March 8, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

58º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:34 a.m. | Sunset 6:07 p.m.
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Recommendations to ramen-ber

Looking down at two bowls of ramen on a table, both with soft-boiled eggs, green onions, and noodles. The bowl on the bottom left has nori, mushrooms, and chunks of pork.

Hapa PDX’s G-Special features a lighter broth and a touch of sweetness. | Photo by @hapapdx

March came in like a lion — and we hope it goes out like a meek lamb — but in the meantime, chilly temperatures and damp days will linger a while longer. Combat the cold by heating yourself from the inside with a steaming hot bowl of ramen.

We combed the city, combining our own experiences with a comprehensive investigation of online reviews, to sniff out Portland’s best ramen restaurants. Our picks also include menu recommendations to help alleviate any indecision. Fair warning: What you’re about to read may induce stomach growls.

Hapa PDX Ramen & Whiskey, 3848 SE Gladstone St. | G-Special

Thick, wavy noodles in a pork belly broth with shiitake mushrooms, spicy sprouts, spinach, and a marinated egg come together in this house special that runs on the salty side.

Ramen Ryoma, 1037 SW Morrison St. | Vegetable

No longer do Portlanders need to journey to Beaverton to feast on Ramen Ryoma’s mouth-watering menu. You can’t go wrong with any of the specialty bowls (particularly the Corn Butter Ramen), but those who avoid meat should try the vegetarian option with fried tofu and a soft-boiled egg.

kayo's ramen bar.png — You can customize the spice level of the TanTan Ramen at Kayo’s Ramen Bar.
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Photo by @kayosramenbar

Kayo’s Ramen Bar, 3808 N. Williams Ave., Ste. 124 | TanTan

Turn up the heat and try this restaurant’s most popular option, made with Sichuan peppercorns and served with your choice of broth and protein. Pro tip: Every ramen dish can be made vegan.

Wu-Rons, 1430 SE Water Ave. | Sapporo Miso Tonkotsu

You may have had tonkotsu ramen in the past — you may even love it — but if you haven’t tried this version, you’re missing out. Thick, chewy noodles in a rich-but-not-too-heavy broth that hits the perfect umami chord. If thin noodles are more your style, go for the Hakata-style Nagahama Tonkotsu.

senyo by ramen ippo.png — Pro tip: Order the Black Garlic Ramen with a side of gyoza at Senyo by Ramen Ippo.
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Photo by @senyo_byramenippo

Senyo by Ramen Ippo, Smile Pod Westmoreland, 6200 SE Milwaukie Ave. | Black Garlic

This food cart may not have an extensive menu, but its flavors are off the charts. Our pick features aromatic, robust tonkotsu broth with noodles, green onions, corn, and chashu pork — we recommend adding a soft-boiled egg.

Asked

What’s your go-to Portland restaurant for ramen? What do you order there?

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Events

Friday, March 8

Ticket to Dine | Friday, March 8-Sunday, March 31 | Times vary | Locations vary | Price of purchase | Whenever you eat at a participating location, you’ll get a ticket and a chance to win local prizes, like free drinks, a round of mini golf at Wonderwood Springs, concert passes, and more.
McMinnville Wine + Food Classic | Friday, March 8-Sunday, March 10 | Times vary | Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville | $20-$100 | Taste food and wine from 50+ regional wineries and a variety of chefs, bakers, breweries, and distilleries; all proceeds benefit local children’s education.
“Kinky Boots” | Friday, March 8-Sunday, March 31 | Times vary | Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland | $31.75-$61.75 | This Tony Award-winning musical about a reluctant heir to a struggling shoe factory who teams up with a charismatic entertainer will put some pep in your step.
Rose City Yarn Crawl | Friday, March 8-Sunday, March 10 | Locations vary | Free | Calling all knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, and felters — this is your chance to visit eight local shops for trunk shows and the chance to win prizes.

Saturday, March 9

PSU Farmers Market | Saturday, March 9 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Southwest Park Avenue + Montgomery Street, Portland | Free | Join hundreds of residents, visitors, and chefs shopping for fresh produce, artisan food and drinks, and handmade goods under the cover of giant elm trees on the Portland State University campus.
10th Anniversary & Crab Feast Celebration | Saturday, March 9 | 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. | Northwood Public House and Brewery, 1401 SE Rasmussen Blvd., Battle Ground, WA | Price of purchase | Get your fill of fresh Dungeness crab with all the fixins’ along with beer specials and live music.

Sunday, March 10

Women’s History Month Restaurant Takeover #1 | Sunday, March 10 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Prince Coffee, 4523 NE Fremont St., Portland | Free | Stop by this woman-owned coffee shop for a free drink and swag (while supplies last), courtesy of the Trail Blazers.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Seasonal

It’s almost time to set the clocks forward. Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 10. Many states, including ours, have made moves to address time change, but for now, enjoy the extra sunlight. (KGW)

Edu

“We want a name that represents not just who we are today but who we can become in the future.” Those are the words of Alma Velasquez, principal of Jason Lee Elementary School. This week, the Portland Public Schools Board green-lighted plans to change the Northeast Portland school’s name. (KGW)

Eat

Sebastiano’s has relocated from the Montavilla neighborhood to Sellwood. The Sicilian-inspired deli known for its muffulettas and cannoli expects its new, much larger digs (including indoor dining, a first for Sebastiano’s) to eliminate a “scarcity element” in which items routinely sold out. Operating hours have also been extended. (Portland Monthly)

Community

If you yarn to join a group that embraces chatting, relaxing, and knitting, then head to Starlight Knitting Society. The Woodstock shop hosts Knit Nights every Wednesday, 6-8 p.m., for folks of all ages and abilities. This week’s gathering will be held tonight, March 8. (KOIN)

Closing

Popina Swimwear will shutter its sole retail shop by the end of July as founder Lulu Levenson readies for retirement. Following the closure of the Alameda store, shoppers will still be able to buy items from the Portland brand online and through its 70 wholesale accounts. (Portland Business Journal)

Feel Good

Cadbury’s sixth annual Bunny Tryouts are underway and a local semifinalist is melting hearts. Kona, a 3-year-old, one-eyed chihuahua adopted in December, is going paw-to-paw (or paw-to-claw/hoof) against 31 other pets. You can vote in the March Madness-style bracket competition starting Monday, March 11. (KOIN)

Sports

Oregon has hired two new offensive coaches: Matt Lombardi + Donte Ellington, both former wide receiver coaches for Las Vegas and Missouri State, respectively. Tune in to Locked On Ducks to hear more about the move — and which current players have NFL potential.

Drink

Did you know you can get a taste of Willamette Valley Vineyards without actually making a trip to the estate? That’s right. Portlanders can swing by one of their locations in Lake Oswego, Vancouver, or Happy Valley, and enjoy a glass of wine made right here in Oregon. Cheers.*

Watch

The Academy Awards air this Sunday, March 10 at 4 p.m. Not sure how to watch? Access the broadcast with a free five-day trial of DIRECTV STREAM.*

Community

Is the road to revitalization paved with events?

Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square is painted with large multicolored circles. People lounge in the sun in chairs scattered across the area.

Pioneer Courthouse Square has plenty of room for events attracting big, out-of-town crowds. | Photo courtesy of City of Portland

We already know Portland is full of fun things to do — but a new grant program seeks to share that knowledge with people who don’t live here.

The Prosper Portland Office of Events & Film teamed up with Travel Portland to create the Scale Up Grant Program for local events that could “grow and attract attendance beyond the Portland metro area.” Specifically, the program aims to support parts of Portland that have experienced large losses in businesses and employment, increases in office vacancies, and drops in foot traffic.

Grants of up to $25,000 — plus support for marketing, administrative, and other logistical needs — are available. To qualify, an event must…

have been held in Portland for at least two years
take place between July and December
be open to the public, including minors
last at least two days
have had 1,000-10,000 guests

Applications close Wednesday, March 27; the awardees will be announced in late May.

The Buy

Dog walks around the block just got more stylish.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

When you live in place nicknamed “Bridge City,” having your commute interrupted by a bridge lift is a matter of when, not if. Have you ever wondered who controls those lifts? This article from OPB goes behind the scenes with Multnomah County bridge operators — and the important role they play in keeping road and river traffic running smoothly.

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