Sunshine Noodles

"There’s a reason Diane Lam has skyrocketed to stardom within the Portland restaurant scene — she’s gregarious, a good communicator, and resoundingly fun. The various iterations and life cycles of her restaurant Sunshine Noodles — pop-up turned residency turned restaurant — fall in line with a Gemini's adaptable nature. The fact Sunshine Noodles constantly feels like the life of the party also gives it a Gemini vibe, but when she wants to be, Lam’s cooking style can take a more reserved approach." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden

"Chef Diane Lam is busy at work opening her upcoming French bistro Alouette, but she’s still making time for Sunshine Noodles. The Oregonian reports that the noodle restaurant has started up a brunch program." - Alex Frane

"Sunshine Noodles, led by Diane Lam, is set to open a permanent location. Known for its unique noodle dishes, Sunshine Noodles has been a favorite pop-up among Portland's food enthusiasts. Its permanent establishment is highly anticipated by local food critics and fans alike." - Eater Staff

"In late 2019, chef Diane Lam started her pop-up, Sunshine Noodles. She served Phnom Penh noodles and turmeric pancakes while bartender David Sigal made cocktails, a lively and boisterous dinner that fit the free-spirited chef. At the time, she was still the chef de cuisine at Revelry, which has since closed; after leaving Revelry, she brought Sunshine Noodles to the patio at North Mississippi bar Psychic, then on hiatus. The new Sunshine was a takeout version of the pop-up, with Vietnamese beef stew (bo kho) and lime pepper chicken wings served in takeout containers on the plant-lined patio. Over time, Psychic reopened, and Lam dramatically changed the food program at the bar, instead focusing on Cambodian fried chicken and rice via her new takeout-and-delivery based restaurant, Prey + Tell. In the two years between then and now, Lam has grown exponentially as a chef and business woman: running the kitchen at Revelry in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, launching her own fried chicken brand, and managing a bar on North Mississippi. Soon, however, she’ll bring back Sunshine Noodles as a restaurant, taking over the former XLB location in Northwest Portland." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden

"Chef Diane Lam’s noodle bar pop-up Sunshine Noodles is technically closed until March, but Lam and Eem chef Colin Yoshimoto will host a special Valentine’s Day dinner at the patio of the Victorian home that houses the restaurant. The elaborate, seven-course tasting menu is $150 per person, with a cocktail to start and wine pairings throughout. Diners can expect playful dishes like duck liver mousse with ficelle, yogurt butter, and pickles; buckwheat shoyu ramen with truffle wontons and smoked chashu; and kampot pepper crab noodle, with Dungeness and soft shell crab. Reservations are available until sold out via Resy, and must be made in groups of two." - Alex Frane