Well well well, what do we have here? Another fantastic option for Thai food on Hawthorne? Great. Now how am I suppose to choose? While I have no answers for that question, I am nevertheless thankful for this new addition to my neighborhood. First off, Mee Gin is a cool spot. Situated in one of the strip-buildings that populate Hawthorne, the restaurant’s interior is simple, comfortable, and modern. The menu is incredibly vegetarian friendly and I was happy to have so many options to choose from. The tofu sticks, a protein rich take on french fries, are so satisfying with their accompanying sauce. The Khao Soi is a flavor bomb! There is a wonderful layering of bold flavors, hitting every flavor profile you come to expect in great Thai food. The stir-fries were equally flavorful. Other things to note: Mee Gin offers an inventive cocktail menu, and also caters well to those with gluten-free dietary restrictions with a menu that denotes friendly items.
Erica S.
Tu valoración: 5 Washington Township, NJ
I would have never thought to order steak at a Thai restaurant because I love my noodles and curries so much… But definitely order the Crying Tiger signature dish. It is one of the most flavorful and tender meat dishes I’ve ever had! The dipping sauce it comes with is out of this world too. Don’t forget some green papaya salad either!
Brad J.
Tu valoración: 5 Portland, OR
Great, original entrees that were a standout from the usual Thai restaurant. The atmosphere is clean, simple, and aesthetically pleasing. And the 90s music was perfect on the evening we went! I’d recommend this great little place for sure!
Charles S.
Tu valoración: 4 Portland, OR
The food here is delicious. We ordered mixed vegetables, pad si eww(shrimp), salmon with red curry and we both got fresh coconut. I only wish they spiced my food better i asked for spice level hot and it was lacking any real heat,. Portions were small which seems to be typical for all thai restaurants. My question is «why»? The atmosphere at Mee Gin is comfortable and open… big glass windows so you can look out and view hawthorne and every body passing bye. A huge + they have fresh coconut, yum! just thinking about it makes me want one its so refreshing and delicious. I wish more thai restaurants would have fresh coconut. Its rare that thai restaurants carry fresh coconut; i know of only one other thai restaurant in portland that has it. Thank you Mee Gin for the fresh coconut, and for the delicious food.
Daniel N.
Tu valoración: 5 Hillsboro, OR
Outstanding experience for me and maybe for you guys as well. Came here on Friday and surprisingly this place wasn’t crowed, which exactly what I hoped for, though many great reviews from Unilocal. Great decoration, very artistic and warm atmosphere inside. I was greeted by a great smile from a waiter :) Very good services at Mee Gin. I ordered the pork belly with stir fried green beans which was PERFECT. The green beans were great, not too soft nor too hard to eat neither. The pork belly was fried(I guess) and stir fried with the green beans. It usually comes with the bell pepper which I didn’t want to so the waiter offered me to substitute the bell pepper to mushrooms which was an excellent choice: D Definitely will be coming back here with my family. Such an awesome place to go for Thai food.
Phonevilay C.
Tu valoración: 5 Tualatin, OR
I am so happy we came here. As an Laotian person, it’s hard to find authentic Lao’s/Thai food that’s not cooked at home. Nowadays presentation is everything and they earned 5 stars. I especially loved the coconut water given instead of water, which helped set the vibe perfectly. Will definitely be coming again
Erica W.
Tu valoración: 5 Portland, OR
Probably the best Thai I’ve had in Portland. I had the mango curry and the special pumpkin curry. Both mild, but had the perfect kick to them!
Daisy W.
Tu valoración: 5 Santa Barbara, CA
I randomly stumbled on this place after walking out of overly packed Harlow in hopes of eating their vegan enchiladas. Too bad it was super packed and I was very hungry, but thankfully I chose to look on the bright side when I walked into Mee Gin! The gal invited us in immediately and took care of us. Being a Thai food fanatic, I scanned the menu and chose I stir fry that I had yet to try and settled with the Mango Delight which is both gluten-free and vegan. I just want to make it clear that I was Mango DELIGHTED. There is always a positive to every negative situation. Harlow was(as expected) overpacked, but I found a new place to eat, and I good one at that. Can’t wait to head back to try more dishes their style.
Heather K.
Tu valoración: 4 Portland, OR
Solid Thai, great spice level. The green curry and Tom Yam soup were both a bit sweeter than I would expect from those dishes. Service was good and prompt. I pull actually rate this 4.5 but only whole stars are the option!
Madeleine H.
Tu valoración: 2 Portland, OR
This is my first negative review on Unilocal ever, but this was egregious. Came here on a whim on my husband’s birthday during happy hour and ordered several dishes. Food was fine, but THEYWOULDN’T LETUSTAKEOURLEFTOVERSHOME! They said it was happy hour and dine-in only, and my explanation that take-out and leftovers were completely separate things fell on deaf ears. So the food was just going to be thrown away. No warning when we ordered. We gave the extras to the table next to us so they wouldn’t go to waste. Happy birthday to my husband, ugh. Won’t be back.
Alan C.
Tu valoración: 5 Miami, FL
Would give it 7 stars if I could. Insane and authentic Thai in a cool neighborhood. Prices are very moderate. Family quality service and hip serving/presentations. This place will have line ups soon!
Jenny P.
Tu valoración: 4 Portland, OR
December 23rd. Hawthorne. Just get me out of the damn wind, rain and holiday chaos. Thai food, whatever… More than pleasant surprise, Mee Gin delivers big time. I had the Pad Thai as I always do when trying a new Thai place and all the flavors were there. I’m so picky about my sweet/spicy/sour and other than using my lime wedge these guys nailed the taste spot on. What a treat during this hurried and oftentimes less than peaceful season. Andrew P had the pineapple fried rice which I tasted and loved, no mish mash of leftover gooey stuff, the vegetables while small, all had a bit of freshly cut bite to them and our spice level of medium was just the magic needed for the rest of the afternoon’s slog… er Fun Christmas prep… We also ordered a starter of grilled chicken with peanut sauce which was huge and also very good. Another pertinent point was the server. He was hurried(tis the damn season) but he was so happy and helpful. Towards the end of our lunch I believe his mother and sister came into help(family run place?) and they all had smiles on their faces. Feeling welcomed into a busy place like this so close to the Holidays really helps the weary shoppers torn between sitting at home by the fire with the booze or looking for the right Star Wars socks. Go here, its Thai Food worth driving to, and I will go to Hawthorne next time I’m craving some rather than Alberta which is much closer to me. That says a lot because I hate the drive and park sitch over there. Mee Gin Soul Kitchen is cosy clean and comfortable in tones of gray paint with a full bar and even Thai whiskey! I’ve got to try that next time for sure. Next time I will also branch out with the menu and perhaps the 5th star will show up this place certainly has the potential.
Brody L.
Tu valoración: 5 Minneapolis, MN
This place was amazing! Their take on spaghetti was awesome! The pad see ew was better here than the neighboring restaurants. We got to order coconut water straight from the fresh young coconut. I never had tofu fries before but those were good and fried to perfection. Salad rolls were on point. All the flavors and sauces were elevated and delicious. I absolutely loved this place and will be back!
Melissa D.
Tu valoración: 4 Portland, OR
We had the tofu salad rolls, calamari, crying tiger(grilled steak served on a wood platter) and Gra Prao Gai Kai Dao(ground chicken, green beans, basil). We finished off with the mango and sticky rice for dessert, we were both very pleased with the entire meal. Both people working were attentive, helpful, and friendly. We enjoyed the chill atmosphere and will be back.
Cindy L.
Tu valoración: 3 Des Moines, IA
Really great service — everyone is so nice and attentive. The décor is amazing — great ambience and it’s very clean. The water is flavored with something, but it’s a cool twist and makes it very reminiscent of SE Asia for me. The food is not your typical pad Thai joint food — rather, the food is fresh, light, not greasy at all. We came for happy hour which had some great deals(beverage purchase required for each person). We ordered the 2 $ 8 dollar options — chicken dry noodles and the steak salad. The noodles were light and tasty, served with a clear broth soup. The steak salad was ok — it was also very light, the steak didn’t have nice grill marks or sear and was cooked well done. I think for the portion at $ 8 was ok, but for its normal price on the regular menu I don’t think it’s a great deal. The prices here are a bit more expensive than your run of the mill Thai places, but worth a try if you want something more fresh, light, and authentic.
Nuntiya K.
Tu valoración: 5 Milpitas, CA
Glad that I find this place. Absolutely love the atmosphere and food here. Great presentable and yet authentic Thai taste. Recommend to try green curry with ka nom jeen and also Chang Thai Beer
Denise H.
Tu valoración: 4 Portland, OR
Saw this place recently and didn’t realize it was so new!(I’m often unobservant about new places.) My husband and I tried it tonight and were very happy with our delicious food, friendly service, and really relaxing(bistro-like?) atmosphere. We had the mushroom fritters(delicious, non-greasy, light batter); massaman curry with chicken — so tasty and flavorful, and then one of their house specialties — the Crying Tiger rib eye steak with a delicious tamarind sauce and served with sticky rice. The water is seasoned with pandan leaf for a delicious almost nutty flavor. The drink selection looked interesting and I know we’ll be back. The only thing that kept this from a 5-star was that I want to have a repeat visit that’s just as good! For now, though, I’m definitely a fan.
Matthew A.
Tu valoración: 5 Redding, CA
Perfect for a casual romantic date that gets you away from the business of inner Portland. While the restaurant can be busy it maintains an atmosphere of chill and friendly. I enjoy the owners I always feel apart of their community when I come in. It’s like neighborly. They always remember my life details. Don’t be afraid to make friends with the lovey couple.
Tateum L.
Tu valoración: 5 SeaTac, WA
My husband and I stopped here for lunch and it was fantastic! A must try! The food was excellent, the service was perfect :)
Jerry A.
Tu valoración: 5 Vancouver, WA
We came to the grand opening and it was absolutely amazing. Excellent Thai food with a very distinct and original favorite. The chicken green curry and the crying Tiger steak were excellent we also had the lettuce wraps and they were superb. This will definitely be a place we return to.