Grandma's Secret

Vietnamese Speakeasy Bar Grandma’s Secret opens in Northwest Portland | Eater Portland

"Walking down Northwest 23rd I was lured by a quiet blue light above a short flight of stairs to an unmarked door that opens into Grandma’s Secret, the speakeasy‑vibed cocktail bar Co Ngan and Dat Truong opened in February 2023. Rather than mimicking American prohibition‑era spots, the subterranean room channels the underground bars of Ho Chi Minh City during French colonization, packed with tropical plants, bamboo, rattan, leather furniture, and cocktails served in Ngan’s vintage glassware as an homage to her youth and sense of curiosity. The menu mixes Vietnamese pantry staples with Cuban, French, Mexican, Japanese, and South Korean influences — highlights include the Grandma’s Twist (which uses pickled daikon and carrot brine from Lela’s banh mi in place of olive brine), the ever‑present Diplomat (ginger and rum with Vietnamese coconut and lime), and the 23rd Parallel (mezcal, soursop, muối ớt, and lemongrass); the cocktail list changes seasonally but the Diplomat remains a staple. The bar sells only Asian beers and French wines; the blue light indicates when it’s open, Lela’s staff can help you find the space, and it’s open Thursday through Saturday at 5 p.m." - Eater