Portland's 10 Best Food Carts: The Ultimate 2026 Guide
Discover Portland's 10 best food carts for 2026—from Nong's James Beard-nominated chicken rice to Matt's BBQ's Texas-style brisket. Complete guide to pods, locations, menus, and prices.
Portland doesn't call them food trucks—they call them food carts. And with over 500 carts operating across the city, organized into unique clusters called "pods," no other city on Earth does street food quite like Portland. This is where Nong Poonsukwattana arrived from Bangkok with just $70 and two suitcases to build a chicken rice empire, where a Norwegian flatbread called lefse became a cult obsession, and where Korean BBQ meets Mexican tacos in ways that have been profiled by CNN, The New York Times, and Food & Wine Magazine.
Here are the 10 food carts that define Portland's legendary street food scene.
1. Nong's Khao Man Gai
Nong's legendary khao man gai earned a James Beard semifinalist nomination
Cuisine: Thai | Est. 2009
Nong Poonsukwattana emigrated from Bangkok to Portland in 2003 with $70 and a suitcase. After years working as a waitress at local Thai restaurants, she opened her food cart in 2009 with one simple item: khao man gai—Thai chicken and rice. What began as a humble cart has grown into a Portland institution with multiple brick-and-mortar locations, a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination, and her signature sauce sold in bottles nationwide.
Locations:
- SE Portland: 609 SE Ankeny St, Ste C (Daily 9AM-9PM)
- Downtown: 417 SW 13th Ave (Daily 9AM-8PM)
Menu Highlights:
- Khao Man Gai (Regular) – $13 | Tender poached chicken, fragrant rice, warm broth, legendary sauce
- Khao Man Gai (Piset/Large) – $17 | Larger portion with extra chicken
- Pork & Rice (Khao Kha Muu) – $14 | Slow-braised pork leg over rice
- Nong's Sauce (bottle) – $12 | Take the magic home
Reviews: "Within 5 minutes the food was out and flavor is amazing. The dipping sauce is perfect." | "We were only in Portland for 2 days and had this twice!"
Awards: James Beard Award Semifinalist • Featured on Food Network • 2,700+ Yelp reviews, 4.5+ stars
Contact: (503) 740-2907 | khaomangai.com | @naborhood
2. Matt's BBQ
Matt's BBQ made Daniel Vaughn's Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints Outside of Texas
Cuisine: Texas-Style BBQ | Est. 2015
Since 2015, Matt's BBQ has brought authentic Texas-style barbecue to Portland from a fixed-location food cart at Prost Marketplace. All meats are cooked on an offset smoker using oak wood—the same method used in the legendary barbecue joints of central Texas. The cart has earned recognition on Daniel Vaughn's Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints Outside of Texas list.
Location: Prost Marketplace, 4233 N Mississippi Ave (Daily 11:30AM-9PM or until sold out)
Menu Highlights:
- Chopped Brisket (½ lb) – $16.50 | Mix of lean and fatty, with pickles and warm dip sauce
- Pulled Pork – $4.75/serving | Smoked and tender
- Double Smoked Sausage – $11 | Tossed in mustard and brown sugar
- Beef Ribs – $13 | Sliced to order, dipped in melted butter
- Jalapeno Popper – $5 | Wrapped in sausage meat and smoked
Reviews: "The brisket was so good I almost cried. Best ribs I've ever had." | "Best BBQ I've had in Oregon, even in take out the meat still cut like butter."
Awards: Daniel Vaughn's Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints Outside of Texas • 789+ Yelp reviews • Health Score: 100/100
Contact: (503) 504-0870 | mattsbbqpdx.com | @mattsbbqpdx
3. Bing Mi
Cuisine: Chinese (Jianbing) | Est. 2014
Bing Mi brought jianbing—a beloved Chinese street food savory crepe—to Portland in 2014. The cart was later purchased by Jacky Ren, who grew up eating jianbings in Shandong, China. When Andrew Zimmern visited for The Zimmern List, the cart's cult status was sealed.
