If you love your Thai food, then traveling to another city and finding yourself stuck with a serious craving can mean disaster. If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, there is a true gem of a Thai restaurant in Portland’s Southeast district, a perfect little hideaway with plenty of quirks and not a bad item on the refined, simple menu. We’re talking about Khun Pic’s Bahn Thai in Portland, on SE Belmont Street in a friendly little neighborhood typical of the area.

Khun Pic’s Bahn Thai is located inside of a house on a block otherwise-dedicated to shopping and theater. Don’t be fooled though — this is a full-scale restaurant, just the ambiance is an actual house. But the coziness factor of finding yourself in someone’s living and dining rooms is compelling, and it makes the experience of dining at Khun Pic’s a true memory in the making. The wait can be long since the restaurant is owned and operated entirely by just two people, a husband and a wife team. She cooks, he does everything else, so if you’re hungry, then consider getting there promptly at restaurant opening since you may be waiting a bit to get served.

The menu has been honed to perfection, with a limited number of entrees, appetizers and noodles, and a special or two each evening (until they run out). Fear not: the classic curries and any expected meat can be found on the menu — but covering only a single side of a page, you won’t find a hundred specialties, just the basics done right.

Khun Pic’s Bahn Thai Restaurant
3429 Southeast Belmont Street (mid-block, between SE 34th/35th Aves.)
Portland, OR 97214-4246
(503) 235-1610
Hours: Tues-Sat 6:00pm-? pm (not late; I’d say on average 11pm)

(Image Credit: Portland Restaurant Review)