Introduction As you flip through this, you might be thinking “Why an Asian food guide?” or “Why would a local band even do this?” The answer is simple: food is like art or sex, it is about pure pleasure. Like music, the food created by chefs is the song that they share with the world. And just like local bands, some suck and many are overrated...but every once in a while, you find a gem that just rocks your world. This guide is full of Asian eats that are so good, they make you dance. Local papers put out restaurant guides all the time. Have you ever felt disappointed because your favorite eatery wasn’t mentioned of featured? This whole concept was inspired because Aron and I were frustrated that Pho Vietnam (SE 82nd and Foster) was never listed as one of the better places to get pho in town...and in our not-so-humble opinion, it’s the best pho in the Northwest! We love the food here so much that most of the working titles on our album, Pageantry, were named after our favorite dishes or restaurants. “Running with the Dead” was originally called “Beijing Hot Pot,” “Lucky Strike” retained its name, and “You Make Me Alive” was created from “Baby Got Bok (Choy).” This is our first time doing this. It’ll probably get better, more organized, edited, etc. as time goes on. But you won’t have to thumb through dozens of ads to find our recommendations. It’s listed by ever member of the band’s favorite places to eat. So if you’re a little hungry, you might as well get some Asian tonight. And if you want some dance rock music...well, you might as well go Asian with that too. - Simon Young (bassist) THE BEST OF THE BEST As a band, we don’t always agree. But on these places we do. These are our absolute favorites when it comes to Asian eats. An Xuyen Bakery (Vietnamese) 5345 SE Foster Rd anxuyenbakery.com This little bakery offers up one of the best deals in town: $3 for a banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich with fresh jalapeños, cilantro, daikon, and meat) and an iced coffee. While waiting for your food from this family-owned enterprise, you can also Beijing Hot Pot pick up an assortment of delicious French and (Chinese) Vietnamese goods. If they suggest you try 2768 SE 82nd Ave something, listen. They’re great at selling as thebeijinghotpot.com well as baking. Some people call the hot pot experience “Chinese fondue” but we believe that explanation falls short, simply because fondue is never this good. Fresh, hand-made noodles, Banh Mi: The fresh thinly sliced meats, a staggering array of veg- vegetables make this baby gies...all cooked in broth made from scratch and crisp and refreshing! dipped into amazing sauces - it’s healthy and damn good too. Be sure to tell them that The Slants sent you, you’ll get royal treatment and an extra discount too. Good Taste Noodle Bamboo Grove House (Hawaiian) (Chinese) 515 SW Carolina St 8220 SE Harrison St bghawaiiangrille.com (with two other locations around PDX) Our band keeps playing events where Bamboo When you walk into a restaurant and see a wall Grove is catering. The teriyaki chicken and of hanging meat, it’s usually a sign of good macaroni salad here make our mouths water things to come. Skip the usual “Americanized” while we melt you face with rock...and free food like sweet and sour anything and dive straight is some of the best payment we can get, but the into the best bowl of wonton noodle soup in the truth is that we’ve been fans of this slow roasted city. Our favorite is “N9 “: BBQ pork with won- BBQ joint for years. Our advice: Throw a party. tons, swimming in egg noodles. Other faves Then, have Bamboo Grove cater it and ask The include “3 meat choice over rice” (get the spare Slants to play. Mucho Mahalo! ribs), roast duck congee, and Super Bowl A. THE BEST OF THE BEST Q: Can life get any better than a bowl of noodles and meat? A: Yes, simply by adding The Slants to your play list. Pho Vietnam SakeOne (Vietnamese) (Sake) 5440 SE 82nd Ave 820 Elm St, Forest Grove www.sakeone.com When it comes to a great bowl of beef noodle soup, a few things are required: a superb broth, fresh vegetables, quality meat, and plenty of Take a tour and then ask for the “Sake Shock” noodles. This place has all of that, combined experience, where you can try 5 incredible food with good service and the same soundtrack that and sake pairings that will blow your mind. Take has been on rotation everyday for