Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Aiko Ramen

Aiko Ramen is located inside the Portland Food Hall, near the corner of SW 2nd and Yamhill, in downtown Portland, Oregon.



The Portland Food Hall, which opened April 2017, is the third food hall to open in Portland, following Cartlab and Pine Street Market. Multiple vendors (usually former and current food carts) have their own individual spaces within the building. It's basically your traditional indoor food court. And, like Cartlab, Portland Food Hall has a spot for beer and alcohol.

In addition to Aiko Ramen, Portland Food Hall also houses Moberi, Cosa (from the now-closed Dogbone Farm coffee cart), The Whole Bowl, Bokie Dokie, and Minibar (alcohol).





Aiko Ramen has a more scaled-down menu than Hapa PDX, with 3-4 ramens and 3-4 poke bowls or salads. The chicken karaage at Aiko is also different, marinating the protein in soy sauce and ginger more, and a different ratio of potato starch in the batter.

I decided on a half-half poke bowl, with ahi tuna poke and salmon poke ($12). I also went half-half on the rice and the greens to basically get two types of poke bowls in one. Especially for a warm day, this is the way to go. Fresh fish, fresh and crunchy veggies, lovely shoyu and sesame experience without being overpowering.







Admittedly, I'll probably still take the world-class ramen and chicken karaage curry on most days, but I'll save those treats for cooler weather.

Aiko Ramen also does happy hour from 5-7 PM on Thursday and Friday, and all day on Saturday. Appetizer portions of chicken karaage, pickled vegetables, or poke. Have that with some Japanese beer (usually Sapporo or Asahi) or some sake.


Check out Aiko Ramen and the rest of the vendors at the Portland Food Hall! 8.75/10

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