Haan Ghin

Haan Ghin

Location: SW Park and Harrison at PSU Park Blocks
Hours: M-F, lunch

The Story: Most every Portlander I speak with comment on the number of Thai eateries we have throughout the city. Yet I rarely hear about other cuisines from Southeast Asia and have been wanting to explore. Then I learned of Haan Ghin, a new Laotian cart at Portland State University and paid a visit.

Historically, downtown Portland was divided by what we now refer to as the north and south park blocks. City founders designated the land as a division between commerce and housing and the industry that was further west. Those long city blocks of mature trees and rose bushes and public art are still enjoyed daily by many. By Portland State University, the park blocks are an integral part of the campus and since I can remember, there have been food carts there to feed the students. At Park and Harrison, a mini-pod has anchored with five vendors allowed to keep their little carts there overnight during the week. Haan Ghin is one of those, along with a soup vendor, BBQ and a noodle shop.

Laap Gai from Haan Ghin

Haan Ghin owners Anthony Manivanh and Ann Derryberry put together an adorable wood shingled cart with handmade signs and everything. The menu is small, but I honestly love that. The fewer items, the dedication to each is that much greater. The Laap Gai, a chicken DIY lettuce wrap dish is plated with ground chicken tossed with scallions, mint, cilantro, shallots, chiles and lemongrass, sticky rice and a hunk of lettuce. Yep, make your own lettuce wrap and the work involved is worth it. Lettuce is cold and crisp, whereas the spicy chicken along with a bit of their housemade chili sauce is savory and spicy with a bit of citrus on the back end. Each little nibble is a delight. I love the little touches here at Haan Ghin. The Portland street food scene was born on DIY, so why not have a dish on the menu the customer has to engage with.

Haan Ghin is a great addition to Portland’s street food scene and while it is over by PSU, a bit of a walk for some who normally call the other downtown pods home, it is worth it. Sit among the towering fir trees enjoying your meal and watch college students scurry about. If you’re ever nervous about how to pronounce a dish, they have a pho-net-ic menu posted also. Next time you’re down that way or if you’re up for a special treat, drop on by Haan Ghin Eatshop and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu: