This place sometimes feels like a hit or miss with this last experience as being a hit, we ate it all up and took the rest to go. Portions are large and meant to be shared family style. We shared the cream cheese wontons, coconut curry with chicken spice level 2(which comes with rice), and the luc lac. Everything was deliciousss! The chicken in the curry broke apart so easily and the curry itself was very flavorful. Spice level 2 was perfect for a little kick, but not too much. The meat on the luc lac has a nice char on it and a sauce that is almost sweet. Service is quick and the vibe inside is very trendy with colorful decor and lights. Great for a night out. Previous visits have sometimes left us confused as if we ordered something different than a usual so i would say it is not too consistent but great if you catch it on a good day. read more

Luc Lac - Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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We came here for dinner on a weekday evening. There was long line, we had to wait about 15 minutes. While waiting, we leaned about their unique way of taking orders. They took our drinks order and handed the drinks while we were in the line. Once we got to the register, we put in our food order and paid. The restaurant was semi self served. We got to our table few minutes after ordering. Guests also had the option to order to go and dine in the tent tables outside. The interior of the place was so stunning. There were dragon on walls, umbrellas in the ceiling, a huge full service bar. Our dishes came out within few minutes. We got the chicken skewers, chicken pho, chicken luc lac and steak rolls. We liked the small plate dishes, but the entree ones were disappointing. The chickens were chunky and dry, bland flavor. As much as we loved the vibe of the place, we didn't enjoy the food as much. The staff members were very joyful and friendly. They were explaining the process to every guest and keeping everyone informed on waiting time. During dining, they were also available to help. read more

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Luc Lac absolutely nails the vibe. From the decor to the music, the atmosphere is definitely the star of the show here. The service was also fantastic. We took forever deciding what to order, but the staff was patient, friendly, and gave us some great recommendations. Once we ordered, the food came out incredibly fast. The standout food item for us was definitely the coconut prawns. So delicious!!! We also ordered the chicken vermicelli and the tofu banh mi. The vermicelli had great flavor and the chicken was seasoned really well, but unfortunately the chicken itself was extremely dry and overcooked. The banh mi was tasty too, but also pretty dry and definitely needed the extra sauce from the table. Now the drinks... AMAZING. We ordered the Sassy Sour and the Boo'd Up and both were absolutely delicious. Overall, I'd definitely come back for the atmosphere, drinks, and appetizers. The entrees were good but didn't quite live up to the rest of the experience. read more

Luc Lac - Banh Mi - Tofu - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Restaurant name: Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen 835 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204 I know they are trying to create a vibe with the red light, but you really couldn't tell how fresh the meat is under the light. Besides the briskets are too old to chew. The drink is ok and if you just want to enjoy the vibe, talking to friends, and grabbing a few bites, this place is fine. If you want to enjoy your meal, I would not recommend eating here. I will not come to this restaurant again. read more

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The decor and the vibes in the restaurant were absolutely amazing. The staff were nice and helpful. You first wait in line to order food and drink. They will only let you order if there is a table open. (Hence, there's always a line at the door). Not a bad idea for volume control and not overwork the flow. Yet the food just felt underwhelming. I had pho, broth was good, noodles were good but nothing special about it. The chicken rice platter was so dry. I could barely swallow it. The drink Thai Tea Creamosa had a twist on traditional Thai tea with cream on top. I did not like it. I found myself kept seeking that condensed milk taste. Overall a good vibe spot but I wouldn't go for food. read more

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Absolutely adore this place! I've been here one other time and both times have been so delicious and flavorful! The spring rolls are always tightly packed and all the food is made with the freshest ingredients. They have really cool interior decor with the light up menu and parasols on the ceiling. 1000% recommend to anyone visiting Portland! read more

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Their green beans are to die for! You walk in and place your order and pay up front and grab your own silverware. They seat you after and your food comes out fast. Our chicken was excellent and I love that you can pick your spice level. Can't wait to return one day. read more

