Rice Junkies
3545 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR, 97214
Rice Junkies Menu
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Address :
3545 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR, 97214 - Phone (503) 234-0557
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
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Andrew H.
My take aways from Rice Junkies are that the food I had was good, although Fire Pork is tasty, it's not spicy. Free wifi is always a fine thing. Being located next to a donut shop is helpful and Korean music videos seem to all contain girl groups that a) seem to think that the fashion of 90s group TLC is still current, b) sitting on a fake harley while lipsyncing with fake wind blowing on you is cool and c) overly done prom dresses or s&m chic makes you hotter. Or maybe I spent a bit too long glancing at said videos. As for my Fire Pork wrap? It was done well. A great balance of meat, rice and crisp veggies with a good sauce. Kimchi, red onions, pickled radish, lettuce and other goodies all wrapped up in a spinach tortilla and this was not small. It was in the range of a Chipotle sized burrito. Sweet, spicy, crunchy and just plain tasty goodness. I saw someone else with one of their bowls and those things are huge. I think I may have to get a bulgogi one next time. There will be a next time. Enjoy.
(4)Lana N.
We were next to Blue Star Donuts and wanted something savory, so we stopped by next door inside Rice Junkies. The menu looks like they are good for bowls or wraps so we decided to give it a try. My husband is not adventurous when it comes to food so this time he decided to try something new. - Curry wrap - stuffed with rice, chicken, veggies over a curry sauce. This was a large portion and pretty good in flavor. I would actually get in a bowl next time. Staff was friendly and quick on service. The wrap was not spicy, but they have different spicy sauces that you can add. Overall the food was pretty good and it came out quick. The portion was definitely a good size. We split 1 wrap between us and that was enough to fill us both up.
(4)Danie W.
DELISH! My partner had kim Chi bulgogi wrap and it was SO GOOD! I had the Yakisoba wrap. Also tasty. Fast, simple and yummy! Next time I will try a noodle bowl! Great service! Cute little space. Casual!
(4)In B.
simple, fast and delicious!! dont underestimate by their ghetto sign lollll we came through to get something fast to fill our hunger and left the place very pleasantly satisfied. their wings were very good and looked like they have a variety of unique wraps and rice bowls. i would definitely come back again to try some of their other dishes!
(5)Nick Z.
The bibimbap is nothing special, but this is a nice spot for a quickly-assembled healthy bowl of rice, crisp vegetables, and tofu. Good with some extra chili sauce, as the gochujang is not spicy.
(3)Alana K.
Stopped in for a quick lunchtime bite with the hubs and the in-laws before driving up to Seattle. Three out of four of us had a stellar experience. The fourth was happy enough right up until the severe indigestion hit a short while after consuming. The rest of us were just fine, so we'll chalk it up to a tender tummy. A little overwhelmed by their menu, the friendly dude behind the counter offered excellent suggestions. The dolsot bibimbap was absolutely delicious and plenty to keep my stomach happy well into the dinner hour. The menu is eclectic: primarily Korean fare with burritos and wraps thrown in the mix for good measure, and there's plenty to satisfy veggies and carnivores alike. Pricing is really fair and portions large, combined with friendly and informative staff I'd definitely swing by here again!
(4)Marcia G.
Asian lady at the register was not friendly or helpful when ordering, I felt like I was bugging her for bothering to come in.. We ordered the edamame and bulgogi wrap and a large saki. The wrap was really good: tasty, meat wasn't fatty and the kimchi was flavorful so all blended well together. Hubby doesn't like sour cream (which it came with) so I got it on the side and surprisingly, it went well with the burrito. It was large enough for us to share. if you come from 3-5 they have HH..
(3)Van-Emmanuel W.
This place has incredible chicken BBQ. Hands down some of the best I've tasted. Mine was prepared in traditional Korean BBQ style, bursting with sesame and ginger flavor. The service is fantastic: the cashier was very friendly and bubbly, eager to make suggestions. I was even able to substitute my rice for vegetables, making my meal entirely gluten free and paleo friendly! The prices are well below what I would be willing to pay for Korean BBQ chicken, not to mention the restaurant's casual ambiance and stainless steel chopsticks. Easily exceeds 5/5 stars.
(5)Ariel H.
First time here. I got the yakisoba wrap and I thought it was a little bland and dry. I wish they would've put teriyaki sauce in it or more if they already included it. I like the idea of a yakisoba wrap but I think I'll just stick to the traditional chicken yakisoba. The size of the wrap is well worth the price of $6.75 though. Overall it was "good", not "great". It was a little awkward walking through the door entrance when the place has an open front with a table in the way haha. The customer service was quick and friendly!
(3)Yen N.
I ordered their chicken teriyaki last year and I remembered it being nasty. I was at Blue Star today and saw another couple eating ramen next door. You see, I suffer from a seefood syndrom, i see food, i have to have it! I ordered the $4 happy hour ramen. After what seem like 1/2 an hour wait, the owner brought out my ramen. Sitting in front of me was plain ramen noodles in simple broth. The broth tasted luke warm and familiar....tasted like Shin Ramyun instant noodles! This is my noodle of choice...only for camping...and only in the middle of the night...and topped with Vietnamese ham (cha). Never would I pay to be served instant ramen! I can't believe this restaurant serves a $0.75 instant noodles on their menu! The least they can do is make it look legit!...add a half boiled egg, some shitake mushrooms, pork belly, sprinkled seaweed and a dash of hot oil. Voilà ! Gourmet instant ramen! You're welcome Rice Junkie!
(1)Karen P.
This place isn't too bad.
(3)Derek R.
Service.. Okay. The woman always seems unhappy or in a very rough mood (every time I've been there). I've been here a few times but not enough to say I'm a regular. However, if you are in the area and are looking for a quick food fix. This is the place. My order was quick. There is Kombucha! They're quite healthy. They have brown rice! The price is reasonable for the portion. With that said overall nothing extraordinary. Nothing to make me a regular.
(3)Rudy B.
Pretty good food, the staff is always friendly and it's a fun little place to grab a quick teriyaki bowl.
(4)Chris S.
Small place. Two ladies working hard behind the counter seem to be able to keep up with the demand. We stopped by around 930 for their happy hour specials. $1.25 for a Pabst is pretty decet. $4 for a sizeable portion was amazing. I had bbq chicken and my wife had a veggie plate. All in all our meal was $9.25 with one beer and two plates. Decent tasting food, not the best Korean I've ever had but we left pleasantly surprised.
(4)Linda K.
I tried this yesterday and it was delicious!! I got Bibimbap (with tofu) with an option of white or brown rice. I've never had bibimbap with brown rice but i fell in love, so I'm glad they have that option. I've heard their wraps are amazing and they sound amazing so that'll be what I get next! They actually have non-korean food such as Mexican wrap, Curry wrap, yakisoba wrap and more. So they have a great variety and I'm excited to try them all!
(5)Robin J.
They forgot all of my friends' orders and they gave us all the wrong things even though we told them very explicitly what we ordered.
(1)Dumpling L.
Rice Junkies used to be one of my go-to cheap eats spot. It was always delicious and fresh-tasting. Unfortunately, I went a couple of weeks ago and was super disappointed. We ordered from an employee who I didn't recognize and who seemed unfamiliar with the menu. When I asked him I could sub tofu in something he just said flat, "No" w/o additional explanation. We then struggled to find a clean table, as they were all littered with food bits and many had crumpled napkins under then. It generally felt dingy. When we got our food after a significant wait, it wasn't as warm as it should be and mine just wasn't as good as it has been in the past. The peanut sauce was watered down, the vegetables tasted as though they had seen better times and it was generally just a bummer. I rated 2 stars because I have indeed had many good meals here in the past. Unfortunately that last experience left a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)Amanda S.
First time having bibimbap. Delicious! Customer service was nice and helpful. Place was clean and cozy which was nice since I was frozen from walking around. I'll definitely come back when in town.
(5)Ciera B.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! :) Its a cute little hole in the wall we happened upon after going to Blue Star Doughnuts (Its right next door), not very crowded, very casual. I love bulgogi and I've never tried any I haven't made myself. They have a good variety of foods and the prices are great for the portion sizes. The people were so nice too. One bowl fed both my fiance and I til we were full, and I think it was only 7.50$! Lots of meat which is rare at some places. It was cooked to perfection with lots of veggies too. We also ordered a bao to share, the chicken gyoza, and a kids bowl for my son which fed him for two meals. :) The guy accidentally brought us the wrong bao and let us keep it as well as bringing us the right one. It was so good, I bought some more to bring home for the family. Everything was very fresh and flavorful. Can't wait to go back! Try it if you're ever in the area.
(5)Bridget K.
