While in Portland for a WordPress conference, I found myself delightfully drifting throughout the city in search of a good dinner spot. I didn’t have a plan, just a bit of curiosity and a craving for something flavorful. That search led me to Paadee, a simple Thai restaurant that seeks to blend the right ingredients with the love of cooking. Under the leadership of the restaurant’s owner, Earl Ninsom, the restaurant has grown since its start to become a place that draw lies from the moment it opens.
Thankfully, my friend and I had a reservation so our wait in the line was short lived.
For this dinner we sat on the patio which was the perfect combination of people watching, fresh air, and enjoying the menu at hand. The drift of the sun paired with the buzz of conversation from tables surrounding us made the restaurant feel inviting. The kind of place that makes it hard for you to leave.
Knowing that, we ordered and happily welcomed our drinks and food to the table. I started with the I <3 Farang mocktail. It was an unexpected mix of guava, salted plum-honey, lemon, and Li Hing powder. It was sweet, tangy, and a little tropical, with just enough tartness to wake up my taste buds. For $8, it felt like a perfectly playful start to the meal.
Following the mocktail was the Naem Muu Sam-Chun ($11), deep-fried fermented pork belly paired with greens, fresh ginger, Thai chili, and roasted peanuts. Every bite had texture and a subtle heat. The crispness of the pork, the bite of the chili, the coolness of the greens was bold and bright and completely addictive.
For my entrée, I ordered the Khai Soi ($17). The bowl arrived like a small masterpiece: golden curry broth swirling around egg noodles, topped with fried wontons that added just the right crunch. The curry was rich and fragrant, comforting in a way that makes you want to close your eyes after each spoonful.
By the end of dinner, I was completely taken by Paadee. It was the perfect blend of comfort and surprise, exactly what I didn’t know I was looking for that evening. If you find yourself in Portland and craving a meal that feels both new and familiar, Paadee is the kind of restaurant that reminds you why it’s worth exploring without a plan.
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Address: 6 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: (503) 360-1453
Hours: Sunday – 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday – 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday – 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Social: Website, Instagram, and Facebook.
