Check out this Pho, food done right

I had never heard of Pho before moving to Portland almost four years ago, and the case is the same for many other PDX Transplants that I’ve spoken to. Now that I’m here though, you can’t walk two blocks without running into another Pho restaurant. They’re practically as numerous as coffee shops here.

Pho (pronounced “fuh,” according to my super-hip friends) is the delicious Vietnamese noodle soup that’s served in numerous varieties of ingredients and delicious flavors. The last few times I’ve craved Pho (which has happened regularly since my first exposure), I’ve driven over the Burnside Bridge to the best Pho I’ve ever tasted at Pho Green Papaya, on Southeast Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. just south of Burnside. This tiny building looks like it could have been a run-down convenience store at one point, but is now home to some of the best Pho in Portland. Okay, I’ll say it: It’s Pho-nomenal.

My most recent visit was with a friend who just moved to Portland recently. Like me, he had never even heard of Pho before setting foot here. He’s been raving ever since. Pho Green Papaya serves a large selection of vegetarian and vegan options, which my friend was thrilled about, including some killer vegan gyoza. My favorite dish though is the Pho Tom Yum, a delightful fusion of Vietnamese and Thai flavors that keeps me coming back.

Though small inside, Green Papaya is much classier on the inside that it appears on the outside. The service is pretty good, but when they get busy, expect to wait a while. The parking lot is tiny, so also be prepared to circle the block a few times in search of the elusive spot. But despite all the trouble you might have getting to your table, believe me, it’s worth it. You’re guaranteed an un-Pho-gettable experience.

Pho Green Papaya is located at 402 SE M L King Blvd Portland, OR 97214. They are open Monday thru Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm.