Nam Tao Huu To Open in NW Portland, Offering Soy Milk and Healthy Desserts

Look at all those little bean drawings! Photo credit: Reddit

I’ve learned that a new dessert spot called Nam Tao Huu is going to open in the old Blue Star Donuts location on NW 23rd Avenue by Lovejoy (they closed in 2020). According to the signage, the focus is soy milk.

And that makes sense, as my understanding is that “nam tao huu” or “nam dao huu” means “soy milk” in Thai. Plus, it says, “soy milk” right there on the sign.

Their concept is:

“Your go-to spot in Portland for healthy desserts. We’re all about the fresh ingredients and delicious combinations, offering treats that are as good for you as they taste. Join us for a sweet journey and taste the freshness!”

According to documents filed with the state, Jirat Tantipattanawong and Vuchien Tantipattanawong are behind this business. I have reached out to them to learn more about Nam Tao Huu.

This property has been empty since 2020, when Blue Star left. Photo credit: Loopnet

Interestingly enough, Nam Dao Huu is the name of a dessert restaurant in Bankok’s Yaowarat Chinatown. Yaowarat restaurant in Montavilla is much celebrated here in Portland, and was Portland Monthly’s most recent Restaurant of the Year. From what I can tell, there doesn’t seem to be a connection between the owners of the two Portland eateries.

My own personal experience with soy milk, aside from just drinking it or having it in coffee, is as an accompaniment to the youtiao, a kind of cruller. I mostly know it in a Taiwanese breakfast context, but further research indicates that you can find them made and eaten all over East and Southeast Asia!

While I wait to hear back from the Tantipattanawongs, I’m going to do some speculation about what we might find on the menu. I’d go with the basics at the very least: freshly made soy milk and soft tofu (personally, I love eating soft silken tofu topped with soy sauce, chopped scallions, and sesame oil). Then maybe variants on simple soy milk mixed with juice and fresh fruit; maybe some drinks will be frozen like slushies; maybe there will be soy-milk-based soft serve. Might we see a variant on bubble tea? I’d also like to see rice balls. Flavors like ginger, longan, black sesame, red bean, purple yam. Maybe even … durian.

I’ll let you know if I’m right.

In any case, their signage says, “coming soon.” As I’ve said, I’ve reached out and will fill you in if and when I get a response.

Nam Tao Huu [projected opening TBD]
921 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland
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