I wish I could get this food elsewhere in town, the staff isn't worth dealing with.
(2)Wendy H.
I can't help it, I love Andy Richer. I love the restaurants he's opened, I love the foods and decor and learning experiences. His cookbook is seriously amazing. Fast efficient and knowledgeable service, decent price points, and so much to try. I would eat anything he made.
(5)Marlaina R.
Portland has become a bit of a 2nd home for me as I go and visit there about 3 times a year and coming to pok pok noi is basically a ritual that my sister and I engage in. The wings are absolutely incredible! Spicy, salty, with a perfect hint of sweet.... ooooh they rock my world and I wish I could hop on a plane from L.A. to have some right now! I do not typically eat pork but their boar salad is amazing. The freshest herbs and spices imaginable all mixed together with tender cuts of perfectly cooked boar... wow and wow. I also love the chilled greens that are served with the boar - they serve as kind of a chaser to cleanse your pallet. Make sure to get a side of the sticky rice - it is a nice complement to any meat item on the menu. I tried the drinking vinegar once and I'm not a fan, but they have Bitburger on tap so really you don't need anything else! After writing this review my next trip back to Portland can't come fast enough!
(5)Nicol W.
The food here is so amazing. I had the vegetarian khao soi and the broth is delicious. I love the toppings that come one the side. I dumped everything in my except the chili paste, I added enough for my taste. The papaya salad is delicious and fresh. My daughter had the muu sateh and loved it. She likes peanut sauce so this was a perfect choice for her. My husband ate the fish sauce wings and is now planning to make them at home with our Pok Pok cookbook. I will definitely come back next time I'm in Portland.
(5)Jack M.
PokPok is good. The only thing I'd say is I can't go there more often because it's a little pricy for what you get. It's fun from time to time. The soup is the best in the world. But It's priced higher than it should be.
(3)Kccstrong A.
Everything is always good but we think the #9 Spicy Flank Steak salad is a ridiculously small amount of food for the money and would never order again.
(3)Silvana B.
Ok - so this pains me, but the truth is that Pok Pok Noi has been slipping on their wings. They were perfect deliciousness before, and I don't know what happened, but it's the second time in a row that they were " Meh". Here's what was wrong with my meal: - The wings were not all the way the way done. Since I did take out I only discovered this at home. Otherwise I would've said something in the store. - I ordered 1 order of the regular and 1 order of the spicy wings. Some of the spicy wings had a really thick paste of chili on the bottom the bottom of the wing, and no nice distribution across the whole wing. Almost seems like the marinating was done sloppy or something. - The quality of the wings; somehow some wings seemed really dry. I don't know how to better describe it. Overall it was an underwhelming experience and if my last two visits are representative for the quality of wings they serve now the price/quality ratio is no longer worth going to Pok Pok Noi. There are other places in Portland that are up there. So, I will try to go one more time. If I'm disappointed again it's going to be the end of my love affair with Pok Pok Noi. *sad*
(2)Fenny G.
Came here because of their awesome reviews on Yelp and honestly, I hate when I cannot go with the flow. The food that we ordered were good but they didn't WOW me. I had better chicken wings but the best thing about this wings is the sauce, I love shrimp paste and I really think they use a lot of shrimp paste in their ingredient because I could smell it while sitting in the patio area. Their vinegar drinks are refreshing (4 starts for that!)
(3)Patti F.
Damn, I REALLY wanted to like this, I really really did. There were 2 vegetarian options (both were salads, which to me isn't really "dinner" fare), on a very meat-laden menu. I'm not saying having a meat-menu is bad, but it's Portland, so I'd like more than a salad for dinner being a vegetarian. I wouldn't know if it's authentic, never been to Thailand. I only know I wasn't impressed for the price/quality/food choices. We each had one of the menu specials, and perhaps it's the ingredients, but $14 for a bowl of soup seems just a bit overpriced. I know Pok Pok's reputation, and I know people love it - but for me, a $14 bowl of noodles, sauce, pickled veggies, etc. just wasn't worth the price. Yes, it was tasty, but I probably won't be back - I'm not cheap but I just don't think spending $60 for two bowls of "soup", and two cocktails is worth it.
(3)J W.
The smaller Pok Pok across town is still delicious. Missing some of the menu items from the main restaurant, but still great.
(4)Sage J.
Oh man. Fish sauce wings all day every day. It's really terrible that I live just up the street from this amazing establishment! The customer service is fantastic. I've never had a non kick-ass server or bartender. Everyone is rad! Also, there is never a wait to get in (take that, Division location!) and there is always seating. Don't be fooled- there's more room in the back! The heated patio is great and Pok Pok feels like a true, authentic Thai experience. The whole menu is great but if you go with a friend/date, it's cheap to split the wings, and get a side of coconut rice. Trust me, you will be full and satisfied! Can't wait to go for the millionth time :).
(5)Ziyan C.
Amazing food, amazing drinks. So glad I came here on my 3-day whirlwind tour of Portland. Plus, 5 of us came in at 8pm on a Friday and only waited about 15 minutes. MUST-HAVES: Spicy Wings, Khao Soi (curry noodle - I liked the beef), Mango Alexander (deliciously sweet drink). ~~AMBIANCE~~ Rowdy, fun, loud! Shared picnic tables in back. Bustling. Just feels like a great time, feels like you've been thrown into a different world, love that they don't try too hard with decor but just keep it simple. Fun to wind through all the hallways and practically through the kitchen and back to get to the main seating area. ~~COST~~ $100 total (including tax/tip) for five dishes, several drinks = more than enough food for 5 people! ~~SERVICE~~ Efficient, food came out fast, but after that it became a little more difficult to flag down our server for questions/extra drinks/etc. They were always more than friendly & willing to help once we got their attention though! ~~DRINKS~~ * Mango Alexander - 5 stars (mango, vodka, coconut cream & lime, shaken & served up. $9) Oh my goodness this was freaking delicious. Yes it is a sweet, fruity, girly drink, but even all my guy friends who usually love their manly beers were loving this. The flavor is intensely fresh & it has this really smooth texture, somewhere between a normal drink, a sorbet, & a smoothie. It somehow was also really strong w/o tasting too much like it (my fave kind =) and got me a good tipsy throughout the meal (warning: I am a major lightweight). ~~FOOD~~ #1 Kai Yaang (Whole Bird) - 4 stars pic: waiting on a friend! (charcoal rotisserie roasted natural game hen stuffed with lemongrass, garlic, pepper and cilantro served with spicy sweet and sour and tamarind dipping sauces. $15.90) Moist, tender meat. Thinly crisped skin. Reminds of me of the Chinese dish drunken chicken. Make sure to have each bite with sauces! Otherwise there isn't much flavor in the meat itself. Tasty but I would say if you're getting the wings (and everyone does), this isn't necessarily a must-have unless you really want a giant chunk of tender chicken meat! $12 Muu Paa Kham Waan (Boar) - 3.5 stars pic: waiting on a friend! (boar collar meat rubbed w/ garlic, coriander root and black pepper, glazed w/ soy and sugar, grilled over charcoal and served w/ chilled mustard greens and a spicy chili/lime/garlic sauce. $13.95) Very strong spicy flavor! The meat was tender and soft, in thin strips. Good with the fresh veggies provided. Served cold. This was tasty but I wouldn't say necessarily a memorable dish on my 3-day tour of Portland. #4 Beef Khao Soi - 4.5 stars pic: waiting on a friend! (Northern thai mild curry noodle made with our secret curry paste recipe, natural chicken on the bone and house-pressed fresh coconut milk. Served w/ pickled mustard greens, shallots, cilantro, crispy yellow noodles and roasted chili paste. $12.95) I really liked this - then again, I like anything with curry and noodles! The noodles were thick, like a home-made udon but slightly more al dente. The flavor was amazing, plus those crispy pieces added a great crunch to each bite. #7 Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Spicy Wings - 4.5 stars pic: waiting on a friend! (Fresh natural chicken wings marinated in fish sauce and palm sugar, deep fried, tossed in caramelized Phu Quoo fish sauce and garlic and served with Vietnamese table salad. $13.95) So worth the hype! Very spicy, very tasty, the skin crisped just right, and I like that they do the entire wing so if you're sharing everyone gets all the different parts of the wing. Coconut Rice - 4 stars $2.50 I know, a very ordinary dish to review, but I really liked the fat sticky texture of their rice. The coconut had a nice subtle flavor to it too so it didn't overpower other dishes but more like enhanced their flavor.
(4)Dan H.
What on earth was I missing? Why had I never been here before? Am I slacking? Am I going insane? Am I asking too many questions? All the hype is true. Pok Pok does food and does it very well. My whole experience here was wonderful. I have a guest in from out of town and he wanted to take me out for dinner to thank me for letting him stay at my place. I was figuring we would head up to Alberta to see if we could find a place to eat. On our trip up that way we passed Pok Pok Noi and I mentioned it to him. This was his first time in Portland, but we decided to continue on to Alberta. Walked around a bit and found a restaurant I thought he might enjoy, but apparently he had Pok Pok on his mind. Since I had never been I had no problem getting back in the car and making the drive back. Once inside we were greeted immediately and asked if we were eating in or taking out. We were eating in and our seating options were explained. Inside at the bar or outside on the patio (heated and covered this time of year). We opted for the patio. Go all the way back and make a right and then 2 lefts and it feels like you've actually walked to Thailand. Big picnic tables and warm heating lamps make for a nice space. Also there wasn't anyone out there save for the server. He gave us a hearty hello and presented us with menus and some of their water that is infused with Pandan Leaf. My friend mentioned it tasted like jasmine rice and apparently pandan leaf is sometimes used to flavor rice. It was quite different, but very refreshing. After ordering a few beers (they are pretty large here) we decided to get a few dishes to share. Started out with one thing they are known for. Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings ($12.50 for 6) which we ordered spicy. These wings are marinated in fish sauce and palm sugar. They are then deep fried and tossed in caramelized Phu Quoc fish sauce and garlic and served with Vietnamese table salad. These live up to the hype. Very flavorful with a good spice. $12.50 might be a bit steep, but it is a large portion. Next up was Muu Paa Kham Waan ($12.50). Boar collar meat rubbed with garlic, coriander root and black pepper, glazed with soy and sugar, grilled over charcoal and served with chilled mustard greens (the ice is right on top) and a spicy chili/lime/garlic sauce. This was our servers favorite. We got some sticky rice to go along with this and made little tacos with the greens, rice and meat. So much flavor in this dish. We also had the Papaya Pok Pok with salted black crab ($8 + $2.50 for the black crab and the added spice). Spicy green papaya salad with tomatoes, long beans, Thai chili, lime juice, tamarind, fish sauce, garlic, palm sugar, dried shrimp and peanuts. This was our servers second favorite dish, but he usually ordered it without the crab as it was too spicy for him. That wasn't an issue for my friend and I. We were both quite pleased with the spice. I was expecting it to be spicier, but I had no issue here. Nice clean flavors in this dish. Finally we ordered the Neua Naam Tok ($12). This is Spicy Isaan flank steak "salad" with fish sauce, lime and chili powder dressing, shallots, lemongrass, mint, cilantro and toasted rice powder. A nice third dish that we could wrap up in the greens and the rest of our sticky rice. Not very spicy at all which was nice as the spice from the papaya salad was finally dying down. Service was really great here and that is saying a lot here in Portland. Everyone that worked there said hello to us and we felt very much at home. Our server was attentive. Around when we needed him and not when we didn't. Gave us a bunch of suggestions and was very knowledgeable about the menu. I have not had an overall experience like this at a restaurant in a long time. It really makes this meal stand out. Can't wait to get over to the original location to check out some of their odd dishes.
