Friendship Kitchen

"From the bright green walls to the cheekily named cocktails like “White Man’s Tears,” owner Trang Nguyen’s ebullient personality shines through in this Kerns restaurant with extensive outdoor seating. The menu includes traditional dishes like spicy bún bò Huế and twists like cauliflower wings and the Hoi An banh mi that incorporates Laughing Cow cheese (which isn’t exactly an aberration). The must-order, however, has to be the restaurant’s luc lac, which gets a little hit of sweetness with a touch of pineapple juice." - Nick Woo, Krista Garcia, Janey Wong

"Friendship Kitchen founder Trang Nguyen Tan has fond memories of making and eating bánh tét, a savory glutinous rice roll, during her childhood in Vietnam. [...] Last year, Friendship Kitchen and Stem Wine Bar co-owners Trang and wife Wei-En served bánh tét at Alouette — their French restaurant which they have since converted to a second location of Friendship Kitchen — as part of a Lunar New Year prix fixe meal. This Lunar New Year, they will share the dish again, but are planning to include it in a sampler of other dishes, a nod to how Trang grew up eating it. [...] Friendship Kitchen will serve bánh tét at both locations for a weeklong period around Tét, which falls on Saturday, February 10." - Janey Wong

"Teachers get 30 percent off any meal at vibey Vietnamese restaurant Friendship Kitchen over the course of the strike." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden

"Eastside Portlanders flock to Friendship Kitchen for its welcoming nightlife atmosphere and spacious patio, which stays toasty even through the winter months. Diners can choose from an array of shaken meats and banh mi amid the backdrop of buzzy neon signs and brightly patterned lanterns, alongside drinks with playful names like the Pho-Jito (rum, Combier, cilantro, cinnamon/cardamom/star anise syrup) and Thai’d Up (a boozy Thai iced tea). The pho broth simmers for 10 hours, resulting in a bright and well-seasoned bowl with a modest portion of tenderloin and brisket. The vegan option features a broth flavored with traditional pho spices — star anise, coriander seeds, fennel — as well as a heaping of vegetables and “thicc” cuts of tofu. The Northwest Portland sibling offers other regional variations of pho, as well." - Janey Wong, Krista Garcia

"Vietnamese restaurant Friendship Kitchen is serving a special cocktail all week with proceeds going to the Maui Strong Fund." - Janey Wong