Location: Midtown Beer Garden, 701 SW 6th Ave (Tue-Sat 10AM-3PM)
Menu Highlights:
- Classic Jianbing – $9 | Savory crepe with egg, bing sauce, green onion, cilantro, wonton crackers
- Double Egg Jianbing – $11 | Extra egg for more protein
- Roasted Duck Jianbing – $13 | Classic topped with roasted duck
- Loaded Jianbings – $14-18 | Full meal portions with premium proteins
Reviews: "The best food cart in Portland! So delicious and everyone working there is extremely kind." | "I've been waiting nine years to find jian bing that are this good in the US."
Awards: Featured on Travel Channel's The Zimmern List • Eater Portland's "Most Outstanding Food Carts" • 546+ Yelp reviews
Contact: (971) 930-2968 | bingmipdx.com | @bing.mi
4. Fried Egg I'm In Love
The Yolko Ono sandwich was featured on Netflix's Somebody Feed Phil
Cuisine: Breakfast Sandwiches | Est. 2012
Jace Krause launched Fried Egg I'm In Love for just $10,000 in 2012. The concept? Music pun-themed breakfast sandwiches (the name references The Cure's "Friday I'm in Love"). The signature Yolko Ono sandwich has achieved legendary status, and Netflix's Somebody Feed Phil featured the cart in its Portland episode.
Locations:
- Pioneer Courthouse Square (Cart): 780 SW Broadway (Daily 8AM-2PM)
- Hawthorne (Restaurant): 3549 SE Hawthorne Blvd
- Mississippi Ave (Restaurant): 3330 N Mississippi Ave
Menu Highlights:
- Yolko Ono – $10 | Signature: fried egg, house sausage patty, pesto on sourdough
- Double Yolko – $12 | Double egg, double sausage
- Egg Zeppelin – $11 | Two veggie patties, fried egg, cheddar, aardvark aioli
- 'Rito Suave Burrito – $12 | Scrambled eggs, protein, cheese, avocado, pico
Reviews: "Best Breakfast sandwich on the planet!" | "First bite into the Yolko Ono pretty much took me away."
Awards: Featured on Netflix's Somebody Feed Phil • Eater Portland "Best Breakfast Burrito" • 829+ Yelp reviews
Contact: 503-610-EGGS | friedegglove.com | @friedegglove
5. Koi Fusion
Cuisine: Korean-Mexican Fusion | Est. 2009
In 2009, Bo Kwon heard about Roy Choi's Korean taco trucks in LA and flew down to meet him. When Kwon asked to franchise, Choi said no—but blessed him to "spread the love" in Portland. Using Mama Kwon's secret family marinades, Koi Fusion has grown from one cart to multiple trucks and an entire catering division. They've been profiled in CNN, The New York Times, Food & Wine, and Forbes.
Location: N Mississippi Ave & mobile trucks throughout Portland
Menu Highlights:
- Korean Tacos (3) – $10-12 | Corn tortilla, protein, sweet cabbage, bean sprouts, pico, salsa
- Bibimbap Burrito – $12 | Korean seasoned rice, protein, slaw, pico, cilantro
- Seoul Slider – $6 | Korean meat, Tillamook cheddar, cabbage slaw, wasabi mayo
- Kimchi Quesadilla – $10 | Spicy and savory twist on a classic
- K-Philly – $12 | Sautéed onions & peppers, Swiss, kimchi, wasabi mayo
Reviews: "Order anything off the menu. You can't go wrong." | "Kimchi quesadilla—it was off the chain."
Awards: Featured in CNN, NYT, Food & Wine, Forbes • Pioneer of Portland's Korean-Mexican fusion
Contact: koifusionpdx.com | @koifusionpdx
6. Viking Soul Food
Cuisine: Scandinavian | Est. 2010
Megan Walhood grew up eating lefse—a traditional Norwegian potato flatbread. The Black-owned cart operated from a vintage Airstream trailer before transitioning to a brick-and-mortar in Woodstock in 2022. Guy Fieri visited for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, asking: "How have I existed this long without having this?"
