Khao San Reviews

Five friends and I went to Khao San in part because it was relatively new and in part because they have an extensive gluten free menu. The meal was fantastic. Everything on the menu except the beers are gluten free, which made ordering and sharing food easy. All food is served family style for sharing. We ordered three appetizers, two soups, and eight entrees, and had more than enough food. All of the food was excellent, though the noodle dishes were favorites of the table. The soups were excellent and there was a nice level of spicy heat in the dishes but be careful if you do not like spicy food; the bite is subtle and can sneak up on you (which is a good thing from my perspective). The waitress knew the menu and was able to make great recommendations and help us choose our dishes. Ask the waiter what happened to dishes 36 - 39! They really appreciate that. This was wonderful meal that was not your typical American Thai food.

We read about this on Tripadvisor. Otherwise, we'd not have found it, at the 405 end of Flanders that doesn't get much foot traffic. Flavors were exceptional. My husband had grilled salmon with basil from the special menu. I order a grilled pork that was under the salad menu. Both our entrees came with a crunchy lettuce leaf and some exceptionally tasty cucumber slices. I was expecting more greens. Should have ordered some sticky rice to go with it as our server suggested. They have a full service bar. I had a Bankok Mojito. Really good. The place is totally chic, clean and theme decorated. I hope their business grows. It's so good!

Had a good Thai meal at Khao San. The Pad Thai had quite a lot of noodles, but the Shrimp were large and flavorful. Also got the Jungle Curry with Fried Tofu which was the best of the two meals. Also shared the Spring rolls which were solid too.

Flew into Portland, picked up the rental car and drove to this area to try a restaurant but went to Khao San instead. Great food and very helpful waitress.

The papaya salad was okay. The fried rice with crab had an almost undetectable amount of crab but the egg was generous and it was definitely fresh with nice presentation. We were disappointed that the soup had checked as we didn't see it listed as an ingredient. They told is if we wanted it vegetarian we would have to make a new separate order so we didn't. I wouldn't go out of my way to return but it was okay.

Was looking for something different and not too hungry and found this place on yelp and decided to give it a try. We ordered the spring bites (they were decent), the chicken skewers, grilled pork, and jasmine rice. The meat was so tasty and very flavorful..our favorite was the grilled pork!! Very affordable and filling! Staff was great!

I went with my Thai partner, He is somewhat more critical of Thai food and restaurants than I am. We ordered charred meets, Pork with Sauteed Broccoli and a few other dishes including Laab. Laab is my favorite dish and is easily messed up. It was full of flavor and the elements were balance. The decor was fun with actual signage from Bangkok along with a Tuk-Tuk. I haven't had the change to go to Pok Pok and now that I have tried this place, I think I can skip Pok Pok and enjoy this gem without the crowds.

Service was superior. Food was average. Atmosphere was fun. The owner will take you back to your hotel or car in his electric street car to finish off the experience. It was a great evening!

Doesn't disappoint! Jungle curry was delishhh and brought the heat! Service was friendly and fast. My friend had the khoa soi chicken which came out in a large portion and was equally delicious.

Food was a little sweet, staff are nice but very slow and poor services. It was more than 5 servers with only less than 10 tables with guesses. We were sat down for 15 min with no menu, no water, no dinner plates or silverware. We have to call a server after 15 min, he brought us water and the menu. We waited for 15 more minutes and finally has to call someone over to take our orders. We order beer, it was never came. We didn't have a good family dine out time.

The food is simple and authentic. It's the sauces that come with the grilled meats, spring rolls, etc that make these dishes. The lemongrass soups are heartwarming and the calamari are perfectly crispy without being greasy. The staff is the best...always polite!

Outstanding customer service and atmosphere! The owner came and talked with my sister about their gluten free options, and the entire menu is gluten free except for one dish! Also our waitress was super nice and patient. The only thing I would have to say is there was hardly any meat on my chicken pad Thai dish. But other than that everything was perfect.

The restaurant itself is nice, clean and in a good location. The service was pretty good but the food is just OK. We have eaten a lot of Thai food and this experience does not compare well.

