Craving an authentic Thai culinary experience in Portland? After a trip to Portland U Brew for some homebrewing supplies on SE Milwaukie, the thought of Thai food became irresistible. Inspired by family visits to Thailand and a longing for those genuine flavors, the search for exceptional Thai cuisine in Portland led straight to Manao Thai Street.
While Portland boasts a vibrant food scene, Thai restaurants hadn’t been a frequent choice, often overshadowed by convenient workday food cart options. However, past standout experiences at places like Pok Pok, Nong’s Khao Man Gai, and E-San Thai sparked a desire to explore more. Manao Thai, conveniently located on Manao Thai Street, emerged as a top contender on that wishlist, right near Portland U Brew.
Manao Thai is the creation of Ekkachai “Chef Chew” Sakkayasukkalawon, a former chef from Andy Ricker’s renowned Thai restaurant empire, including Pok Pok and Ping. “Manao,” meaning lime in Thai, perfectly encapsulates the fresh and zesty flavors Chef Chew brings to his dishes. Beyond the familiar Thai staples, Manao Thai’s menu features unique and less commonly found dishes, reflecting a deeper dive into authentic Thai cuisine. The restaurant itself is a cozy, family-run establishment with a simple, functional décor, allowing the focus to remain squarely on the food.
Manao PDX Thai restaurant Portland Chef Chew
Alt text: Chef Chew, owner of Manao Thai restaurant on Manao Thai Street in Portland, stands in his cozy eatery, showcasing the authentic and family-run atmosphere.
The culinary journey at Manao Thai began with the Tao Huu Tod appetizer, a delightful plate of fried tofu beautifully caramelized in a sweet and sour sauce. An enticing special on the board also highlighted Sai Ua, a flavorful Northern Thai sausage, promising a taste of regional Thai specialties.
Tao Huu Tod appetizer, a dish of fried tofu caramelized with sweet and sour sauce Manao PDX Thai restaurant Portland Chef Chew
Alt text: Manao Thai’s Tao Huu Tod, crispy fried tofu cubes drizzled with a tangy sweet and sour caramel sauce, a must-try appetizer on Manao Thai Street.
Sai Ua Northern Thai sausage Manao PDX Thai restaurant Portland Chef Chew
Alt text: Sai Ua, authentic Northern Thai sausage from Manao Thai, offering a unique and flavorful taste of regional Thai cuisine on Manao Thai Street.
For the main courses, the vegetarian option was the satisfying Mussamun Curry, a rich and mild curry featuring potatoes, carrots, onions, and peanuts, here served with tofu. Two other dishes were sampled: the Kao Pad Kun Chiang, a flavorful fried rice with egg, Chinese sausage, onion, tomato, and Chinese broccoli; and the standout Thai Chicken Wings. These wings, deep-fried and marinated, were caramelized in a sweet fish sauce, offering a different take compared to the spicy Vietnamese Ike Chicken Wings at Pok Pok. Manao Thai’s wings leaned towards a sweeter, home-style Thai flavor profile with excellent crispiness, a delightful contrast to the Vietnamese-inspired spice.
Mussamun Curry with potato, carrot, onion and peanuts Manao PDX Thai restaurant Portland Chef Chew
Alt text: Vegetarian Mussamun Curry at Manao Thai on Manao Thai Street, a flavorful and mild Thai curry with potatoes, carrots, onions, peanuts and tofu.
Kao Pad Kun Chiang, a dish of fried rice with egg, Chinese sausage, onion, tomato and Chinese broccoli Manao PDX Thai restaurant Portland Chef Chew
Alt text: Kao Pad Kun Chiang, a classic Thai fried rice dish with egg, Chinese sausage, and vegetables, expertly prepared at Manao Thai on Manao Thai Street.
Chicken Wings, deep‐fried marinated chicken wings caramelized with sweet fish sauce Manao PDX Thai restaurant Portland Chef Chew
Alt text: Thai Chicken Wings at Manao Thai, deep-fried and caramelized with sweet fish sauce, a crispy and flavorful dish found on Manao Thai Street.
The dessert menu offered a pleasant surprise with Sweet Roti, an Indian-style flatbread topped with sweetened condensed milk and chocolate syrup. This indulgent and very sweet dessert proved to be a far more satisfying conclusion to the meal than a typical Dairy Queen run after visiting Portland U Brew.
Alt text: Sweet Roti dessert at Manao Thai on Manao Thai Street, an Indian-style flatbread with sweetened condensed milk and chocolate syrup, a perfect sweet ending.
Manao Thai on Manao Thai Street is definitely worth revisiting. Several other unique dishes on the menu are waiting to be explored, including Kaa Muu Tod (stewed pork leg), Kaeng Hung Lay (Northern Thai pork shoulder curry), Som Tum (papaya salad), and Pad Wuun Sen Kai Kem (stir-fried salted duck egg noodles). Convenient parking right in front of the restaurant adds to the ease of visiting. For those seeking genuine Thai flavors beyond the usual offerings, Manao Thai, located on Manao Thai Street, is a must-try destination in Portland. Be sure to check their specials board for even more authentic culinary gems.