Really good. My boyfriend and I got a bowl of ramen, a BBQ chicken bowl, and a PBR during their happy hour for $9.25. Nothing was extraordinary flavor wise, but it was tasty, fresh, cheap, and a perfect stop on a rainy afternoon. Also it is right by a great wine store, Portland Wine Merchants. Tons of $10 bottles and some even cheaper.
(5)Peter L.
Must try their dolsot bibimbap! My friends told me to try it and it was well worth it. They have the nicest customer service and they make sure they take care of you. Very friendly and they offer Togo and delivery. Great quality food and clean environment. Will go again soon to try their quinoa bowl! Must go!
(5)Alexandria S.
Living in Portland means having a pretty good spread of delicious and inexpensive food nearly everywhere. That being said, my meal here was probably one of the worst meals I've had here. I had the chicken yakisoba bowl and I had to stop eating it after about two bites. It tasted like hot garbage and the sauces were overpowering and way too sweet. The chicken was alright but I had to throw away most of the bowl which was a total waste. The rice dishes may have been better but I would not go back to try it again.
(1)Melissa L.
This review will be of limited use if you want to eat something other than dolsot bibimbap or kimchi, but here goes: the vegetable are crisp and seasoned well (black pepper mung bean sprouts, yes), the meat tender and conspicuously grilled (in a good way), the egg yolk firm but moldable and the egg white perfectly set. Dolsot means "stone pot," and that's what it's served in, still incredibly hot. The service is generally at least polite and efficient, and while it could be friendlier, that's of more debatable necessity than the first two traits. The ambience is casual, it's quiet enough to talk but not so quiet you feel uncomfortable, and you can pay with a card if your purchase is over $4. The kimchi is delicious and made in-house, last I checked, and while it strikes me as a bit pricey for the amount you get, I don't know how this compares to other places. And now for some unsolicited advice: 1) use both chopsticks and a spoon, preferably of the metal set they have in the back near condiments 2) appreciate the composition of the colorful elements on top just long enough for your rice to crisp (less than a minute) 3) smother it in gochuchang (served in a metal bowl on the side) 4) unceremoniously but thoroughly stir it with a spoon so your rice doesn't outright burn 5) have ice water on hand in case you're overzealous about those first (likely hotter-than-100 degree) bites 6) accept defeat if you're unable to finish, remember your own tupperware next time, get your own gochuchang from Paldo Market, and fry another egg for yourself when you eat them later.
(5)Anne K.
I don't rate service, ambiance, cleanliness and wait times; they are too variable. I can put up with anything if the food is good. It is all about the food- that's it. All of my ratings are based on vegan options only. Notes: Pretty good. Nothing amazing. Have only been back once.
(4)Marc F.
Boys . . . get Beastie Got bibimbap that's more than real Eat Rice Junkie here's how you feel Pick up your chopsticks and you're in control Tilt your head back let's finish the bowl Bento with the tofu rocks the vegan Honolulu is the place for Charlie Chan We're offered "for here" we don't mind "to go" Whenever it's sunny we picnic in FoPo This girl took my order she gave me the eye I said "I like it here 'cause it's much better than Thai I threw in a tip the girl she gave me a smile It did begin the stuff wore in and now they're on the speed dial Rice Junkies - that funky Junkie
(5)Mark C.
My go to lunch spot when I'm able to eat out on Hawthorne. The bulgogi bowl with brown rice is amazing. Plenty of veggies, rice and of course meat. The meat is marinated and cooked perfectly every time. The sizzling kal bi is amazing as well. Stick with those two entrees and you're golden.
(5)David F.
Not sure how authentic a burrito is in Korea as this place is billed as a Korean food, but that does not matter as the food is awesome. I have not tried everything but the selection is quite varied for such a small place and the flavors are interesting and it works. Craving a bulgolgi kimchi brown rice meal wrapped in a spinach burrito? They got it and it's awesome. Try it .
(4)Johnny S.
Tofu yakisoba wrap was so so good. Limited seating but the food makes up for any of that. Limited beer selection too. Bathroom is in a weird spot, then again most Portland eateries are the sameway.
(4)Bonnie C.
Rice junkies has some of the tastiest spicy chicken ever. It is a little hole in the wall restaurant near a bunch of other hole in the wall restaurants in the "hip" part of Hawthorne (read: don't you dare walk down the street without your ironic glasses and grandma skirt). However, it doesn't matter how cool or uncool you happen to be- you will be welcome here. All are welcome! For me, the sign of a good restaurant is having a solid grasp of the basics. Rice Junkies definitely meets this test. I would mark them down on having their bathroom right across the hall from their kitchen, but you work with the space you're given.
(4)Melody L.
My fiancee and I went to Rice Junkies tonight, hoping for the best. The customer service was the best in town. Very friendly. I really liked restaurant and how relaxed it felt and how it opened up onto the street. However, the food was mediocre and really was not impressive. I got the beef bulgogi rice bowl and some gyoza. My fiancee got the happy hour ramen. My dish looked great when he brought it out but one bite into the veggies and all I could taste was "frozen" veggie taste. My fiancee's dish was worst! I'm pretty sure they use the instant spicy ramen from the grocery store, which I've bought before. Mine was better too because at least when I make it at home I add veggies and an egg. His bowl was so sad with only noodles and broth. The gyoza too were store bought, just like everything else made at this restaurant.
(2)Sara W.
Horrible service. So unwelcoming to our family. I guess maybe its just not a family friendly estab.? My kids are 2 and 5. They are pretty good kids, use to going out to eat. The second the lady saw us come in she did a huge eye roll!!!! Seriously? I couldn't believe it. The place is also dirty. All the condiments are sticky and layered in goop. Yuck. Dust on the shelves accompanied by a layer of stickiness. Food so so. Nothing horrible but definitely nothing to go back for. We were hoping to find another weeknight/quick/ good eats, but nope.
(2)Donna K.
We love this place.. We call it "Oma's" Korean for mom.. The owner is a sweet Korean lady who always knows our order! We always get the kimchi bulbugi burrito. (rice you can choose brown, white or Spanish, Marinated Korean beef, cheddar cheese, kimchi, lettuce, and sour cream). Delicious! This burrito tastes different than Koi Fusion... It's a different kind of tasty and flavor! We also get the house salad.. It's some type of miso dressing with cucumbers, red unions, and tomatoes. The dolsot bibimbap is also yummy... It's a stone hot pot full of rice, fresh veggies (shiitake mushrooms, daikon, carrots, spinach) and bulbugi if you'd like... The stone pot creates an awesome crunchy texture with the rice! I know on the east side there isn't a great selection of Korean food to choose from... But rice junkies will definitely fill the void for now.. Plus the price is super reasonable...
(4)Rob C.
Rice Junkies has become my favorite place for teriyaki/Asian fusion bowls. They have amazing fresh veggies and tasty sauces. Most of their food has a slightly Korean flair, and they have a great bibimbap. I particularly like their take on kung pao - it's spicy but not as... I don't know the word... crappy? as kung pao sauce you get at a lot of places. Love that you can get brown or white rice, and they don't really bother with a lot of fried stuff, though the gyoza are pretty much dumpling-shaped crack. I think they might even by handmade. Everything is good here!
(5)John P.
Heads-up vegetarians: just to let you know, if you order a bowl of ramen with tofu and veggies, it comes with beef broth. Yeah, that makes sense. I know there are a few vegan options, but one would assume that a person ordering a ramen with tofu and veggies is probably not interested in beef broth... So I asked the guy: do you use a veggie or mushroom broth for the veggie ramen? Answer: No, it's still a beef broth. Pass. Come on, dude: all you need are two wells of broth... one for the meat dishes, one for the veggie.
(2)April A.
The veggies were fresh and good. For me to give them a good review is unheard of as I'm very pick when it comes to veggies. I got the avacado chicken wrap and it was amazing. Cute little gem. Food was quick. Fresh water on all the tables but that is why I'm also giving it only 4 stars as I don't like my water exposed to anyone/anything. I'd rather have it in the kitchen ready to be served to the next patron. Menu is up to date and everything looked good. Optional outside seating. TV. Fun part of Hawthorne. This is my new fave find.
(4)Melinda N.
Ok, so I haven't gotten into a bad habit where I won't step into a place unless it's fairly highly rated on Yelp. This leads to many good dining experiences, but where's the room for chance, serendipity, the feeling of discovering or stumbling onto something yourself, blah blah blah? Luckily my friend is not so hindered when making his eating decisions, and is ok with walking into the nearest place that has food he can eat when he is hungry. He is the reason I entered this establishment. And what a pleasant surprise! We shared a quinoa bowl with black beans, greens, maybe tofu, avocado, peanut sauce, some other kind of sauce. It was a healthy, light, nutritious delight. They also have free wi-fi, which is always nice.
(4)Chris S.
Now, the only reason I ever come here is because my boyfriend is a fan. But as a gluten free eater there are a surprising lack in options here so I avoid it. Not to mention the food just.. isn't good. I've never actually written a bad review on yelp because I don't think I have any experience to be a "food critic" unless it's a positive experience and I want to help a business out. But wow. This place is just bad. This past summer (shows you how much this bummed me out seeing as it's January and I'm still remembering it), I was here on an especially hot day, waiting outside for my boyfriends to-go food. I was unimpressed as the woman at the counter who has told me before that she is the owner before, was very rude and not helpful.We waited outside. It was at least 100 degrees out. REALLY HOT. I watched a harmless homeless couple and their dog walk up, stop and overheard the man say "I'm gonna get some water, I'm dyin out here." This man walked in, calmly asked the woman (the owner) at the counter if he could get some water in his water bottle from her fountain, and she loudly and rudely told him to get out unless he wanted to buy something. Come. ON. Seriously? I can't support a business run by someone who treats people this way. It's freaking water. anyways, won't ever come back here and have successfully talked my boyfriend into going to Whole Bowl up the street instead!
(1)Azmat H.
The big plus is you get lots of food, so come hungry. Beware, the bowls are huge, especially the Ramen. Also the "wraps" are more like the size of burritos. The food quality is decent but nothing spectacular. We had a really long wait time from the time we ordered to receiving our food. There weren't even a lot of ppl in the restaurant, so I'm not sure why the delay. Another plus is they have a TV so we could at least watch the game. There are lots of other offerings on the area, and I think next time I would visit one of those instead of RJ.
(3)Pork Chop Express R.
Best Chicken Skewer with Rice in PDX.
(5)Katherine M.
Went here during happy hour and got the veggie bento, tofu bento, egg rolls, and veggie gyoza. It said on the happy hour menu that they were mini bowls, but we got really huge portions, which we really appreciated. The bowls were your standard steamed rice, steamed veggies, teriyaki sauce, and tofu (on the tofu bento.) They were okay. Not the best thing ever, but still satisfying and fills you up. The egg rolls and gyoza were nice and crisp, not the best, but still a nice appetizer. Service was nice and prompt, and happy hour prices were great.
(3)Usman A.
I had the bulgogi. This was stir fried strips of beef over a salad and plain white rice. Somewhat flavorful but mediocre overall. The people there were not very nice. I had to douse the rice with a bunch of sweet chili sauce. Probably wouldn't head back here.
(3)Coleen M.
I dig the food here. It's nothing to write home about, but a nice selection, convenient spot on Hawthorne, and a pretty healthy option for a quick bite. However, last week I had the single most strange experience *ever* while ordering food here. I read another review who considers the owner a grandmother figure - and I agree! But not exactly with the same fondness. I didn't know what I wanted when I got to the counter to order and she militantly tried to tell me what I should get, depending on my hunger level. Well, my hunger level was all out of whack because I was hung over. So I didn't want anything and I wanted all of it, if you know what I mean. I tried to order a wrap and a bowl of ramen. She said no. She flat out told me NO, because it was too much food. (Does she think I'm overweight? Does she simply not want to make money?). I told her I wanted left overs and she began to argue with me that the wraps are like a salad and they are no good left over. Wait. What? You don't want my money? I was dumbfounded. So because I was so tired I listened to my new Korean grandma and just ordered a wrap. And a PBR. I ate about 1/4 of the wrap (Grandma was right!). But where she was wrong, is that it made fine leftovers about 3 hours later. I've never been anywhere where someone actually wouldn't let me order what I thought I wanted. Have you?
(3)Hwal L.
The biggest wrap I've ever held in my little hand, and the first Asian fusion burrito ever! We ordered their kimchi burrito wrap and beans burrito. They were so big, my partner only ate half of it and I, after devouring the big thing, didn't have to eat dinner that night. Good generous filling and casual atmosphere, you'd definitely get an awesome value for your money here. Recommended.
(5)Danie B.
I frickin' love this place. If I feel fat, bloated, hung over, or just gross, I get one of the wraps as a bowl with brown rice. Take a minute to look at the menu 'cuz they have Asian-inspired, Mediterranean-inspired, or Mexican-inspired. Service is great and the food will last you more than one meal. Yet to go for HH but it sounds great for hearty food, a cheap beer, and book-reading/people-watching.
(4)Wolf L.
Nothing about this place knocked my socks off, but the guy in charge was super friendly. I can't ding 'em too much because this kind of food just isn't my thing. We stopped in while my son was visiting and he's the ramen/rice bowl king. The food at Rice Junkies didn't leave him raving. They do have vegan choices, which is good for our one veggie kid. I don't really see myself stopping into Rice Junkies on my own. I'd have to have some of our picky eaters with me, and then I'd likely try to persuade to go elsewhere.
(3)Morgan W.
Rice Junkies is a confused restaurant. They are trying to be the ultimate mash-up of Mexican, Japanese, Chinese and American, but the food just falls flat on it's face. I didn't have a good feeling when I walked into the restaurant and looked at the food on the tables. And I didn't feel good after I mostly finished my spicy chicken wrap. My girlfriend tried a vegetarian bowl and was unimpressed by lack of flavor and limp vegetables.
(1)Kount T.
$5.75 for 3 small bites of chicken and the rest was rice. What a rip off!!!
(1)Bryan I.
I visited this small nice-rice style shop on a slow Saturday evening. Despite the sledgehammer next to the door (supposed to be manned by a massively intimidating security guard?) it has a decent ambiance that reminds you of a small food shop on a college campus. Regardless, you walk in and see a menu full of rice bowls & wraps for $5-6, and you think it's pretty hard to go wrong unless the food is REALLY bad. Well, luckily, it's not bad, but it's also not outstanding. Most japanese/chinese places that offer teriyaki chicken, gyoza, yakisoba, schezuan chicken, etc will try to master that menu before branching out to other cuisines, but they deemed it wise to offer thai chicken, indian curry, & a mexican quesadilla, too. They're a jack of all food styles, and a master of none. Don't get me wrong, if you're looking for rice, average meat/veggies, & some type of flavored "sauce" in a bowl, it's relatively quick & gets the job done, but don't have high expectations.
(2)Moriah M.
I enjoy some Rice Junkie from time to time. I love that I can visually see all the ingredients in my food. The menu not only sounds healthy but it is. My favorite dish is the Quinoa Bowl with avocado, plus I add kimchi and sweet chili sauce. The dishes by themselves are a bit more bland than I like but I think that might be on purpose so that everyone can spice it to their liking. The atmosphere is comfortable. I often come here with a very large group and though the staff must get stressed, they handle it efficiently and politely. I truly appreciate that about them.
(4)Thomas W.
This place has grown on me the more I visit; since my wife and sister-in-law are fans, I have also pulled up a chair to have some bento, wraps, etc. I give them points for keeping it healthy; even if the base flavor is a bit bland, there is no shortage of sauces to accompany the dishes, making even my one-time spinach-wrapped tofu kung-powish concoction more than tasty in its own right. I suppose the bottom line is: if you're hungry, walking down Hawthorne, and are jonesing for some rice, this is not a bad option. No, it is not authentic Chinese...or any Asiatic school of cooking for that matter...it's just a cozy place to get a bite to eat in Portland... ...honestly, we can't have too many of those.
(3)c w.
Rice Junkies just expanded their menu to include some actual Korean dishes!!! YAY! The now have Kimchi Jigae and Dolsot Bibimbap, just in time for the cold, rainy winter! IMO, there is nothing better than a steaming bowl of dolsot bibimbap to warm you up when it's pissing cold outside. It's not fancy fare, but it's cheap and delicious. The kimchi jigae was vegan, so didn't have the traditional meruchi and seafood stock the way my mom makes it, but I give them props for offering vegan and veg options. In regards to other reviewers saying that the proprietress gave them the stink eye because they were with a caucasian person, that is really weird and sad, and totally not the experience I've had. I'm Korean and go in with my lilly white husband all the time, and the owners and workers are nothing but super friendly to us. When I go in by myself, they always ask after my husband, and vice versa.
(4)ReviewInHaik u.
Healthy, fresh, tasty. Yeah, their logo really sucks, But who eats logos?
(4)Ashley G.