Stopped in for lunch on a Sunday and the place wasn't too busy. Noticed a tuk-tuk (Thai taxi) on the restaurant floor and there is a table and benches in there if you wish to dine in a tuk-tuk. Very nice touch. It took a while for the server to come over to my table so I helped myself to a menu. I ordered the fresh summer bites as an appetizer and a tofu jungle curry. Pretty well all the items had meat options so I asked the server if they had any veggie dishes. He said pretty well all the dishes can be ordered as vegetarian thus my curry order. The summer bites (veggies and tofu wrapped in rice paper w/ chili basil sauce) were very tasty if somewhat small. The curry was a good sized portion, with good heat, lots of veggies, and very tasty. The service was very good and friendly and the value was excellent. Nice atmosphere. I would return on my next trip to Portland.

We got recommended by some Belgian travellers and we were glad they did! We had some very delicious Thai food at this place. Also the interior was great. They even have a tuktuk where you can sit in to enjoy your delicious food. The staff was very friendly, just like the Thai people in general. Also we had the amazing experience to hang out with Bud (the owner) in his pimped out tuktuk (led lights, big stereo) . He drove us all the way through Portland to the Max station, while playing loud music. That was just amazing, crazy and fun. Thanks for the great experience!!

On an extremely hot day in Portland, we found a friendly staff and really great food and cocktails!! Highly recommend - try the spring rolls, fried rice with crab and egg!

This place is consistently good, which is why it gets 4 stars. Their portions are good, although given there are so many thai restaurants in Portland, their prices are a little spendier. Maybe location? I've had their Pad Kee Mao and their fried rice that comes w/an overeasy egg on top, it's tasty. The staff is always friendly and polite, I do takeout too, although sometimes that takes longer than table service! Not sure why....Overall they are good and I have gone back several times and will keep going!

Great looking restaurant featuring Thai vehicles Great look Menu was exciting with a lot of variety including gluten free and vegan considerations Service was excellent all night One ordered Chinese broccoli with crispy pork belly and I had pumpkin curry chicken with coconut milk We also had Ping - four chicken skewers marinated in evaporated milk The food was the best I ate in Portland. This restaurant is well worth a visit

I have been having super pangs of hunger for Thai street food all year. I was driving by and spotted this place and was so excited. The next day I stopped by and entered to see a cute mock street soup cart and a table that looked like a tuk-tuk taxi. The menu is fairly large and they offer many things you would find from street vendors in Thailand from soups, to rolls, grilled meat skewers, and Thai iced teas. I ordered Larb one of my favorite dishes and fresh roll bites. The larb was delicious and they have the spice rack to spice it up making it taste just like it did in Thailand. Fish sauce, lime, peanuts, etc. I loved my meal and I will definitely return.

We came here for a quick take out. The food is fresh and quite good, service is very friendly and accommodating and prices are really reasonable. A fine place for Thai food.

Fun interior set up to look like you're outside at food carts on the street. Staff very helpful and attentive. Menu options for small bites and sharing plus larger portions. Happy Hour every day 3-6. Ordered three small plates: Coco Potatoes (wedge fries), Som Tum (papaya salad). and Ping Chicken. Great prices for food and drinks at Happy Hour. Every thing including the sauces tasted great. Fun place for two or twenty!

I only eat Thai food about twice a year and usually ask the proprietors of the establishments I patronize for recommendations. I ordered takeout; some larger sized noddle dish with veggies. It didn’t have very much flavor and the portion seemed small. I may or may not try this place again... The staff is very nice and location is great too. Try it yourself.

Whether I am looking for lunch or a spot to have a pre-function before aTimber's game, Khao San is at the top of the list. The small plates served family style make it easy to try a variety of items on the menu. The calamari is always hot and melt in your mouth tender. The summer rolls are a delicious way to get your veggies. Our last visit we added the Pumpkin Chicken Curry to our list of must have dishes. Served with sticky rice it is a very satisfying main dish with enough zip to give your taste buds a thrill. In the past we have munched our way through the chicken and pork skewers, the chicken wings and Spicy Green Beans. All so good it was hard not to stick with those items on a return trip in lieu of exploring the rest of the menu. The staff is friendly and helpful. They know the menu and can advise the less adventurous in your party. This is the best Thai we have had since Thiand and much more convenient.

This is the cutest lil place. It's very fun and the food was excellent. The service was superior too. Wish we could have waited to get a ride on their lil electric car. So fun.

Khoa San has an industrial feel to it, with tables tightly packed in. There's barely enough room between tables to get to the booth. They were very accommodating to a dietary restriction. The food was good, but very salty.

The food is quite authentic, the atmosphere adds to its charm, and the staff is friendly. Go with a few people and order a variety of dishes, which is eating Thai style.

My husband and I have visited Khao San twice since it opened in our neighborhood 3 weeks ago. It was previously a sad jazz club, now creatively transformed into a fun, open space with a Thai street scene complete with a "food cart" and a refurbished "Tuk Tuk" -a three wheeled street taxi custom made into a dining booth. Nong & Bud have successfully owned and operated other Thai restaurants, but sold them to realize their dream of creating true Thai street food restaurant, which is not found elsewhere in Portland. The name of the restaurant comes from the street "Khao San" in Bangkok famous with tourists and backpackers as it offers the best of cheap, Thai street food. Our favorites thus far - Fresh spring bites. Incredibly fresh, with a nutty taste and crunchy texture. Next: Ping! A must have. Charred grilled pork or chicken on skewers that are brought delivered hot on a hanging rack custom made for the restaurant. The Bangkok mojito was very tasty and refreshing, as was the red light district. Kor Mu Yang - chargrilled pork slices with a tamarind dipping sauce. Yes, please. We also has the Tom Zab Braised Pork Soup. I loved it, husband found it a bit on the sweet side, easily remedied by a dollop of pickled jalapeño juice. A great addition to the downtown Pearl District of vibrant, Portland, Oregon. I highly recommend a visit you will have l lot of fun (as will your kids) and will find the food tasty, and the service delightful. Say hi to Bud for us. Great guy?

Lunch was quick and tasty. My colleague had beef fried rice and I had the crispy chicken. Both very tasty. The spring rolls were so fresh it was as if they came directly from the garden.

Atmosphere is bright, cheerful, and fun. They imported a modified a Tuk Tuk and made it into booth seating. The food was very good. The staff was good and wore numbered jerseys like the motorcycle taxi drivers in Bangkok. The owner is friendly and took the time to talk to us about his efforts to bring the spirit of Thailand to his restaurant. We lived in Bangkok for two years and the food here did not disappoint us.

We love going to this restaurant. It's great "street food" in a casual atmosphere. When the weather allows the large front door is open. They have a tut-tut you can eat in if you like and it's available as well as another tut-tut (sp.?) out front that is electric and can be used to drive you to somewhere close by. The menu has a lot of variety - steak, chicken, pork and of course fish and shrimp. The food is reasonably priced and you can share plates with the table or just have your own. We love the Hoy Joh, wings, Ping chicken, steak, spring roll appetizers. (not all at once!) We also love the Basil chicken, Tom Yum soup, curry meals, drunken shrimp, pad thai and probably more I just can't remember right now. A large portion of the menu is Gluten-Free, although my husband says you wouldn't know unless you read it on the menu. The food is just delicious -for those just trying Thai and those who already know they love it.

I came here with some relatives for a meal while I was visiting. We had a very nice time, being able to talk and eat. Service was good. Food was good, but not great. My brussel sprouts were yummy. one person in our party needed to be gluten-free and that was adjusted for without difficulty.

Khao Sun has a broad menu including the best of Thai Street Food. I ordered the crispy basil chicken and it was delicious. Service was prompt and attentive. Would definitely recommend.

I've spent a collective 3 months in Thailand, and this is hands down the most authentic Thai food I've had outside of Thailand itself. Also excellent happy hour from 3-6 daily. Try the Pad Se Ew or Ks Basil Chicken. Excellent.

Came here with family and at the time we came it was not too busy so we got great service. It was fun that we sat in a little tuk-tuk for our table, so lots of atmosphere for us. The spring rolls were good and I had Masaman Curry with Tofu, which I enjoyed. Everyone else also really enjoyed their entrees too. Would love to come back here again.