(5)Heather J.
Pok Pok without the wait! Yes, the menu is shorter, but I love walk in, sit at the bar and just dig in. Tonight I ventured away from my usual standards of the game hen (mmmm, and those sauces!) and the chicken wings and had the green papaya salad with shredded pork (like Thai carnitas!), and I'm glad I did. So tasty, and such a nice medley of flavors from the sweet pork and crunchy shallots to the refreshing and spicy green papaya, all washed down with a limeade (only because I'm giving up booze for lent. Otherwise I'd be drinking the tamarind whiskey sour of course). Warning: they accept cash or debit cards only.
(5)Tonya P.
The fish sauce wings are absolutely necessary for eating... and I don't even usually like chicken wings! Great price, considering they're enormous (and delicious). Warning: if you order the papaya salad, it's hella spicy. Yes, even the "mild" version. Bottom line -- if you have visitors from out of town, you must feed them Pok Pok.
(5)Rex N.
I love pok pok and whiskey soda lounge. The service is great. The food and drinks are great. I eat there whenever possible. Pok pok noi, first trip and I am certain I won't ever return to this location. The food is still great but the service was among the worst I'd had anywhere in Portland. Service was snide and inattentive. Children shrieking everywhere. Felt rushed and unwelcome. Subsequently left the smallest tip of my life.
(2)Natalie W.
The food is good, I won't deny that. Read the other reviews if you want to know about the food. I just want to write about the service. I've been here a bunch and it's usually hit-or-miss, but this last time was horrible. There were 5 of us all together; we all ordered drinks and food. When the check came, I took a look at the items so that I could split it up, and i noticed that a few of the items listed were not ones we had ordered. Quite a few items, in fact. I crossed them out and returned the bill to our server. Turns out she had put another table's order on our tab (intentionally) and then forgotten to take it off when she printed out our bill. The extra items added over $50 to our total, which I wouldn't have noticed if we hadn't been splitting the check. The server brought out a new check. To her credit, she was super apologetic about screwing up. Two people at the table were unevenly splitting the tab, so I marked down who would pay for which items. I gave it to the server, but she told us that she couldn't do it that way - we had to do the math and write down the dollar amount to be charged. Really?! Oh, and I had to take the automatic gratuity into account (for a table of 5!) when I calculated the totals. She did not deserve a 20% tip. Needless to say, my entire table was very frustrated by the end of the meal. Ugh. Pok Pok is really delicious, but the crappy service makes me not want to return.
(3)Jeremy L.
Tiny little place, and pricy, but you can't argue with the food. The wings and papaya salad are amazing!
(4)Aj B.
Another excellent meal here at Pok Pok Noi. Had their chicken wings, of course. This time there was deep fried tilapia which was fab! Closing with condensed milk and pandan home made ice cream for a perfect meal.
(5)Kim K.
I'll admit - I was weary. I'm pretty skeptical about fusion-y food... We ordered a soup as well as some chicken that came on a skewer with peanut sauce. Both dishes tasted Great. Nothing that left me salivating, but I'd eat it again. I was there with a a few pro-spicy friends. They had said that most things on the menu were extremely spicy, so if you are anti-spice like myself, beware! There isn't much seating, but I like the covered/heated outdoor seating area outside. ...minus the creepy twisted hallway one must pass through to get there!
(3)Ellen F.
I don't see what all the fuss is about here. The food is okay at best and really overpriced given the quality and quantity. Here's my play-by-play: - The Wait: Depending on when you go, be prepared to wait 20+ minutes. - The Service: Okay, but nothing memorable. They're generally pretty busy, so don't expect much attention. - The Cocktails: Meh, they're decent but forgettable and overpriced by about $2.00. - The Food: Overall, it's pretty mediocre. Fish Sauce Wings: Pretty good. They recommend ordering them spicy, but be warned that the spice sneaks up on you and compounds. Expensive at $14 for 10 wings, no sides. Coconut Rice (recommended with wings): Good, but expensive and it's a small serving. Khao Man Som Tam (sticky pork): The pork and rice are tasty, but considering the green papaya salad that accompanies it is sorta gross, it is an expensive meal. Relatively small portion size. Khao Soi (noodle curry): If you're a curry lover this dish will surely disappoint. It tastes as though they took the perfect curry and added eight ounces of water to it. I was very sad eating this. - Take Out: The food was sort of cold (they don't have a heat lamp to keep take out orders warm) and the wings we ordered did not taste fresh or cooked to order. Overall, it might be worth an exploratory trip, but be prepared to shell out some bucks especially if you have a cocktail or two. For me the tipping point is the price. With so many affordable options within walking distance of this place there's just no incentive for me to go back.
(2)Michael B.
#7 Fish Sauce Chicken Wings, #12 Grilled Boar Collar with Mustard Greens and Stick Rice, Mehking & I, Thai Basil Drinking Vinegar. This was the first half our PDX Alberta Arts District food bonanza, so we intentionally ordered only the best of the best here, in a strategic effort to save room for what would follow. Pok Pok Noi is essentially a distilled down neighborhood version of the original Pok Pok. Translation same amazing, James Beard Foundation wining food, but without the crazy lines. The whiskey cocktail was potent and refreshing. The drinking vinegar was fragrant and pungent, but in a great way. Now the food, that was out of this world good!!! The wings were so amazing I'm certain I swallowed a few of the bones will trying get every last piece of skin and meat. The boar collar with chilled mustard green and sticky rice deserved a new paragraph because this was a dish that will stick with me for a long time. It's deceptively simple, but the heat of the chillis offset by the iced mustard green stems was genius and something I ever saw during any of my half dozen trips through Thailand. This is not to be missed!!!
(5)Jessica S.
One of my favorite places in Portland. The wings, oh good Lord the wings! So amazing. My husband and I first came here when visiting Portland to see if we wanted to move here. We ate, we smiled, we giggled, we drank drinking vinegars, and we moaned and mmmm'd. If I still smoked I'd have had a cigarette afterward. I like this location because it tends to be less busy than Pok Pok itself. It is small and most of the seating is outside through a maze that takes you by the kitchen areas. I kind of dig that about it, too. The staff has always been super friendly. We've ended up in ongoing conversations with our severs more than once. The manager has come around and asked us if everything was satisfactory. This is one of those places we take people when they visit from out of town. Because it has never let us down and is always exceptional.
(5)Sara W.
Easily our best meal during our visit to Portland. I enjoyed the casual atmosphere. The flavors of the food - especially the sauces - were phenomenal! The Kai Yaang is roasted chicken served with spicy/sweet/sour and tamarind dipping sauce. The chicken is moist and the sauces serve as the perfect complement. You must order the Neua Naam Tok!! It is described as "spicy hot" on the menu, but don't let that intimidate you if you're not a fan of spicy food. It has a mild zing but is not at all overpowering. The complexity of flavors including lemongrass, cilantro, shallots, lime and chili powder in the sauce is an outstanding match for the flank steak. Everything is a la carte here. So, if you want rice or any other side dish order it with your entree. We were disappointed with the sticky rice and mango dessert. The portion was small for the price (over $8) and the mango was under-ripe. Service was swift and friendly.
(4)Trisha S.
My coworkers have been raving about this place, so during my first trip to Portland, I had an opportunity to check it out. We came to this location to avoid the rush at the original downtown location. We started off with drinks: the drinking vinegars were highly recommended so I chose the Pok Pok Som Tamarind to try. My coworkers ordered the Pok Pok signature bloody mary's with fresh basil leaves, and I had the salted plum vodka collins as my cocktail. These drinks packed on such unique flavors. I already felt like I was back in Thailand. Even the water tasted amazing! As for food, we ordered A LOT. Amongst all the dishes, the boar collared meat with mustard greens and the fish sauce wings were what I miss the most! They also serve corn on the cob cooked with coconut milk and Thai spices - delishhhhh! Pros: It's the sister restaurant so on good days, it's not as crowded. The menu is exactly the same and the servers are all very attentive. Cons: The outdoor seating is common table where many parties can sit so it gets a little cramped. When you're walking out, you're also walking past the kitchen so you have to be careful when passing servers, cooks, etc. I can't wait to return and sit outdoors when it's raining. It's a little slice of Thailand when you want a quick getaway! :)
(5)Kelsey S.
This was one of the worst dining experiences I have had in a long time. I ordered their special, which was fried yellowtail. I love fish, and I have had this type of dish before at Thai restaurants and in Thailand. This was the worst fish I have had. It was dry, flavorless, and full of so many bones. I had one bite with 7 bones in my mouth! I understand the fish has bones, but they should know how to fillet a little better than that, or at least give us a warning that this fish is going to have a lot of bones in unexpected places before I stick a bite in my mouth! We also ordered their wings (which I have had at their other location numerous times). They were good as usual, but we had asked for them not spicy and got them spicy. When we finally decided to say something (granted it was at the end of our meal), it was received horribly. We were not pleased with the meal, but were not so upset about it until we got the bill. The fish was $28, which is easily $10 more than most things on the menu. The price wasn't communicated to us before ordering, but I expected it to be closer to $20 (which would still be on the higher end of the prices for their menu). They did not offer to do anything after we expressed our dissatisfaction, and barely seemed to be concerned. I guess if you are that popular, you just don't care if people are don't like your food. At the beginning of out meal, our server was overattentive, and came to check on us about 6 times, from when we sat down to getting our food, and barely gave us a second to decide what we wanted before asking us about 3 times first. Then it got busier, and we never saw him again. Another person brought us out the check and took our plates of uneaten nasty fish away and said nothing. In my opinion, that is some of the worst customer service I have ever experienced. It was typically passive aggressive for Portland, but at a restaurant with a reputation like Pok Pok, they should have it a little more under control than that. I will not be back, ever.
(1)M W.
The menu is limited and seating is scarce, but this place is well worth a try, and way less busy than the original pok pok on Division. The kao soi is my go to here. If you're interested in something way different to drink, try a sipping vinegar, they are quite unique.
(4)Tracie U.
When in doubt. stick with the fish sauce wings...seriously. If you like fish sauce, believe the hype. You definitely gotta like fish sauce to enjoy these wings. Consider yourselves warned. I would understand if you're not a fan of the stuff; its hard to get past a smell, I can only compare to ass..unwashed ass at that. Unlike in other dishes where it just kind of melts into the other flavors and contributes is salty, fishy goodness in a more modest fashion, it is THE star in this dish. On my first visit, for some reason I decided to ignore the copious number of recommendations for the wings. To be fair, it says the Kai Yaang (Charcoal rotisserie game hen) is the signature dish so I went with that. I thought it was okay but nothing remarkable. Maybe it was an off night. The soups my friends tried were not very impressive either. Surprisingly bland, actually. I finally went back and tried the fish sauce wings...YES. A thousand times yes. we also tried the Neua Naam Tok (flank steak salad) which was delicious. The fish sauce in this dish played more of a supporting actor role so if you're a fish sauce-a-phobe, I think you could handle it.
(3)Jeff F.
What a great Thai place that we bumped into! We somehow got lost finding parking in this area and we bumped into this cluster of restaurants and I immediately recognized Pok Pok Noi from Diners Drive Ins and Dives from Food Network. Thai food is one of my favorites and it's nice to see local eats reinventing. I ordered the famous Fish Sauce Wings - Amazing! I had an umami moment.
(5)Kiersten M.
I had a tamarind whiskey sour and the vegetarian curry noodle soup. Both were really good and my boyfriend enjoyed his food, too. Service was super slow, but we were seated right away on Friday night so I'll take it!
(4)JW R.
Thank you Willy Week for explaining why everyone was so nice here during our last visit. Rucker was in NYC and someone hired some nice people while he was away. I'm sure he'll be all surly about that when he gets home. The food's still totally overrated. The game hen tasted good but was totally a pain in the ass to eat. The sticky rice was pretty amazing. I'd be willing to try more menu items unless someone starts hiring rude people again.
(3)Brandon B.
I legitimately hate this restaurant. All the waiters were annoying and I didn't see ONE Thai person cooking the food. I came here with a couple friends because we heard it was a great thai restaurant. When we get seated I take a look at the menu. I'm really craving a massaman or red curry with tofu (I'm vegetarian.) I look at the menu six times and there's no curry! WHY?!?! The only vegetarian things I could get were wussy, overpriced salads or a curry noodle soup. I decided to get the soup since my friends were sold on getting the chicken wings and didn't want to leave. I get my food and it sucks, it's bland, sort of cold, and get three pieces of tofu. Then I put some Sriracha on and it still doesn't taste good. I was beyond pissed. I waited around for the waiter to come back so I could tell him I didn't want the soup, but his shift was over so he was no where to be found and we didn't get another server. We waited for fifteen minutes before I just left. I convinced my friends to leave too. We all ditched and didn't pay and I don't feel bad at all. THIS IS NOT A THAI RESTAURANT. It's a stupid place for hipsters who think they're cool by not eating "traditional" Thai food. NO CURRY, NO GOOD NOODLE DISHES, AND TERRIBLE VEG OPTIONS. If you want chicken wings go to Fire on the Mountain, not this sorry excuse for a Thai restaurant. I went here like six months ago and I'm STILL pissed about how terrible it was.
(1)Tracy N.
there's a lot of hype around this place, and rightfully so. it's DAMN GOOD. the papaya salad is seriously spicy though. Would recommend getting 2 glasses of drinking vinegar to go with your meal (rhubarb n ginger are my favorite flavors). If delicious soda is not your thing, get the sticky rice and just pat it on your tongue to quell the flames.
(5)Julie C.
Love the wings, love the salt plum vodka collins and the staff. Love. Butt...... If you have personal space issues and dislike eating at a counter cheek to cheek, get carryout.
(4)chad A.
Second time here and we gorged. Fish sauce wings - 5 stars! Sweet, garlicy savoriness. Curry - Not so great. It lacked a depth that most curries have. Grilled corn - Really good. The charcoal smoky flavor is excellent for corn. Gai Yang - cooked perfect but lacked flavor. You get a bit of the charcoal smokiness, but not much of the lemongrass. Not bad though. Som tam - nice and fresh. The papaya was crisp and all the flavors were a nice balance of sour, sweet, salty, herbaceousness - is that a word? Grilled pork - can't remember the name, but charcoal grilled pork with a sweet\sour spicy sauce. I relish in moments like this while I'm still young enough to have good cholesterol. Yeah, it was good. Overall, the place is a little over hyped. That being said atmosphere adds a great deal to the food. Mr. Ricker has brought a more authentic interpretation to Thai food than most with outdoor seating, 60-70's Thai rock, the use of charcoal and sticking with more regional traditions than many. While two of the dishes lacked flavor (something that should never happen in SE Asian cuisine) the place has been consistent and an overall fun experience that I don't have to fly across the Pacific to enjoy.
(4)Nina T.
For locals this one is way better than the one on division. No annoying conversations and less hype. Food is as amazing as always. Savor it!!
(4)David P.
Funny Story but True!!! We unknowingly sat next to Kevin S. (review below) during late lunch below on Saturday....I recognize the tilapia and apologies for no refills policy story!!! It IS a small world.......although their tilapia did look pretty tasty....just saying.....although I agree $20 is a pretty big hurdle for a fried fish and little sauce.... Pok Pok was very good....would go 3.5 stars, but a 4 ok also.......although the price thing was a little out of proportion to the food and atmosphere...but hey, it is what it is. Wings were tasty, game hen was good, but the real star was the Pok Pok salad. This alone is worth the trip IMHO. A wonderful mix of flavor and textures. Service was attentive, and overall, it was about what I expected....maybe overhyped a bit, but that is how it goes when you get yourself on TV and you have Guy Fieri high fiving you........ I do respect how hard they are working to find unique flavors, and succeeding in many ways. I would definitely try again if only to try other dishes.....and another helping of the Pok Pok salad......
(4)Shovelle S.
Fools I tell you! Fools!! All of them!! bahaaaahhha bwahhaaaaaaa! Yes, fools. Anyone what waits at the main location instead of hopping over here. fools. um, er, no, just kidding, stay at the Division location, please. Do us all a favor and wait in your lines. Seriously, a last minute last meal of 2012 idea put landed us at the PPN location. Wow. Easy ordering, heated patio, fast service, and same delicious food.
(4)Adrian K.
Love. Love for days. For dayyyyys. + Tamarin Whiskey Sour was great + #4 was awesome + #10 was more awesome + The peanuts were so tasty + Kind of cool decor - Deviation was gross and tasted like flowers - Freezing inside
(4)Owen P.
In Short: Pok Pok makes my favorite Thai food ever for all time. Pok Pok Noi offers most of the main restaurant's menu in a location less than 1/2 mile from my house. I don't like reviews with three sentence-long introductions where the reviewer tries to show us how clever and funny they are - I'm looking at one right now as I write - but I have to digress a tad. I do NOT like traditional American Thai food. With few exceptions, it's brownish/greenish mush with rubbery whitish/grayish meat, undercooked broccoli and crinkle-cut carrots, and zero flavor. Enter Pok Pok. The chef and creator is a James Beard award winner - check the bathroom at Pok Pok's main location if you don't believe me - whose schtick is recreating Thai street food in America. I recently introduced a Seattleite friend who'd spent weeks in Thailand previously, and he told our waiter with reverence usually reserved for the holiest of holy sites: "This is the BEST Thai food I have EVER had in America. This is what the Thai really eat." One taste, and it's easy to see why: the meat is flame-kissed and juicy, the sauces fiery and aggressively spiced. The drinks are carefully balanced and delicious, the ambience carefully crafted to deliver you into a Bangkok street lined with food carts while someone blasts a Thai cover of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" out of a tinny boombox. Pok Pok Noi only gets 4 stars from me because the full menu from Pok Pok isn't available. What is available is stellar and - more importantly - a bike ride from my house. The Richmond location of the main restaurant isn't all that far, but far enough that we don't bike there. Food-wise, the selections are unassailable. The Vietnamese fish sauce wings - get them spicy or don't bother - are the mainstay of the menu, served with cooling spears of carrot and pickled radish. The boar collar is a revelation of tender meat and tantalizingly hot spice - there's a pattern here - paired with iced mustard greens. For an authentic dining experience, get the Half- or Whole-Bird - a grilled game hen stuffed with lemongrass and served with two sauces, one spicy-sweet, one spicy-spicy - and pair it with an order of sticky rice. My friend mentioned above ate with his fingers for the MOST authentic experience, washing it down with a cold Beer Lao. You can also get the spicy papaya salad and a whole fried Tilapia. I only get one drink at Pok Pok/Noi: the Apple Gin Rickey. Made with their ridiculously good housemade apple drinking vinegar and served on the rocks with a candied cherry, I will kill two of these with dinner and long for a third. They are dangerously delicious, and an alcoholic beverage is a requisite companion to such spicy food. They also have a wide - if exotic - selection of non-alcoholic drinks, including mango and coconut juices. The drinking water is flavored with an aromatic leaf, one of the myriad small touches of genius that make the Pok Pok restaurants such a joy to visit. Bottom Line: You think you know Thai food? If you haven't been here, you don't know Thai food. Go to Pok Pok, and if you can't make it to Richmond, go to Noi. Thank me later.
(4)angie s.
Went in here to avoid the madness that is the original. Tried the fish sauce wings that everyone raved about. They were gummy and sweet. They tasted like a slightly better version of some cheap General Tso's from a Chinese carry out joint. The other things we had (cornish hen) were just alright and I did not like having to buy rice with the other dishes. Pretty overpriced and not worth me ever coming back.
(2)Kay C.
Was here from out of town and been wanting to try their fish sauce wings forever. We sat at the bar and ordered the wings, boar collar, and papaya salad. Also got some bloody marys and they had a special Pimm's Cup. Everything was stellar. We ordered the wings spicy but they weren't that spicy, esp compared to the boar collar which was REALLY spicy. The salad was great and kept well - I had leftovers the next day. The wings were good but I have to admit I wasn't blown away like I thought I would be. Overall though really great food and I loved that the cocktails had a Thai spin on them.
(4)Charles D.
Super tasty. Everything I had here had its own unique and complimentary flavors. This is some Southeast Asian food that you won't typically find at your local Thai or Vietnamese place. The Pork was my favorite. Also, I was in town visiting from Dallas and left my credit card in the little black payment book. The manager was really helpful and sent it back to me in Dallas at his own expense. With a card and note, no less! Great spot.
(5)Tyler A.
When you step into Pok Pok, you receive a ginormous menu with a point 6 size font. It's overwhelming, you don't know what all the names mean, and you read and read and read. Step into Pok Pok Noi and the experience is visual. Big 15x15(?) photos of the dishes - yes it's a pared down menu but it's the greatest hits and you don't even have to read the menu. You think #6 looks like pork, be annoying and ask the server instead of even reading your menu! Cuz you can do that here. It's a small enough place, backyard heated patio, even though the small size doesn't seem to speed up the service any, they're friendly, food is fairly quick, and it's a manageable pok pok. We usually get the spicy chicken wings, some other protein (boar collar or them little ribs), and the noodles (without the crispy noodles on top of soft noodles -- it's a texture thing). Just look them up on the board. Probably too much food and we could just do with the noodles but hey, this isn't the streets of Thailand, this is America and overeating is an inalienable right. Papaya salad is also wicked good, as is the sticky rice. Go nuts!
(5)Gene B.
An empire built on chicken wings. Tasty, tasty wings! This is my favorite of the Pok Pok locations, because when I stay in Portland I generally stay in the North, there's never really a wait here and it's a bar and I like bars! The only draw back is that it has an abbreviated menu from the original Pok Pok on Division. So, I have to forgo some of my favorites like the Yam Makheua Yao, smoky eggplant salad with pork and shrimp. But they have most of the heavy hitters off the menu and, of course, there's Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings and if it nothing else here, but those, I would still show up. If some how you're totally oblivious about Pok Pok and authentic Thai food, be forewarned that this is not your strip mall Thai food. You're not going to find any gloppy overly-sweet Pad Thai here! The flavors in Thai cuisine are robust and assertive, which is why I love it so much! A full bar is available, naturally and I've had really, really good service every time that I've been at this location.