years. This it from us, this place is the best thing about For- has been the meeting place to make slanted- est Grove. The scenic garden, events year world domination plans since day one. After round, and array of sake offerings make it worth ordering the house special (with extra noodle of the drive. The videos of band members being course), you’ll feel like taking over the city too! extra happy as a result of G sake should be enticing enough for you to try it out for yourself! Pho Dac Biet means “special” and has many cuts of beef, meatballs, tripe, and veggies. Wong’s King Double the noodles for only $1 and you’ll double the fun! Seafood (Chinese) 8733 SE Division St. www.wongsking.com Pok Pok Dim Sum is usually only served until (Thai) mid-afternoon and the amount of 3226 SE Division St choices can be staggering. A good pokpokpdx.com start includes these staples: Har Gow, Shu Mai, Char Siu Bao, and spare ribs. It’s rated as one of the best places to eat in the country. Yes, it does Wong’s King is the place to get your Chinese deserve all of the rave reviews. Yes, it’s worth seafood fix or dim sum craving fulfilled. It was moving to Portland just to be near it’s magical just name top Chinese restaurant in the U.S, is Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings. And we’re not recognized by the World Association of Chinese just saying it because you can often catch one Cuisine, consistently wins Chinese cooking of the chefs sporting a Slants’ hoodie through competitions - in China, and now has the honor the window either. We’re saying it because it of being in our food guide. You’d think our cue pretty much is the best Thai food you’ll find on was the deli out front with the hanging ducks or the continent. Order anything with a whiskey the $1500/lb abalone they use just for soda and you’ll see why. display, but it’s just great food...and at a reasonable price too. Aron Moxley s favorites ’ Aroy Thai Bombay Cricket Club (Thai) 1925 SE Hawthorne Blvd 506 SW 4th Ave (Indian) “Go for the food, stay for the snake shake.” Bamboo Grove (Hawaiian) Bush Garden 515 SW Carolina St (Japanese) bghawaiiangrille.com 900 SW Morrison St (band favorite) bush-garden.com “Great traditional vibe, excellent service. Ask for Yumi and tip well!” Bamboo Sushi (Japanese) Good Taste Noodle House 310 SE 28th Ave (Chinese) bamboosushipdx.com 8220 SE Harrison St “There’s a limited menu because everything is (band favorite) sustainable. They have a high regard for the best “6 big wontons and a products available.” heaping of egg noodles for only $5 even makes pho look like a complete rip off!” King’s Bakery (Chinese) 2346 SE 82nd Ave Kim Jong Grillin’ (Korean) SE 48th and SE Division Aron enjoying the fresh, hand-made noodles at Beijing Hot Pot. Mee Sen (Thai) Beijing Hot Pot 3924 N Mississippi Ave. (Chinese) meesenpdx.com 2768 SE 82nd Ave thebeijinghotpot.com “Grab a bit here before heading over to Mississippi (band favorite) Studios across the street. You won’t regret eating this street styled Thai faire.” Biwa (Japanese) Miho Izakaya 215 SE 9th Ave (Japanese) biwarestaurant.com 4057 N Interstate Ave midopdx.com Aron Moxley s favorites ’ Pho Vietnam (Vietnamese) 5440 SE 82nd Ave (band favorite) “It’s like a mix between Pho Van and Pho Hung. Pho Van has ‘ghetto broth’ that is cloudy but Pho Vietnam has better meat. Pho Van has great meat but the broth is too clean and clear. This place has both and the garnish plate always has the freshest Thai basil.” Pok Pok (Thai) 3226 SE Division St pokpokpdx.com (band favorite) Powell’s Seafood (Chinese) 6633 SE Powell Blvd “When you walk into this cafeteria style Chinese eatery, look back by the kitchen swinging doors at the live Crab and Black Conch giving you attitude in the aquariums. Because you get to hand pick your About Aron Moxley: dinner! Simply get a waitresses’ attention and point to the lucky/unlucky winner in the cold death pool for supper! Also, the Born on the streets of Saigon in salt and pepper squid is out of this world!” war-torn Vietnam, Aron was adopted into a multi-cultural family at a young Samurai Bento Food Cart age. Aron grew up in the Northwest, (Japanese) moving from Astoria to Portland. 940 SW Alder St. “Not only more traditional food from Japan ala KART but this is where Hayao Miyazaki frequents Aron has been working in the food when doing business from Japan. Nothing like great business since 1988.