If there’s one factor that Portland’s sweets scene may positively use extra of, it’s Asian desserts, a lot of that are famously (ideally) not too candy and have that chewy, onomatopoeic “QQ” texture you may discover in issues like boba and rice desserts. We have now a number of boba spots in Portland, certain, however not on each nook. We’ve acquired some good shaved ice desserts (taking a look at you, Soen kakigori, and Wailua shave ice), however Korean bingsoo remains to be a rarity (although you’ll discover it on the menu at Janken). And in relation to Asian dessert soups, like crimson bean soup, I can’t recall having one besides after a superb crab and fish dinner at Powell Seafood. Fortunately, this month welcomes three new Asian dessert spots. Snowy Village softly opened, promoting Korean bingsoo, on March 4. On March 11, Milk + T, a boba store with areas in Beaverton and Los Angeles, may have its grand opening in downtown Portland. And on March 18, Meet Recent, a Taiwanese franchise dessert store, will open in Outdated City.
Snowy Village has taken root on North Vancouver Avenue, conveniently situated subsequent to the brand new Two Zone Korean fried rooster restaurant. Bingsoo choices embrace the basic injeolmi (toasted soybean powder) with crimson bean and rice desserts, black sesame with vanilla ice cream and crimson bean, and fruity flavors like mango or strawberry with whipped cream. Snag a taiyaki to go on the facet, a fish-shaped pancake filled with the likes of crimson bean or custard.
Milk + T began in Los Angeles as a meals cart, and now it’s acquired a brick-and-mortar there and in Beaverton. Its latest location, Milk + T Mini, is situated contained in the Portland Meals Corridor downtown, and can supply a streamlined model of the Beaverton menu, together with favorites like basic milk tea and the Piglet (strawberry with coconut milk). The grand opening celebration on March 11 from 1 p.m. to eight p.m. will characteristic event-exclusive boozy boba made in collaboration with Kizuki Ramen, plus lion dances by native troupe White Lotus and the prospect to seize considered one of 100 giveaway luggage with merch and freebies.
Meet Recent now has 30 areas in america, together with two in Seattle and one in Bellevue, and a whopping eight within the Bay Space. The upcoming Outdated City Portland location would be the first in Oregon. I’ve tried the Meet Recent location in Oakland, and it’s nice for cold-weather desserts like crimson bean soup or heat tofu pudding, plus hot-weather treats like shaved ice with pudding, rice desserts, condensed milk, and loads of boba drinks. Its mushy opening occasion takes place from March 18–23, with offers like 50 p.c off mochi or mung bean desserts with the acquisition of icy grass jelly, or $2 boba milk tea with the acquisition of icy grass jelly.
Snowy Village, 3912 N Vancouver Ave St 105, @snowyvillagepnw
Milk + T Mini, 827 SW Second Ave, @milkandt
Meet Recent, 230 SW Ash St, @meetfresh_portland