(5)Rachel S.
The wings are the best thing on the menu! You must get them or you are missing out on the experience.
(5)Misty S.
I will be going back. We went to Pok Pok Noi after an 11 mile hike in the Gorge so we probably just missed the Saturday lunch crowd. There were a few people sitting outside and one inside. There was a nice young man there to take our order. He answered questions and gave us a few recommendations. It's an order, pay, then sit down setup which is great for us. It's nice to be able to get up and get your own water when you want it. When the food was brought out to us I was impressed. I had no idea the plating was going to be so pretty and fancy. The colors just popped and the freshness of the veggies really got me excited about my lunch. The flavors were absolutly amazing. It was just so light and refreshing. Oh, and that coconut rice was yummy. I've never had Thai food like this before. I'm definitely going to have to go back to try some of the other menu items and give you all a better review to read but seriously it's worth trying. If you are big eaters like us, I would recommend ordering 3 entrees to share between 2 people. However, if you are just looking for a light, fresh, flavorful lunch and didn't hike 11 miles before hand... I'm sure you would be fine with just one entree each.
(4)Marilynn L.
Got take out and it was still awesome at home and far from hot. The khao soi noodles are not revelatory but exactly as it should be. The famous wings is a huge order of wings (we shared among four people and had plenty). Loved the spicy steak salad. Didn't like that we had to order rice on the side. These dishes don't go well with rice actually but arne't filling enough on their own (portion sizes decent but just the type of dish like salad and wings don't go with rice). The mango alexander had me swooning too. Best Thai I've had? I think so!
(4)Matt D.
What's with all of my favorite restaurants making little versions of themselves? First Little Bird, and now Pok Pok Noi? If it allows me to stuff my face with delicious food more frequently, then I'm all for it! So, as the name states Pok Pok Noi (translates as Little Pok Pok, or Little Mortar and Pestle) is just a smaller version of the main Pok Pok. The inside of the place seats just 11 people, so they will obviously have a takeout focus. In fact, it was so busy today (for the grand opening) that I decided to get takeout myself and I'm writing this review as I eat the food! As another food blog stated, Pok Pok Noi's menu appears to be a collection of greatest hits from the bigger Pok Pok. Yes, they still have the fish sauce wings. Yes, they still have the Kai Yaang. Yes, they all looked and smelled amazing while I was there. I decided to actually go with something I had surprisingly never had before; the Papaya Pok Pok with Plaa Raak. It's hot. Really hot. In fact, it's so hot that it's melting my face off more than any grimey dubstep song ever has. However, the beauty of this dish (much like their other spicy dishes) is that the heat doesn't mask the flavor at all. It all works together in this beautiful cohesive harmony that's almost as if I stuck the entire region of southeast asia in my mouth. The addition of the Plaa Raak (softshell crab) and sticky rice is absolutely essential, unless you're a vegetarian. The texture of the crab may be different to many at first, but it's amazing sweetness and delicate fishy flavor it adds to the dish is perfect. Also, the dish will have a lot of juice left so the rice works as a perfect sponge! All in all, I'm really glad that Pok Pok opened this new location. It's much closer to home, and I may be inclined to do takeout more often with an option this fantastic.
(5)Giang L.
I had strong reservations about this place, so much hype and was not looking forward to waiting in line. However, we went after 9pm and were promptly seated, good sign so far! The water is flavored with pandan, so good! We got the infamous wings of course, they were off the hook and so flavorful. They reminded me of a Vietnamese dish, ca kho (braised catfish), in terms of flavor, which I don't mind because that's one of my favorite Vietnamese dishes. We also had the boar collar, oh man that was spicy, it hurt my stomach! Definitely recommend the wings. You can even call in your order for pick up.
(5)H O.
+: I am a fan of this new location, the tourists can have the original SE spot. -: I love the outdoor patio but there were a lot of bugs over the summer. !: Celery is the best drinking vinegar flavor! ?: No questions.
(4)Chris A.
Don't expect the typical Thai food experience. This seems to be an acquired taste, but for my taste buds it works. The portions are small but the flavors make up for it. Two of us shared 3 dishes and were full. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and answered all of our questions. We did not have to pay until we finished our meal. If you haven't had a pok pok experience go to the main location on Division first. If you want take out or a paired down pok pok experience without the wait, this is the place. Get the wings and the boar collar.
(4)Georgie K.
Okay, the food is good. We got Curry soup and another chicken dish that was also good. So good, but the set up in there blows ( that is why only three stars. It is so small and you have to wait in line to order food and they have modern rocker types waitng on you. Then you take a number and you have your choice of sitting at the bar or you can go sit down outside to wait for your for your food. I just do not like that kind of service for the prices. The dishes are $12.00 and up and I think that is a little spendy for standing in line and go have to sit down outside in covered ( heated that is nice ) pati. You have walk right through kitchen and it is not a pretty path. The bathroom is split, meaning the toliet is one spot and the sink is another. We will go back, but it is not my favorite place because it is wonky in there, but the food is good.
(3)Tommy D.
YES it was that good! Read the reviews. We had a group of about 10 on a Thursday PM. Had to wait but worth it. Ate outside in their covered patio...fine if you brought a jacket. FOOD: generally I am not a fan of Thai, but this was excellent. Definitely more of a street feel to what they served and that made it all the more good. My wife go the pork coconut and papaya salad awesome. My daughter got the shortribs..great, I got the chicken wings awesome, and check (not so awesome). Just kidding on that last one. One down side...the infused water took some getting used to. I should have just had a beer instead. This food make me look forward to my trip to Thailand!!!
(4)Leah N.
WAY too expensive for what you get! Sure, it's tasty, but I don't want to pay $14 for like 4 strips of meat and some herbs. They don't even include rice, you have to pay extra! For an idea of how ridiculously overpriced they are, the specials when I went were a $26 fried tilapia dish (which, as every broke young person knows, is the cheapest fish you can buy), a $4.50 ear of corn, and a $8 mango sticky rice. Yeah, mangos are an expensive fruit relatively, but $8 for rice? Come on. My advice: go to Grain and Gristle instead- they're literally right next door, affordable, and awesome!
(2)Colleen W.
I'd like to keep this place a secret. I don't want you to know that this Pok Pok location has a ton of seating in the outdoor patio. I don't want you to know that this place has the same delicious menu items with an hour less waiting time. I don't want you to come here. I'm greedy.
(5)Kat N.
My oh my... their infamous wings... oh, so good! The caramelized wings were definitely finger lickin' good. I could eat their wings, papaya salad and sticky rice for weeks and I think I'd be ok with it. We had a drink while waiting for our food and chatted with the bartender there. Super nice people and quick service. It's unfortunate that I didn't go here sooner, because they're now on winter hours and will be closed by 10pm. =( That's still late enough for me to swing by on the way home from work to get my fix. They don't have the whole menu from Pok Pok, but what they do have are the best sellers. Also, some tempting specials, too. So after trying them... will we be back? Oh yeah. You can bet your sweet, sticky, spicy ass we will.
(5)Erin W.
I am not a fan of Thai food but heard such rave reviews about Pok Pok that I couldn't resist dropping in while in Portland. We went to Pok Pok Noi to avoid the line at the original restaurant. Also, we intentionally dropped in for a late lunch - for the same crowds reason. Great plan...no other customers were there. We ordered a delicious mushroom dish and a black crab green papaya salad. We were warned that the black crab was really hot. Should have taken this warning to heart. My mouth was on fire and in general the salad was way too fishy tasting...wondered how fresh the black crab was. The mushroom dish was amazing...but still, not sure about Thai food.
(3)Marc S.
Limited menu here, plus even more so since went late. The boar collar was seasoned very uniquely and loved the sourness factor. Wings were good but not a ton of meat on them. I would return to the main restaurant for a full experience.
(4)Jacob M.
I don't understand the popularity of this place, or the Pok Pok franchise in general. I had lunch here, and it was...fine? I didn't know what to order, so I had my server suggest what she thought was the best they had to offer. I got some sort of chicken and some rice and a special house vinegar drink. All of them were fine, but none of them were noteworthy. I was a bit shocked by how much it all cost, as well. Service was fine, although I agree with other reviews that the space layout is super bizarre. Podnah's used the space much more effectively when they were here. Not sure why Pok Pok rebuilt it to be as uncomfortable as possible.
(2)Ben P.
Dyn-o-mite. With an O for Ossum. Highlights: Game Hen Salad (#8) Chicken Soup (#4) Wings (#7) First coupla trips here I played it safe and didn't pick what ended up being my favorite stuff. The Satay is fine. The Steak salad is OK - good flavor but some weird things going on with texture. Something is gritty in there... So I think I was under-impressed. But after living 1 block away for most of the last year I can safely say 5 stars (4.5 if I could). This is NOT your typical american Thai food where coconut milk and basil seem to be the only ingredients in the cupboard - no no - The flavors here, while too spicy for some (uncultured swine) are so unique, fresh, and generally don't leave you feeling like you need a arterial stint. I mentioned I'd dock a half-star if I could - the portions are not 'small' but for the dollars, they're a little light - so don't go here if you're stugglin to pay the gas bill. $1.50 for a handful of sticky rice? Whats the ROI on that sale - 1000%? Highly recommending the Game Hen Salad (#8) Its usually medium spicy and light with some kind of sweet vinegar and lots of lime. Not a lot of leafy greens, but instead some green beans, and tasty, moist chicken (or I guess 'game hen'). One of my favorite dishes in Portland. Khao Soi - Chicken Soup - on a cold fall day mmmmmmmm. It gets no better. This one is much more rich than light - akin to the normal American thai in that category - but they take it to a whole 'notha level. A drumstick and a thigh on the bone, skin and all sits in the thick rich broth - then you add some (rice or egg?) flat noods, and some crunchy chow mein noods, along with a handful of magical onion, some pickled chunks of something, cilantro, and some hot paste to your liking. Really amazing. $12.50 for a decent portion - enough for a meal or to share if you get other stuff. Fish Sauce Wings - Excellent - I'm NOT a wing guy. Hate those sloppy wet gristly little things u get at the Wing-Barn or wherever. But these. No these are different. Salty and sweet, almost like a candied pecan or something - get em spicy (its not overpowering). They're one of the few items on the menu that is more generously portioned (though it costs more at $12.50) Also recommend the Wild Boar with raw mustard greens (yes you eat em, they're not just there for their looks). The sauce again is sweet and spicy, maybe a bit more than the hen salad - Once in a while they over cook the boar. If that happens - sorry. OK. Enjoy. Oh and the desserts are damned fine too. Also some interesting mixers - drinking vinegar - for cocktails.
(5)Jen C.
Wings and Papaya Salad and coconut water. Yum. This was our first time, and we will be going back. The prices are way higher than they should be, but the service was great and the menu was pretty good. Four of us shared a number of dishes. We all loved the wings and the papaya salad the best. The pork on a stick was dry...very dry. Even the peanut sauce to go with it didn't help. Everything else was pleasing. Get the wings! Watch out for the prices...
(4)Rose L.
Delicious food. There is a bit less room than the other location, but a much shorter wait. I love the wings. I'll definitely be back when I am back in town. I was driving this time, but I love the specialty drinks. I think they are called something vinegar.
