Green Wok: Dinner at Portland's newest Vegetarian Restaurant

Well, what do we have here? Another vegetarian restaurant in Portland, OR? Must be a Friday.

Greek Wok opened late Summer 2009 in SW Portland, I'm not talking Tigard or Beaverton, but I am talking SW Capitol Highway.

To those of us who don't drive and rarely go further than SE 82nd (if I do, it's by plane!), that is practically Beaverton.

No offense to the city of Beaverton, I just don't know my way around!

In fact, I accidentally gave my friend Maeve poor directions via Trimet, and she ended up at the Beaverton Transit Center. Sorry, again Maeve! I did bring her take out, at least.

Now that I've dined here, I can officially say I'm jealous this restaurant is not 'closer in', but I'm stoked for those around it! Spread the love. Spread the soy.

It was a Friday night when I stopped by, the start of my 27th birthday weekend. I hopped on the semi-frequent #44 bus after work, and with my eyes peeled during the ride for the cross street, was there within 25 minutes from downtown - and it was worth it.

I had a lovely family style dining experience with a group of super vegan friends including Janessa of Epicurious Vegan, Chelsea of Flavor Vegan, The Spicy Vegan and more, and we later sang our little hearts out at a Once More, With Feeling watching.

Sure, you may be thinking, isn't this place similar to Vegetarian House? Well, the internet tells me it was opened by a former chef's son, or something. Whatever the case is, like I'm going to complain about vegan Chinese food potential.

I'm just asking - can we swap this place with the House downtown?

The food at Green Wok is fresher and overall, less greasy - this was even noticeable in the fried wontons and battered gluten dishes. Nothing to jump for joy about, but noticeable.

This is the closest I've seen Portland's vegan Chinese come to Seattle's vegan Chinese, which slowly follows my love for Grasshopper in Boston and NYC's Vegetarian Dim Sum House and Buddha Bodai. I'm glad I got to try many things, because some were hit or miss.

But you're not here for my weekend recap, you're here for the food porn:

Pan fried Wontons

Moo Shu Vegetables -

This was Chelsea's pick. I really dug the filling once I added some hot chili.

General Tso's Veggie Chicken -

tasty, but personally I don't think it's worth the price tag here - but for sure, it's tasty!

Kung Pao Tofu - I was really excited about this - tofu, peanuts, heat!

It didn't have the medium heat we specified - and one friend called it one of the "worst tofu dishes" she's had in her life, but I didn't mind it, and I think with those things called vegetables and added heat, I would have quite liked it. I liked how mellow it was - but it has more potential.

Orange Veggie Chicken

I know my problem with veggie chicken is usually the price tag, I admit it. This was again, a great bite of sweet, saucy fake chicken, but I wasn't into the orange taste - but it seemed to be a table favorite.

Now, hopefully someone will jump in here - I think this was the crispy bean curd pockets, which were compared to crispy "duck" - and it was my favorite of the night.

This plus a side of broccoli would have rocked my world.

We also had pork fried rice - better than the House, once again, and probably more I'm forgetting.

Greek Wok has a real, local Chinese restaurant - make that, local vegetarian Chinese restaurant charm. I'll roll my eyes about having go take the bus or carpool there, but I want to return.

They also have a weekday lunch special and hey, hey, hey - are using twitter to update what's on it.