The Chef Naoko Bento Café is a true gem…in fact just writing this makes me crave it again! By far one of the best lunches I have ever had, not only in Portland, but anywhere. The restaurant is located in the unsuspecting row of mediocre places located at 12th/Jefferson. It has a tiny storefront, and the interior has roughly 6 small metal tables and some counter seating that faces the street. The walls are painted a calming green, with some scattered pictures/information about Chef Naoko. She has specialized in organic and natural cuisine in her home country of Japan since 1976, and has now started her US Corporation in Portland (she also handles catering, consulting and cafeteria management services).
The menu is simple and traditional, and includes tofu, poultry and meat dishes. They have daily specials as well, all highlighting seasonal items. The food here was impeccably fresh, locally-sourced, and prepared with the utmost care. They clearly take pride in every item served, and orders are perfectly presented in wooden trays which hold smaller glass bowls containing each of your included menu items (protein, rice, salad, tofu piece, and desert). We chose the Farmers Chicken Bento (grilled chicken and seasonal vegetables with house tomato sauce) and the Umi Fish Ginger Bento (grilled wild salmon with house ginger teriyaki sauce). Both were literally melt in your mouth amazing, with the house made sauces stealing the scene. Portions were enough to put you into the happiest food comma ever, yet not leave you immobile.
It should to be noted that Chef Naoko is SO good, she only needs to be open from 11am-3:30pm, Tues-Sat. Plan accordingly; you absolutely cannot let another week go by without trying this wonderful establishment.
The server/cook was very sweet, making sure to clear our trays and graciously asking how our meal was. My guess is that she knows her regulars and was interested to see what her new patrons thought. At a cost of $6.75-15/meal, this is amazingly reasonable for the quality of food you receive. We left feeling full of wonderfully healthy food, and talking about when we could return.
*Jayne
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