Portland: Discover the Vietnamese restaurant ranked in the top 50 best in America

The Paper Bridge restaurant brings the authentic flavors of Hanoi bun cha and pho chien phong to Portland, Oregon and was recently honored by The New York Times.

In the heart of Portland, Oregon, a Vietnamese restaurant called "Bún chả Cầu Giấy" (The Paper Bridge) is making a strong culinary wave. Recently, The New York Times honored this restaurant in the list of America's 50 best restaurants in 2025, a prestigious recognition for its efforts to bring authentic Northern flavors to international diners.

Founded in November 2023, The Paper Bridge is the brainchild of a Vietnamese-American couple: chef Quynh Nguyen, originally from Hanoi , and Carlo Reina, an American who has lived and worked in Vietnam.

Owners Quynh Nguyen and Carlo Reina. Photo: Portland Tribune

Journey to recreate the taste of home

The key to The Paper Bridge’s uniqueness lies in meticulousness and passion. Carlo Reina makes fresh rice noodles and pho by hand every day in the restaurant, resulting in soft, chewy noodles that are completely different from the usual dry ones. The couple spent months experimenting, trying to recreate the full flavor of Vietnam in the climate and ingredients of the US.

Not only focusing on food, Ms. Quynh and Mr. Carlo also focus on building a cozy, intimate space like a family restaurant, where they can build close relationships with regular customers.

Fresh noodles and pho are made right at the restaurant. Photo: The Paper Bridge

"Memorable" menu in the heart of America

The Paper Bridge's menu is a symphony of Northern street food, with dishes that are both familiar to Vietnamese people and new and attractive to international diners.

Hanoi Bun Cha: An Unmistakable Mark

Considered the “soul” of the restaurant, the bun cha here receives much praise. Willamette Week described this dish as “more reminiscent of Hanoi than anything else.” A hearty serving of fragrant, lightly charred charcoal-grilled pork, served with a delicate sweet and sour fish sauce, fresh noodles and herbs.

Hanoi's Bun Cha attracts American diners. Photo: The Paper Bridge

Crispy Pho: A Unique Crispy Experience

This dish was specifically recommended by Willamette Week as a “must-try”. The fresh pho noodles are fried until crispy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside. Topped with a layer of hot stir-fried beef and vegetables and a rich sauce, it creates a tantalizing combination of flavors and textures.

Van Dinh grass duck and regional specialties

The New York Times suggests that diners should go in groups to fully enjoy the famous Van Dinh grass-fed duck. In addition, the menu is diverse with many other special dishes such as Hai Phong crab spring rolls, Sa Pa-style grilled skewers, or enoki mushrooms rolled in fatty charcoal-grilled pork belly.

Van Dinh grass-fed duck dish is praised. Photo: The Paper Bridge

The restaurant also serves typical pho from many regions. Lang Son sour pho has a unique taste with fried sweet potatoes, roasted peanuts, smoked meat and sour chili sauce. Meanwhile, Nam Dinh pho conquers diners with its clear, rich and naturally sweet broth.

At this restaurant, diners can explore a variety of Vietnamese cuisine. Photo: The Paper Bridge

The Paper Bridge is not only a culinary destination, but also a "paper bridge" connecting cultures, bringing the quintessential flavors of Northern Vietnam closer to international friends.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/portland-kham-pha-quan-an-viet-lot-top-50-tot-nhat-my-398252.html