Luc Lac is a great spot if you're craving Vietnamese food with a fun cocktail bar vibe. The moody red lighting, lantern décor, and creative drink menu make it a great place for dinner. We tried the pho, which had a rich, flavorful broth with plenty of fresh herbs. The sugar cane shrimp was delicious, generously portioned, and beautifully presented. Lemon grass stir fry and the coconut shrimp curry came with white rice and it was delicious. I also tried a specialty cocktail it was just as impressive beautifully crafted and refreshing. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and filling. Great service, generous portions, and a menu with both Vietnamese classics and unique cocktails. We'll definitely be back! read more

I decided to give Luc Lac a try after seeing all of the excellent Yelp reviews, and it definitely lived up to the hype. When I arrived, there was a line out the door, which is always a good sign. Fortunately, it moved quickly. The process is simple: order at the counter, grab your own utensils and water, and then they'll seat you. I ordered the papaya salad and the beef pho. The portions were very generous, and both dishes were delicious. The beef in the pho was sliced a little thicker than I expected, but there was plenty of it, and the broth was flavorful. The papaya salad was the standout--fresh, crisp, and packed with flavor. I highly recommend ordering it. The restaurant also has a cool, funky vibe that adds to the experience. If you're looking for great Vietnamese food in Portland, Luc Lac is absolutely worth the wait. read more

Luc Lac - Beef and brisket Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Must try: Luc Lac and Spring Rolls! Why: What an awesome Vietnamese place to dine in for dinner! I had the Spring Rolls - Nem Nuong (sausage) and Special Luc Lac (beef tenderloin), both were delicious and large portions. Spring Rolls were packed with veggies, noodles, and sausage with a tasty peanut sauce. Luc Lac Beef Tenderloin was tender and juicy with slightly crispy outside. Large fat chunks I cut into smaller pieces. I also loved the rice and salad too. Very filling and delicious! Notes: I came on a weeknight for dinner and it was popping! I was able to snag a bar seat after 5 mins since a couple people finished their meal. You order at the front desk and then head to seat. They have self-serve water, utensils, and takeout boxes. Workers were welcoming, friendly, and helpful even during controlled chaos of dinner rush. Love all the decor and lights making for a cool dining ambiance. Great for small or large groups for inside and outside dining. read more

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We came here for a late lunch and ordered some salad rolls, a chicken banh mi and a vermicelli combo bowl. The food portions here are very generous and we were not able to finish everything.  We enjoyed our dishes, but if we can choose again, we would not choose the chicken banh mi because it was a little dry. If you want to find a trendy, upbeat restaurant to have some decent vietmanese food in downtown, Luc Lac is a good choice. read more

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I feel so represented and seen at this restaurant. Located next to the Portland Food Hall, this restaurant is its own entity. You can order to-go, eat inside, or eat outside. We decided to eat inside, since today was above 90 degrees. Although, that was the downfall - it was unbearably hot inside. I think it was hotter in the restaurant than it was outdoors. They have the kitchen heat, the to go window being open, and the AC working overtime. The restaurant couldn't get cooler and we were all sweating inside. Regardless, I still wanted to eat here to see how authentically Vietnamese it was. I loved the decor inside with the neon lights, lion dancing dragons painted on the wall, and the umbrellas dangling from the ceiling. The steps are to order your food, sit where the cashier places you, and you can grab your drinks and utensils from the side. Of course I ordered their Bo Luc Lac since that was what the restaurant was named after. I also ordered their spring rolls with nem nuong. We also got two cocktails - their tropical drink and a boo'd up. Their Bo Luc Lac was good with a lemon dressed salad. It was perfectly tender. I also enjoyed their spring rolls with the warm peanut sauce. Their tropical drink was slightly disappointing because I couldn't taste their durian in it. Their boo'd up cocktail was definitely better than the tropical. Coming from California, I'd say the Vietnamese food is better, but I loved the representation and authenticity here. Absolutely recommend trying this place out! read more

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Kudos to whoever designed the interior of the restaurant, because it is amazing! As a Vietnamese-American, it is so cool to see my culture showcased in a way that is modern/vibey and draws people in. With that being said, I do think that the food could use a bit more work. The restaurant is called Luc Lac, and so naturally I ordered their namesake dish. The beef was not very tender or juicy and the flavors overall seemed to be lacking. Portion sizes, however, are very generous, so I'll give them that. I tried the Durian Horchata and sadly could not taste any durian flavor. I know that durian can be an acquired taste (and smell), but the drink just tasted like a regular horchata with some hints of pandan. Maybe I will return to try their cocktails. read more

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Disappointed in the price and quality. The taste of the pho was okay. Also, my partners shrimp dish did not have a lot of shrimp for being $22. I was very disappointed and the Vietnamese iced coffee being told that's just how it comes and talked down to like I was dumb. I've had iced coffee, several Vietnamese places and this is the first time it's been about a tablespoon or two of liquid and almost all ice. See photo of finished beverage. For $6.50 this was massively overpriced. The ambiance is super cool which is why I think this place is rated so high. It is fun with all the decoration but not worth it for the food. read more

Luc Lac - Don't get the iced coffee it's all ice not a lot of liquid. - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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This place is great and don't let the line scare you off. It moves quickly and they are super efficient. It's a cool vibe - staff is friendly and all business - it's a good combo! The food is really tasty. Fresh rolls were probably my favorite - that peanut sauce was on point! Also got a shrimp bowl- the shrimp was a little overdone but all the flavors were so vibrant that it didn't bother too much. I'd just go with a different protein next time. I'll definitely go back when I'm in Portland again and try some other stuff. Oh and the drink I had was really good- it was their play on a mojito - called a hojito with lemongrass and coconut water. read more

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I was searching for yummy restaurants in Portland on Yelp and this place was high on the list. So when we stumbled by it while walking the city, we knew it was a sign to try it out. We were a little confused by the outside ordering and pickup area but once inside it was so much clear cut. Our server was kind and helpful and the whole vibe of place was electric. I was adventurous and tried out one of their coconut ginger ales and was a bit disappointed. A bit too sour and tart for my likening. But the Bah Mi was the star of the show! I would totally come back to try more items from their menu. read more

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

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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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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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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Just mauh. Nothing unique food was not bad but counter person recommended skewered chicken so tried it and it was breast meat which doesnt grill well on a skewer as it drys it out because its a thicker cut and not dark meat. Ban mia was okay but bread was dry and pork marinade was not authentic. Overall disappointed for the price seems like an Instagram spot very well done on the design but always nice when the food hits as well as the decor.would probably not come back. read more

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

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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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I don't know why this place doesn't have a higher rating. Vibes, service, taste all excellent. Only thing is the noodles were pretty broken up for mine but it was fine because the taste wasn't affected. Spring rolls with shrimp was perfectly fresh and flavorful, would definitely order them again. read more

Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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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Luc Lac is a Portland staple. If you're downtown late at night and craving pho, this is the place to be. The neon lights and vibrant atmosphere are a total dopamine boost, especially after a night out! I hadn't been back since their post-COVID renovation, and I was so impressed! The food is just as good as I remembered, and the ordering process is much smoother now. They have a dedicated pickup area for to-go orders, and dining in is quick and efficient, even when there's a line. I usually order the pho, but this visit I tried the lemongrass chicken over rice, and it was fantastic. The decor is fun, the service is streamlined, and the food will leave you feeling full and happy. If you're ending the night in downtown Portland, Luc Lac is the perfect late-night stop! read more