(5)Megan R.
with sooo many amazing restaurants in Portland, I rarely frequent any one specific restaurant. Pok Pok noi is the exception. Their chicken wings are one of the few foods that I crave on a monthly basis. The food is always super, the drinks are amazing and even their water leaves me wanting more.
(5)Ashley S.
fish sauce wings are definitely a must! At first I was hesitant to try the fish sauce wings only because I've had it before and I did not like it. But the seasoning on it was full of flavor and one of the best wings I've ever had before. Nothing else compares. Although the price is a bit much, they're worth it. I also had their papaya salad ($9). I have had many papaya salads before in my lifetime and I must say I'm a bit disappointed, only because of how small the portion was. The salad was average and I wish it was a bit more spicier but all in all it was okay.
(4)Andrew A.
Usually, I start a review about the food, but the staff was so nice at Pok Pok Noi that they warrant an immediate shout-out. The service wasn't just neutral; they went the extra mile to ask if we were enjoying our meal and to elaborate on some of the spices used. They were very pleasant and upbeat. Portland has a glut of Thai restaurants that seem to offer a vanilla experience (only a few seem to diverge from the basic formula), so Pok Pok provides a nice change. As a traveler to Thailand, yes rice does come in a baggie, the arrangement and spices used remind me of tastes I've had abroad. If the owner is trying to mirror a street food experience, I hope he considers the very crispy catfish that's found on many menus (usually as an appetizer), I think Portlanders would enjoy it. The only drawback to the seating/ordering process is that it's a far walk back to the register if you want to order additional items after sitting, and this is even more of a hassle if there's a line. Eating inside at the bar alleviates this. From a restaurant perspective, encouraging ordering everything up front probably increases the average ticket (Saburos does this), but I'm not sold on this concept. Maybe allow people to use a server if they want to re-order, but stand in line for the initial order. The drinks are yummy and creative, a tad high on price: $6.50 seems more reasonable. The Vietnamese Coffee is a good deal, but a little too much cream for me. The drinking vinegars are a great touch as is the flavored water. Some say the food prices are high, but due to the unique offerings and dining experience, they are fair. We've tried so many items and enjoyed them all, even loved some. I wish they would offer shrimp paste as an option for the Papaya Salad, again, Portlanders might appreciate this. Keep up what you're doing Pok Pok, you seem to have a great following.
(4)Soren M.
What happened?! We are locals and have really appreciated to have places to go in walking distance, such as Pok Pok Noi. We used to go there a few times each month. Then things started to change: prices went up, beers are no longer served by 20 Oz. but now only 16 Oz. (but price increased), and you can no longer ask for custom spicing. Price, service, ambience and food used to be balanced and matched the settings for a solid Thai street kitchen. However, since the beginning of the year ambition apparently went up (the staff will even correct you and teach you Thai if you dare to order by number) and the prices seemed to follow. But everything else stayed the same or got worse (the muzak is still the sound of cats being killed) and Pok Pok Noi has become slightly overpriced and pretentious. In the future I think we will walk to Grain & Gristle next door - where quality almost meets the level of pretense
(1)Dawnabelle R.
Arrived in PDX in the evening and thankful that this place was still open for dinner. The space is small, the seats are pretty much around the bar area, a few stools by the window and another 4-5 stools in the back. Since it wasn't crowded it was fine and we found a spot to sit. We ordered the fish sauce spicy chicken wings and that was so delicious (reminded me of the chicken wings from Noodle World in LA). We also had the #9 beef salad and the #12 spicy pork. Everything was rich in flavor. I also tried the lychee drinking vinegar: I loved how that was different and it was nice and fresh to drink. This place was perfect as our first taste of Portland.
(5)Ricky M.
My favorite Pok Pok dishes at a low key uncrowded late night spot, I'll take it! This is definitely a neighborhood version of Pok Pok. They've got a little inside area and a couple of tables out front. Not the best place for a group dinner like the main location. It does however have a little back area that was nice to hang out in and enjoy our food. The service was good, food good, drinks were good. I definitely love this little spot.
(5)Frank Lee F.
This used to be a regular take away option for me and the missus, but we can't afford them any more. We aren't afraid to throw down for food we love, but I just don't understand the recent price jacking... +$3! for many of the menu items we used to order? What gives? I work in food and I know what a lot of the raw product costs. I hope everyone on staff are making great living wages and getting full benefits now. Maybe they've started college funds for your children too. It's just too big a jump to $tomach for fairly simple, if tasty, meals.
(3)Nathan S.
First off a mild disclaimer: I've known Andy Ricker for about 20 years now, back when we were playing music in the 90's Portland scene. That said, I lost track of him for awhile and next thing I know he's opened Pok Pok. What I didn't know at the time was what a huge deal he was becoming in the food scene. Since then I've been to Pok Pok Noi and the SE Division location a bunch of times and every single visit has been a real treat. Andy channels the authentic Asian street vendor vibe and tastes from his travels and has come up with a menu of items that are deliciously authentic and unique while still managing to remain accessible and thrilling to the palate. -Congrats Andy, I am proud to see you've followed your dream and that you are making legions of taste buds coast to coast swoon with pleasure. Well deserved accolades.
(5)Erik A.
Great waitress. Slow food and small portions, but good (I had kabobs with peanut sauce). Prices are higher than the average for this neighborhood across the whole menu.
(3)Sarah H.
I was turned off by the Pok Pok cult last year when the hostess at the Division location was so blasé about the 2.5 HOUR wait for an outdoor table in the middle of October. I'm usually too impatient for that kind of wait. Now that we live in the Noi neighborhood, I'm totally down with waiting on the sidewalk with my dog for Pok Pok takeout or grabbing a drink at their outdoor seating area. I love a limited menu as I'm notorious for hunger-induced poor decision making. I'm also pretty sure that the gentleman who took my order has an artificial twinkle in his eye that enticed me to order extra food. Thank you for that twinkle, sir.
(4)Amin J.
Very bad service. Both waitress were rude. We usually go to pok pok but that night the wait time was 2 hours so we went to pok pok nio...terrible service. Would never go there again. A big part of dining out is getting a good service and it didn't happen at pok pok nio.
(1)Kevin S.
$20 for a tilapia put in the deep fryer with enough sauce for about 4 bites. And then you charge $1.75 for a refill of RC Cola? A whole tank of fountain RC is $22. If your server has to apologize for your ridiculous no soda refill policy maybe you are doing something wrong. But the Pok Pok dude is rich as hell, so who am I to say? I am happy to pay a high price for items that are creative, fresh and made with high priced ingredients. Pok Pok didn't really meet those criteria for me. This is very standard Thai. Better than most but the proteins are not expensive and what they do to prepare them don't really merit such a ridiculous mark-up. Throw the soda thing on top and it is just too much. I felt like a sucker.
(2)Sarah C.
A total miss. We just got a large order of take out for two families to share and I could not have been more disappointed. The wings were not even close to the quality of Pok Pok in SE. Those are heaven on a bone. These were dry and puny. The ribs were little burnt bits of bone with a little meat on some of them. The salads - despite the fact that I was told they would be kid safe - were so hot that the adult from Texas could not eat them. The good things were the curry soup and the shrimp chips. They were not enough to get me to return.
(1)Jen R.
Holy hell id give this place 10 stars if I could. SO good. Visiting Portland in late January, pok pok was highly recommended to us. Unfortunately the main location was closed, but we read about noi and made the trip there. So worth it... If I lived in Portland id probably eat there daily! food was so flavorful, spicy. Amazing.
(5)Kyoni R.
Coming down to the PDX to help with the DDP. Me and the Cabrone landed in Portland at 10.30 pm. Jumped on yelp to find a late dining spot. Pok Pok was closed so it's little sister had to do. James Bear award winner bring it on. We jumped in a cab and told them the restaurant. Arrived at the restaurant in the middle of the suburbs. We walk in and the place is empty. Dark atmosphere with bar stools along a long bar. Pictures of the foods to your upper left and a full bar in front of you. Decorated by a picture of street vendors selling there foods. The waiter mentioned they turned off the coals to BBq a while back and directed what they had left. Looking at the menu I notice a lot of familiar food. These are street food from Thailand some from Chang Mai. Then I notice the prices. Last I remember I could order the whole menu and it would cost $5 (250 baht) and feed a group of 10. Well I ordered the Fish sauce wings and Hot Paa Naam Tok ( a mushroom salad that is spiced up) and sticky rice. Jorge ordered the Khao Sai Veg (Northern Curry with noodles has a coconut base) So we sat and conversed about his trip to Paris and Spain. Had a few beers and one by one the dishes arrived. My wings arrived and I asked for the sticky rice. It came in a small basked wrapped in plastic bag. The size of my fist I immediately said get me 2 more. $1.50 each for the rice. I proceed to break the wings and taste them. Scooping the rice with my fingers and alternating feasting on the chicken. Deep fried wings with glazed with fish sauce, sugar, and garlic. A fishermen recipe made popular on the shores of Vietnam. Then my mushroom salad arrived did the same till I cleaned out both plates. Lime and lemon grass salad with cilantro. Portions were small but filling. They gave me extra coconut rice to try. Rice cooked with sugar and coconut milk. Jorge had his soup a and he could not finish so I had some of it. It was a weaker Kai Tom Kha with noodles. Watered down coconut milk. Cubed tofu lemongrass. Was a medium bowl. This place was open till midnight so it was a plus. . I like what Jorge said it's expensive but you pay for the quality. He was right in Thailand it would have cost us a $2. In PDX Check for two came out to $45 w/ tip Waiters called a cab and we proceeded to back to Burnside. Hang out at the fire of the Jupiter Hotel. Then get ready to party the following day at the DDP.
(3)caitlin n.
We love pok pok noi. It is like pok poks little sister resteraunt. Really small- so takeout is a common option. But, they have a hidden back patio area that wouldn't know about unless you ask. Best of all the food is great. I love the chickey curry so much I have never gotten anything else for fear of missing my chicken curry- maybe I'm not as adventurous as I think I am. My fiancé gets all sorts of dishes and is always more than happy. Pok pok is truly a Portland classic.
(5)Annie M.
The Wing. Oh the Wings. Just do it. The Best Food in Portland. Spicy is tastier. Not good for veg or vegan though the mushroom salad is pretty darn tasty. Drinking Vinegar also remarkable, followed up by durian icecream or durian custard and you're stoked. So so so good.
(5)Briana D.
Everything was alright. The wings were probably my favorite. Hated nothing, yet didn't love anything, either. Portions are small, for what you pay.
(3)Jack H.
Poor service Too expensive Too much attitude from staff
(1)Josh W.
I live up the street from Pok Pok Noi and, since it opened, it's turned my love for all things Pok into a full-on addiction. Now I can walk in, pull up a stool or grab an order of wings to go. For the best experience, I recommend bringing a friend and sharing several dishes at the bar. Yes, the wings are awesome but there are so many other amazing dishes. Boar collar. But the standout for me was the whole fried tilapia with dipping sauce that is sometimes on special. Outstanding, knock-you-off-your-stool good! They usually have a good ESB on tap and their Som drinking vinegar makes for an excellent cocktail. All the staff have always been friendly and are happy to help navigate the menu. While the price point may not be for everyone, this is top notch authentic Thai. You have the right to complain about the price but if it's that much of a concern, well...more for me.
(5)Uyen T.
