The Paper Bridge

“Everything about The Paper Bridge was perfect. This restaurant nailed the ambiance, the menu was super thought out, and the servers helped explain the popular items and guided us on what to order. I was really struck by the decorations when I walked in. It felt like I had stepped foot onto a street corner in Vietnam. The food? Genuinely some of the best Vietnamese food I've had. The broths were rich, the meat extremely tender, and the combination of flavors always stood out. We ordered so much food and stayed to finish them. The cocktails are unique and absolutely delicious. The ginger adds so much to the drink! Try the pho, try the duck, try the Sapa skewers- try it all. I don't say this about many restaurants but this is one I will return to multiple times, especially to try their desserts since we were too full by the end of our meal to even consider looking at the dessert menu.”

“If you’re looking for authentic Northern Vietnamese food in Portland, this spot should be on your list. It’s consistently packed, so making a reservation ahead of time is recommended. We started with the Sapa-style skewers, which were a standout. The variety was great, including pork with curry leaves, beef wrapped in leaf, and pork belly wrapped in enoki mushrooms. Each skewer had its own unique flavor, but what really brought everything together was the dipping sauce. It elevated the entire dish. Bun Cha Ha Noi is a dish I always look for when trying Northern Vietnamese restaurants, and they executed it beautifully here. The grilled meat was flavorful and well-balanced, the fish sauce was bright and perfectly seasoned, the noodles had that ideal springy texture, and the herbs were fresh and vibrant. Everything just worked. We also ordered the Bun Dau Mam Tom, another Northern classic that can be hit or miss depending on the restaurant, but they really nailed it here, especially the fermented shrimp paste. The rest of the components were solid and complemented each other well. Service was friendly and welcoming. There was a bit of a wait for the food, but given how busy it was and the quality of the dishes, it felt worth it. Overall, this is a place I’d return to whenever I’m back in Portland. There are still so many dishes I want to try.”

“I rarely write restaurant reviews, but my meal at Paper Bridge was so incredible, I'm still thinking about it days later and I think that warrants a rave review :) My husband and I came here for an early Valentine's Day dinner. The atmosphere is gorgeous—cozy warm lighting from the dozens of paper lanterns on the ceiling, plants, posters, and eye candy galore! We ordered a selection of dishes from the small/medium dish menu, including Sapa skewers, fried stuffed rice cakes, and Bun Cha Han Noi (pork and rice noodles). Our food arrived quickly and was bursting with flavors. The skewers were tender and served with a delicious, herby dipping sauce. The rice cakes were a glorious, crispy/chewy texture filled with a savory pork filling. The pork and noodles were served with a tray of veggies and herbs with a hearty broth. This dish was so fun to eat, as there were so many flavor combinations to try to make every bite unique. The star of the show was the puffed pho noodles. I am so glad we took the waiter's suggestion to try this dish because it was truly spectacular. The puffed pho was like nothing I've ever had—perfectly crisp with a chewy, mochi-like interior. It was topped with a stir-fry of buttery soft beef, bok choy, and tomatoes in a delectable sweet/spicy/salty sauce. Seriously. This dish is good. It's the one I keep thinking about, and I will absolutely be back to have it again.”

“There's much to admire at The Paper Bridge, a rare spot in Portland dedicated to the nuanced, herb-forward cooking of Northern Vietnam. On a recent visit, the kitchen delivered dish after dish of genuine character. The Sautéed Morning Glory arrived garlicky and wok-charred, still clinging to its crisp snap. The clams swam in a fragrant, peppery broth that begged to be sopped up with the impossibly long, airy fritter (quẩy) —a textural triumph. The Mai Dich Bun Cá, a turmeric-tinted noodle soup from Hanoi's outskirts, was a revelation: light, tangy, and brimming with fresh dill. Even the Vegan Roll, often an afterthought elsewhere, sang with mint and crunchy vegetables. And the Vietnamese Banana Cake, warm and caramelized, provided a gentle, sweet finale. So why only four stars? The service. Our wait person was noticeably short and impatient-rushing orders, brushing off questions, and making the meal feel transactional rather than welcoming. In a city and cuisine that thrive on hospitality, this dissonance stung. The food is worthy of a pilgrimage. Just brace yourself for a front-of-house experience that doesn't match the kitchen's warmth.”

“Very nice flavors, I’m not very knowledgeable in vietnamese food other than pho. I order the noddles with pork since that’s the most popular dish and the bread. The bread with the sauce is really good. I liked my dish and I like pork but I thought it was too much pork, the noddles are really good. I recommend it.”