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Honestly very disappointed with this restaurant. With such a high ranking I think I had higher expectations on the food. Their ambient was amazing. Very pretty, bright, creative, and fun. The restaurant concept is you ordered your food first and then they will find you a table. Aka pay first then you can get your food. If there's empty tables, you can go sit down and scan the QR code instead (still pay before they give you the food). vermicelli bowls include: rice noodles, romaine-cabbage-cilantro mint mix, pickled daikon carrots, bean sprouts, peanuts, shallots, and spicy fish sauce vinaigrette served with your choice of pork or veggie crispy rolls. I got the pork rolls and it wasn't as crispy as I thought it would be. I got the combination which has pork, chicken, shrimp, nem nuong pork sausage and crispy rolls. All meat seems to made ahead so it wasn't that fresh and most of the meats were cold. Tasty but cold! Luc Lac - I was told it's one of their popular dish. Cubed beef tenderloin wok seared with hennessy cognac, beurre de france, garlic, black peppercorn, served with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and tomato fried rice. The meat wasn't tender at all. Again, the flavor was there but it was cold! read more

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Ambiance - The ambiance feels vibrant, energetic, and a little transportive--like stepping into a lively, modern Asian-inspired lounge. The ceiling covered in delicate paper parasols creates a whimsical, almost floating canopy, while the deep red lighting washes everything in a warm, dramatic glow. Food- legit authentic. The train pho is on point and ton of protein that I couldn't even finish. The sugar cane wrapped in shrimp paste was delicious! I enjoyed the how sweet and juicy the cane is. Service is decent and napkins and utensils are self serve. read more

Came to eat here with my son and it did NOT disappoint. The ambiance made me feel like I was in a trendy restaurant in Vietnam. The dragon murals were amazing and the um fellas hanging from the ceiling topped it off. The food was fantastic and the veggie egg rolls were to die for. read more

Luc Lac - Shrimp Rice Bowl - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Best pho in town! The ambiance is always so cool with the unique menu on arrival and umbrellas all across the ceiling. The pho was super great and came out super quickly. I sat at the bar and had the Sassy Sour to pair. A perfect dinner spot! read more

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I've had Luc Lac a few times via delivery but only recently visited the actual restaurant-- it's such a cool space! We ended up there on a super busy evening - Valentine's Day, go figure - and the wait for an inside table was around 30 minutes. However, they have heated outdoor tables that we could be seated at immediately. We were hoping to eat inside but this was a great alternative that meant we didn't need to wait. You order and pay at the counter and then sit while you wait for your food. We got one order of pho and one of the vermicelli noodles. It was a chilly night but the heated tables were perfectly warm! When you sit outside, you basically get a takeout bag of food from the takeout/ delivery window, so it's a bit less of a restaurant experience. Everything was extremely tasty! We'd love to go back on a quieter day to sit inside. read more

Luc Lac - Restaurant menu - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I'm very disappointed with my experience here and their extreme lack of customer service. You order at the counter before sitting down. We were next in line but staff allowed patrons behind us to cut multiple times like we were invisible. Staff actually called groups behind us to order, so we were very confused. We mentioned it when we finally got to order and we were looked at like had 3 heads. Zero acknowledgement on that, either. While the drinks are good and we have no issues with the bartender, the staff taking orders could pay a little more attention to the line and try to be friendly. Cute spot, but loud and horrible service. I would NOT come back on the account that it was very transactional and we were skipped over a few times in line. read more

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Incredible food, huge portions and priced very well considering the area! Service is a little lackluster, they seemed annoyed anytime we'd ask for some basic condiments or a to-go container but they could've just been having an off day. read more

Luc Lac - Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I have to give Luc Lac 5 stars every time I go. Yes, the wait in line in a small semi-outdoor room is a little unorthodox, but what awaits is always the best. Chill service, great pho ( I get shrimp tom yum) and rippin good banh mis. Best late night in Portland! Also the music so good! Great experience all parts. read more

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LucLac is vibes! In between options in PDX, a local swayed me and pointed just over my shoulder to LucLac. Standing across the street, I noticed a vibrant establishment -- neon lights, r&b coming thru the speakers with a chill vibe. LucLac it was for dinner. Being a first-timer, the staff was gracious enough to help me decide on options, ultimately choosing the combination rice bowl and an order of wontons. Neither disappointed! Starting with the combination rice bowl, it's massive and plentiful in portion size. Honestly, it almost felt like too much food however its flavor went crazy! Wontons were creamy and cooked to perfection. Drinks were fairly good as well, I tried the Sassy Sour and Tropical Paradise. The tropical paradise is unique using a Dorian horchata. LucLac is even more proof of Portland's amazing food scene. Vibes pull up. read more

The set-up is a bit different here. You wait in line until there's a table ready for you; only then, can you place your order at the counter. You grab your own utensils and water at the counter and then head to your table, then your food/drink is delivered. Combo vermicelli: 3.5/5 This is nice because you get to try multiple proteins. I especially liked the fried pork rolls, grilled pork, and beef. The chicken was dry, and shrimp was just ok. The bowl is very heavy on the vegetables; I wish there were more noodles. Thai tea creamosa: 2/5 nothing special, not especially strong tea flavor or creaminess other than the cream on top, which you can't really mix into the drink because there so much small ice. Bonuses: covered outdoor seating pods; close to Yamhill district MAX stop read more

We went at a time that was super busy but the experience was smooth. The ambiance is very upbeat and modern! Service was great and really friendly. Food was definitely on point! I ordered the "phó train", I will say they were not stingy with the protein. The tendons were cooked just right. Everything was delicious. read more

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Thought I would see what all the fuss was about here at Luc Lac , this is an interesting place. You order your food when you walk in then you are seated and the decor inside is really nice. The staff was really friendly. I ordered pho and steak rolls and it was delicious. The broth was really good and all the meat and garnishments were very fresh. This place definitely lived up to its reputation there are a whole lot of other options as well that are on the menu so check them out . I will be back for more another time.. read more

Luc Lac - Steak Rolls Pho Three Beef Cuts - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Such an awesome late night find! Can't wait to be back to try other menu items. Their cocktails are delish read more

Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Luc lac is such a fun trendy place. I mean, just look at it. It is an instagram paradise but it can be very busy you may have to wait in line and then wait to be seated for 5 to 15 minutes. I really enjoyed the whole experience, yes you order and pay and then they tell you which table you will be sitting at The menu is really easy, they have a great variety! We got the fried crispy roll and the Luc Lac which both were delicious. The highlight is the Hojito. The drink was so good and so fun. This place is a great party place like a birthday dinner or a great spot for friends night out! read more

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Stopped in for lunch on a road trip. This place was packed on a Friday but we were able to get seated quickly. You order at the front and then they bring the food to your table. The food came out super fast which was nice. I got the shrimp vermicelli bowl and it was delicious. I loved all the fresh vegetables that came with it. It made for a filling but light lunch. The thai teamosa was interesting. The cream was fun on top. I don't think I would get it again but mainly because it wasn't really my style. read more

Luc Lac - Interior - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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this place was pretty good! wouldn't come here for something super authentic but overall was good. you order at the counter first before getting a table and all your utensils. we got the durian horchata which was refreshing but not something I would gravitate towards. it had a strong durian aftertaste which I didn't mind but didn't enjoy much even as a durian lover. I got the vermicelli bowl with bo la lot which is a beef mixture wrapped in a fragrant leaf. it came with two crispy pork rolls and a generous amount of greens. the bo la lot itself wasn't as fragrant of flavorful as I would've liked but the meat was juicy. the vermicelli noodles were overcooked and falling apart making it difficult to eat. the crispy pork rolls were disappointing as the filling was flavorless but I loved the wrapping they used. my boyfriend got the bo luc lac. he preferred the beef to be cut up into smaller pieces but I didn't mind. the beef had a nice crust to it and was cooked well. the lime and pepper sauce it came with was perfect for me but usually it is more salty which is what my boyfriend is used it read more

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Awesome place, the pho was so good. Already craving it again. The broth was perfect. The inside is really great spot for photos or just a cool atmosphere on a night out. You order at the host stand and then they tell you where to sit and bring the food. The wait staff was very kind. read more

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Love the restaurant interior. It has a very nice night life vibe that I used to enjoy when I visited asia. The Luc Lac meat is very tender and well seasoned. Borderline dry but it is good seasoning. The seasoning is a dry rub compared to traditionally saucier versions. the rice i think they used mexican rice, or at least thats what it tastes like. Rice is a bit too wet/mushy for me. Not a fan of it. Broth we ordered on the side was too salty. Restaurant service is order at the counter and then they bring it to you. Food comes out pretty quickly too. They also open til 11 which is perfect for late night food. read more

Luc Lac - Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I have been coming to Luc Lac for a little over 10 years and have never been disappointed! The food is always amazing - even takeout. The interior decor is amazing, very eye catching yet the place feels inviting. I personally like that they play up & coming music - I've heard a couple people mention not liking the volume of the music but in my general opinion most places I go out and eat aren't necessarily quiet. Throughout the years they have made some changes - Specifically to style of service. I don't love their new set up with ordering at the counter and not really having a waiter but I can get over it for the food quality and the general ambiance. Overall the staff has OKAY attitudes - I will admit as much as I love their food the staff has a bit of a superior attitude which is bleh. I was actually just here on 1/26/26 at about 7:30PM - Ordered Coconut Prawns, Curry, a Whisky Ginger, and Vodka Pineapple. Everything was delicious and the person who took our order was kind! read more

