Happy Dragon Chinese Restaurant
Cantonese restaurant · Montavilla
707 NE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97220
Highlights
Authentic Cantonese cuisine, renowned Peking duck, family-style service
Authentic Cantonese cuisine, renowned Peking duck, family-style service
"The family behind this Cantonese restaurant moved from the farming town of Independence to open this Montavilla banquet hall. Skip the Chinese American standards here and focus on the dishes the family does best: Start with a plate of jellyfish, served with plenty of sesame seeds and a gently spicy sauce; from there, delicacies from the deep like abalone and sea cucumber beckon. However, the true move at Happy Dragon is its Peking duck, a two-course service with a choice of follow-up — the lettuce cup with minced duck meat is the correct move. The first course is served with bao as opposed to pancakes, so guests can make little duck sandwiches." - Seiji Nanbu
"A family-style parade of dishes can include steamed oysters in their shell with black bean sauce (an off-menu item you have to know to ask for), fish with tofu served in a sizzling clay pot, and deep-fried salt-and-pepper pork chops. The persistent favorite is the menu item called “Japanese tofu,” presumed to be the egg-and-dashi style: wonderfully custardy in the center with a toothsome exterior that somehow holds firm when lightly stir-fried in sauce; perfect with a seafood medley or—when available—mushrooms, and insisted upon by some diners every single time." - Eater Staff
"This banquet-friendly restaurant in Montavilla is home to several large, round tables set up with lazy Susans, which work well for big birthday dinners and parties. Celebratory dishes like ginger-scallion lobster, whole steamed fish, and two-course Peking duck are strong choices for large groups, as well. Call the restaurant to organize large group events." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden
"While technically a Northeast 82nd spot, Happy Dragon lands below I-84, so we’re including it. By outside appearances, Happy Dragon looks like a longstanding institution on 82nd, the sort of mid-century Chinese restaurant that might just be coasting on a decades-old reputation. In fact, Happy Dragon is a relatively recent arrival from the Salem area, setting up in its current digs in 2018 and quickly earning enthusiastic word of mouth praise for its Cantonese fare. Happy Dragon offers a lovely assortment of vegetable and seafood entrees, but the main attraction here is the Peking duck — pricier than some, but one of the best in town, with multiple courses and truly succulent meat." - Alli Fodor
"Another 82nd entrant on this list, this family-owned, banquet-style Chinese restaurant used to operate as a much smaller spot in Independence, Oregon, where I first ate this duck — its skin was penny-toned, a sign of the delicate glaze and freshness of the duck. It was the first time I had Beijing duck with bao buns, which is a fun alternative to chun bing; diners build their own buns with hoisin and scallions, while the pickings from the carcass become a stir-fry to stuff into lettuce cups. Sometimes the second course changes, but if given the option, it’s best to ask for the stir-fry. Happy Dragon also offers whole- and half-orders of Cantonese roast duck, for those just in it for the bird." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden
