Anchoi Vietnamese Kitchen & Bar, Portland, OR

Many thanks to Anchoi for hosting this meal. As always, all opinions are my own.

Located a stone’s throw from PSU, Anchoi Vietnamese Kitchen & Bar offers a modern take on Vietnamese cuisine with a heavy focus on fresh ingredients. The sleek, upscale ambiance is far from old school Vietnamese, but at the end of the day all that really matters is that is the food is delicious, which it is.

Anchoi Vietnamese Kitchen offers a variety of starters, salads, banh mi, rice bowls, noodle bowls, and soups. Almost everything is under $15, and the portions are hefty enough for sharing with friends or saving leftovers for lunch the next day. Many of their dishes can be made vegan or gluten-free by request, and I recommend letting your server know your dining preferences when you place your order in case there are any hidden ingredients (ie. fish sauce). The fresh summer rolls with peanut hoisin sauce is a tasty veg-friendly starter. Rest assured the vegan pho at Anchoi Vietnamese Kitchen is actually made with a vegetable broth. If you’re a big noodle fan like I am, I recommend the vermicelli noodles with chewy tofu, crispy spring rolls, and shredded veggies. It’s the perfect noodle dish for a warm, sunny day.

To complement the food, Anchoi’s bar features a rotating selection of beer and wine, as well as a selection of refreshing cocktails. I’m a fan of the O Mai and Blue Morpho, and if you’re a coconut lover, opt for the Tropicoco Vacation. Pro tip: there’s gorgeous wallpaper toward the back of the restaurant to use a backdrop for your photos. Thanks Fernando for snapping my pic with the coconut cocktail!

Note: This post is in collaboration with Anchoi. I was invited as a guest to this establishment and received a complimentary meal. This was not in exchange for a positive review and all opinions expressed here are my own.