Chef Akkapong “Earl” Ninsom, along with his partners Eric Nelson and Sam Smith, is set to introduce a new dining experience to Portland, as they plan to open a restaurant called OK Chicken & Khaosoi.
The team aims to bring back Northern Thai flavors that the city has been missing since the pandemic.
In a communication with Eater, Ninsom expressed enthusiasm about the restaurant’s vision, indicating it will focus on a Northern Thai dining experience, which he believes is essential for Portland’s culinary landscape.
The potential site for OK Chicken & Khaosoi is the former Pok Pok space located at 3226 SE Division Street.
Currently, the team is in the process of negotiating the lease, but if all goes well, they anticipate a winter 2025 opening.
Ninsom shared that the location is ideal because of its existing Northern Thai feel and historical significance.
The restaurant plans to adopt a more casual dining approach, which might include counter-service or bar-style ordering.
Ninsom described the ordering system as straightforward, where diners can fill out an order sheet before sitting down at their tables.
This innovative model is inspired by the team’s research trips, which have shaped their vision for the restaurant.
In elaborating on the concept, Ninsom indicated they are focusing on incorporating Northern Thai flavors with a lively, late-night atmosphere, and possibly karaoke, to ensure a vibrant dining experience while maintaining operational efficiency.
Despite having a tentative opening timeline, Ninsom emphasized that they are still in the early stages of planning and are cautiously optimistic about the winter opening.
Food reporters have been busy digging for more details through the restaurant’s Instagram page, which showcases dishes that the team has experienced on their recent trip dedicated to studying Northern Thai cuisine.
The Oregonian noted that the photos included many tantalizing dishes reminiscent of the previous Pok Pok menu.
Among the highlights was a whole roasted chicken akin to ones served at Pok Pok, as well as Northern Thai-style laab muang and som tum.
One of the standout dishes, their take on khao soi, features a Muslim version sampled at Khao Soi Lung Surin in the Chiang Mai village of Doi Pui, according to the Instagram captions.
In the meantime, the team has begun testing their namesake khao soi dish during staff meals at Yaowarat, which also documents these meals on their respective Instagram account.
For those eager to get a taste, an invitation was extended to join the Yaowarat staff, or simply to wait for the exciting grand opening of OK Chicken & Khaosoi.
image source from：pdx
