Good Taste BBQ, 18 NW 4th Avenue in Portland?

Looks like Chen's Good Taste could welcome Good Taste BBQ. — Photo credit: Realty One Group.

While doing a little general research, I saw that the address 18 NW 4th Avenue looks to have some life in it as far as the return of a restaurant there. Good Taste BBQ LLC is the name of the business associated with the location, which used to be Chen’s Good Taste.

Here is what we know.

There Was Property Damage at 18 NW 4th Avenue

The property was damaged a few years ago—seemingly from water—and there have been a number of permits filed to fix the problems that resulted from that. The earliest one I can find that points to the damage has a set up date of 8/10/2023 with the description, “Repair water damaged wiring after attic water loss.”

This could related to what was reported on Reddit on July 17, 2023: “The building was destroyed on Christmas Day when the fire suppression pipe on the second floor [blew] out 3,000 gallons of water a minute for about a half hour. Charlie’s Deli relocated to 5th and Couch, Chen’s is still not reopened.”

Chen’s Good Taste Moved Out of Chinatown and Into the Couve

Yes, they ended up moving up to Vancouver and setting up shop in the Mill Plain neighborhood. A recent comment on social media by someone who went there this past summer said, “Had a delicious dinner at Chen’s Good Taste last night. The Peking Duck had crispy skin, cut just right with a thin piece of meat attached for the accompanying warm buns and fixings.”

They are now operating with a new owner, who opened the Vancouver location in May 2025 (the ORSOS records indicate an administrative dissolution of the Oregon-based LLC that same month). They are at 14930 SE Mill Plain Blvd #101 in Vancouver.

The Sale of 18 NW 4th Avenue

This building was sold on April 21, 2026 for $1.2 million, purchased by Four Seas Capital Holdings LLC. The seller was Bow Leong Bing Kong Society, which bought the property on April 27, 1956—so just about 70 years between sales. Bow Leong and Bing Kong were tongs, AKA Chinese benevolent societies

Sale records of 18 NW 4th Ave in Portland.

This building was also home to a quarterly Chinese bilingual newspaper founded in 1961, sponsored by the Consolidated Chinese Benevolent Association.

The Work Done at 18 NW 4th Avenue

Looks like they worked on repairing the basement, vents, drywall, ceilings, and more to prepare the space for a new restaurant. This listing for this site includes a description of what to expect for a potential buyer:

“Across street from a newer hotel! Two levels, high ceiling, plus full basement; approx 12,000 SQ FT brick building. New roof, electrical, sprinkler system in 2025. $1.2M on renovation. Main floor is commercial retails (used to be restaurants). 2450 SF & 1450 SF retail spaces.

“There is a big commercial hood on the bigger unit. 2nd floor residential units and office/meeting room. Please note the plot plans on ground floor, basement and 2nd floor were NOT done by a licensed professional. It was done by a talented member. Buyer to verify the square footage and ceiling height.”

The Latest Permit for 18 NW 4th Avenue

This is the info that caught my eye: “TI for new tenant. Includes adding and relocating walls, new kitchen equipment, new walk in cooler (separate permit), and accessibility upgrade to restroom.”

It was set up on 7/7/2026 and is currently Under Review.

So Who’s Involved With the New Restaurant?

ORSOS records indicates the name Zhen is involved with this property and new business.

Bruce Zhen is behind Four Seas Capital Holdings LLC, the owner of the property. He is part of what I would call the “Momiji empire”—lots and lots of locations (in fact, I happened to have chicken katsu there at the NE Fremont location this past weekend). Other businesses he is connected to include Bridgetown Foods Co. and Ideal Sushi Supply Co., among others.

The business, Good Fortune BBQ, is connected to Reina Kimberlee Zhen. Records indicate Reina Zhen and Bruce Zhen share an address.

Well, this all seems like good news for Chinatown. I love the idea of a new Chinese restaurant opening up in a space that has had a lot of history with the local Chinese community. I am sure Golden Horse and Republic Cafe would welcome the arrival of another Chinese restaurant, and I signs point to this one possibly offering Cantonese cuisine, too.

I’ll keep an eye on it.

Good Taste BBQ [projected opening TBD]
18 NW 4th Avenue, Portland