Cozy. Charming. Helpful people. And Thai dishes I've never had anywhere else and LOVED! Highly recommended.

A friend recommended this restaurant, and I came here for my birthday with my parents. The three of us ordered the Chor Muang (Royal Thai flower dumplings), Yum Som (citrus and shrimp salad), Duck Red Curry, Khao Mok Gai (marinated chicken thigh with seasoned jasmine rice), and Yellow Curry Janglon (Dover sole in yellow curry). Everything we had was delicious, but my two favorites were the flower dumplings and duck red curry. The service was exceptional. One man did everything; the moment my water was running out, he came and brought a new bottle. The server explained every dish and brought them out quickly. The ambiance was intimate, with jazz music playing. The restaurant wasn't large, but it had a decent amount of seating. I've lived in Oregon for years and driven by this place and never even noticed it. I don't often give five stars. This place was a five-star, no question. I'll definitely be back. read more

See all

Someone suggested we get the Thai Tea After Dark, and it is one of the most well-rounded cocktails I have ever had. It has Thai tea rum, pandan plum syrup, salted caramel coconut cream - impossible to go wrong with those ingredients! Creamy, sweet and salty but also has the strong kick from the rum. We also got the Thai Basil Gimlet which was refreshing but recommend getting the Thai drink over this one. We also got their popular Chor Muang and Chor Chaba dumplings - beautiful purple and red flower dumplings that turn into an explosion of flavor as soon as you eat them! The young bartender/server was so sweet, soft spoken and polite! If you like Asian-inspired drinks paired with delicious food, I strongly recommend you check them out! read more

See all

This review is for a doordash review. Restaurant was recommended by my sister. Instead of making that trek, decided to order for delivery. I order the chor muang (purple dumplings), Yellow Curry Janglon, coconut creme mash potatoes and the Thai tea with lime. Everything had a very unique flavor, not from your usual Thai tasting. The dumplings look like these cute flowers but it's packed with flavor. The yellow curry janglon, I wasn't too sure how to eat it but it was more of a Thai Vietnamese fusion dish with the vermicelli patties. I ended up wrapping the meat and spinach with the vermicelli and then dipping it into the curry sauce. The curry had a strong flavor, a bit on the spicy side. The coconut cream mash potatoes was very creamy. The Thai tea with lime was refreshing. I enjoyed everything. I'd assumed it would have tasted even better if I dined in and ate everything fresh. Everything was nicely packaged and came with the proper utensils. I'll definitely come back to try other items the next time I'm in Portland. read more

See all

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Portland. It's a little hidden gem of a place. Chef Tong is really creative with the flavors, and when I leave this city, I'm gonna miss this restaurant. read more

An absolute great experience. The food was just so elegantly presented. I kept trying to ask for chili/hot sauce. I think that was Like asking for ketchup on a steak. The owner was very polite and encouraged me to enjoy it as it was. He was so right. Prices are extremely reasonable for this quality. read more

Siam Umami - Dumplings - Thai Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

Everything here is so flavorful! Don't expect the usual offerings found at most American Thai restaurants. Their menu focuses on beautiful dumplings and small bites and a few entree sized options. Everything I've tried is delicious. We've been once with our kids, and they were able to make nonspicy dishes, but the subtle heat is so lovely, my kids don't know what they're missing. The service is quick and unobtrusive. read more

See all

This cozy place is one of the best kept secrets in Portland. Every dish is bursting with flavor, including the coconut water-braised pork belly and the pan-seared duck breast with red curry. We love to start with the hand-folded, flower-shaped dumplings in beautiful red and violet hues. And, the cocktails are creative and refreshing! The team welcomes you--almost as if it's their own home. read more

Siam Umami - Violet-hued Chor Muang stuffed with pork and peanuts - Thai Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Great service, yummy small bite options, tasty drinks and good prices, all with a little bit of spice. Minus one star because for some reason our window booth smelled like urine? I tried not to think about it too much read more

Cozy date night spot where the music is set at the right level so it doesn't interrupt the conversation. The food is inspiringly beautiful and delicious with great GF options. Come hungry because you will not want to miss out on the appetizers AND dessert. read more

Siam Umami - Thai Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Very tasty and interesting Thai food. We ordered takeout. Located in a non-descript building. Service was fast, friendly and efficient. read more