I can't believe I've lived in Portland almost a year, walk/drive past this place all the time and have never gone in. I've looked at the menu from the sidewalk and kept going quite a few times thinking I wasn't in the mood. Tonight was the night! I was a little skeptical based on some of the negative YELP reviews. The vegan menu was front and center above the cash register, right where I like it. It's the first thing one's eyes gravitate to when standing there trying to decide what to order. Back in my omnivore days in college, I was a big bibimbap fan.... It's a Korean dish and normally it's a big mess of rice, meat, fried egg, and veggies which you mix in with hot sauce and stir up until all the ingredients are mixed up and coated with egg/hot sauce. Rice Junkies offers a vegan version... I had no idea what to expect from the menu description but I took a leap of faith based on my distant historical love of bibimbap. I was only a little bit hungry and I received this massive stainless steel bowl of warm brown rice, fresh raw veggies and steamed tofu with a side of the house Korean hot sauce to flavor it up. The veggies included were romaine lettuce, bean sprouts, zucchini, cucumber, red cabbage, and grated carrots. Some of the raw veggies seemed to be marinated like the little side dishes you get when you eat at a Korean restaurant. Oh my gosh was this delicious! I wish I had been hungrier... I only made it 1/3 of the way through this massive bowl and had to stop. This was a perfect meal to me.Oh, and the best part? Only $6.75! I will definitely be back on a day when I have a heartier appetite. I can't wait to try the other vegan options as well.
(4)Morgan S.
Bibimbap = yum. Portions are generous.
(4)Duy T.
Bi bim bap. To go. $8. Can't beat that.
(4)Jessica G.
I probably should have known we were in for a very mediocre meal when the guy taking our order didn't know what dashi meant when we were asking about the veggie ramen. When it arrived, it was just like vegetable top ramen with some cabbage and broccoli thrown in. Not worth even half the $5.50 charge. We also had the chicken bento which was decent white meat (albeit in huge irregular sized chunks) with thick teriyaki sauce on lots of rice. Also had their "spicy" peanut sauce for dipping which was ok. Maybe their wraps and other items are better but I won't be back to find out.
(2)Ferd S.
Super good food, Great service, almost as good as moms home cooking!!!
(5)Chris G.
I'm surprised this place has so few reviews. It's got a great selection of wraps for very reasonable prices. I had the plentiful curry wrap. I appreciated that they had a large selection of sauces available at a self-serve area. My chicken curry wrap was pretty good... very edible, but not mind-blowing. I would definitely consider going back if I needed a quick bite on Hawthorne.
(3)Olivia T.
On a bright sunny day, it's hard to find a good outdoor seating spot on Hawthorne. I just want to read my book, feed my belly, and enjoy the sunshine. Oh, affordable price is a must. Rice Junkies had some empty one-two people outdoor tables. I was thinking to myself, hm bento/teriyaki type of fast food, how bad it could be? I walked to the counter, ordered my Chicken bowl and the guy asked if I wanted veggies added to that. I said, sureeeee...the price went up from $5.00 to $6.25. Hopefully it's a damn good veggies. They have pretty good variety of sauces for your bowls. From teriyaki, sweet and sour, to wasabi and hot sauces. My bowl came and it looked pretty decent. White rice, one chicken skewer, and veggies. I put hot sauce and more teriyaki sauce on it. I took a first bite and it was just meh. The veggies didn't have much flavor and mostly carrots. I hate carrots and it was hard to pick those carrots out of my rice. (Yeah yeah I'm whining, but they shouldn't put much carrots in it.) I think their concept is healthier fast food, but they forgot that healthy is not equal tasteless. Two stars for the outdoor seating and friendly service. Sorry Rice Junkies, I'm not one of your junkies.
(2)Alien T.
I am a rice junkie. I grew up eating nothing but rice everyday. This place is really good and I think the quality and quantity is awesome. The staff is very friendly and always have smile on their face. This is becoming my next regular place after my climbing session. My favourite is BBQ Chicken & Salad with Brown rice.
(5)Natalie B.
It's a pretty simple concept, but they're good at what they do. A ridiculously gigantic bowl (no really--like the size of a mixing bowl) of rice topped with protein and a tasty sauce. Dirt cheap. No more, no less.
(4)Zach K.
Solid, healthy food at a reasonable price. They have an array of delicious sauces that you can add to your meal. Plenty of good stuff on the menu, but their bibimbap is my favorite.
(4)Amanda B.
Hmm. I was enticed by the advertised chicken curry wrap. It had chicken, veggies, curry sauce, spicy peanut sauce and mango chutney. The size was huge and the taste was okay. It was weird because they squirted all the sauces random places throughout the wrap - so I'd get sections of really sweet, and then really peanutty and then lots of curry. Whatevvv, I'll probably go back just to see what else they have but my mind wasn't blown.
(3)erin g.
I was attracted by the special of the day "ChickenTzatziki Wrap." But somehow ended up ordering the Curry Chicken Bento. Actually, I ordered it because I while I was waiting and listening to my stomach growl I watched 5 Bento bowls waft in front of me, piled with chicken and veggies. I love curry so I thought I would try it. Nope. Nay. Nada. 4 pieces of chicken over brown rice with some sort of brownish sauce. hmmm...I ate most it anyways, wondering why mine didn't have any veggies and reeked of a cheap thai restaurant for the rest of the day. I think I will go back and try something with more substance. Other peoples food looked decent, and the cooks were making the food fresh...so it has possibilities.
(2)Jacklyn N.
Hit up Rice Junkies after our visit to The Waffle Window, just cause we're gluttonous and it was across the street. They had the option of brown rice and whole wheat tortilla, which is a definite PLUS for the BF and I. We split the "Kung Pao Chicken Wrap" which was $7 and a decent size. I was a little skeptical since all I could see were Caucasians (was hoping I'd be pleasantly surprised) behind the counter, and I was right! The Kung Pao, was chicken, pretty much drowning in some sweet ass teriyaki-like sauce. My sister LOVED it, she's Caucasian haha! The veggies in there were good, fresh-tasting, and not overcooked. I'm sure their American-style wraps are awesome, I'll have to try those next time. Friendly, friendly service! Everyone on Hawthorne is so care-free and friendly!
(3)Jrj S.
Went in today mildly hunger....I ordered the BBQ Galbi and Salad....it was AMAZING.....BIG portion and I ate the entire thing even though I was not that hungry....the dressing on the salad (which was just romaine, carrots and onion...kind of boring......) was fantastic....a soy ginger dressing...I am thinking that the negative reviewers should order the Korean inspired dishes....they looked the most interesting and my dish was excellent. Brown rice was done well too. Great healthy fast food~!
(5)Tamara Y.
good veggie options. don't make the owner mad she will go nutty, but otherwise she is really nice. I love the tofo/veggie rice bowl.
(3)Hayley E.
Always quick and reliable. Get the curry with chicken and veggies - delicious.
(5)Kristi R.
It was raining and I was hungry, so I stopped in Rice Junkies to try their vegan Bibimbop for $6.25. I got it to carry out, otherwise I would've complained to them directly. The food was pretty basic, but not fresh at all. It tasted like everything had been sitting uncovered in the reach in cooler for a long time. I agree with another reviewer that said the vegetables kinda tasted like garbage. The tofu was just plain, slightly warmed unseasoned tofu and there were only about 6 1-inch cubes of it. The worst part, however, was the fact that it was all served on a HUGE bed of chopped romaine lettuce. I think they did that to make the serving look larger. Not sure if this had to do with the fact that I ordered it to go. I tried to skim the rice, veggies and tofu off the top of the lettuce, there was so much of it and it just made a bad meal worse. There really just wasn't one good thing about the food at this place, so I won't be giving it a second chance.
(1)Curt W.
Perfect lunch spot. Tasty and healthy.
(4)Gordon F.
I eat lunch and dinner here on a regular basis and have never been disappointed. It's not the most adventurous place in the world, but it's a big, healthy bowl of food. Some of the newer Korean-style menu items are pretty authentic, too. Great for vegetarians and vegans. I tend to get the Kung Pao bowl or the Bi Bim Bap (sans egg). Fast, cheap, and tasty, especially when you alter things to your liking at their huge sauce bar.
(4)frank g.
This place is great, not sure what people are thinking, giving it two stars! I've been eating at rice junkies for nearly ten years, and was happy to see that they started a hawthorne location. I'm a vegetarian, so I can't write about their meat, but I love the tofu and veggie yakisoba bento combos. They include cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and other good stuff. The sauces are really good, especially the peanut sauce, and if I remember right they have two different kinds of ginger. The bento combo above is around 7 bucks, but it's enough for two people, so no complaints there. I agree, the atmosphere isn't the best, but I'm not really thinking about that when I hit rice junkies, more interested in getting a fast, tasty, healthy bite to eat.
(4)Derek R.
Service.. Okay. The woman always seems unhappy or in a very rough mood (every time I've been there). I've been here a few times but not enough to say I'm a regular. However, if you are in the area and are looking for a quick food fix. This is the place. My order was quick. There is Kombucha! They're quite healthy. They have brown rice! The price is reasonable for the portion. With that said overall nothing extraordinary. Nothing to make me a regular.
(3)Rudy B.
Pretty good food, the staff is always friendly and it's a fun little place to grab a quick teriyaki bowl.
(4)Chris S.