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I've never been to a Vietnamese restaurant before, but it came recommended by the man who checked me in at the Marriott waterfront where I had just checked in. I said I wanted Asian or sushi. You walk in and before sitting down you are at a hostess check in desk and that's where you order. You stare up at a menu and have to figure out what you want quickly because there are people behind you. I don't even know what half this stuff is (except Phò) so I asked the lady for something real veg forward like a stirfry and so she pointed to the lemongrass dish and something else. I ended up getting the lemongrass dish with shrimp. She said it was very veg forward I should've asked more questions. It only had bell peppers and onions and some green beans. No broccoli, no carrots or baby corn. That was only a small 3rd of the plate and then a huge pile of lettuce that took up another third of the plate with the final 3rd was taken up by a pile of white rice. The food was good, but the value isn't there. The ambience is very interesting. I think they specialize in takeout you walk in you give the order and then you serve your own water. They tell you which table to sit at, and then someone brings your order to the table, but after that no one checks on you. I was very hungry and the small portion of mainly peppers with 5 or so shrimp wasn't cutting it. I wanted more food, but no one came by to check on me. There was a QR code on the table that didn't work for me and required 1 million steps as I wanted to order a small appetizer to supplement my meal while I was sitting down but instead I had to get up go to the front counter and order and pay . No service yet they default to a min tip of 18% when you counter order. I hate tipping before I get food or service. so I had to get up go back up to the counter order and pay again. I did zero tip. I just miss places where there is real hospitality and service. actual service and hospitality. This is not a bad place. It's just not a place for me. I like being waited on and when I give an 18% tip, I like them to do something for that tip. Forgot to mention my other complaint a third of the plate is this big pile of lettuce I was concerned about lettuce because of the recent National contamination of lettuce and I wanted to ask somebody. Hey is this lettuce not from those farms? is it somehow qualified but yet no one comes by to check on you so there's no one to even ask a question. 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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The pork Bhan Mi was delicious and the restaurant has a really cool vibe - loved it from the moment I walked in and it has great service. read more

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Stopped by for a couple of Vietnamese coffees to go since I was craving some good ca phe sua da. Service was quick and easy for pick up since I ordered in advance. Most important thing is that the coffee was delicious and strong. read more

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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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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Great ambiance and decor. Friendly service. You pay, grab your own utensils/water, then get seated. Food was solid. Luc lac was interesting since its like 5-6 big chunks of beef instead of smaller diced up cubes but it had a good sear and flavor. Pho had solid flavor as well. Better than expected considering pho is such a labor of love and it isn't a star dish of theirs! 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

Definitely not the best Vietnamese in Portland, that'll be found around 82nd. Their pho options are pretty basic and lacking the tendon/tripe/bun Bo hue options I usually like. But if what you're lookin for is a trendy, popping bar that serves decent pho/banh mis this is the spot. The grilled pork skewer was very juicy and tasty tho. And if you wanna avoid the crowd you can order takeout from there and grab a drink at Treebeerds across the street and eat it there. read more

Luc Lac - Charbroiled Meat Skewer - Pork - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This was one of our favorite meals when visiting Portland! Strong vegetarian options and all very flavorful. Loved the atmosphere, vibe from the wait staff, and the music. read more

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

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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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

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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I had the regular rare beef pho and it was surprisingly delicious. The broth was flavorful, the vegetables were crisp and fresh, and they gave a generous amount of rare beef. The beef was sliced thicker than I'm used to, but still very tender. The noodles weren't overcooked and had a nice chew to them. The atmosphere is trendy, loud, and high energy. It's self serve-ish, you order, get an assigned seat, get your own water and utensils, they bring your food. My only complaint is the dining area could be cleaner, especially when it comes to wiping down the tables. Overall, really good pho and I'd definitely order it again. read more

Luc Lac - Seating area of Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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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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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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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Really good food. Stopped for a little snack in the afternoon with a nice drink. The service was nice. Got here just a little before closing. Inside is nice and clean. Will be back. read more

Luc Lac - It was on their cocktail menu with vodka. Forgot the name. Really good. - Vietnamese Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Good vibe good music. Ass food, 90% sure there was a fingernail in my food. Would not come again. Great service and food came fast though.