I was looking for a lunch place downtown and found this. We ordered at the counter and then sat ourselves at a table. It was decently busy, but we still got our food relatively quickly. We got the shrimp rolls, beef and bahn mi and everything tasted great. The decor inside is also very cool. read more

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The star of the show was the Bo Luc Lac that both of my friends had. A generous portion of steak, cooked medium-rare, served over a bed of Frisee salad topped with black pepper-lime vinaigrette. I felt the Pho Train noodles were overcooked for my taste. I will say this: the ordering process and the time it took to receive the food were fast. read more

We ordered a feast from Luc Lac, and it did not disappoint! The tofu and nem nuong vermicelli bowls were incredibly fresh and despite the massive portions felt light. I loved the shredded tofu and the soy sauce-like sauce. It all came with your choose of pork or veggie spring rolls. We also order the tofu yellow curry and WOW, the amount of tofu they included was insane. The pho also came in a huge portion. We had all of this delivered and were pleasantly surprised that they added extra rice and food to our order. I assume this was because it was towards the end of the night, but it was much appreciated! The delicious food and kind gesture will certainly encourage our business again. read more

Luc Lac - Vermicelli Bowl - Tofu Salad - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This is one of the few times that Yelp had failed me. We were in Portland and found this 5-star rated restaurant so expectations were high. We studied ahead and knew what to do because honestly its a bit overwhelming when you enter. The counter where you order is right in front of the door so there isn't much room to maneuver. The place is dark with low lights so I'm liking the vibe. We ordered 4 dishes and 2 cocktails and directed to a table in the back. We ordered spring rolls, luc lac, banh mi, pork vermicelli bowl. The only thing we liked was the spring rolls. The Luc Lac was tough and dry. The pork lacked flavor and chewy. The banh mi was ...well a chicken sandwich. One cocktail was too gingery (the menu does warn you) Overall we were dissatisfied with the meal ... maybe we didn't order the right dishes. IHDK The place was packed when we left. read more

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Order to-go Chicken Plate & Pork Bahn Mi. Our order was done perfectly on time and they have a walk up window to grab it from on the outside. Pay to park street parking can be sparse to find on a Thursday for lunch. The noodles, salad, and dressing were light fresh and delightful. The chicken for the chicken plate was a bit dry and I wish it would have been sliced instead of on a skewer. The bahn mi was fresh and delicious and the salad was different than the one that came with the plate, it was decent but not as good as the one that came with the plate. I use to order their chicken salads all the time and I think that probably where it's at. read more

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My partner and I came here after many videos suggested that it's a must try restaurant while in Portland. Sadly, I was pretty disappointed in my meal. I will say that the pork was the best part of the dish, but everything else was kind of off? The rice was herbal in flavor, chicken was a bit stringy and dry and the Vietnamese ham wasn't my cup of tea. Service was different from what I'm used to as well. You have to order up front and then you're seated by the server. One thing I can compliment would be the interior. The graphic design of the lions was beautiful! The dark themes, mixed in with the traditional aspect of Vietnamese culture was very nice. read more

Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

So yummy and a great place for dinner! I love the rice bowl on the menu. It is full of lots of vegetables and you can get it with different kinds of protein. It is also such a cute restaurant and great for hanging out and getting drinks. Service is quick and easy to get a table. read more

Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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My fiancé loves Vietnamese food and will always find a spot wherever we travel. We stopped in for lunch and were seated very quickly. You order and pay at the counter and are then seated, with the food being served shortly after. The pho was pretty good for what felt more like a nightlife bar than a pho restaurant. Their Vietnamese coffee was strong and didn't have too much milk, just the way it's supposed to be. I would definitely recommend this spot, especially if you're staying in the downtown Portland area. I would like to come back and experience the place for their bar. read more

