SE Portland Archives - Page 9 of 15

January 8, 2024December 7, 2024

Top Posts on Bridgetown Bites in 2023

We are comfortably into January 2024 and it’s time to take a look back at 2023’s most-read posts on Bridgetown Bites. They mostly involved openings and closings of restaurants and bars, but there was one article on an Asian market opening in SE Portland that made the list.

I’m happy to say that from an analytics POV, traffic almost doubled between 2022 and 2023 here on the blog. Regarding 2022 I said, “Over 55,000 visits were recorded, and almost 35,000 of those visits were new to the site.” In 2023 we had 106,000 unique visits, with 86,000 new to the site; these visitors generated almost 142,000 page views, too. Not too bad for this little independent blog.

I also read somewhere online that this blog skews toward NE Portland. That is a true statement. I also read in the same source that some readers would love to see more coverage of the west side of Portland. This is good feedback. will see what I can do about that, and diversifying geographically in general.

Thanks to all who have read, commented, sent tips (keep ’em coming!), and shared these articles/posts on social media and with friends. Here’s to another great year of delving into the Portland food world!

10. Yuginong Offers Gluten-Free Korean Fare in St. Johns

dining-room-yuginong-korean-portland-oregon

When I was at dinner the other night, my friends who live in St. Johns said “a Korean restaurant has finally opened in our neighborhood.” Of course, my interest was piqued so I asked more questions. The restaurant is Yuginong (or Yu Gi Nong), located in the space that was previously home to Sol Bowl and a Starbucks. They opened this past weekend.

Update: I hear only good things about Yuginong, with modifiers like “fresh,” “tasty,” and “very good.” I’m happy to know they are still going strong.

November 28, 2023November 28, 2023

Mokdong Gimbap to Open in Old Frog & Snail Space

Beautiful vegetable gimbap. Photo credit: cutekirin on Wikimedia Commons

As you know from reading this blog, Frog & Snail closed earlier this year, ending easy access to crepes and the magnificent French onion meatball sub they were known for. But a new place is opening up there, Mokdong Gimbap, offering sushi and—you’d expect—especially gimbap.

October 18, 2023October 18, 2023

Around the World in 82 Dishes Starts October 21

The premiere event from the 82nd Avenue Business Association is, arguably, their Around the World in 82 Dishes food week. With the mission of promoting the variety of food cultures represented on and around 82nd Avenue, it has become over the years a meaningful Portland food event. There are changes to the program this year, which I’ll outline below (read our coverage in 2019, 2021, and 2022, for reference).

October 16, 2023October 16, 2023

The Paper Bridge, Offering Northern Vietnamese Cuisine, Will Open in SE Portland

A Bridgetown Bites tipster alerted me to a new Vietnamese restaurant poised to open: The Paper Bridge, which will be located in the old La Luna Cafe space on SE Ash Street and 9th Avenue. They will serve northern Vietnamese food.

October 5, 2023October 5, 2023

Annam VL Is Coming to the Belmont Neighborhood

An example of Chicken Pho Phở Gà (shredded chicken with rice noodles in chicken broth) from Hà VL, sister to the new Annam VL.

You may know that Hà VL and Rose VL are some of the most beloved Vietnamese restaurants in Portland. Hà VL was nominated for a James Beard award in 2020 in the Outstanding Restaurant category (keep track of their soups on the Hà VL Daily Soups page; Rose VL is well-known for its cao lầu. So it’s very exciting to tell you that they are opening a third restaurant in Portland, called Annam VL, in the Belmont neighborhood this fall.