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Emilly Prado
Emilly Prado is a writer, award-winning journalist and consultant living in Portland. Read More
Jade District
Eat and explore (then eat some more) in one of Portland’s most diverse communities.
Emilly Prado
Emilly Prado is a writer, award-winning journalist and consultant living in Portland. Read More
The Jade District in Southeast Portland is a bustling cultural hub, home to a population largely composed of immigrants and people of color. Many languages are spoken at home in this area, including Chinese, Vietnamese and Russian, and it’s one of Portland’s — and Oregon’s — most diverse neighborhoods.
Jade’s thriving small business community -set along the Avenue of the Roses (Southeast 82nd Avenue), Southeast Division Street and Southeast Powell Boulevard – and unique personality make it a great place to eat, explore, read the local Portland Chinese Times newspaper and then eat some more.
Eat
Start your gastronomical Jade District adventures at Ha VL, a long-time favorite café-turned-soup haven. Ha VL prepares two rotating soups daily, in addition to a menu of tasty sandwiches and noodle dishes. Try the bún bò Huế — a heaping bowl of beef and pork in a bright, spicy lemongrass broth — or the honey-colored turmeric rice noodle Mì Quảng, topped with peanuts, sliced shrimp cakes and more. Soups sell out daily, so arrive early and wash it all down with a glass of thick, iced Vietnamese coffee.
District Eats
Dine your way through the city's top spots for dumplings, ramen and comfort foods.
Portland Ramen Restaurants
The Portland ramen scene has exploded in recent years, spurred by the arrival of two authentic eateries straight from Tokyo.
Portland’s Best Dumplings
From Polish pierogi to Japanese gyoza, nothing says comfort food like these doughy pockets of goodness — no matter when you visit Portland, enjoy a variety of dumplings at these terrific eateries.
Specialty Dishes of the Portland Jade District
Made like nowhere else in Portland, these often sold-out specialty dishes center heritage recipes and East and Southeast Asian cultural experiences.
HK Cafe is a beloved Portland dim sum staple. This sprawling establishment has an equally expansive menu offering dozens of dim sum options which are carted from the kitchen around tables, allowing patrons to freely select dishes on the spot. Try dim sum favorites like fried or soup dumplings, chicken feet and steamed buns.
Van Hanh Vegetarian Restaurant is a homey Vietnamese café serving up vegan-friendly fare, along with weekday and weekend menus to boot. Their crisp roast pork belly is made from a savory taro root base, and their doughy steamed dumplings are filled with smoky mung beans and served swimming in a light broth. Van Hanh is owned and operated by Buddhists who live on the property. Proceeds from each meal supports their work in the community.
Top off a day of dining with a trip to King’s Bakery to pick from their well-stocked case of freshly baked Chinese pastries. Try the pineapple custard buns, savory steamed buns, egg tarts and flaky wife cakes — then consider buying a durian or pandan cake to go. (Tip: Bring cash or fill up a whole pastry box to meet their $10 charge minimum.)
Play
Get in on a game of billiards or some rounds of pinball at Mojo Crepes, a popular teen hangout that’s not just for adolescents. The fruit crepes are topped treacherously high or filled with whipped cream or ice cream, and their kaleidoscopic boba teas are decidedly Instagrammable, providing delicious and exciting fun for diners of any age. When the need for a bigger meal calls, chow down on an all-beef Japanese hot dog with toppings like gochochang sauce, peanuts, seaweed or sweet pickled ginger.
The last two weekends of August bustle with activity as the Asian Pacific Network of Oregon (APANO) hosts the annual Jade International Night Market near the Fubonn Shopping Center, drawing tens of thousands of attendees. The popular festival features dozens of vendors, food carts and performances, including Mexican baile folkorico, marching bands and Chinese traditional folk dance.
Every fall, APANO hosts the East Portland Arts and Literary Festival (EPALF), boasting book-centric vendors, a craft fair, storytelling, visual art, live painting and more.
Night owls will rejoice in the wonders of Bliss Lounge, an LED-illuminated bar serving hot pot, stiff drinks and a fine list of karaoke jams. After singing your heart out, head to Tik Tok for some late-night crispy hash browns and over easy eggs. This 24-hour diner with several Southeast Portland locations does the hard work of feeding masses at any hour of the day.
Shop
Credit: Ashley Anderson
Fubonn is a Portland cultural institution, especially for Jade District residents. This supermarket is the perfect place to wander, and a visit can reap hard-to-find fruits, a wide variety of ramen packets and every flavor Pocky stick your heart could desire.
Cyclists looking for some new swag should head to the Biciclista showroom at the edge of the Jade neighborhood. Peruse racks filled with Italian-made vibrant, boldly-patterned cycling jerseys, dresses and accessories.
Credit: Ashley Anderson
Finally, pick up a forever souvenir from Portland Nursery. Enter the tropical (both in flora and temperature) paradise and find your next plant baby, artisan-made ceramic planter and more. Friendly staff are always on hand to help if you’re feeling lost.
Illustration by Subin Yang
Southeast Portland Neighborhoods
East of the Willamette River and south of Burnside Street, this large southeast quadrant is home to many favorite neighborhoods and business districts, as well as the dormant volcano at Mt. Tabor Park, delectable Asian food in the Jade District and urban nature at Leach Botanical Garden and Powell Butte.
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