Pok Pok

I dined for the first time at Pok Pok on Monday with Rusty and our old friend Caleb. Arriving at 7 pm, I was told that there would be a 30 minute wait and I was directed to the Whiskey Soda Lounge across the street to wait (which is owed by the same person that owns Pok Pok). 30 minutes turned into a little over an hour.
 
At last, we were seated outside (after turning down a seat at the counter). We first ordered some of Ike’s Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings, and after a few minutes, six wings arrived. Quite delicious.
 
Next, we ordered three plates; Muu Paa Kham Waan (Boar collar meat), Kung Yak Phao (Giant Prawns!) and Laap Pet Isaan (Spicy minced duck breast and duck liver). With the plates, we ordered two servings of sticky rice. The plates were small, but the flavors were powerful. I enjoyed the boar and the pork belly, but I wasn’t such a fan of the prawns. The boar was way too spicy for our friend Caleb (more for me).
 
Still hungry, we ordered two more plates, plus some Jasmine rice; Kaeng Hung Leh (the Thai sweet pork belly and shoulder) and Tam Kai Yaang (Roasted game hen). These two dishes were a bit more substantial and both had very complex flavors.
 
Over all, this was a great meal; It wasn’t cheap, the plates were small, the wait was ridiculously long (make a reservation!!!), but the food was spectacular. The menu changes from time to time. DO NOT TAKE your children with you. This is a very adult dining establishment.
 
Pok Pok is located at 3226 Southeast Division Street, Portland, OR 97202
(503) 232-1387
http://pokpokpdx.com/