The Thai food and Texas BBQ mashup at Eem might seem unexpected at first, but the more you think about it, it totally makes sense. The combination of smoked meats, bird’s eye chilies, and handfuls of herbs go perfectly together, making a meal here worth the (inevitable) wait. They only take reservations for parties of six and more, so put your name on the list before heading to nearby Migration Brewing or The Box Social to buy some time.

In the before-times, a quiet weekday at Eem might mean a line snaking down North Williams Avenue, with crowds waiting patiently for a taste of The Oregonian’s 2019 Restaurant of the Year. Long waits are less common these days, but this only-in-Portland mashup of Thai flavors and Texas barbecue is as thrilling as ever, from the fiery kanpachi ceviche to the sweet-and-sour fried chicken to the sliced brisket in jungle curry — the dish that inspired the restaurant — all paired with tropical drinks, including some served in a ceramic blowfish. Don’t miss the fiery papaya salad, the hot fried cauliflower, the smoky-funky-sour flavors rising from the barbecue fried rice or the curries swimming with brisket burnt ends or shredded smoked lamb.

A flavorful, fruity, and unabashedly spicy example of Portland's hyper-focused restaurant scene is Eem. This buzzy restaurant on the northeast side is described as a Thai BBQ cocktail lounge with a tiki tilt and, as the menu highlights, "deep fried funk." Helmed by local restauranteurs Earl Ninsom, Eric Nelson, and Matt Vicedomini, this lunch and dinner hot spot exudes tropical vacation vibes, transporting guests to the lush shores of Phuket with big, bold flavors and cocktails as colorful as the jungle-chic decor. The food menu is refreshingly concise, offering a handful of pungent snacks and curries rooted in the Thai tradition.

Two Portland powerhouse chefs have come together to create a beautiful fusion spot in Portland, pairing BBQ and Thai to create some insanely flavorful dishes. The smoky BBQ meats of brisket burnt ends, pulled pork, and smoked lamb come from the mind of Matt Vicedomini of Matt’s BBQ, while the Thai creations are spawned from the likes of Earl Ninsom – owner of Portland’s Langbaan, Padee, and Hat Yai restaurants. Never would I have thought to pair these two cuisines together but it works in the most wonderful way.

A round of applause for Eem, the Portland restaurant we didn’t know we needed but can’t imagine living without. Not surprising, considering the restaurant is the brainchild of two talented Portland chefs, Earl Ninsom (Langbaan, which has a 6-month wait list) and Matt Vicedomin (Matt’s BBQ) and master mixologist Eric Nelson. Together, the three named the restaurants after the first letters of their names, which coincides with the Thai word for satiated (coincidence?).

The barbecue has more of a smoky bite than at Matt’s BBQ. Vicedomini said he hopes to change that soon when he gets a new smoking warehouse operational and cooks all the barbecue for his three restaurants (he’s also a partner in Eem, a Thai barbecue restaurant) in one place. But the tacos are impressive, especially for Portland. They were good enough to get Matt’s BBQ Tacos on the list of the 10 best new restaurants in the country by Bon Appétit.

The shining star that is Eem is a modern Thai restaurant serving modern barbeque creations of tiki-inspired cocktails. Literally translated to mean “satiated”, Eem promises that you will leave feeling perfectly full, and quite possibly sweating from overconsumption of chili oil. Their intimate menu is packed full of only delicious options, and accompanied by creative cocktails that help you quench your thirst after trying their spicier fare.

As Andrea Damewood writes, "Eem is the restaurant equivalent of Lizzo: infectious, critically and commercially acclaimed, and addictive AF. You cannot go wrong in ordering, from the hot fried cauliflower to the divine brisket in white curry to the fried rice with burnt ends. And both the cocktails and mocktails are some of the best in town—my favorite is the piña colada, made with coffee and salt to keep it from being too cloying.

Located in the Boise neighborhood, Eem stands out in Portland's dining scene by masterfully blending the bold flavors of Thai cuisine with the smoky essence of American barbecue. This innovative fusion results in a menu filled with distinctive dishes that intrigue and delight. Signature offerings like the chopped BBQ fried rice and white curry with brisket burnt ends exemplify the seamless integration of these culinary traditions.