Small place. Two ladies working hard behind the counter seem to be able to keep up with the demand. We stopped by around 930 for their happy hour specials. $1.25 for a Pabst is pretty decet. $4 for a sizeable portion was amazing. I had bbq chicken and my wife had a veggie plate. All in all our meal was $9.25 with one beer and two plates. Decent tasting food, not the best Korean I've ever had but we left pleasantly surprised.
(4)Linda K.
I tried this yesterday and it was delicious!! I got Bibimbap (with tofu) with an option of white or brown rice. I've never had bibimbap with brown rice but i fell in love, so I'm glad they have that option. I've heard their wraps are amazing and they sound amazing so that'll be what I get next! They actually have non-korean food such as Mexican wrap, Curry wrap, yakisoba wrap and more. So they have a great variety and I'm excited to try them all!
(5)Robin J.
They forgot all of my friends' orders and they gave us all the wrong things even though we told them very explicitly what we ordered.
(1)Dumpling L.
Rice Junkies used to be one of my go-to cheap eats spot. It was always delicious and fresh-tasting. Unfortunately, I went a couple of weeks ago and was super disappointed. We ordered from an employee who I didn't recognize and who seemed unfamiliar with the menu. When I asked him I could sub tofu in something he just said flat, "No" w/o additional explanation. We then struggled to find a clean table, as they were all littered with food bits and many had crumpled napkins under then. It generally felt dingy. When we got our food after a significant wait, it wasn't as warm as it should be and mine just wasn't as good as it has been in the past. The peanut sauce was watered down, the vegetables tasted as though they had seen better times and it was generally just a bummer. I rated 2 stars because I have indeed had many good meals here in the past. Unfortunately that last experience left a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)Amanda S.
First time having bibimbap. Delicious! Customer service was nice and helpful. Place was clean and cozy which was nice since I was frozen from walking around. I'll definitely come back when in town.
(5)Ciera B.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! :) Its a cute little hole in the wall we happened upon after going to Blue Star Doughnuts (Its right next door), not very crowded, very casual. I love bulgogi and I've never tried any I haven't made myself. They have a good variety of foods and the prices are great for the portion sizes. The people were so nice too. One bowl fed both my fiance and I til we were full, and I think it was only 7.50$! Lots of meat which is rare at some places. It was cooked to perfection with lots of veggies too. We also ordered a bao to share, the chicken gyoza, and a kids bowl for my son which fed him for two meals. :) The guy accidentally brought us the wrong bao and let us keep it as well as bringing us the right one. It was so good, I bought some more to bring home for the family. Everything was very fresh and flavorful. Can't wait to go back! Try it if you're ever in the area.
(5)Bridget K.
Really good. My boyfriend and I got a bowl of ramen, a BBQ chicken bowl, and a PBR during their happy hour for $9.25. Nothing was extraordinary flavor wise, but it was tasty, fresh, cheap, and a perfect stop on a rainy afternoon. Also it is right by a great wine store, Portland Wine Merchants. Tons of $10 bottles and some even cheaper.
(5)Melissa L.
This review will be of limited use if you want to eat something other than dolsot bibimbap or kimchi, but here goes: the vegetable are crisp and seasoned well (black pepper mung bean sprouts, yes), the meat tender and conspicuously grilled (in a good way), the egg yolk firm but moldable and the egg white perfectly set. Dolsot means "stone pot," and that's what it's served in, still incredibly hot. The service is generally at least polite and efficient, and while it could be friendlier, that's of more debatable necessity than the first two traits. The ambience is casual, it's quiet enough to talk but not so quiet you feel uncomfortable, and you can pay with a card if your purchase is over $4. The kimchi is delicious and made in-house, last I checked, and while it strikes me as a bit pricey for the amount you get, I don't know how this compares to other places. And now for some unsolicited advice: 1) use both chopsticks and a spoon, preferably of the metal set they have in the back near condiments 2) appreciate the composition of the colorful elements on top just long enough for your rice to crisp (less than a minute) 3) smother it in gochuchang (served in a metal bowl on the side) 4) unceremoniously but thoroughly stir it with a spoon so your rice doesn't outright burn 5) have ice water on hand in case you're overzealous about those first (likely hotter-than-100 degree) bites 6) accept defeat if you're unable to finish, remember your own tupperware next time, get your own gochuchang from Paldo Market, and fry another egg for yourself when you eat them later.
(5)Anne K.
I don't rate service, ambiance, cleanliness and wait times; they are too variable. I can put up with anything if the food is good. It is all about the food- that's it. All of my ratings are based on vegan options only. Notes: Pretty good. Nothing amazing. Have only been back once.
(4)Marc F.
Boys . . . get Beastie Got bibimbap that's more than real Eat Rice Junkie here's how you feel Pick up your chopsticks and you're in control Tilt your head back let's finish the bowl Bento with the tofu rocks the vegan Honolulu is the place for Charlie Chan We're offered "for here" we don't mind "to go" Whenever it's sunny we picnic in FoPo This girl took my order she gave me the eye I said "I like it here 'cause it's much better than Thai I threw in a tip the girl she gave me a smile It did begin the stuff wore in and now they're on the speed dial Rice Junkies - that funky Junkie
(5)Mark C.
My go to lunch spot when I'm able to eat out on Hawthorne. The bulgogi bowl with brown rice is amazing. Plenty of veggies, rice and of course meat. The meat is marinated and cooked perfectly every time. The sizzling kal bi is amazing as well. Stick with those two entrees and you're golden.
(5)David F.
Not sure how authentic a burrito is in Korea as this place is billed as a Korean food, but that does not matter as the food is awesome. I have not tried everything but the selection is quite varied for such a small place and the flavors are interesting and it works. Craving a bulgolgi kimchi brown rice meal wrapped in a spinach burrito? They got it and it's awesome. Try it .
(4)Usman A.
I had the bulgogi. This was stir fried strips of beef over a salad and plain white rice. Somewhat flavorful but mediocre overall. The people there were not very nice. I had to douse the rice with a bunch of sweet chili sauce. Probably wouldn't head back here.
(3)Ary L.
Had the yakisoba bowl. Tasteless. Super bland, barely any sauce, I shouldn't have to add extra sauce to a good bowl of yakisoba. Everything's pretty much self served so can't say much about the service, it was just alright. Food was pricey for the quality they bring on the table.
(2)Spencer H.
I went to Rice Junkies for the first time today. The man who took my order was very polite and quick to help. I got the Chicken Ramen noodles and it was pretty good! I cannot wait to go again so I can try a rice bowl. Definitely going back!
(4)Brooks M.
asian burrito... need i say more. i love any place that puts anything in a wrap. these guys are super nice and make amazing grub! a decent menu that's not too overwhelming and great selection for any diet, taste buds or particular eater. definately one of those places you have to go back to several times to try the whole gammet.
(4)Brooks M.
asian burrito... need i say more. i love any place that puts anything in a wrap. these guys are super nice and make amazing grub! a decent menu that's not too overwhelming and great selection for any diet, taste buds or particular eater. definately one of those places you have to go back to several times to try the whole gammet.
(4)Ary L.
Had the yakisoba bowl. Tasteless. Super bland, barely any sauce, I shouldn't have to add extra sauce to a good bowl of yakisoba. Everything's pretty much self served so can't say much about the service, it was just alright. Food was pricey for the quality they bring on the table.
(2)Andrew H.
My take aways from Rice Junkies are that the food I had was good, although Fire Pork is tasty, it's not spicy. Free wifi is always a fine thing. Being located next to a donut shop is helpful and Korean music videos seem to all contain girl groups that a) seem to think that the fashion of 90s group TLC is still current, b) sitting on a fake harley while lipsyncing with fake wind blowing on you is cool and c) overly done prom dresses or s&m chic makes you hotter. Or maybe I spent a bit too long glancing at said videos. As for my Fire Pork wrap? It was done well. A great balance of meat, rice and crisp veggies with a good sauce. Kimchi, red onions, pickled radish, lettuce and other goodies all wrapped up in a spinach tortilla and this was not small. It was in the range of a Chipotle sized burrito. Sweet, spicy, crunchy and just plain tasty goodness. I saw someone else with one of their bowls and those things are huge. I think I may have to get a bulgogi one next time. There will be a next time. Enjoy.
(4)Lana N.
We were next to Blue Star Donuts and wanted something savory, so we stopped by next door inside Rice Junkies. The menu looks like they are good for bowls or wraps so we decided to give it a try. My husband is not adventurous when it comes to food so this time he decided to try something new. - Curry wrap - stuffed with rice, chicken, veggies over a curry sauce. This was a large portion and pretty good in flavor. I would actually get in a bowl next time. Staff was friendly and quick on service. The wrap was not spicy, but they have different spicy sauces that you can add. Overall the food was pretty good and it came out quick. The portion was definitely a good size. We split 1 wrap between us and that was enough to fill us both up.
(4)Danie W.
