Even though I dislike this song, it is hard to not hum “It’s a Small World After All” while walking around downtown Portland during lunchtime. For a town often described as Honkeyville USA, the cart scene is undeniably diverse and multicultural. Add to the mix the economic downturn, where it is less risky to open a food cart than an actual restaurant, it makes for a burgeoning cart world offering some of the best eats going. One of the finest is the fairly new Nong’s Khao Man Ghai at SW 10th and Alder.
Nong serves one dish only, Khao Man Gai, not because she is lazy, rather because it kicks some serious butt. This Thai street food specialty is simple: a perfectly steamed chicken breast, tender and juicy, on a bed of scented rice served with a small cup of delicate broth and winter squash soup. Wrapped in white butcher paper with a side of soy, ginger and garlic sauce, your lunch arrives literally looking like a birthday present. And what a gift! The flavors are subtle yet punchy—the combination is perfectly balanced. If this is the food they eat in Thailand everyday, thank goodness it is a small world.
Oh, Portland … I’m on my way!!! Jon, you’ll show me around the cart scene, won’t you?
I loved the charming, eclectic food carts that greeted me on a recent trip to Portland. When did these spring up? (The New York Times’ 2007 installment of ’36 Hours in Portland’ didn’t mention them.)
Hi Christine-
Honestly, I would say food carts have been a part of the Portland food scene for years. In the past year or two they have exploded. There are entire cart villages now complete with sit down dining areas. The majority exist downtown but there are many in other neighborhoods. Most notably inner Southeast, Mississippi, and Sellwood.
Thanks for your comment.