EEM, best known for its inventive Thai cuisine and creative cocktails, looks a little different than the other eateries on this list — but has earned plaudits for the fun ways it works smoked meats into its flavorful dishes. EEM offers fresh salads, curries and wok dishes, many of which are infused with smoked meats from co-owner Matt Vicedomini of Matt’s BBQ fame. Credit: Matt Wastrowdowski

It is a city that can be overwhelming white, so it is counterintuitive that it has great in its food. If you love Southeast Asian food you would be in the same city as the super-restauratuer Akkapong Earl Ninsom, and eating Southern fried Thai at Hat Yai or drinking something sunny and enlivening the bar at Eem. Everytime I even think cocktails and Thai BBQ I feel something inside!!

Another Thai concept from Ninsom, Eem deserves its entry for its exciting take on Thai barbecue. Dishes like sweet and sour fried chicken and brisket fried rice set it apart from Ninsom’s other restaurants, and an array of frozen cocktail offerings make this a fun spot for summertime al fresco dining. Address: 3808 North Williams Avenue st, 127, Portland, OR 97227

In just 10 years, Ninsom has rocketed from rookie cook to unstoppable ringleader of Portland’s lauded Thai food scene, from Eem to Langbaan. LA has Thai Town, an entire zip code of celebratory eating. Portland is Earl Town, where old-school Thai cooking meets Portland’s love of experiential adventures, goofy-yet-erudite cocktails, and curated everything.

Eem is this delicious mash-up of Thai food and American barbecue. The food is super fresh and super vibrant—combining deep smokiness and long-cooked meats with Thai flavors and cooking traditions adds a deep base note of intensity to the food. They also have lots of really fun cocktails, including the best piña colada I've ever had in my entire life.

The superstar restaurant from the trio behind Hat Yai, Matt’s BBQ and the Shipwreck, Eem somehow manages to exceed all expectations. The white curry with brisket burnt ends is a dish so rich and nuanced it’s almost without precedent, while the chopped barbecue fried rice is another mashup that’s bafflingly simple yet unbeatable in flavor.

Eem is a unique Thai restaurant that creates unique Thai dishes for all sorts of diners. They have individual lunch and dinner menus, so you'll always be able to try something new. It's a very popular spot, and they don't offer reservations for parties of larger than 10 people, so get here early if you want quick service.

website | Instagram | neighborhood: Boise, NE Portland ( get directions) |cuisine: Thai | lunch & dinner. Eem is a hipster Thai restaurant owned by the same award-winning peeps behind Langbaan. They serve excellent cocktails and Thai food in a bright, window-lit space and covered outdoor patio.

Our favorites on here are Eem, Flying Fish, Mirisata and Normandy. We recommend cross-checking with Yelp/Google to see if they’re listed as pet friendly. It’s very rare that a Portland restaurant or bar doesn’t allow pets on their patios, but it’s always good to phone ahead.

The brisket white curry stands out in particular on their menu. A true fusion of flavors, this dish marries the succulence of American barbecue brisket with the refreshing and aromatic notes of Thai white curry, making a distinctive mark on the Portland food scene.

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1274 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 3808 North Williams Ave. Ste 127 Portland, Oregon - Categories: Cocktail Bars, Thai, Barbecue- Read more on Yelp. You may also like:Highest-rated restaurants in Portland, Oregon by diners

Popular Thai BBQ restaurant Eem serves signature curries, papaya salad, and house-created cocktails in pufferfish-shaped glasses. What could possibly add to this wait-listed establishment?. Personal table heaters!

What do you get when three of the hottest Portland food forces combine their superpowers into one restaurant?. Eem, a Thai restaurant unlike any you’ve ever visited. Truly some of the best food in Portland!

Eem | Times vary | Bring your out-of-town guests here to impress them with tropical-themed “clear-headed” drinks, like coconut cream pineapple soda + cucumber yuzu ginger lime soda.

As one Yelp reviewer wrote, at Eem, you’re getting “delicious, crave worthy, and lick the bottom of your plate food.” The burnt ends white curry is a must when you’re dining here.

3808 North Williams Avenue st, 127, Portland, OR 97227Phone: 971-295-1645 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by EEM (@eempdx)

Two notable additions are introducing unique new concepts: Magna, which will open in summer 2019 and EEM, which opened in February 2019.