I have eaten at Khao San on 3 different occasions and it has been great each time. I always order the Crying Tiger Steak which is like a char broiled rib eye steak that has been sliced into thin strips and you get a spicy sauce to dip it in as well as a lot of white rice. It is has been so good that I have not been tempted to order anything else on the menu even though the other items sound outstanding as well. It is a very nice place to eat and I highly recommend it.

I tried this place for a quick lunch with my sister who was visiting from out of town. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner menus, but both were offered during the noon hour. Food can be ordered from mild to extra spicy. We only had a couple small plates, including medium spicy Mussamum Chicken with sweet potatoes and peanuts and Pumpkin Curry Chicken with coconut milk, along with rice and beverages. It was a healthy and tasty meal, just what we needed at the time, and enough to make me want to return. I'd like to try dinner with a larger group to sample more items, and it would be fun to sit in the Thai tuk dining booth if we could get it!

🚖 Tuk tuk seats, street food vibes, and a Hangover Bar that’s a whole mood. Khao San brings Bangkok to Portland. 🌶️🍚🍗 Ping + Holy Basil Fried Rice

Great Thai street food for anyone visiting the Pearl District. Fast service, nice people, decent prices, low-key atmosphere. Order the pork ping (skewers), and try it without the sauce first to really enjoy the grilled pork flavor. And yeah, we dropped by for dinner, then returned for two more lunches before we had to head home.

Atmosphere - what's not to like, Pearl District, clean, Thai TV Food - Kor Mu Yaang - char grilled pork rib meat w/tamarind sauce - delicious, I'd be content w/this as my meal Pad Kee Mao w/beef - good flavor, although noodles were overcooked and texture was slimy compared to noodles I'd had in Pad Kee Mao anywhere else We ordered another curry dish - can't remember but it was good...not great nor enough to remember offhand but better than Pad Kee Mao Dranks - at the bar ordered Moscow mule - well-done and another vodka libation...yum yum Service - Excellent, super attentive from entrance to exit. We waited for takeout so it was easy to observe the people coming in after us and even those who were already present :) Overall - I'll be back, good food, atmosphere, love Portland.

Visited last month and thoroughly enjoyed the experience during a Saturday afternoon. The place was not too busy so we had very attentive and prompt service. Had the Pad Kee Mow and the larb; both were great but the portions were on the small side. The decor is definitely cool, maybe next time we will get to sit in the pedicab table.

We have been here a few times for happy hour and it has been delicious every time. Most of the items on the happy hour menu are from the regular menu which makes it nice to try a few items since they are smaller plates. They have a variety of options from meat dishes, veggie dishes and gluten free dishes. I would suggest trying them out if you like Thai food.

Came to Khoa San for lunch on a Friday. It wasn't too crowded and there was ample street parking on Flanders. I ordered the pork belly and rice dish along with a Thai Iced Tea. The Iced Tea was unlimited which was a nice treat and the entree was priced at $9 which was decent. The food was tasty and the portions were generous. I would recommend this place for a casual lunch but with all the other options in Portland I wouldn't say it's a must go to spot.

My husband and I have eaten at several Thai places in the area and this has been the best Thai food we have had in the area. We had Hoy Joy, a bean curd wrapped dumpling, crispy chicken and crispy pork. It was ALL very tasty. We weren't rushed and the server was pleasant. On the menu was non-alcoholic beer which I love since I don't drink. But they didn't have it. Maybe take it off the menu. It's a good location with parking in the area streets.

Went here for dinner as a group of 4. Vast money of authentic Thai food for a very reasonable price. Thai tea, meats, curries, and noodle dishes all outstanding. Friendly staff and fun atmosphere. Great place to go!

We had a group of 8 people with no reservations and the staff was very accommodating. The food was really good although not many veggie options. Two of us were celebrating our birthday and we were treated to a complimentary (yummy) dessert and little toy tuk-tuks. The place was charming!

Portland seems to have as many Thai restaurants as it has coffee shops, so you would not think still another one might much — and you would be wrong about that. Khao San, at the edge of the Pearl on the corner of NE 14th and Flanders, is a little out of the way and well worth the walk. The "Thai street food" is exceptionally tasty, the service is fastidious and helpful and the price is right (especially at the exuded 3-7 happy hour). And in a town that prides itself on its food trucks that promise restaurant-quallty food, what a pleasure to see a comfortable restaurant serving food-truck quality cuisine — and with a virtually gluten-free menu. We will be back.