DELISH! My partner had kim Chi bulgogi wrap and it was SO GOOD! I had the Yakisoba wrap. Also tasty. Fast, simple and yummy! Next time I will try a noodle bowl! Great service! Cute little space. Casual!
(4)In B.
simple, fast and delicious!! dont underestimate by their ghetto sign lollll we came through to get something fast to fill our hunger and left the place very pleasantly satisfied. their wings were very good and looked like they have a variety of unique wraps and rice bowls. i would definitely come back again to try some of their other dishes!
(5)Nick Z.
The bibimbap is nothing special, but this is a nice spot for a quickly-assembled healthy bowl of rice, crisp vegetables, and tofu. Good with some extra chili sauce, as the gochujang is not spicy.
(3)Alana K.
Stopped in for a quick lunchtime bite with the hubs and the in-laws before driving up to Seattle. Three out of four of us had a stellar experience. The fourth was happy enough right up until the severe indigestion hit a short while after consuming. The rest of us were just fine, so we'll chalk it up to a tender tummy. A little overwhelmed by their menu, the friendly dude behind the counter offered excellent suggestions. The dolsot bibimbap was absolutely delicious and plenty to keep my stomach happy well into the dinner hour. The menu is eclectic: primarily Korean fare with burritos and wraps thrown in the mix for good measure, and there's plenty to satisfy veggies and carnivores alike. Pricing is really fair and portions large, combined with friendly and informative staff I'd definitely swing by here again!
(4)Van-Emmanuel W.
This place has incredible chicken BBQ. Hands down some of the best I've tasted. Mine was prepared in traditional Korean BBQ style, bursting with sesame and ginger flavor. The service is fantastic: the cashier was very friendly and bubbly, eager to make suggestions. I was even able to substitute my rice for vegetables, making my meal entirely gluten free and paleo friendly! The prices are well below what I would be willing to pay for Korean BBQ chicken, not to mention the restaurant's casual ambiance and stainless steel chopsticks. Easily exceeds 5/5 stars.
(5)Ariel H.
First time here. I got the yakisoba wrap and I thought it was a little bland and dry. I wish they would've put teriyaki sauce in it or more if they already included it. I like the idea of a yakisoba wrap but I think I'll just stick to the traditional chicken yakisoba. The size of the wrap is well worth the price of $6.75 though. Overall it was "good", not "great". It was a little awkward walking through the door entrance when the place has an open front with a table in the way haha. The customer service was quick and friendly!
(3)Spencer H.
I went to Rice Junkies for the first time today. The man who took my order was very polite and quick to help. I got the Chicken Ramen noodles and it was pretty good! I cannot wait to go again so I can try a rice bowl. Definitely going back!
(4)Marcia G.
Asian lady at the register was not friendly or helpful when ordering, I felt like I was bugging her for bothering to come in.. We ordered the edamame and bulgogi wrap and a large saki. The wrap was really good: tasty, meat wasn't fatty and the kimchi was flavorful so all blended well together. Hubby doesn't like sour cream (which it came with) so I got it on the side and surprisingly, it went well with the burrito. It was large enough for us to share. if you come from 3-5 they have HH..
(3)Yen N.
I ordered their chicken teriyaki last year and I remembered it being nasty. I was at Blue Star today and saw another couple eating ramen next door. You see, I suffer from a seefood syndrom, i see food, i have to have it! I ordered the $4 happy hour ramen. After what seem like 1/2 an hour wait, the owner brought out my ramen. Sitting in front of me was plain ramen noodles in simple broth. The broth tasted luke warm and familiar....tasted like Shin Ramyun instant noodles! This is my noodle of choice...only for camping...and only in the middle of the night...and topped with Vietnamese ham (cha). Never would I pay to be served instant ramen! I can't believe this restaurant serves a $0.75 instant noodles on their menu! The least they can do is make it look legit!...add a half boiled egg, some shitake mushrooms, pork belly, sprinkled seaweed and a dash of hot oil. Voilà ! Gourmet instant ramen! You're welcome Rice Junkie!
(1)Karen P.
This place isn't too bad.
(3)Peter L.
Must try their dolsot bibimbap! My friends told me to try it and it was well worth it. They have the nicest customer service and they make sure they take care of you. Very friendly and they offer Togo and delivery. Great quality food and clean environment. Will go again soon to try their quinoa bowl! Must go!
(5)Bryan I.
I visited this small nice-rice style shop on a slow Saturday evening. Despite the sledgehammer next to the door (supposed to be manned by a massively intimidating security guard?) it has a decent ambiance that reminds you of a small food shop on a college campus. Regardless, you walk in and see a menu full of rice bowls & wraps for $5-6, and you think it's pretty hard to go wrong unless the food is REALLY bad. Well, luckily, it's not bad, but it's also not outstanding. Most japanese/chinese places that offer teriyaki chicken, gyoza, yakisoba, schezuan chicken, etc will try to master that menu before branching out to other cuisines, but they deemed it wise to offer thai chicken, indian curry, & a mexican quesadilla, too. They're a jack of all food styles, and a master of none. Don't get me wrong, if you're looking for rice, average meat/veggies, & some type of flavored "sauce" in a bowl, it's relatively quick & gets the job done, but don't have high expectations.
(2)Moriah M.
I enjoy some Rice Junkie from time to time. I love that I can visually see all the ingredients in my food. The menu not only sounds healthy but it is. My favorite dish is the Quinoa Bowl with avocado, plus I add kimchi and sweet chili sauce. The dishes by themselves are a bit more bland than I like but I think that might be on purpose so that everyone can spice it to their liking. The atmosphere is comfortable. I often come here with a very large group and though the staff must get stressed, they handle it efficiently and politely. I truly appreciate that about them.
(4)Thomas W.
This place has grown on me the more I visit; since my wife and sister-in-law are fans, I have also pulled up a chair to have some bento, wraps, etc. I give them points for keeping it healthy; even if the base flavor is a bit bland, there is no shortage of sauces to accompany the dishes, making even my one-time spinach-wrapped tofu kung-powish concoction more than tasty in its own right. I suppose the bottom line is: if you're hungry, walking down Hawthorne, and are jonesing for some rice, this is not a bad option. No, it is not authentic Chinese...or any Asiatic school of cooking for that matter...it's just a cozy place to get a bite to eat in Portland... ...honestly, we can't have too many of those.
(3)c w.
Rice Junkies just expanded their menu to include some actual Korean dishes!!! YAY! The now have Kimchi Jigae and Dolsot Bibimbap, just in time for the cold, rainy winter! IMO, there is nothing better than a steaming bowl of dolsot bibimbap to warm you up when it's pissing cold outside. It's not fancy fare, but it's cheap and delicious. The kimchi jigae was vegan, so didn't have the traditional meruchi and seafood stock the way my mom makes it, but I give them props for offering vegan and veg options. In regards to other reviewers saying that the proprietress gave them the stink eye because they were with a caucasian person, that is really weird and sad, and totally not the experience I've had. I'm Korean and go in with my lilly white husband all the time, and the owners and workers are nothing but super friendly to us. When I go in by myself, they always ask after my husband, and vice versa.
(4)ReviewInHaik u.
Healthy, fresh, tasty. Yeah, their logo really sucks, But who eats logos?
(4)Melody L.
My fiancee and I went to Rice Junkies tonight, hoping for the best. The customer service was the best in town. Very friendly. I really liked restaurant and how relaxed it felt and how it opened up onto the street. However, the food was mediocre and really was not impressive. I got the beef bulgogi rice bowl and some gyoza. My fiancee got the happy hour ramen. My dish looked great when he brought it out but one bite into the veggies and all I could taste was "frozen" veggie taste. My fiancee's dish was worst! I'm pretty sure they use the instant spicy ramen from the grocery store, which I've bought before. Mine was better too because at least when I make it at home I add veggies and an egg. His bowl was so sad with only noodles and broth. The gyoza too were store bought, just like everything else made at this restaurant.
(2)Donna K.
We love this place.. We call it "Oma's" Korean for mom.. The owner is a sweet Korean lady who always knows our order! We always get the kimchi bulbugi burrito. (rice you can choose brown, white or Spanish, Marinated Korean beef, cheddar cheese, kimchi, lettuce, and sour cream). Delicious! This burrito tastes different than Koi Fusion... It's a different kind of tasty and flavor! We also get the house salad.. It's some type of miso dressing with cucumbers, red unions, and tomatoes. The dolsot bibimbap is also yummy... It's a stone hot pot full of rice, fresh veggies (shiitake mushrooms, daikon, carrots, spinach) and bulbugi if you'd like... The stone pot creates an awesome crunchy texture with the rice! I know on the east side there isn't a great selection of Korean food to choose from... But rice junkies will definitely fill the void for now.. Plus the price is super reasonable...
(4)Rob C.
