EEM
Thai · Boise, Portland
Restaurant in Portland, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Thai Smoke and Char
Chef
Akkapong Earl Ninsom
Dress
Casual
Why go
EEM is Portland's most consistently recognised casual Thai restaurant, with Opinionated About Dining rankings every year since 2023 and a Pearl Recommended designation for 2025. Chef Akkapong Earl Ninsom delivers serious kitchen quality in a relaxed North Williams Ave setting. Easy to book, open daily from 11 am, the right move for anyone wanting Thai food that goes beyond the standard.
About EEM
Why use this page
This page is a practical starting point for planning a visit to EEM, a casual Thai restaurant on North Williams Avenue in Portland. It brings together the essentials; location, hours, booking details, dress guidance, the character of the room; so you can decide whether the format suits your plans.
How to think about EEM
EEM is built around serious Thai cooking in a lively, approachable setting rather than formal service or elaborate surroundings. It suits diners who prioritise kitchen quality, want a relaxed full meal, or are exploring Portland’s Thai scene. The page is especially useful when comparing EEM with more formal Thai experiences, more focused menus, or other casual options in the city.
Before you go
Check the current details before setting out, particularly hours and reservation availability. The restaurant is listed as open daily from 11 am, with later service on Friday and Saturday, the page provides booking and contact information. For a calmer visit, the page identifies mid-week evenings as a useful time to consider; weekend lunch may be more competitive. EEM is a better fit for smaller groups than large parties and is listed as casual dress.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 11 am–9 pm · Tuesday: 11 am–9 pm
- Location
- 3808 N Williams Ave #127, Portland, OR 97227
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- eempdx.com
- Phone
- (971) 295-1645
The take
The Take
The Vibe
EEM presents a warm, counter-casual take on Thai barbecue that leans into smoke and spice without fuss. The storefront is deliberately low-key; inside, the room runs warm and slightly loud in the way barbecue-forward places do. It occupies a middle ground between street-food informality and the composed ambition of tasting-menu counters, so the cooking rewards attention even when the dining room settles into easy conviviality. A serious cocktail program shares equal billing with the food, so nights here combine assertive flavors and hand-crafted drinks in a setting that prioritizes the meal over ceremony.
Best For
This is a restaurant built for full meals rather than formal occasions—an evening destination for people who want bold Thai barbecue and a substantial cocktail list. The counter-casual format and lively room make it a good fit for informal date nights, groups who like to share smoky dishes, and friends seeking a lively after-work stop. Because the place emphasizes the meal over pageantry, it’s less about dressing up for a special occasion and more about settling in for well-executed, convivial dining.
Ordering Tips
Expect counter-casual service and a menu geared toward bold, shareable flavors. Head straight for the signatures: the white curry with brisket burnt ends, the BBQ fried rice, and the Massaman curry with lamb are highlighted dishes. The cocktail program is prominent, so plan to order a drink alongside the food rather than after it. Given the barbecue-forward approach, ordering multiple plates to share lets you sample the range of smoke, spice, and texture the kitchen offers.
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 11 am–9 pm
- Tuesday
- 11 am–9 pm
- Wednesday
- 11 am–9 pm
- Thursday
- 11 am–9 pm
- Friday
- 11 am–10 pm
- Saturday
- 11 am–10 pm
- Sunday
- 11 am–9 pm
Location
Also consider
To cross-shop EEM, compare it with other Pearl restaurants in Portland by the kind of meal you want: EEM is the casual, lively option for Thai cooking and a full meal, while Langbaan offers a more intimate tasting-menu direction. Nong’s Khao Man Gai and Paadee provide useful contrasts in focus and format. Check each page for current hours, booking details, the level of formality that fits your plans.
Restaurant context
When EEM is the right Portland restaurant page
Choose EEM when you want a casual Portland restaurant with recognised Thai cooking, a lively room, service that starts from late morning. It is a strong fit for two to four people, informal date nights, shared meals, or an accessible introduction to the city’s Thai scene. If the occasion calls for formal service or a tasting-menu format, compare it with a more formal alternative instead.
Explore Portland
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full EEM guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare EEM
| Option | Best understood as | Choose it when | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEM | Casual Thai cooking in a lively North Portland setting | You want a relaxed full meal and kitchen quality over formal presentation | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #802025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1812024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1672023 OAD Casual in North America Highly RecommendedPearl Recommended Restaurants |
| Langbaan | A more intimate Thai tasting-menu format | You want a more formal experience and deeper exploration of Earl Ninsom’s cooking | No published awards |
| Nong’s Khao Man Gai | A more focused Thai approach | You want to compare EEM with a narrower Portland Thai offering | No published awards |
| Paadee | A broader, family-style Thai format | You prefer a wider-ranging comparison point within Portland’s Thai scene | No published awards |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What kind of restaurant is EEM?
EEM is a casual Thai restaurant in Portland focused on Thai barbecue and cocktails, with a lively, approachable setting.
When is EEM open?
The page lists daily service from 11 am. Monday through Thursday and Sunday are listed until 9 pm, while Friday and Saturday are listed until 10 pm. Verify current hours before visiting.
Who is EEM best suited to?
EEM suits diners who value strong Thai cooking over formal surroundings. It is described as a better fit for two to four people than for large groups, casual dress is listed.