This is some of the most authentic Thai food I've eaten. And, the decor is very hip street Thai. The service is excellent and we would return in a heat beat.

My husband and I simple love this restaurant. The owner give ride in an electric tuktuk around the restaurant which is in Portland downtown. He's funny and very entertaining. restaurant serves authentic thai street food, no MSGs and tastes great. Try the chicken satay and thai iced coffee it's amazing.

Came here for lunch and had the grilled pork with rice -- delicious! Service was good, and prices were reasonable, especially considering the portion size! I can't wait to go back and try something else!

5 stars to the manager! We had 5 women from a bus tour group, and he went above and beyond taking care off us. Great front of house personality! He sat and spent 10 minutes separating our bills and charging our cards separately. The summer rolls were wonderful, and my Pad Thai with shrimp was delicious!

got take-out from Khao San last night, our first time eating at this restaurant. the food was good and spicy as we'd requested, and we can recommend the summer rolls (served with peanut sauce, which is always a welcome option) and the spring roll bites, the pad khee mao and pad thai. vegetables were crisp. only concern was that i'd stated at the outset while ordering that we are vegetarian and wanted tofu used throughout, and yet the chinese broccoli to our surprise when we ended up back home had pork in it instead of tofu (though i was assured that tofu would be substituted). sticky rice hit the spot. though we didn't eat there, the restaurant itself appears to serve the restaurant owners' intent to create a "fun" environment as indicated on their website - open, inviting, bustling attentive staff, and thai sports on the teli. just look for the bright blue Tuk Tuk outside (ok, not "peddling" after all...) - parking could be an issue. we'll be back but have to double check our order next time.

Thai food is my favorite and although this didn't become my new favorite spot, the food was good and I would return again. It's not in the most visible location. It's right next to 10 Barrel.

I don't know what it is about this place. It's in a kind of weird location, the decor is nice but has a kind of cheapness to it (feels very thai), and the food is excellent. My favorite is going there for lunch. Their lunch specials are great, free refills on thai iced teas. This place is just a really good blend of an authentic Thai restaurant, and an American modern place. The more I think about it, the more I love this place.

Such a great surprise to find this gem. Clean food that leaves you feeling good. Will be back again and again. We had delicious appetizers and the best pad Thai outside of Bangkok. They even have a booth inside a tuk tuk.

I always come here for the spring rolls. They will be out in 3 minutes from ordering. Nice touch of mint mixed with the sweet peanut dipping sauce. And for $5 its a nice treat. Their meals are also reasonably priced and tasty!

The Holy basil chicken is ridiculously delicious. And they have a ginger infused pale ale that is also fantastic.

This is a review of the Central Dr establishment in Bethany Village. It is the sane owner. While I have not been to Bangkok in years, my son-in-law who has been there said it equaled street foo he had there. We have eaten there several times, and have never been disappointed. I would order the Khao Soi chicken every time, but I want to try other things. Their spring roll bites are very delicate and tasty. On my last visit, I had thespicy green beans with pork belly. Excellent. My wife had the pad see eew with chicken. Again, very tasty. The owner will create the amount of head desired. Even though the menu said that the crispy green beans was "spicy",, it was just so. I probably could have had it a bit more, but that is quibbling. They do have a liquor license, so beer and wine is available. Service is good, prices reasonable, and , most importantly, the portions are not overwhelming. Because it is convenient to where we live, we do try to visit every other month ( too many other restaurants to try).

This place was recommended to us by a friend that lives in Portland. Four of us met here for lunch and none of us thought it was good(maybe it was an off day?) in fact we left most of our dishes uneaten, even the Thai coffee was terrible. Usually when you go to a place that is just awful but highly reviewed, you can count on seeing tons reviewers that have only 1 or 2 reviews but that's not the case here so we are scratching our heads. .