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I've been a regular at Luc Lac for years, and while it remains a staple of the downtown Portland food scene, my recent visits have felt significantly different than they used to. While the atmosphere is still vibrant and the service remains fast, the overall value and quality of the food seem to be shifting. The Food The most noticeable change was in the Pho. Unfortunately, the broth--which used to be incredibly rich and aromatic--was missing that deep, complex flavor I've come to expect. It felt a bit watered down this time around. I also noticed a significant reduction in the portions: * Protein: The amount of meat in the bowl has been noticeably scaled back. * Accompaniments: The plate of fresh basil, bean sprouts, and lime--usually a highlight of the meal--was severely reduced in size. It felt like a bare-minimum serving compared to the generous piles they used to provide. Value & Pricing Like everywhere else, prices have gone up, but when coupled with smaller portions and less flavor, it's harder to justify the total on the bill. It definitely feels like you're paying more for less than you were a year or two ago. Final Thoughts I want to be fair--I know the restaurant industry is facing massive challenges right now. Between rising labor costs, high rent in the heart of downtown, and the skyrocketing price of ingredients, I understand why a business might need to make adjustments to stay afloat. That said, as a customer, the "quality-to-price" ratio feels off right now. I still love the energy of Luc Lac, but I hope they can find a way to bring back that signature flavor and generosity that made them a local favorite in the first place. read more

Ambiance 5/5 Food 4.5/5 Service N/A mostly self serve Super cool vibe healthy food, served well seasoned with a bit of funkiness. We ordered chicken wings/uber small could have been Cornish hen wings ( not kidding) but what they lacked in substance made up for in taste. We also ordered the signature dish luv lac, med rare beef chunks on a bed of lettuce with tomato rice. The bomb! read more

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When we first got here, it was kind of confusing with limited organization. People were clustered and there is a cash register with lines of people ordering. I asked the group in front if they are in line to order and they responded "No, we are waiting for a table" So we got in line to order, but then the worker said we cannot order yet and that we need to wait after that group. They clearly had a system, but it was just confusing especially since it was a good amount of people waiting. You order there then they tell you which table to sit at and the food gets delivered. The ambiance was super modern chill vibes. I loved the decor. Music was great. We sat only for less than 5 mins when our food came. Quite impressed. Papaya Salad: 4/5. We ordered spicy but it wasn't spicy. Portion was nice though. And good flavor. Luc Lac: 4.5/5. The searing of the meat was great. Flavor was bomb. But it was a bit tough for us. We chewed for a while. Also the lemon sauce it came with was meh. Tasted better without for us. The rice was good. Combo plate with vermicilli noodles: 3.5/5. The pork crispy rolls it came with was great. One of the meat skewers was really good. The rest were meh. The chicken one was my least favorite as it was too dry. Our drinks were great! Could have been a bit stronger, but still overall they were nice cocktails. Service of the workers were nice and pleasant. Would definitely come back if I come to visit again or had more days in portland. Would want to dry the pho. read more

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The food is solid. This is probably the hippest Vietnamese restaurant I have ever been to. Order up front, they assign you a table. Get your silverware and go to your table. Food comes out very quick! If you want more food, you can order at the QR code from your table. If you choose to sit outdoors, your food will come out as to-go orders. Overall, Great system. Good food, friendly service, Young adults vibe. Do not bring a child here. The choice of music from the two times I've come here has vulgar language that kids should not be exposed to (n-word, cuss words, etc.) read more

Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This was an interesting place. They have indoor and outdoor seating. You order food at the counter, they tell you where to sit and then when your buzzer goes off you pick it up at a different counter. The food was packed to go (maybe because we sat outside). The menu is limited but the food was pretty good. Decent portions. I'm not used to pho being $18-20 a bowl so that was a bit of a shock. I also had the shaken iced green tea and it didn't taste like anything except water. The restaurant seemed clean and encourages conversation. read more

Luc Lac - Menu - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Visited for dinner with a group of friends while we were in town. As others have mentioned, if you're looking for authentic Vietnamese food, this may not be the place. However, it's a fun spot for a casual, late-night bite. The atmosphere: The vibe is vibrant and energetic, with colorful lighting and a modern pub-style setup. I really liked the bold and bright menu signage as soon as you walk in. The concept is simple and efficient--you place your order at the counter, find your own table, and grab your own utensils and water. A live DJ was playing when we went, which added to the lively atmosphere. The food: I ordered the Pho Train. The broth was clear and lacked depth of flavor, though the portion was generous and the meat was plentiful. I also sampled my friend's Bo Luc Lac. Unfortunately, it was a major miss. The dish resembled braised beef more than the traditional seared, cubed tenderloin or ribeye, and the marinade tasted off. Sometimes it's better to stick to the classics. The service: Staff were friendly and the food came out fairly quickly. Everyone we interacted with was courteous and helpful. read more

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