1: This is the location of where Podnah's used to be. 2: 3 stars.. I don't know if it was because of the hype from my sister or from the food being okay at best. 3: Pok Pok Noi doesn't serve the typical Thai cuisine, it serves "Thai Street Food." The items on the menu would be difficult to find at most of the Thai restaurants in Portland but that doesn't mean that it's all that great. 4: The place is tiny with a counter that runs the length of the restaurant. 5: There is a back patio area with heating lamps for each table. Pok Pok Special $12 The roasted chicken was delicious! It was juicy and seasoned very well with lemongrass and a variety of other spices. There are two dipping sauces for the chicken - one sweet and one that tasted different... LOL I can't remember. The special also includes sticky rice that comes in a bag and papaya salad on the side. The papaya salad was spicy and included green beans, and some cherry tomatoes. Khai Soi Kai $12 My sister ordered these curry noodles. Chicken was tender, I thought the curry needed a little salt. The noodles were wavy and interesting in the mouth. Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings $12 The wings were good but a little too salty for my liking. Its sweet, salty and garlicky? These Vietnamese fish sauce wings are better at Pho Van or Utopia Restaurant and Lounge. I think they might even be cheaper + more wings. Sii Khrong Muu Yang $11 Don't order these pork ribs, they are a little dry and nothing special. Dipping them in the sauce made them taste better but I personally don't like ribs this way. It had a shine to them like they've been sitting under a lamp all day. Corn Special $4 Roasted coconut milk/cream and lime was delicious! At $4 an ear, Pok Pok Noi is making a killing! I almost want to say that I'd come back to eat the corn. Final verdict: Pok Pok Noi is decent and not exactly what I expected. I think Portlanders jump at every "new thing" and forget that they can get better authentic food at a less "hyped" up restaurant. PORTLANDERS, I challenge you to go to an Asian restaurant and not be intimidated by not being able to fully communicate with you waiter - it's part of the fun.
(3)Linda A.
Three words. Thai HOT Chiles!
(5)Wolf L.
We were trying to find a decent place to eat lunch on Father's Day. Dang if the lines weren't out the door at every place I wanted to go. We had just given up the ghost and decided to re-heat leftovers at home, when we drove past Pok Pok Noi. I've had this place Yelpmarked for a while. I see the signage from my #8 bus everyday on the way home from work. Seemed like a good time to give 'em a try. Awesome. There wasn't a single, solitary soul inside when we opened the door. (More customers arrived while we were there.) They have a picture menu up on the wall. Tiny interior space. You can eat at the bar or outside on the patio. I ordered the steak salad with a side of coconut rice. My wife got the Pok Pok Special: half roasted game hen, papaya salad and sticky rice. I also ordered a gin and tonic. I was a bit taken aback by the total. Seemed a tad pricey for an order-at-the-counter place. Nevertheless, the quality of the food made it worth the price of admission. My steak salad was perfectly prepared and deliciously seasoned. Wife's dish was very tasty, too. Good stuff. We devoured every single bite. I've seen some other reviews complaining about the service at Pok Pok Noi, but the servers were very friendly and chatty with us. The entire lunch experience was quite positive and I'll definitely go back to try some of the other dishes.
(4)Miles N.
A five star rating is a big deal for me. Even if I love a place it usually still gets a 4. Pok Pok Noi is an exception. I love the street food style of thai that they serve. There are so many thai joints in Portland... and all tast pretty much the same with the same ol selection. Not Pok Pok Noi or Whiskey soda and PoK Pok for that matter. Totally different take on the Thai cuisine, feels and tastes so much more authentic. Best chicken wings I have ever had!. Thats a bold statement I know but its true. Ive actually eaten there too often and had to step back awhile..... Im ready to go back asap. see you there!
(5)Stacy M.
Dear gawd. Their wings are freaking fantastic!! I don't eat meat on the bone- I haven't since I was a wee lass and let me tell you I am so glad I gave in to try one of these bad boys. I'm fairly certain these wings are sent from the heavens. if you ever eat one thing in Portland, it must be Pok Pok's wings!!
(5)B M.
we live in the neighborhood and have been frequenting pok pok noi since they opened. we have enjoyed and talked to a ton of great employees that have since moved up and on to other locations. after our most recent visit i am hesitant to go back. we got the special and it was inedible! we have had almost every item on the menu (no joke) and this is the first time we couldn't eat it something. i gave our server a heads up, simply saying that it was extremely spicy and after the first bite we couldn't enjoy the taste because our mouthes were ablaze! she was very dismissive and told me that spicy was the first descriptor of the meal... ok but it should have read CAUTION first. i wasn't looking for a comp but apathy wouldn't have hurt the situation, instead we were told to try it with sugar on it, that outta cool it down enough to eat it. really? sugar?! i know one bad experience shouldn't out way all the great ones but it's really frustrating when you feel vested in a place, it makes it that much more disappointing!
(2)jon j.
One of the best thai place I've tried.
(5)Leisa H.
Fear not ye who reside in the Northern reaches of our fair Portland. You no longer need be crippled by the fear that you're out of reach of sweet sticky spicy amazing Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings, spicy yet refreshing papaya salad, spicy (seeing a spice-related theme here?) tender boar collar, and kai yang (don't worry about a translation, just order it) with it's tangy spicy (again!) dipping sauce. Pok Pok Noi to the rescue! The wait at the SE version of Pok Pok can be intimidating and, quite frankly, not as accommodating as I want them to be when I need those fish sauce wings at noon on a Friday. We called in an order for an in-office lunch. It was, I believe, day 4 of their service so there were some hiccups in that it took about 30 mins longer than they said it would. The order was perfect, however, and it was a rare sunny day so I certainly didn't mind waiting it out on the picnic table outside. The food is just astonishing. An absolute must for anyone who loves Thai food. (Also an absolute must for anyone who is indifferent about or hates Thai food because this certainly isn't like any other Thai food you've ever had.) A few things to know: * Is it more expensive than other Thai carry-out? Yes. Outrageously so? No. Worth it? Uh, absolutely. * Call in your order ahead of time * Dine in only if you're a party of 1 or 2, and even then you might elect to take it to go anyway because seating is sparse my friends * Cash/Debit only. (Thanks for sticking it to those credit card companies fellas!) * They are terribly accommodating to special requests, but trust, the way they make best is the way they make it.
(5)Chavo C.
The food here is good, if a bit on the pricy side. The drinks are all right too. But there's nothing that justifies the hype. Disinterested servers AND they charge you before you are served and ask for a tip ahead of time as well! I know this isn't the fault of the server, but such a payment system should never have been set up.
(2)Paul S.
We had a great meal and sat at the bar where the servers were attentive, helpful and friendly. Not a hipster in sight, as some of the other reviewers have commented. Ike's Chicken Wings stole the show, followed by the baby back ribs, spicy flank steak, pork loin skewers, and papaya salad (hot!). If you order rice (recommended) try the coconut rice. Water is infused and oddly tasty, but definitely try a drinking vinegar or two, citrus flavors are best. It's not cheap, plan on spending a little over $20/person, when all is said and done, but the food is excellent and the atmosphere is fun.
(5)Mewford K.
I was SO excited when I heard this place was coming to the neighborhood. We came in after it had been open only 2 hours and it was already slammed. Sadly the food did not live up to the hype. It was mediocre dishes that were over priced. They have hardly any vegetarian options and my non-meat eating friend just opted to leave. I've given Pok Pok Noi 3 chances to earn back my excitement and love but the only thing I find myself impressed with are the drinks. Som is the only thing they seem to get right.
(2)Lacey L.
Yum. Cant wait for the noodle house I hear you are linked up with!
(4)daniel l.
Over-hyped and over-priced. Maybe I missed the boat on this, as other reviewers report that something changed starting in 2013. I had one of the specials: a $15 bowl of noodles with a bunch of pineapple. It sounded so good on the menu and I expected much more. I couldn't finish it, but not because I wasn't hungry. My wife had the game hen, which was small and not very tasty. She ordered some rice on the side, which was not cooked very well and served in a plastic bag. My beer was overpriced as well. Bummer. There are many other establishments in Portland offering better food for the same and lesser price. The staff were generally friendly, but I think that our dissatisfaction with the food was such that by the end of the meal everything felt like an awkward first date. We left hungry and out $30...
(2)Cedric J.
Just like the main Pok Pok, only the menu is a bit different, the prices are better, and it doesn't take 6 hours to get into the place. Bucking frilliant! This is a magnificent idea. Go here. You can get the chicken wings. Enough said. Oh, and they have an outdoor patio. Super awesome!
(5)Bill E.
Geez, I thought I'd already written a review! I LOVE this place and go often, almost every time I'm in PDX. The steak salad thing, spicy, delicious, spicy, YUM!! And have a cocktail, one with the drinking vinegar in it!
(5)Erin May D.
Love Pok Pok, and this location has all my favorites but almost no wait. Try the Bloody Mary!
(5)Anna K.
Before I moved out of Portland, my gfs asked me where I wanted to eat for my goodbye dinner. I decided on Pok Pok after reading articles about this place. I'm part Thai and am very critical about Thai food. I feel like a lot of people can't get Thai food right. But at Pok Pok Noi, they have it right on the money. The papaya salad tasted exactly like the one my mom makes. On their menu they even had an option to add a raw fermented crab in it. Papaya salad NEEDS to be stinky to be tasty. The stinkier the better!!! Another fave of the night was their fish sauce fried chicken wings. If you didn't know, fried chicken, papaya salad, sticky rice, and pork grinds (Pok Pok needs to add this to menu or as a side to papaya salad) goes hand in hand. You can't have one without the other. I really liked their kao soi. It was really yummy and it came with a lot of toppings to dress it up. I wish I went to Pok Pok earlier than my last week in PDX. I'm thinking about visiting my old roommies next year and I'll definitely be stopping by to get my fix.
(5)Corinn M.
Not a huge fan of this place. The food is not very good and also very expensive.
(1)Denise B.
Our server gave us great advise and recommended at least one more dish than we had in our party. Our favorites were the vegetarian khao soi soup and the chicken wings. Be sure to come as you are and bring your appetite.
(5)Peter L.
Not being able to get a group into Pok Pok, we tried Pok Pok Noi, and we were very glad that we did. There was no wait, and the picnic tables out back are perfect for groups. The menu also looked very familiar, or rather, the greatest hits list from Pok Pok, as it was a smaller menu of about a dozen items. But it included all of my faves including the Ike's chicken wings, the papaya salad, and roasted hen. The spare ribs were also very good, and the place has a full bar plus a couple beers on draft, including a Ninkasi Radiant Ale which was just light enough for the 90 degree day. The only hiccup was waiting for a thai coffee to go for my drive back up to Seattle. It took them awhile - ok over 20 minutes. But I am glad I waited for it, as it was very good, and perfect for keeping me awake on I5. So if you can live with a more limited menu, definitely give Pok Pok Noi a try...it's just like Pok Pok without the wait and just as good.
(4)Chee K.
Hmm...do I think it was tasty? Yes! Do I think it was worth the money? Nope? Maybe it's my sensibility but if I'm paying for $12 for takeout, I want a lot of food in that container. Instead, I got a tasty very small half a hen, some sticky coconut rice and some very spicy papaya salad. Now I'm not arguing that it wasn't quality and tasty but I think value should also should be included in the mix. My husband got some sticks of pork skewers and I felt even sadder for him. I felt I needed to order two dishes to get full. I do appreciate what they're doing, I'm just not sure I'm their customer base.
(3)Rick W.
Driving by we slammed on our brakes upon seeing the Pok Pok sign in NE Portland. Game hen is on the menu, so are 11 other great dishes. Unfortunately the service was unenthusiastic, teetering on terse. We felt like we walked in two minutes before closing rather than at lunchtime. We looked at each other wondering what we did wrong and sighed with relief when each new customer was treated with the same disregard. The meal was of course great, but there's a lot of great food in Portland without bitter waitresses.
(3)David R.
Intentionally limited selection, executed with enthusiasm, quality and good service. Also... got take-out the other night. When they ran long on my rotisserie chicken, gave me a beer while I waited. They're taking the madness of their opening rush completely in stride. Welcome to the 'hood.
(4)Jill S.
I teetered between three and four stars for this review. Gotta love Pok Pok. Every time I visit, I get to meet a new ingredient or spice (which isn't too hard, being from the Midwest). When I moved to this neighborhood in September, I bragged to every friend and family member that I am walking distance *gasp* from tamarind whiskey sours *gasp* and no waits for seating *double gasp*! Since September, the food has been getting hotter and hotter, despite my pallet getting more used to hot food. I even brought it up to one of the servers, who provide really good service, who told me that the peppers come in with variable hotness throughout the year. Don't they taste their food and adjust? Bottom line: All the hits from Pok Pok. Tamarind Whiskey Sours. No wait most of the time. Should be delicious, as long as you can taste anything beyond capsasin.
(4)David N.
Finally! We've been eagerly awaiting the opening of this little gem, and judging by the crowds yesterday evening, we weren't the only ones. The space is well done (patio included), the drinks are delicious, and the food...oh, the food. Disclaimer: I've never been to Thailand. I do not know all of the nuances of Thai cuisine, but the beauty of Pok Pok is you don't have to be an expert. Pok Pok (both original and Noi) turn out awesome food, bottom line. As far as take out Thai goes, Pok Pok Noi is on the expensive side, but the quality of the dishes is outstanding. They were also out of both sticky and coconut rice before 6pm, but chalk that up to being day two. No doubt they'll find their flow in short order. Recommendation: Try it for lunch.
(5)Jasmine P.
Based I'm what I've ate omg great! Wings....spicy=dynamite! Pork satay dipped in the sauce.that comes with #12=fantastic! Me & my honey came back for that exact meal 2days in a row while LiL one was@practice. Jasmine rice was dry on day 1 so coconut rive on day 2
(4)Corrie H.
This is a review for people who hate chicken wings. This is a review for people who think... meh, I'll eat one bite, just to know what everyone is talking about and then I'll eat something else, because... serious bleargh... chicken wings. I am one of those people. And I loved the chicken wings at Pok Pok Noi. I find this incredibly hard to believe. But it's true. The chicken wings (the spicy ones, of course) are actually now in my Top 10 Food Items of All Time. They were just that good. Everything else we had was great, too--in particular the boar collar (thanks for the tip, fellow Yelpers). And we loved the decor and the atmosphere. The place is a tiny pocket of cuteness, and there was no wait. Even better than that, we were the only ones in the joint, so got to ask our waiter lots of questions. He was the fantasy Portland waiter--a kind, engaging hipster foodie. Can't do any better than that.
(5)Kristofer L.
so this is kinda a specialty dining experience...where the quality and uniqueness of the meals is second to none. although you don't go to pok pok to fill up on food (the portion size is small...so unamerican ;) and it's a bit overpriced for the amount of food you get. with that said, the chicken wings are all they're hyped up to be (Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings, # 7) and i don't even like fish sauce or wings for that matter...a definite 5/5 on the wings. The Khao Soi soup (#4) is pretty good although better at Jade teahouse in Sellwood and the Muu Paa Kham Waan (#13...the boar collar meat) is excellent with some unique flavor pairings using the coriander root and garlic. the atmosphere is se asian street and pretty cool and the staff is usually hip dudes so it's a fun place to go...although like i already mentioned, it's more of a specialty stop than a trusty go-to.
(4)Lydia H.
So more like 2.8 stars. I think I was expecting something much more than what I actually experienced based on all that I had heard about Pok Pok. I ordered the vegetarian version of the Papaya Pok Pok minus the chili as the counter girl warned me that it was extremely spicy (my taste buds just can't handle the heat). I also ordered a side of coconut rice. The Papaya Pok Pok was nothing special, although it was what I wanted that warm Saturday afternoon, something light. The coconut rice though was spectacular and I am usually not a fan of coconut. The patio was really nice and I like what Pok Pok did to the old Podnahs space. Overall I was underwhelmed by the menu and I thought things were a bit pricey.
(2)Michael M.
I loved what I ordered, the number 10 mushroom salad to go. The container was only 1/3 filled, my $11 was over in 5 bites and a few nibbles. Don't get me wrong these were delicious bites but for $11 I was hoping to leave at least partially satisfied. ***Updated: 5/4/11. **** Okay, went last night again =) the food is seriously good, and I'm hooked on the mushroom salad, my rating has gone up two stars due to the fact I'm now receiving enough food to satisfy my serious appetite. Thanks Pok Pok Noi = )
(4)Doug P.
Wings...gift that keeps giving!
(4)Vanetta A.
I have to say I was underwhelmed. I had seen the reviews on this place and was looking forward to a place close to my home with good food for a good value. We ordered the grilled chicken ($12 for a whole chicken without rice), another $2 bucks for rice (I had to make more at home), $2 for cucumber side (it was good, but I was kind of expecting more than a 1 oz portion) and $9 for a flank steak salad that is packaged as unappetizing as possible (it looked like chicken liver in the round see through container). The food was very expensive, portions were small, it tasted ok, but I can't say that I would go back again. The guy at the counter was friendly, which is a plus...but doesn't feel like "my" neighborhood joint. Too bad, I had high hopes.
(2)Sarah C.
Did I really just pay $20 for a drink with measured booze and a papaya salad that could of come from any thai place in town. Oh, and I ordered it at the counter and sat on a wonky stool. No thanks. This was my 3rd time trying to eat at one of the pok pok's and I just don't see what the fuss is all about, but i'm not one to think that odd meat that comes with all it's parts is cool. My friend had chicken that took her forever to deal with. Isn't the point of going out to eat that you don't have to deal with picking your bird apart?
(2)Michelle J.
SO excited to have Pok Pok in the neighborhood. We ordered takeout on the day they opened - and they were donating proceeds for Japan earthquake relief, so we could feel good about our gluttonous order. All of my favorites from Pok Pok are here: boar collar, wings, papaya salad, short ribs; plus a few things that I hadn't had before. My only complaint is that Pok Pok takeout could become an expensive habit ...
(5)Puddin' T.
I've heard so much..... yet and experienced so much better. Drawbacks: Little to no vegetarian choices (no vegan choices) AND sumpin foreign in my soup. In a town with sayyyy, at least two Thai restaurants on every block it's a shame, esp. since every other Thai restaurant caters to all diets. Lastly, why are they overpriced? Usually the vegetarian choices are cheaper, because there's not the added cost of meat. Actually, why are all the Thai restaurants in Portland overpriced in general. They're putting themselves out of business, I don't get it. With more Thai joints than you can shake a two-pronged stick at they should be getting competitive, not putting themselves out of business, but that's another story for another time. I ordered and picked it up. The non-Thai guy tells me, a person whose been eating Thai for the past 25+ years, that I put the noodles in the soup and they'll expand. WOW! thanks for stating the obvious. Either I looked like a total retard to him or maybe he just thought he was just being helpful, who knows. Comebacks: Very friendly over the phone, quick with the service (unlike sooo many Portland restaurants). They, unlike many other local Thai restaurants actually honor their hours. Really, the one actual vegetarian noodle dish wasn't much to write about AT ALL, but it was what I could get nearby at darn near midnight and he said over the phone they'll be up late anyway cleaning when I mentioned I'm close and will be there ASAP. That was nice. If I see some more palatable vegetarian choices in the future I will give them another try, but for now, "Meh. I've experienced better." Sorry, I don't like putting negative results, but I believe in speaking the truth when I'm absolutely addicted to Thai, crave, ate, even had phantom Thai food smells when there were none throughout my pregnancy, and when I had more time, cooked every vegetarian Thai dish I've ever known including deserts & beverages. Thai cuisine has so much to offer, so should you!
(2)Dontouch M.
I'm a ramen/noodle connoisseur. I've had the beef kao soi a few times. like it, not love it. It's a good dish but I really think for $12.50 they ought to put more noodles in the soup. They pile lots of dry crackers on top to make up for the lack of volumn in the soup-bad move!!! I'm pretty sure that's not how they roll in Thailand. Love the vinegar drink. Love the whiskey sour. Love no.6. But everytime I wish I had a full bowl of noodle instead of a 1/4 bowl.
(3)E G.
The flavor combinations create wondrous explosions in your mouth. The food is just amazing. I am working my way down the numbered list (although I started with the special). Everything has been delicious although so far the Pok Pok special has been my favorite. The drinking vinegars are seriously yummy. I am so glad that this restaurant is in NE!
(5)Brendan D.
Been a couple times now! I recommend the wings and boar collar! so Good if you ask me! I also would get a drink with som if I was you! It is pretty spendy but you get great food!
(5)Joy Z.
It was a light rainy night. The last night of my Portland trip and 2 hours before my flight home. Headed to Pok Pok first but the waiting list was too long. The staff recommended Pok Pok Noi (Little Pok Pok). 15 mins driving around with GPS, It didn't let me down. A small pub in the hole, full bar, very warm inside. candles lit, Thai street food carts wallpapers, Vietnamese folks songs humming in background. Hands down for Ike's Vietnamese fish sauce wings! A must try. I ordered spicy. They put full force in the spices and tastes, big wings, you have to use your hands, no silverware, which is awesome. The Vegetarian Naam Tok was also delicious with earthy wild mushroom mixed with toasted rice powder. Very flavorful with layers and layers of tastes. That's the way I like Asian food. First time I tried drinking vinegar. A bit hesitate but why not? It's supposed to be good for your health. I chose tamarind flavor and it was tasty. Compliment the spicy, savory food. Cute and calm bartender. Portland traits. lol. I said we were late and he was not hurried at all serving our food. I ended up pack my dessert mango sticky rice to-go. Still really good on the plane. Nice experience. I also get gift cards for my friends who live in Portland and they enjoy it too.
(5)Penny W.
The savory food, service, and surroundings (including the casual patio) are all terrific, but the ice cream sandwich was without doubt or exaggeration the worst dessert I have ever had in my life. It is literally a "sandwich" -- for it's served on what appears to be a hot dog bun -- but, as far as I could tell, only metaphorically ice cream. Inside the bread was some gelatinous bits of something, whipped cream, possibly coconut, and sparse nuts and chocolate sauce on top. The very memory of its texture almost made me throw up all the way home. This was a terrible shame, because everything else -- from the iced tea with lime, to the papaya pork salad and ribs, to the wait staff -- was super nice. I honestly do not think this dessert should be on the menu. At the very least, the wait staff should warn the customers that it is a gelatinous pile of yuck served on a HOT DOG BUN.
(4)Trieste D.
I ended up here last night looking for an open place that wasn't exclusively a bar. Boyfriend and I shared the Khao Soi soup (one of two vegetarian options), and it was pretty tasty. It wasn't spicy at all, but the plate of extras included some chili seeds that we dumped in. The bartender was friendly and answered all of our questions. We'd probably go again.
(4)Nick B.
Nice and friendly staff, good food, and neat atmosphere.
(4)Lisa C.
A little pricey but absolutely delicious. We always order the wings mild, boar shoulder and mild papaya salad. It's so damn good.
(5)Keld B.
Wings alone are worth the trip. Chips are delicious as well. Beware the papaya salad - spicy!!! Not a cheap take out, but hits-the-spot late night.
(4)D C.
The only reason this little joint is getting one star is because of the cool back patio. Was so excited to try this place and to say it was a letdown doesn't even scratch the surface! (I'm in the service industry and very thick skinned and forgiving). The lady who helped us was uber rude. I ordered the ribs which were dry and even a bit excessively gristly. I left hungry, and then to top it all off, with the food being so spicy, I took my pint glass which had more ice than soda back to the bar for more with which to wash down the heat and NO SODA REFILLS!! I just spent $44.00 on lunch for three of us, with a ten dollar tip and NO SODA REFILLS(which at cost is literally about a penny-and-a-half!). my friends' food was nothing to write home about to say the least; also overpriced dried out piddly amounts of food(we're not exactly Mid-Western fatty grease drinkers). Hey restauraunt owners: GIVE SODA REFILLS!! Don't bother with this rip-off, rude, greedy little joint!!
(1)Fraz A.
Have yet to be disappointed by this place. I usually get the bird with coconut rice. The meat just falls off the bone, it's always cooked to perfection. The wings are also to die for. Very impressed with their array of homemade sauces as well, very tasty.
(5)Sophia C.
I love Pok Pok's food so much that I am sometimes willing to forgo the experience of dining in their first restaurant on Division because this one is the closest one to my apartment and incredibly easy to get there. First, there is NO wait. My boyfriend and I went on a Friday night around 6pm and was able to order quickly and sit down and unwind after a long week. Second, while the menu isn't as extensive as their menu at their first restaurant, it had most of my favorites and was executed just as deliciously. The Vietnamese style chicken wings, mushroom salad, and their Som Drinking Vinegar were excellently flavored with a good balance among ingredients and distinctive flavors. Their sticky rice is fragrant and sticks together in a ball on its own. Lastly, the ambiance of their outdoor seating is great. If you're cold, they have heaters that you can turn on. They have it set up so it's nice and cool even during our 80+ degree days. It's almost too easy for my boyfriend and I to eat here every week, and we love it!
(4)Travis M.
Quick affordable for product and very tasty. Just as food as there big restaurant.
(5)Max Z.
Fast and Easy. Not as great experience with a smaller menu... but if you just want the wings. Come here!!
(5)Robert B.
So we ended up at Pok Pok Noi by accident last week. It was great, sat outside on the enclosed heated patio, had the wings and the papaya salad. Papaya salad was very refreshing and tasty, the spicy wings FORGETABOUTIT!!! FFFFF phenomenal!! My wife flipped out, loved them to the point coming back to Portland last night @ PDX she asked if I could pick up 2 orders on my way home!! We have to go back and try the rest of the menu.No offense to Fire on the Mountain, but PPN is on top of the Mountain for their wings.
(4)Brent F.
Only two days (or so) into their new space and they're already blowing up. I had heard they were about to open, or open, so stopped by. I wasn't the only one there, and was so psyched to have this little gem in the hood. Best thing to happen to this little hidden NE micro-hood ever ever. The mushroom version of the beef salad is so so so good, and some sticky rice. Yes please. I know I'm going to be a regular. Patio space looks solid. I can't remember what was here before, some burritos or something, but whatever it was, there's no way it could have come anything close to offering the good things that will be rolling out of this spot! Pok Pok Noi you made my Noit.
(5)Clive P.
We went here on accident as we were hoping to go to Pok Pok, we're from Seattle, so what do we know. It sounds like we missed some of the larger menu but also missed some serious lines. I had the chicken #1 I believe. It was fan-fing-tastic. My wife had some pork dish, small, but very good. I thought it was odd that they only took debit cards. I have one though, which I don't have to pay a $5 fee for. I liked the weird water too.
(4)Charlie B.
Great addition to the neighborhood. The food is excellent and a straight carry over from Pok Pok. The wings and papaya salad with pork are favorites. The downsides are somewhat small portions and no credit cards. Otherwise it's great.
(4)Sandra C.
The little sister to pok pok. Casual, easy to sit. Try the boar collar.
(4)Reed C.
I am still in a blissful fish sauce wing-induced food coma enhanced by the lip-tingling spicy-ness that is a green papaya salad and the joy of knowing that these lovely menu items for which I have stood in line in the rain when my feet hurt while my stomach growled are now everso deliciously close to my house that I simply cannot bring myself to punctuate or shorten a sentence.
(5)fon z.
The menu isnt as large as the original location, but the food is just as good. The size of orders are the same as the original location also. It's a good place to order 3 entrees for 2 ppl or 4 for 3. We generally just order 1 per person to save room for ruby jewels for dessert.
(4)akzidenz g.
hmm, this place is aiite. honestly, the food just doesnt taste as delicious as the first location. the prices are pretty high for "to-go" food and the portions are small. (and we actually always eat something else after we eat here....talk about oink oink.) i still love pok pok, but youll probably be seeing me frequent the division location instead.
(3)Jam B.
sometimes i just go for the water?
(4)Nate G.
I love it here. Having a few selections from the menu in front of me (to eat almost at once) and with a lager to wash it down is one of my favorite things. +The wings are so good I want to eat the bones. To all the folks who are swayed to visit a food establishment because of "hype" (your word), I implore you to find another reason to eat food. It makes me almost angry to read about your expectations. Here is what to expect: It will remind you of the experiences you had eating lunch at Tata's house as a child. Minus the beer.
(5)Izzy L.
Not as charming as Pok Pok on Division, still very yummy. No lines is great, but they do not take credit cards- a minus! Fall and winter are great seasons for the curried noodle soup with chicken!
(3)Susan C.
Great wings and fun decor.
(4)Lava L.
Best khao soi in Portland! I've had the real thing in Thailand, and Pok Pok's khao soi is the only one I have had in Portland that comes close. The drinking vinegars are really good, and the ginger cocktail hits the spot on a summer afternoon. The only downside for me is that there aren't more vegetarian or seafood options, most items are for carnivores.
(4)Lelay P.
nice place to eat outside, food is over-rated. at least, I didn't think it was that big a deal, i did love the staff, they are so down to earth and helpful.
(3)Michele L.
Pok Pok has been our go-to restaurant for some time now. My son and his friends were coming up from OSU to help me celebrate my birthday and we decided, automatically, to go to Pok Pok. Today, however, was very disappointing. I usually order the Papaya salad and, since I am a vegetarian, it is perfect for me. It was probably my fault that I didn't think to ask for vegetarian, as I am so used to it being that way, but the server also didn't ask. When I put on my glasses and saw the shrimp I was confused; the server came over and let me know I had to order the vegetarian version specifically. OK...instead of offering to replace it, she asked if I wanted to order another. At this point I am still a little upset and say no; I am not buying two of them. A man I assume to be the manager came over and we had virtually the same conversation. Nothing there to make a customer happy. Then, I get the bill and they have automatically added on the tip, another thing that has never happened. I pay it without saying anything, but since I usually tip 20% she got less than she would have. When I got home I looked at their menu and it says they automatically add n 18% tip when there are 5 or more people...we were four. So, because of my experience with the server and the manager I won't be going back. It is too bad because I have always loved the food. Happy birthday to me! But, on the bright side, this is Portland and there are many very good restaurants from which to choose.
(2)Christine E.
Live literally three blocks away and was excited when Pok Pok opened in NE Portland. Unfortunately, the prices are much TOO HIGH for a neighborhood spot where you have to stand in line to order and usually can't find a place to sit. Probably one of the more expensive places in NE Portland for dinner. I took my young son one day to get take out, and it cost us $30 with a tip! All we got were a couple of entrees, some rice and ONE vinegar/soda drink to pass the time until our take out was ready. I had to make more food once we got home.... haven't been back since. Vietnamese street food really shouldn't cost this much....
(2)David K.
I went for the wings and was not at all disappointed. I washed them down with one of their lychee-flavored vinegar sodas. I wish a neighborhood bar existed like this in the Philly suburbs. Till then, I hope to be a regular visitor to Pok Pok Noi when in PDX. Thanks for taking me, Curt!
(5)Darlene P.
I have to preface this by saying my mom is Thai-Isaan, so I grew up on food similar to the fare at Pok Pok and Pok Pok Noi. I have pretty high expectations because my mom is the best cook ever when it comes to Isaan food. I tried Pok Pok about 3 years ago, but hadn't been back. It was okay. Pok Pok Noi is just up the street from my place, so I thought I'd give it a try. Again, it was okay. I had the Pok Pok Special which is the roasted game hen, papaya salad, sticky rice and a couple of dipping sauces. The hen was okay but didn't quite hit the spot. Needs a little bolder flavor. The lemongrass didn't come through at all. It was just missing a little something-something. The papaya salad tasted fine, not too sweet, which is usually the case at Thai restaurants. The only thing was the green long beans weren't crisp...like they were quickly blanched, which would defeat the purpose of using them. The sticky rice was pretty standard. It's not supposed to be put into plastic, as that just makes it mushy, but I suppose there's few alternatives for take-out. At some places sticky rice is served super mushy because it's been reheated who knows how many times and then put in plastic baggies. The sauces were okay, just a little too sweet for my taste, but honestly when I eat gai yang with som tom, I never use the sauces. They interfere with the flavor of the som tom.
(3)Tim S.
I was really excited to try this place due to all the hype. I am a big food lover, particularly Thai food, but was really disappointed in this place. Though a very friendly staff, I was promised as a first-timer that Ike's wings in fish sauce would "blow my mind". They were tough and uninteresting and by the 2nd one I was done... The Kao Man Son Tam was downright gross: very liquid-y and flavors were way too strong. Was also told the two of us would need 3 entrees ($35-40). We are big people, and 2 would have been plenty. Was pretty surprised at how mediocre everything was. Hopefully they
(2)teresa m.
we've been wanting to come here for sometime. we began with the singha lager and a hot toddy. both were thirst-quenching. next we had the khai soi curry veggie soup and the het paar naam tok forest mushroom veggie salad. both were delicious, but over priced. the veggie options are limited, as some only had hot/spicy pickings. it would be more enticing to have a menu that had mild and veggie beyond one option. the ambiance is cozy, the server friendly and informative.
(3)David R.
Get over the hype, and the slightly overpriced menu, and come here and eat. It's great.
(4)Missi H.
just ate at the division restaurant and really liked the food and service. our server, brian h., was very knowledgeable about substituting/recommending vegan options. when my eggplant dish arrived with eggs on top, it was sent back and he immediately came to the table to apologize and gave us some extra rice on the house. not crazy about having to wait outside with my drink (weird setup) while we waited for a table, but other than that, it was a great, upbeat atmosphere for dinner after a long week. we'll definitely go back....
(4)