Location: SE 42nd & Woodstock Blvd (Thu-Sun 11:30AM-5:30PM)
Menu Highlights:
- Norwegian Meatball Lefse Wrap – $9 | Pork and beef meatballs with gjetost gravy, pickled cabbage
- Smoked Salmon Lefse Wrap – $10 | House juniper-smoked salmon, dill crème fraîche
- Pølse Lefse Wrap – $9 | Swedish pork sausage, punchy mustard, creamy slaw
- Lingonberry Lefse – $8 | Sweet and tart lingonberries, silky cream cheese
Reviews: "The most delicious lefse I've ever had—and I'm of Norwegian heritage!" | "Blow your mind food truck."
Awards: Featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Season 32) • Eater Portland's "Most Outstanding Food Carts"
Contact: (971) 506-5579 | vikingsoulfood.com | @vikingsoulfood
7. Kim Jong Grillin'
Cuisine: Korean BBQ | Est. 2009
Han Ly Hwang's cart won a Judges Award at the 2011 Eat Mobile festival—and hours later, caught fire and burned down. Like its namesake (the cart's name is a cheeky political pun), Kim Jong Grillin' refused to die. Hwang rebuilt and has been serving some of Portland's best Korean BBQ for over 15 years. His KJG Hot Dog has been called one of Portland's most iconic dishes.
Location: The Heist, 4727 SE Woodstock Blvd (Wed-Sun 12PM-9PM)
Menu Highlights:
- Bulgogi Bibim Box – $12 | Marinated beef, crispy potatoes, kimchi, fried egg over rice
- Kalbi Short Ribs Box – $14 | Charred short ribs with all the fixings
- KJG Hot Dog – $6 | Sabrett on Binh Minh baguette, pickled mango, daikon kimchi
- Kimchi Fried Rice – $11 | Wok-fried with your protein choice
- Korean Crunch Wrap – $12 | Wild take on the Taco Bell classic
Reviews: "I got the bulgogi on a cold day and almost wanted to cry it was so good." | "The value for what you get in the $12 meal is amazing."
Awards: Eater Portland's "38 Essential Restaurants" • Featured in Bon Appétit • 2011 Eat Mobile Judges Award
Contact: kimjonggrillin.com | @kimjonggrillin
8. Potato Champion
Potato Champion has been Portland's late-night poutine destination since 2008
Cuisine: Belgian Fries & Poutine | Est. 2008
Mike McKinnon opened Potato Champion in April 2008, becoming Portland's only late-night fry cart. The cart helped establish Cartopia as Portland's original food cart pod. The fries are prepared in authentic Belgian style: peeled, cut, blanched at low temperature, left to sweat, then fried to order at high heat.
Location: Cartopia, 1207 SE Hawthorne Blvd (Tue-Sun 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat until 11PM)
Menu Highlights:
- Classic Fries – $7 | Fresh-cut, double-fried Belgian-style with 2 house sauces
- Classic Poutine – $12 | Fries, Ellsworth Creamery cheese curds, peppery gravy
- Beef Poutine – $14 | Classic with rich beef gravy
- PB&J Fries – $10 | Satay sauce + pepper jelly—cult favorite
- Palak Paneer Fries – $14 | Indian-inspired with grilled paneer
House Sauces: Rosemary Truffle Ketchup, Chipotle Mayo, Bourbon Honey Mustard, Fritessaus, Curry Sauce, and more
Reviews: "I've been coming here for over a decade. They knock it out of the park every time!" | "Fave poutine and fries in all of Portland."
Awards: Portland's original late-night fry cart (since 2008) • Portland Monthly: "Kind of Holy Grail of the Portland food scene" • 770+ Yelp reviews
Contact: potatochampion.com | @potatochampion
9. Tokyo Sando
Cuisine: Japanese Sandwiches | Est. 2020
Chef Taiki Nakajima grew up in Tokyo and came to Portland to share his country's konbini (convenience store) food culture. Tokyo Sando opened in February 2020, just before COVID. In late 2023, Nakajima announced he was closing—but overwhelming community support brought the cart back in early 2024. The sandwiches use Japanese milk bread (shokupan).