Rice Junkies has become my favorite place for teriyaki/Asian fusion bowls. They have amazing fresh veggies and tasty sauces. Most of their food has a slightly Korean flair, and they have a great bibimbap. I particularly like their take on kung pao - it's spicy but not as... I don't know the word... crappy? as kung pao sauce you get at a lot of places. Love that you can get brown or white rice, and they don't really bother with a lot of fried stuff, though the gyoza are pretty much dumpling-shaped crack. I think they might even by handmade. Everything is good here!
(5)John P.
Heads-up vegetarians: just to let you know, if you order a bowl of ramen with tofu and veggies, it comes with beef broth. Yeah, that makes sense. I know there are a few vegan options, but one would assume that a person ordering a ramen with tofu and veggies is probably not interested in beef broth... So I asked the guy: do you use a veggie or mushroom broth for the veggie ramen? Answer: No, it's still a beef broth. Pass. Come on, dude: all you need are two wells of broth... one for the meat dishes, one for the veggie.
(2)April A.
The veggies were fresh and good. For me to give them a good review is unheard of as I'm very pick when it comes to veggies. I got the avacado chicken wrap and it was amazing. Cute little gem. Food was quick. Fresh water on all the tables but that is why I'm also giving it only 4 stars as I don't like my water exposed to anyone/anything. I'd rather have it in the kitchen ready to be served to the next patron. Menu is up to date and everything looked good. Optional outside seating. TV. Fun part of Hawthorne. This is my new fave find.
(4)Melinda N.
Ok, so I haven't gotten into a bad habit where I won't step into a place unless it's fairly highly rated on Yelp. This leads to many good dining experiences, but where's the room for chance, serendipity, the feeling of discovering or stumbling onto something yourself, blah blah blah? Luckily my friend is not so hindered when making his eating decisions, and is ok with walking into the nearest place that has food he can eat when he is hungry. He is the reason I entered this establishment. And what a pleasant surprise! We shared a quinoa bowl with black beans, greens, maybe tofu, avocado, peanut sauce, some other kind of sauce. It was a healthy, light, nutritious delight. They also have free wi-fi, which is always nice.
(4)Morgan W.
Rice Junkies is a confused restaurant. They are trying to be the ultimate mash-up of Mexican, Japanese, Chinese and American, but the food just falls flat on it's face. I didn't have a good feeling when I walked into the restaurant and looked at the food on the tables. And I didn't feel good after I mostly finished my spicy chicken wrap. My girlfriend tried a vegetarian bowl and was unimpressed by lack of flavor and limp vegetables.
(1)Kount T.
$5.75 for 3 small bites of chicken and the rest was rice. What a rip off!!!
(1)Alexandria S.
Living in Portland means having a pretty good spread of delicious and inexpensive food nearly everywhere. That being said, my meal here was probably one of the worst meals I've had here. I had the chicken yakisoba bowl and I had to stop eating it after about two bites. It tasted like hot garbage and the sauces were overpowering and way too sweet. The chicken was alright but I had to throw away most of the bowl which was a total waste. The rice dishes may have been better but I would not go back to try it again.
(1)Johnny S.
Tofu yakisoba wrap was so so good. Limited seating but the food makes up for any of that. Limited beer selection too. Bathroom is in a weird spot, then again most Portland eateries are the sameway.
(4)Bonnie C.
Rice junkies has some of the tastiest spicy chicken ever. It is a little hole in the wall restaurant near a bunch of other hole in the wall restaurants in the "hip" part of Hawthorne (read: don't you dare walk down the street without your ironic glasses and grandma skirt). However, it doesn't matter how cool or uncool you happen to be- you will be welcome here. All are welcome! For me, the sign of a good restaurant is having a solid grasp of the basics. Rice Junkies definitely meets this test. I would mark them down on having their bathroom right across the hall from their kitchen, but you work with the space you're given.
(4)Chris S.
Now, the only reason I ever come here is because my boyfriend is a fan. But as a gluten free eater there are a surprising lack in options here so I avoid it. Not to mention the food just.. isn't good. I've never actually written a bad review on yelp because I don't think I have any experience to be a "food critic" unless it's a positive experience and I want to help a business out. But wow. This place is just bad. This past summer (shows you how much this bummed me out seeing as it's January and I'm still remembering it), I was here on an especially hot day, waiting outside for my boyfriends to-go food. I was unimpressed as the woman at the counter who has told me before that she is the owner before, was very rude and not helpful.We waited outside. It was at least 100 degrees out. REALLY HOT. I watched a harmless homeless couple and their dog walk up, stop and overheard the man say "I'm gonna get some water, I'm dyin out here." This man walked in, calmly asked the woman (the owner) at the counter if he could get some water in his water bottle from her fountain, and she loudly and rudely told him to get out unless he wanted to buy something. Come. ON. Seriously? I can't support a business run by someone who treats people this way. It's freaking water. anyways, won't ever come back here and have successfully talked my boyfriend into going to Whole Bowl up the street instead!
(1)Azmat H.
The big plus is you get lots of food, so come hungry. Beware, the bowls are huge, especially the Ramen. Also the "wraps" are more like the size of burritos. The food quality is decent but nothing spectacular. We had a really long wait time from the time we ordered to receiving our food. There weren't even a lot of ppl in the restaurant, so I'm not sure why the delay. Another plus is they have a TV so we could at least watch the game. There are lots of other offerings on the area, and I think next time I would visit one of those instead of RJ.
(3)Pork Chop Express R.
Best Chicken Skewer with Rice in PDX.
(5)Katherine M.
Went here during happy hour and got the veggie bento, tofu bento, egg rolls, and veggie gyoza. It said on the happy hour menu that they were mini bowls, but we got really huge portions, which we really appreciated. The bowls were your standard steamed rice, steamed veggies, teriyaki sauce, and tofu (on the tofu bento.) They were okay. Not the best thing ever, but still satisfying and fills you up. The egg rolls and gyoza were nice and crisp, not the best, but still a nice appetizer. Service was nice and prompt, and happy hour prices were great.
(3)Coleen M.
I dig the food here. It's nothing to write home about, but a nice selection, convenient spot on Hawthorne, and a pretty healthy option for a quick bite. However, last week I had the single most strange experience *ever* while ordering food here. I read another review who considers the owner a grandmother figure - and I agree! But not exactly with the same fondness. I didn't know what I wanted when I got to the counter to order and she militantly tried to tell me what I should get, depending on my hunger level. Well, my hunger level was all out of whack because I was hung over. So I didn't want anything and I wanted all of it, if you know what I mean. I tried to order a wrap and a bowl of ramen. She said no. She flat out told me NO, because it was too much food. (Does she think I'm overweight? Does she simply not want to make money?). I told her I wanted left overs and she began to argue with me that the wraps are like a salad and they are no good left over. Wait. What? You don't want my money? I was dumbfounded. So because I was so tired I listened to my new Korean grandma and just ordered a wrap. And a PBR. I ate about 1/4 of the wrap (Grandma was right!). But where she was wrong, is that it made fine leftovers about 3 hours later. I've never been anywhere where someone actually wouldn't let me order what I thought I wanted. Have you?
(3)Hwal L.
The biggest wrap I've ever held in my little hand, and the first Asian fusion burrito ever! We ordered their kimchi burrito wrap and beans burrito. They were so big, my partner only ate half of it and I, after devouring the big thing, didn't have to eat dinner that night. Good generous filling and casual atmosphere, you'd definitely get an awesome value for your money here. Recommended.
(5)Danie B.
I frickin' love this place. If I feel fat, bloated, hung over, or just gross, I get one of the wraps as a bowl with brown rice. Take a minute to look at the menu 'cuz they have Asian-inspired, Mediterranean-inspired, or Mexican-inspired. Service is great and the food will last you more than one meal. Yet to go for HH but it sounds great for hearty food, a cheap beer, and book-reading/people-watching.
(4)Wolf L.
Nothing about this place knocked my socks off, but the guy in charge was super friendly. I can't ding 'em too much because this kind of food just isn't my thing. We stopped in while my son was visiting and he's the ramen/rice bowl king. The food at Rice Junkies didn't leave him raving. They do have vegan choices, which is good for our one veggie kid. I don't really see myself stopping into Rice Junkies on my own. I'd have to have some of our picky eaters with me, and then I'd likely try to persuade to go elsewhere.
(3)Sara W.
Horrible service. So unwelcoming to our family. I guess maybe its just not a family friendly estab.? My kids are 2 and 5. They are pretty good kids, use to going out to eat. The second the lady saw us come in she did a huge eye roll!!!! Seriously? I couldn't believe it. The place is also dirty. All the condiments are sticky and layered in goop. Yuck. Dust on the shelves accompanied by a layer of stickiness. Food so so. Nothing horrible but definitely nothing to go back for. We were hoping to find another weeknight/quick/ good eats, but nope.
(2)Ashley G.
I can't believe I've lived in Portland almost a year, walk/drive past this place all the time and have never gone in. I've looked at the menu from the sidewalk and kept going quite a few times thinking I wasn't in the mood. Tonight was the night! I was a little skeptical based on some of the negative YELP reviews. The vegan menu was front and center above the cash register, right where I like it. It's the first thing one's eyes gravitate to when standing there trying to decide what to order. Back in my omnivore days in college, I was a big bibimbap fan.... It's a Korean dish and normally it's a big mess of rice, meat, fried egg, and veggies which you mix in with hot sauce and stir up until all the ingredients are mixed up and coated with egg/hot sauce. Rice Junkies offers a vegan version... I had no idea what to expect from the menu description but I took a leap of faith based on my distant historical love of bibimbap. I was only a little bit hungry and I received this massive stainless steel bowl of warm brown rice, fresh raw veggies and steamed tofu with a side of the house Korean hot sauce to flavor it up. The veggies included were romaine lettuce, bean sprouts, zucchini, cucumber, red cabbage, and grated carrots. Some of the raw veggies seemed to be marinated like the little side dishes you get when you eat at a Korean restaurant. Oh my gosh was this delicious! I wish I had been hungrier... I only made it 1/3 of the way through this massive bowl and had to stop. This was a perfect meal to me.Oh, and the best part? Only $6.75! I will definitely be back on a day when I have a heartier appetite. I can't wait to try the other vegan options as well.
(4)Morgan S.
Bibimbap = yum. Portions are generous.
(4)Duy T.
Bi bim bap. To go. $8. Can't beat that.
(4)erin g.
I was attracted by the special of the day "ChickenTzatziki Wrap." But somehow ended up ordering the Curry Chicken Bento. Actually, I ordered it because I while I was waiting and listening to my stomach growl I watched 5 Bento bowls waft in front of me, piled with chicken and veggies. I love curry so I thought I would try it. Nope. Nay. Nada. 4 pieces of chicken over brown rice with some sort of brownish sauce. hmmm...I ate most it anyways, wondering why mine didn't have any veggies and reeked of a cheap thai restaurant for the rest of the day. I think I will go back and try something with more substance. Other peoples food looked decent, and the cooks were making the food fresh...so it has possibilities.
(2)Jacklyn N.
Hit up Rice Junkies after our visit to The Waffle Window, just cause we're gluttonous and it was across the street. They had the option of brown rice and whole wheat tortilla, which is a definite PLUS for the BF and I. We split the "Kung Pao Chicken Wrap" which was $7 and a decent size. I was a little skeptical since all I could see were Caucasians (was hoping I'd be pleasantly surprised) behind the counter, and I was right! The Kung Pao, was chicken, pretty much drowning in some sweet ass teriyaki-like sauce. My sister LOVED it, she's Caucasian haha! The veggies in there were good, fresh-tasting, and not overcooked. I'm sure their American-style wraps are awesome, I'll have to try those next time. Friendly, friendly service! Everyone on Hawthorne is so care-free and friendly!
(3)Jrj S.
Went in today mildly hunger....I ordered the BBQ Galbi and Salad....it was AMAZING.....BIG portion and I ate the entire thing even though I was not that hungry....the dressing on the salad (which was just romaine, carrots and onion...kind of boring......) was fantastic....a soy ginger dressing...I am thinking that the negative reviewers should order the Korean inspired dishes....they looked the most interesting and my dish was excellent. Brown rice was done well too. Great healthy fast food~!
(5)Tamara Y.
good veggie options. don't make the owner mad she will go nutty, but otherwise she is really nice. I love the tofo/veggie rice bowl.
(3)Hayley E.
Always quick and reliable. Get the curry with chicken and veggies - delicious.
(5)Kristi R.
It was raining and I was hungry, so I stopped in Rice Junkies to try their vegan Bibimbop for $6.25. I got it to carry out, otherwise I would've complained to them directly. The food was pretty basic, but not fresh at all. It tasted like everything had been sitting uncovered in the reach in cooler for a long time. I agree with another reviewer that said the vegetables kinda tasted like garbage. The tofu was just plain, slightly warmed unseasoned tofu and there were only about 6 1-inch cubes of it. The worst part, however, was the fact that it was all served on a HUGE bed of chopped romaine lettuce. I think they did that to make the serving look larger. Not sure if this had to do with the fact that I ordered it to go. I tried to skim the rice, veggies and tofu off the top of the lettuce, there was so much of it and it just made a bad meal worse. There really just wasn't one good thing about the food at this place, so I won't be giving it a second chance.
(1)Gordon F.
I eat lunch and dinner here on a regular basis and have never been disappointed. It's not the most adventurous place in the world, but it's a big, healthy bowl of food. Some of the newer Korean-style menu items are pretty authentic, too. Great for vegetarians and vegans. I tend to get the Kung Pao bowl or the Bi Bim Bap (sans egg). Fast, cheap, and tasty, especially when you alter things to your liking at their huge sauce bar.
(4)frank g.
This place is great, not sure what people are thinking, giving it two stars! I've been eating at rice junkies for nearly ten years, and was happy to see that they started a hawthorne location. I'm a vegetarian, so I can't write about their meat, but I love the tofu and veggie yakisoba bento combos. They include cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and other good stuff. The sauces are really good, especially the peanut sauce, and if I remember right they have two different kinds of ginger. The bento combo above is around 7 bucks, but it's enough for two people, so no complaints there. I agree, the atmosphere isn't the best, but I'm not really thinking about that when I hit rice junkies, more interested in getting a fast, tasty, healthy bite to eat.
(4)Jessica G.
I probably should have known we were in for a very mediocre meal when the guy taking our order didn't know what dashi meant when we were asking about the veggie ramen. When it arrived, it was just like vegetable top ramen with some cabbage and broccoli thrown in. Not worth even half the $5.50 charge. We also had the chicken bento which was decent white meat (albeit in huge irregular sized chunks) with thick teriyaki sauce on lots of rice. Also had their "spicy" peanut sauce for dipping which was ok. Maybe their wraps and other items are better but I won't be back to find out.
(2)Ferd S.
Super good food, Great service, almost as good as moms home cooking!!!
(5)Chris G.
I'm surprised this place has so few reviews. It's got a great selection of wraps for very reasonable prices. I had the plentiful curry wrap. I appreciated that they had a large selection of sauces available at a self-serve area. My chicken curry wrap was pretty good... very edible, but not mind-blowing. I would definitely consider going back if I needed a quick bite on Hawthorne.
(3)Olivia T.
On a bright sunny day, it's hard to find a good outdoor seating spot on Hawthorne. I just want to read my book, feed my belly, and enjoy the sunshine. Oh, affordable price is a must. Rice Junkies had some empty one-two people outdoor tables. I was thinking to myself, hm bento/teriyaki type of fast food, how bad it could be? I walked to the counter, ordered my Chicken bowl and the guy asked if I wanted veggies added to that. I said, sureeeee...the price went up from $5.00 to $6.25. Hopefully it's a damn good veggies. They have pretty good variety of sauces for your bowls. From teriyaki, sweet and sour, to wasabi and hot sauces. My bowl came and it looked pretty decent. White rice, one chicken skewer, and veggies. I put hot sauce and more teriyaki sauce on it. I took a first bite and it was just meh. The veggies didn't have much flavor and mostly carrots. I hate carrots and it was hard to pick those carrots out of my rice. (Yeah yeah I'm whining, but they shouldn't put much carrots in it.) I think their concept is healthier fast food, but they forgot that healthy is not equal tasteless. Two stars for the outdoor seating and friendly service. Sorry Rice Junkies, I'm not one of your junkies.
(2)Alien T.
I am a rice junkie. I grew up eating nothing but rice everyday. This place is really good and I think the quality and quantity is awesome. The staff is very friendly and always have smile on their face. This is becoming my next regular place after my climbing session. My favourite is BBQ Chicken & Salad with Brown rice.
(5)Natalie B.
It's a pretty simple concept, but they're good at what they do. A ridiculously gigantic bowl (no really--like the size of a mixing bowl) of rice topped with protein and a tasty sauce. Dirt cheap. No more, no less.
(4)Zach K.
Solid, healthy food at a reasonable price. They have an array of delicious sauces that you can add to your meal. Plenty of good stuff on the menu, but their bibimbap is my favorite.
(4)Amanda B.
Hmm. I was enticed by the advertised chicken curry wrap. It had chicken, veggies, curry sauce, spicy peanut sauce and mango chutney. The size was huge and the taste was okay. It was weird because they squirted all the sauces random places throughout the wrap - so I'd get sections of really sweet, and then really peanutty and then lots of curry. Whatevvv, I'll probably go back just to see what else they have but my mind wasn't blown.
(3)Curt W.
Perfect lunch spot. Tasty and healthy.
(4)