Asaase Ital Palace

Asaase Ital Palace

[Updated July 2010: Closed]

Location: SW 5th and College

Description:

I didn’t realize that what Portland’s food cartopia sorely needed was African-Caribbean specialties until I made a visit to the Asaase Ital Palace by PSU’s cart cluster.  It’s only about two months old, and my previous attempts to sample its wares were foiled by random closures. At least, they appeared random. So today when I noticed from two blocks away that a small crowd was gathered ’round, I made a beeline.

Where do I start? It’s vegan and vegetarian. That means there’s jerk “chicken” and “fish”, and a tofu scramble, but most everything else eschews the ersatz and sticks to real rice, beans and vegetables. The pretty extensive menu is divided up into Starters, with the prize being the Samosa-like Sambusas ($2.00) but with fry bread (4 pieces for $3.00) and plaintains (5 pieces for $4.00) as other choices;  Meals, consisting mostly of rice and greens cooked with spicy oil, or coconut milk, or tomato sauce with a side of fried or boiled plantains; and Soup, apparently called “Sip” in the islands ($6.00).  You can try the Groundnut Sip or the Palm Nut Sip. I tried the Jollof Rice Special, touted as a “real African favorite”, and whatever the origin I can say it was very satisfying: moist red rice mixed up with black eyed peas, a little onion and cabbage topped with slices of cucumber.

Jollof Rice

If you are a fan of coconut, you’ll have to give the Ites Gold and Green Plate a try. How can anyone resist a taste of the tropics with these southern staples? Red beans on yellow rice cooked with tomato and coconut milk with a small side of boiled collard-like greens and cabbage could hardly be improved upon.

Ites Gold and Green Plate

Assaase Ital Palace can up that with Asaase’s fresh smoothies. This cart is all about health, nutrition and feeling good and these fruit drinks deliver ($2.50 each).  I had the Blue Monday even though it was Wednesday: blueberry, banana and a shot of vitamin C powder. I perked right up.  A patron ordering a Sun Splash of Mango, Strawberry, Banana and Orange meant the remains at the bottom of the blender became taste tests and happily I indulged. There was no dairy in these drinks to dilute the flavor. Asaase opens at 9am. Breakfast smoothies anyone?

Oh, about those random closings. The cart owner’s husband is a reggae musician and sometimes they have to play.

Sample Menu:

• Jollof Rice – small $6, large $9
• Starters: Jerk veggie fish – $2
• see description for more information

Hours: Monday through Friday 9am-6pm; Saturday 1-6pm
Phone: 503 851 2511
Website: unknown