I have been here twice and I will now be craving their food. Besides the incredible variety, the availability to make dishes vegan or gluten free, every dish comes with a spiciness option as well. I ordered medium and it was medium and perfect. The dish that I will order again and again is the Pad Kee Mao, with wide rice noodles--it came to the table piping hot and was so delicious that I didn't bring home leftovers. I wish I could say I have tried many of their dishes but I haven't. I can say that, in the group I was in, everyone loved their meals, their drinks, their appetizers and desserts. Those who'd been to Thailand said it was authentic. In short, if you love Thai food, you absolutely must come to this restaurant, which also has excellent service!

We enjoyed our food so much we ate here twice during our visit to Portland. The first meal we had the (spicy?) fried chicken, spring rolls and chicken pad thai. All were perfectly flavored and a good price. The fried chicken was sticky deliciousness. And the waiter was kind enough to point out since we had arrived 10 min before happy hour was over, we got the happy hour price on the chicken wings. (ends at 6 pm by the way). Service and friendly and prompt. You check yourself out at the kiosk. Cute interior decor. Highly recommended for a very short walk from downtown proper in a slightly quieter area. We walked from Powell's bookstore.

My husband and I stopped here for dinner. The hostess asked if we wanted inside or outside. We told her outside and that was clearly a mistake. It our waitress 10 mins before she took our order. I immediately loved the menu as it listed gluten free, dairy, soy free etc. This was helpful for me since I have food intolerance issues. It made ordering a breeze. We first started with an appetizer. We ordered fresh spring rolls but apparently, when they came out we got fresh spring bites. No worries because the bites were very good and would highly recommend. When our appetizer came out so did my cocktail. It was odd that it took that long since usually drinks come out before appetizers. For our meals my husband and I both ordered jungle curry chicken. I would have gotten green curry but learned quickly that this place doesn't have that on the menu nor do they make it if you ask. This is strange for a Thai place if you ask me. Should have been my first clue once I got my meal. It took a long time before we got our jungle curry. We saw a couple sit down and no one came to take their order for 15 mins. Anyway, I had ordered my curry extremely spicy but basically, my husband and I got the same flavorless meal. The meat tasted like ground turkey meat. I say this because in the past I have used turkey meat as a healthier alternative in meals. The meat has a certain taste to it. We had to beg for our receipt once we were done and the waitress seemed completely clueless to anyone outside dining issues.

Went with a group of four to this restaurant and had an incredible meal with good service. We asked the waitress for suggestions and went with her recommendations. We had 8 different dishes, and all were excellent. The lemongrass and cucumber cocktail was outstanding, too. Can't wait to return to this restaurant.

Just taking a walk on a beautiful Portland spring Sunday and spotted a sign announcing Thai street food up the block. So we decided to check it out. Very informal with inside and outside tables. Colorful environment. We ordered Spring Bites, Tom Yum and Pad Prik Pow Crispy Tofu (substitute for chicken). There was something very distinctive in each dish as well as the perfect Mojito I enjoyed. This is just a little out of the way but really worth the walk up the block. We will return.

Authentic thai street food. The chef really knows what up! Must be straight from thailand or something cause this food is straight off the hook! The pumpkin curry and the ping is amazing!

I walked past this establishment for years nor realizing that some of the best Thai food in town was just blocks away from me. Everything we have had here has been excellent. But the pork belly with broccoli is off the charts good, with a great crisp crust and a tangy sauce that lasts and lasts. The papaya salad is a great offset for the pork, and the eggplant with beef and the spicy chicken with basil are also winners. Frankly, I've had nothing that was less than excellent. And the prices are modest. You don't need to order it spicy hot, but the burn level at the two high notches is a great complement to the flavors, so dive in. A very solid place and we keep coming back...

My daughter loved the spring rolls, one of the best she's ever had. I had the Pad Thai with tofu at a spicy level 3, which was plenty hot. There is a tuk, tuk in the middle of the restaurant to sit and eat, but someone was already there.

Easy to spot as the Tuk Tuk sits outside, there is one inside which is fun for families with children Lunc set menu $12, includes salad, rice & Thai dish (4 to choose from) plus refills of Thai tea.

This place is warm, vibrant, quirky. I popped in at 9:15 pm and was welcomed, fed delicious fresh noodles and a lovely Mojito.All at happy hour prices. 9-10 before close. I was so comforted I asked did they need an Auntie.