Location: Midtown Beer Garden, 431 SW Harvey Milk St (Mon, Wed-Sat 11:30AM-3:30PM)
Menu Highlights:
- Miso Katsu Sando (Pork or Chicken) – $15 | Nagoya-style miso sauce, black garlic, cabbage
- Naka Sando (Chicken Nanban) – $15 | Crispy chicken, nanban sauce, tartar sauce
- Egg Sando – $12 | Japanese egg salad with soft-boiled eggs, jammy yolks exposed
- Tokyo Curry Pan Sando – $14 | Deep-fried curry pocket
- Gyoza Scotch Egg Sando – $16 | Creative fusion on shokupan
Reviews: "Tokyo Sando is absolutely worth the hype!" | "The pork katsu is just so moist, executed incredibly well."
Awards: Willamette Week featured • The Infatuation Portland review • 455+ Yelp reviews
Contact: (971) 254-3744 | tokyosando.com | @tokyosandopdx
10. Pyro Pizza (at Cartopia)
Cuisine: Wood-Fired Pizza | Est. 2008
Located at Cartopia—Portland's original eastside food cart pod since 2008—Pyro Pizza has earned a reputation as one of the best pizzas in town, period. The cart is centered entirely around a wood-fired oven, turning out lightly charred, fluffy, chewy-crusted pies right in front of you.
Location: Cartopia, 1207 SE Hawthorne Blvd (Daily 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat until 11PM)
Menu Highlights:
- Margherita – $12 | Classic: tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil
- Pepperoni – $14 | House-made sauce, quality pepperoni
- Sausage – $14 | Italian sausage on wood-fired crust
- Mushroom Arugula – $15 | Wild mushrooms topped with fresh arugula
- Cheese Pizza – $11 | Simple and perfect
Reviews: "Portland's best-known pizza cart is also making one of the best pizzas in town." | "It's not everyday you can get full wood-fired pizza from a food cart."
Awards: The Infatuation: "One of the best pizzas in town" • Anchor cart at Cartopia since 2008
Contact: Located at Cartopia | cartopiafoodcarts.com
Where to Find Portland Food Carts
Portland's food carts are organized into pods—permanent collections of carts with communal seating, often with bars, fire pits, and covered areas.
Top Food Cart Pods:
Cartopia (SE Hawthorne)
1207 SE Hawthorne Blvd — Portland's original pod since 2008. Home to Potato Champion, Pyro Pizza, Chicken and Guns. Fire pits, beer garden, late-night hours.
Hawthorne Asylum (SE Portland)
1080 SE Madison St — 20+ carts surrounded by brick walls and wrought-iron gates. Tim Burton-esque vibes with fire pits.
Prost Marketplace (N Mississippi)
4233 N Mississippi Ave — Home to Matt's BBQ, Mole Mole, DesiPDX. Excellent German beer bar adjacent.
Midtown Beer Garden (Downtown)
SW 5th Ave — Home to Tokyo Sando, Bing Mi. 300-seat capacity with live music stage.
The Heist (Woodstock)
4727 SE Woodstock Blvd — Home to Kim Jong Grillin'. Bar, indoor seating, pinball machines.
Portland Food Cart Tips:
- They're called "carts," not "trucks" — Portlanders are particular about this
- Check hours and locations — Many carts have irregular schedules
- Popular items sell out — Arrive early for brisket, sandos, and hot items
- Most pods have covered areas and heaters for rainy days
- Follow on Instagram — Carts post daily locations and specials
Conclusion
Portland's food cart scene isn't just about convenience—it's a cultural institution that reflects the city's values: creativity, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and community. Where else can you get Texas-style brisket next to Norwegian lefse, Thai chicken rice across from Korean-Mexican tacos, and Belgian poutine beside Japanese sandwiches?
The pods themselves have become destinations, with fire pits for gathering, local beers on tap, covered seating for the inevitable rain, and an atmosphere that encourages lingering. It's street food elevated to an art form, accessible to everyone, and constantly evolving.
Whether you're a local looking for your new lunch spot or a visitor experiencing Portland for the first time, these food carts represent the best of what the city has to offer: delicious food made with passion, served with heart, in spaces designed for community.
Now go eat.
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