The restaurant is very intimate. The service is excellent. The food is otherworldly. Every bite was quite literally an explosion of flavor. It might sound like hyperbole, but it's not. The portions look small until you eat them. The appetizers were some of my favorite food I've ever had. The main courses were phenomenal. I brought my wife my two sister-in-law's and my mother-in-law. They all loved the meals. The staff is excellent very knowledgeable. Very communicative. The chef very friendly and comes out and even buses tables. The prices. Less than I expected. Honestly, low for the quality of food that you get and the service. I cannot sing enough praises about this restaurant. Everything was amazing. Run don't walk book a table is a wonderful date night place to eat. read more

See all

We've come here a couple times, and the food each time was so good! It's tucked away in some quiet residential streets by South Waterfront, so street parking is easy. The seating is cozy and there are limited tables, so make a reservation especially if it's a weekend! Service is always friendly. The food here is always delicious. We recently came with a large party and ordered every item on the menu and nothing disappointed, so I'd say you can't go wrong with anything you order here. I barely got any photos since everything was dug into so quickly, but the presentation was nice and the food was delicious. We had someone in our group with a peanut allergy and they were able to accommodate for every dish except the chor muang, since peanuts were already in the dish. We got an extra side of the coconut milk whipped potatoes and they were scrumptious as usual! read more

See all

The food is ok, smaller portions, and sometimes hit or miss. We loved the food. Location is weird. Overall a cute place.

love this place. been here at least six times in last year and never had a bad dish. I'm hesitant to even post here because I don't want you all showing up and making it crowded. but the place deserves your business so please check it out, just not on the day I want to go please. what to get? I can't even make a reco because it's all delicious. read more

Walked in without a reservation and was so lucky to get the last table. The food was great. We got the signature dumplings, corn salad, pork belly and duck special. Everything was great but the duck was awesome. Also enjoyed the Thai Tea After Dark cocktail. Definitely recommend! read more

I might just have to make this one of my go to dinner spots when I want a cozy night out! They made a beautiful use of the small restaurant tucked away in this neighborhood under the hill. We were seated quickly since it wasn't too crowded and our orders came out fast too. We started off with the Mango Smiles drink which the owner mentioned was like a mango lassi - honestly spot on! It was so creamy and not super sweet. I think the other drink was called Sapphire of Siam and they did a little magic trick on the table to make it turn purple haha. For appetizers we had the Chor Muang and Chor Chaba (the very pretty flower-shaped dumplings). Amazing!! I would probably just get two of the Chor Muangs next time since it was so good. We also shared a Yum Woon Sen salad which was very flavorful too and I loved the concept of noodles in salad. For the main I got the Khao Mak Gai and this was one of the best seasoned chicken dishes I've ever had!!! So juicy too. The chutney and dollop of potato cream with it was perfect. We later got a Japanese cotton cheesecake which was great to end with too! Wish the portion was a little bigger. Just know that it's a little pricier than other restaurants but the quality is definitely there. read more

See all

A cozy Thai spot serving unique royal thai cuisine with novel dishes like Chor Muang and Kratong Thorng. The space is on the smaller end so be sure to make reservation. Service was also on the slower side so do be patient. We got most of the appetizers to try and particularly enjoyed the Chor Muang and Chor Chaba. I would say they all tasted similar though with common ingredients and spices across the dishes. We split the Khao Mok Gai for entree and that was our favorite dish of the night. The grilled chicken thighs were very tender and juicy. Rice was flavorful, as well as the cilantro sauce. Next time we would do two entrees instead of a bunch of appetizers. We also tried both the desserts and the Taro Creme Brulee came out on top with decadent taro custard with crispy sugar top. The Japanese Cotton Cheesecake with Pandan was good too though! Lighter and less sweet. read more

See all

One of the best meals I've had in Portland. We were surprised this pleasant hole-in-the-wall was so empty! The service was impeccable; our server was fast and attentive. The food was creative and an explosion of flavor. Can't wait to come back! read more

Siam Umami - dumplings - Thai Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This is an exquisite gem: head and shoulders above most other Thai restaurants in Portland. Be sure to order the purple dumplings as an appetizer that are naturally colored from pea, flour, and order the duck curry! read more

Friends took us out for our first "Royal" Thai food experience, which was genuinely notable. A nice little neighborhood out-of-the-way spot with friendly, attentive service, interesting house drinks, and wonderful food. We opened with the dumplings, which have a much more complex spice palate than the Chinese or Japanese varieties. I had the dinner special: a beef mini-Wellington served with sautéed Brussels sprouts, coconut-infused mashed potatoes, and a marvelous sauce that complemented all three. My wife had the coconut water braised pork belly, with another interesting combination of contrasting flavors. It's not your working man's Thai food. An excellent meal in all respects. I'll be back for the duck! read more

This place never misses. We have been several times and every dish always has the freshest ingredients. Everything is so well cooked. They have the best cocktail menu, and incredible dumplings. Everything is presented beautifully, and the owner is always so kind and seems to care so deeply about each meal that is served. I've never had a bad experience here. Highly recommend! read more

Siam Umami - Dumplings - Thai Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Incredibly unique preparation, presentation, and frankly locale being in the South riverfront area. There's also an incredibly unique but far too strong incense smell to mask heavy cooking smells..., it's an acquired aroma. Flavors were awesome... though the crispy cups dish was just not for me. The winner tonight was the shrimp curry and the pork belly. The cocktails are worth a read and try. Taro crème brûlée was my favorite tonight. It's clear to me the owner has 5-star hotel experience and he confirmed it with his background. My one concern is the credit hold protocol that I personally do not appreciate and it has to be called out. I understand the last thing a small business wants is to prepare ingredients for a larger party only to have them not show up. That could be material loss. But to have a very steep hold amount per person and to actually POST the charge rather than PENDING hold is a bridge too far. Of course I got my deposit back, but this is the very first establishment that does this that I've ever experienced. read more

See all

What a cute neighborhood Thai place! My son is really into Thai food, but we wanted to try some place we had not been. In research, I discovered this entire category of Thai food, of which I was, unaware, namely, Royal Thai food, which apparently was historically served in the monarchy's palace. The distinguishing features of this subset of Thai food include particular attention paid to freshness, balance of flavors, and presentation. Apparently, this cultural gem was created and preserved as a tool of diplomacy, so that dignitaries could be fêted in appropriate style. While Siam Umami is not strictly limited to Royal Thai food, particular dishes, such as the dumplings, do hold pride of place on the menu. I would also say that the philosophy and precision do play a role in this neighborhood joint. For appetizers, we had the chor chaba (albacore dumplings), Krathong Tong (crispy cups stuffed with vegetables) and house pickles. The house pickles were the weak link, and definitely can be skipped. The other two apps were just perfect--the chor chaba, which is a rice powder dumpling, has the perfect amount of give and resistance so it was tender without being gummy. Flavor profile was awesome--vibrant, balanced flavors popped without anything being overpowered. The crispy cups were one biters, providing a pleasing pucker of tamarind. For entrees, we shared the mushroom noodle, the chili glazed branzino, and the stuffed zucchini. Again, the mushroom noodle dish was unmemorable. The mushroom gravy had no depth of flavor and felt over thickened with cornstarch. The noodles were clumpy, but in defense of the restaurant, we chose the gluten-free rice noodles rather than the egg noodles that the dish normally comes with. I would assume those noodles would not clump in the same way. While it's great that they provide a vegan option like this, the dish really needs some attention paid to it so that it matches the overall high quality of the other items. The branzino was gorgeous. The fish was cooked through but not dry, the chili glaze balanced, sweet and heat, giving a richness to the lean fish. A definite winner. Tofu, vegetable, and potato stuffed zucchini, halves were robed in a mesh omelette that stole the show of the evening for the best presentation. Very elegant, it was served with a side of a mint, dipping sauce, that we all thought was reminiscent of a traditional Indian mint chutney. The zucchini was cooked through while still having some structure to it. The flavor of the stuffing itself was on the milder side, so the mint chutney definitely helped add some intensity from a dish that otherwise verged on blandness. Our server, meanwhile, effectively managed the entire front of the house on his own. That meant he was responsible for serving, busing, all while handling bartender duties. We ordered two drinks, one, a non-alcoholic, coconut and salted caramel iced tea, the other was also a rich, salted caramel rum drink that was dangerously addictive. Both were spot on; our server maintained his cool, even as he worked quickly and efficiently to provide an enjoyable experience for the diners. I very much appreciate this restaurant's mission and focus. Chef Tong has created a stellar neighborhood restaurant offering well executed Thai food that doesn't fall into the clichéd offerings of most places in town. That will be a benefit or deficit to your experience, based on whether you are expecting--tried, and true American Thai food offerings, or if you are open to something different. We were pleasantly pleased, and towards the end of the meal, we asked our server how often the menu changes. We were told that, while some items remain throughout the year, that there are seasonal changes about four times a year. We will be back to sample the autumn menu. read more

See all

I found this restaurant randomly on the Tock reservation system. It looked like it has an alternative to the typical Thai food fare. We were not disappointed. The dumplings are amazing. Second favorite was the Brussels sprouts salad and then the duck curry. Looking forward to going back and trying some new items. So glad I cane across this place. read more

Charming neighborhood Thai restaurant that serves elevated SE Asian and Thai food. The chef pays so much attention to the detail in every meal from the flavor price, texture and artistic presentation. The same is true for their signature cocktails, each ingredient standing out while simultaneously blending in to create a symphony of flavors. To kick off the weekend I started with the gin gimlet, a cocktail made with fresh lime and also Kaffer leaves (lime leaves) and a bit of chili oil to add some heat. Our waitress explained that she had created this cocktail which sealed the deal for me. It was incredibly smooth, slightly tart, a touch of heat - just perfect! My only complaint was how easily it was consumed. Oh, my! I had to show willpower and not order several more! After seeing their famous purple flower dumplings in so many Yelp photos, I knew I had to order them. The chef explained that the purple color comes from making the dough from butterfly pea powder. I never even knew there was such a thing! The three flower shaped dumplings arrived on a bed of large lettuce leaves and looked as gorgeous as the pictures. And they were delicious! A lot of work goes into making them which explains the $10 price for 3 small dumplings. The menu is small - it's a one man chef show - but enough options for everyone in our party of four, including one vegan option. I chose the braised pork which came in a flavorful, clear broth served with Jasmine rice on the side. Along with the rice they serve a herbaceous sauce that packs some heat. At first it tastes too spicy but after a few bites, I dumped the entire little bowl into the rice and my pork stew. For those who are sensitive to salt, I did find the salt content of the pork dish to be in the higher side so next time I will order the chicken dish. Inside has several tables and chairs, lots of wood, plants, and a bar with about four seats that overlook the kitchen. It's quaint, cozy and a perfect place to enjoy the delicious cuisine. Parking is on the street and the restaurant is in a neighborhood so there are lots of cars. That being said, each of the four of us found parking right out front on a Friday night. Loved this neighborhood gem and will definitely come back! read more

See all

The food is a more posh, carefully made, and beautifully plated version of Thai food. The floral fish dumplings are lovely and delicious. The small dining room and intimate environment is worth making a reservation for. read more

This was an experience from the moment you step into the intimate space until the dessert is served. I savored every bite. The service was excellent and the staff so friendly they actually took time to get to know you and talk to you about your meal. I was impressed that they were able to offer me a substitute due to allergies. Although the pork belly was melt in your mouth experience leave room for the taro crème brûlée. The food was a full sensory experience that was unbelievably delicious. The drink menu was filled with great options as well. This is going on my list of great date night recommendations and was also a wonderful place for my dining alone evening read more

See all

Everything, I mean everything was amazing. It was exactly what we looking for! Hands down, the best thai place in Portland! We ordered Chor Muang, Khao Mok Gai, Massaman Curry Beef Wellington, and the Japanese Cotton Cheesecake. On top of being unbelievable delicious, it was beautifully plated. If I could give them more stars I would. Service was top notch as well. read more

Truly sensational food!! The chef can do no wrong!! We loved every bite and sip! Highly recommend! There were four of us - the apps and salads were actually shareable but you'll likely want your own... it's that good!! The care and attention from the staff and chef were next level. Lovely, intimate ambiance as well. Thanks Siam Umami! read more

Came here for dinner with friends. It's a small place but there was no wait on Monday night. It's located in a quiet street, I might even call it a residential street.... The food was super amazing and different and the drink menu was just plain funny! Give it a try! So we shared among 3 of us. We got the royal dumplings which were tasty! Has coconut and nuts, I think. We also had the shrimp appetizer which was also very different from anything I had before. For mains, we got the stuffed peppers with turkey which was my favorite. The pepper was good and the curry was yummy yummy good. We got the pork belly which was my friends fav, and the green sauce accompaniment was super yum. We also got the rockfish. To me it was over seasoned but other friend loved it. Basically it was all good and we all loved different dishes. And yes, we ordered dessert and that was good too!!!! Try this place! read more

See all

A focused menu of just four apps and five mains. They concentrate on what they do well here, which seems to be everything. The Chor Muang are the most beautiful dumplings you'll ever eat, tapioca flowers filled with pork and peanuts. Pork Shu Mai are have a more crumbly ground filling than the Chinese iteration, and I love the texture and spicy finish. The La Tiang are magical mesh omelets filled with carrot with bits of shrimp. Coconut Juice Braised Pork Belly is their signature dish, and this braised, soupy, melty-meat wonder is indescribable. What's truly amazing is that their spicy food isn't painful, like a heat that doesn't burn. I don't know how they to it...I can only say wow , just wow! read more

