CLOSED
Location: SW 2nd and Stark
The Story:
I have fond memories of my first visit to a Vietnamese restaurant by Portland State University. I had eaten at Chinese restaurants throughout my childhood, yet was never exposed to other Asian specialties. That first visit was a game changer. I enjoyed a wonderful cold noodle salad which blew my mind because up until that point, a salad was something with iceberg lettuce, not noodles. Any time I get the chance to enjoy some Vietnamese dishes, I jump at it and now, in Portland’s ever expanding food cart scene, more Vietnamese options are becoming available. In May, Viet Cuisine opened.
Vietnamese food usually includes fish sauce, soy sauce, fresh herbs, fresh fruits and vegetables, beef or pork and rice. The mixture of herbs like lemongrass, mint, Vietnamese mint, cilantro or long coriander and basil brighten each dish and provide a complex layer of flavors to complement the other parts of the meal. With the inclusion of these fresh ingredients, one can’t help but eat healthier.
Viet Cuisine has a broad menu with dishes ranging from salad rolls and pot stickers as munchies to traditional bahn mi sandwiches and stir fried rice dishes. I enjoyed a wonderful cold rice noodle salad with fried egg rolls, grilled pork, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, a side of sliced cucumbers, green onions and bean sprouts and that amazing sauce they give you. The sauce that I just love and could drink in shots like tequila had the flavors of fish sauce and rice vinegar along with tastes I just don’t know how to describe. Mix it all together – everything – including the chopped up peanuts and you have a wonderful salad for a warm spring day.
Viet Cuisine also offers up some great beverage choices including Vietnamese Coffee, an avocado shake and bubble tea in flavors including taro, honeydew, mango, strawberry and coconut. I only know one other cart in downtown that is also serving bubble tea, so Viet Cuisine may corner the market here. Wander on down to SW 2nd and check Viet Cuisine out. They have covered seating. Tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.
Sample Menu:
- Salad rolls – $2.75
- Egg rolls – $2.75
- Bánh mì sandwich – $3
- Orange Chicken with rice – $5
- Salted Mussels – $6
- Stir fried lemongrass chicken or tofu on rice – $5
- Noodle salad – $5
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-6pm
Phone: 503 915 7072
I need to give them another try, but the orange chicken with rice was surprisingly dull Chinese-American fare. Just chicken nuggets, rice, and that sweet, sticky orange sauce. Tasty if you’re into that sort of thing, but hardly reminded me of the better Vietnamese food I’ve had in town.
But your photo looks like it’s a better dish. Maybe I just need to suss out the more interesting stuff on the menu.
I have to agree with Todd. I had the lemongrass chicken, and I was surprised when the price was $5 including a soda. When I started eating it, I realized where the cost savings are coming from: the meat was poor quality. I’m sorry to say, but I won’t be going back when there are better Vietnamese carts around.
Looks good!
Their $3 “Vietnamese Sandwhich” aka the Bánh mì is simply amazing. So, so good.
The Bánh mì sandwich, was Heaven!