Fabulous and creative. Super cute little restaurant. There are a few seats outside. I've been booking reservations from Yelp for this place. This is not your typical Thai restaurant. Their food is delish and their cocktails are dangerously good. Taro creme brûlée is perfect. Not too sweet. Don't expect it to be a traditional creme brûlée. Every dish and drink here is unique. I think they could be Michelin rated one day. I started coming here last Autumn. They have Happy hour 4-6pm. I selfishly don't want more people to know about this restaurant but here I am giving them 5 stars ‍ Also, please don't forget to tip them. They have a small team and everyone works hard. read more

See all

We followed the reviews and decided to go, so I feel like I should post a review to be fair. We're not very demanding eaters, but this restaurant was a huge disappointment. We arrived fairly early on a Friday night, so there were many empty tables. The service was nice and attentive. We ordered the dumplings and salad as starters, then rice noodles and stuffed zucchini for our main courses. The salad arrived first--and seriously, it's hard to mess up a salad, but they managed by adding way, way too much dressing. It was barely edible, but we tried our best to finish it so as not to waste food. The flower dumpling wasn't to my liking either; it didn't have much flavor. Then came the main course. The rice noodles were borderline mushy, soaked in a yellow Thai-style sauce. There were some spinach and mushrooms, but they were completely tasteless, and the whole dish looked like it was made by a 5-year-old. The two stuffed zucchinis were served with low-grade rice. We love rice, especially good rice, but this just wasn't it. We didn't want to make a scene, so we ate about half the food. As we were nearly done, a man who I suspect was the owner came by to check on us. Since he asked, my husband mentioned that the salad was so salty it was barely edible. The man looked offended, didn't say a word, and just walked away. I don't know if this is just a fluke or maybe people have different tastes, but honestly, it was one of the worst meals we've had in recent memory. read more

Food was great- loved this place. Menu has something for everyone- quite extensive. The Ramen was stellar!

Great service. Amazing food. We tried all the food on the happy hour menu ( hidden one what you have to ask for and is changing) not a lot of dishes but the 4 we ate were so good. Really loved the green pepper with meat and green curry. Pork belly good. The cucumber was beautiful. A lot of the food was beautiful. No pad Thai - so don't cry. Everything was so good and spicy. read more

Siam Umami - Lemonade - Thai Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

The drinks - wow Service - wow The branzino - holy wow. Everything on the menu is amazing. And the whole experience should not be missed. Highly recommend this wonderful restaurant. read more

Siam Umami - 10/10 - Thai Near Me - Portland, Oregon

So so good!! Everything is incredibly delicious and the owner is very kind. We got the Chor Muang, Chor Chaba, Khao Mak Gai, and Coconut Water Braised Pork Belly. Seriously some of the best Thai food we've had in the city. It's not your typical Thai food dishes like Pad Thai or Pad See Ew so if you're expecting that, you won't find those here. Instead you'll find scrumptious dishes once served to Thai royalty! read more

Siam Umami - Khao Mak Gai in the front and braised pork belly in the back. - Thai Near Me - Portland, Oregon

See all

The atmosphere was both sophisticated and welcoming, and the food and service were impeccable. Thank you for a memorable dining experience.

My family and I loved our experience at Siam Umami for a few reasons: Making an online reservation via the restaurant's website was simple. We reserved a spot just a few hours before we wanted to eat. Service was wonderful. We went at opening on a weekday, and there was only one other party there. We were given the option to sit indoors or outdoors. We chose indoors, were promptly seated and, since it was our first time there, introduced by our friendly waiter to the menu and its seasonal items. Ambiance was inviting for a dinner date: somewhat plain walls, mildly dim lights, and background jazz music that altogether seem to direct attention to conversation around the dining table. The food was, by far, the best part. Each dish seemed to have a variety of flavors and consistencies that made each item delightfully unique. We ordered the La Tiang and Chor Chaba appetizers. The La Tiang was surprisingly rich with flavor and taste, balanced by the light and fluffy omelette base. The Chor Chaba similarly had a rich interior but with more peanut flavor and a crunchy outer lettuce wrap. Our main entrees were the coconut water braised pork belly and spicy tamarind salmon. The pork belly was tender and juicy. The broth had a light and refreshing nature that reminded me of a soup my grandmother used to make. The salmon was a fun dish with a conglomerate of tastes including sweet and sour (from the sauce), herby, and spicy. The salmon was tender throughout and crispy on the edges, adding a nice crunch to each bite. Lastly, we ordered the taro crème brûlée for dessert. The caramelized and hardened top contrasted well with the soft and sticky consistency below. The taste was more reminiscent of butter mochi rather than taro, but sweet and delicious nonetheless. Overall, I highly recommend Siam Umami and will be back to try some of their other dishes. read more

See all