Noy Viet Lao

Found this place on Unilocal.They have a very convenient location and ample seating. Run by a husband and wife duo, doing what they love and it shows. Generous portions, and all the flavor profiles that you are looking for. The specials sell out quick so be sure to call those in ahead of time. Tutu loves phone orders. We had pad kee Mao, vegetable stir fry and three appetizers. All were on point, reasonably priced and came out in a timely manner. Highly recommend.

Amazing food!!! I order orange chicken all the time and it’s literally enough food for two or three days.

This is my favorite, and go-​to lunch spot for Friday’s. The phở broth is by far the best I’ve had so far in Portland and I’ve tried several. Also, the coconut shrimp are out of control.
Both workers in this cart are super attentive and prompt. I’ve been here at least 7 times and have never, ever waited over 10 minutes for food. The ingredients are fresh and everything is made to order and extremely authentic.
I can’t wait to go back again and will recommend to anyone looking for fresh food and tasty options!

We love this food cart. We typically get the phở, as well as Pad Kee Mao and another dish similar to Pad Thai but with a different name (like stir fry noodles). The dishes are definitely different than your standard Thai or Phở restaurant, but different in a great way — the flavors are amazing. Both people who operate the food cart are incredibly friendly and helpful. The only drawback is the wait time for the food, but it’s because everything is made to order so you can guarantee that the dishes will be super fresh and piping hot. We’ll definitely keep coming back here.

A good experience. I had seen the ratings and one of my Unilocal mates mentioned it. So close to home. I thought it’d be a breeze to get there before 7pm, their closing hour. I struggled through traffic and sought parking near this little food park. The vehicle accessibility isn’t the best. The cart was still open! I placed my order for a simple Phở, the #1 on the menu. The smiling woman in the cart said 25 minute wait. I said «no problem», I was committed. I did see a previous customer balk at the wait.
The Phở was ready in no time. I’ve never had Phở to go, but I got it home without incident. There was plenty of meat, both beef and chicken, savory broth, and ample noodles. It was basic, flavorful, and well priced. $ 7. They were out of sprouts. Looks like a very busy place that runs out of items. A good sign everything’s fresh.
I’d certainly return to try another dish. Local, humble, and keen on quality.

More like Noy Viet WOW!
And now they have… wait for it… VEGAN PHO!
Yeah, this place is simply the best. We love their Phở, but do not miss their curries, salad rolls, or thai dishes, like delightful pad kee mao. They make EVERYTHING to order, which means your order may take some time, but also means it’s made with serious love and attention. The beautiful grill and char marks on my pad kee mao brings tears to my taste buds. Let’s hope this humble yet delicious cart gets a brick and mortar soon.
Pro-​tip: Call in and order ahead. Then feel like a major BA as you stroll up, pay, and head home to eat delicious Noy Viet Lao. Also, their twitter let’s you know what the specials are and what they’re out of (specials go fast).

This food cart is so great. The food is delicious, the prices are super reasonable, and the staff is SO friendly. What more do you need out of a food cart? Nothing. I’ve tried their chicken curry, shrimp curry, coconut shrimp, spring rolls, and phở. So far my favorite is the shrimp yellow curry. They don’t skimp out on the shrimp and definitely load you up. They also use sweet potatoes in the curry so it’s a nice change in taste. Seating is outdoor only. Come back and come often :) One tip: they do not accept AmEx, so bring your other cards or cash.

Delicious. Fresh. Friendly. We ordered pad sew ew, rolls, and phở. Big serving sizes! Parking is on the street or in the alleyway behind the market.

Before I came here, I called in to pre-​order two bowls of phở. She warned me ahead of time that if it’s not made fresh, the noodles would get all soggy when I eat it — which is the same thing all phở-​diners should know.

My girlfriend texted me saying she wanted to try this place and so I made it a point to take her here after my appointment, it helps that I also live incredibly close. Like all food trucks in Portland, this one doesn’t exactly stand out, there is however ample seating nearby. The service was incredible, the ladies working there were helpful, nice (she even brought us bottles of water) and I can honestly say it was one of the best food truck experiences I’ve ever had.
I ordered the nam khao which is essentially a Laotian rice salad that has fish sauce, rice, coconut, lime, mint, cilantro, and house made chili sauce. I liked the lettuce leafs because it added a nice crunch to the overall bite (you’re suppose to wrap it). Overall, the rice was a little salty for me but the portion was huge. My girlfriend got the vegetarian noodle bowl and had nothing but good things to say.
I’ll definitely make it a point to come here often. My girl said,“If I worked around here, I’d be eating here everyday.”

Ordered here 3 times now. Great cart: fresh, clean, delicious, consistent and great menu. Everything from the noodles to yellow curry is expertly made. Fish sauce is good but not subtle. Just know this if its in your dish ingredients and you’re not a fan. Otherwise, enjoy!
Allow some time for your order to be prepared; it is quality food and portions should leave you satisfied. This cart is quickly becoming a local favorite and some people actually drive from out of the neighborhood to pick up here. This is not just a surviving cart… it’s an establishment upholding Portland’s quality cart reputation.

By far the Richest and Most Flavorful Phò broth I’ve come across. Excellent noodles as well, and the price ain’t too bad neither. ;)
Delighted to have come across this jem in Multnomah Village.
Relaxing covered patio area with cute farm-​stand beside. Great place to chat and eat local.

People care so much about their food in Portland.
A food cart with sunny outdoor seating was the perfect start to our hangover Sunday. Noy’s is located in a lot with a produce stand, fish and meat market, and the «French Quarter,» an assortment of small shops themed after the namesake district in New Orleans.
Tutu introduced herself as we were placing our order. We knew wait time was going to be long because it’s displayed in multiple places around the truck, and she made another mention after taking our order.
First to come out was the dumplings. FYI they are deep fried, although the skins aren’t sopping with oil. Instead they’re very crispy and light, almost like a spring roll. The coconut shrimp was another winner. You taste the bits of coconut in the batter, and the sweetness combined with the crunch made it fun and easy to eat. The papaya salad was also very fresh. She literally makes it on the spot (she was mashing it in her mortar while taking another order), and the papaya was so crunchy and not soggy.
My phở was really good, although it wasn’t what I was expecting. The biggest difference was the broth. It was way sweeter and richer than I’m used to. It tasted like she literally added heaps of sugar into the stock versus the natural sweetness from onions. If I could offer one piece of feedback, it’d be to add less sugar into the broth because everything else is already a tad sweet (even the dumpling dipping sauce). I did appreciate the variety of beef, chicken, and beef balls in the soup, as well as the portion. I could barely finish my noodles, and I’m always the first to slurp his noodles down.
Was the food worth the 45 minute wait? I’m not sure about that, but I did appreciate everything Tutu was trying to do, and it’s amazing to see someone pursue her dream like this. If you’re willing to wait a little longer for food, place an order, take a seat, and just enjoy the sun.

Food was delicious and well seasoned.
Plan to wait a while for your order but it’s worth it.
When we went on a Friday night we were told it would take about 50 minutes so we walked around the Village and came back to pick up our food.
Totally worth the wait!
Nam khao — YUM! I will definitely be back.

Oh, Unilocal,thank you for steering me so faithfully to deliciousness such as Noy Viet Lao. I forgive you for the previous missteps – which admittedly are rare – where reviewers rave about pedestrian experiences because of this latest find.
First, easy parking in Multnonah Village. Unheard of, but a reality today, and mere feet from your ordering window. Second, comfy outdoor seating. Third, French Quarter browsing while we waited for our food – the soap vender was a find within a find. Fourth, Canby’s Parsons Farms was 3 steps away for my farmers’ market fix.
But the main attraction was, of course, the food. I wish I had my camera as the chef scooped the noddles from the steaming pan onto Graham’s waiting plate. I didn’t expect to see that, but the food was that fresh. The kabobs were hot and served on a steaming bed of rice. It was all very tasty and reasonable. We’ll be back.

The top two food places in Portland are currently food carts. Noy Viet Lao fully justified their inclusion on that list. Started with young coconuts, which unlike most other restaurants’, don’t come from a can but an actual coconut. Coconut shrimp for appetizers — crunchy, fresh shrimps served with delicious hot and sweet sauce. The sauce was good enough that I had most of it by itself. I then had the yellow curry with chicken. First, huge portion size. Good enough for two and a half meals. And very tasty! There’s something about fresh, hot food cooked right in front of you. You can taste the various ingredients in the curry, yet it has a very good overall taste. Coming back soon to try more of their stuff.
P. S. Prepare to wait 15 – 20 mins as the food is cooked for you.

Great find in faraway Hillsdale land. This is a cart run by an extremely friendly lady Tutu, who makes Thai and Vietnamese dishes from scratch and serves up some excellent fare. I got the yellow curry which is the best darn yellow curry I’ve had in a couple of years. And its piping hot, straight out of the pan when she serves it up to you. And the quantity is enough to last you 2 maybe 3 meals! I got greedy and got the coconut shrimp as well, which were an excellent addition to my yellow curry luncheon! Was in a food coma for several hours later after such a nice satisfying meal. Definitely worth the drive! check this place out if you’re in the area.

Food carts are oftentimes a crap shoot. A good location can bring the masses to mediocrity. When that happens, it doesn’t take long for those with decent palettes and in the know, to slip away… In the case of Noy Viet Lao, a decent location is overcome by phenomenal food, tremendous value and a personal touch delivered by the owner, Tutu and her husband.
This food cart rocks. It’s absolutely sparkling clean. The owners take great pride in their food and always over deliver on taste.
I’ve tried the coconut shrimp, salad rolls, Spring rolls, and today… The Phở. Everything is served up perfectly. There is ample food, the tastes are well defined, there is the right amount of spice, and Tutu personally creates each dish to order… It’s fresh, it’s well seasoned, and it’s art to see… It’s purely devine.
Finding this yellow truck on the southern side of Multnomah blvd, directly across from John’s Marketplace is a treat. Eating there, a thrill! It’s simply wonderful!!!
Can’t wait to go back!

This review really starts 19 years ago on a rainy spring day in Portland. My husband and I had just relocated to the area and we were exploring our new hometown. We would regularly spend time on the weekends walking through the city or Forest Park and then grab lunch at the Thai food cart at the Portland Saturday Market. The owner was the sweetest lady and after a few visits always greeted us and took a special shine to my husband who she would always joke with and sometimes offer him off-​menu items she kept under the counter. In addition to enjoying the food, the reason we came back so often was that these visits gave us a sense of home as transplants. We visited her monthly for years and she saw us transition from newlyweds to a family of four and soon our visits were highlighted by her huge smile watching our boys grow up.
When she passed away a few years ago it was terribly sad. Even though she wasn’t family and we weren’t close friends, she had a joyful spirit which was contagious and her smile was like sunshine. She was part of our family lore.
When I first visited Noy Viet Lao last month, the lovely woman who owns the cart evoked that same feeling. After a great first experience, I have been eating my way through her menu ordering something different every time. The majority of my visits have been on Saturday nights and she remembered me right away and always goes out of her way to ask about the food and solicit feedback.
As a regular, I do have a few tips and recommendations based on my experience. This is a true one-​woman operation, so if you visit during a busy time, there can be quite a wait. This was especially true during the Winter Market festival at The French Quarter the past two weekends. She takes orders over the phone as well as handles walk-​up business and everything is made to order (she isn’t dishing up prepared items), so it simply takes time. I highly recommend you ask how long your order will take, because there are plenty of pleasant ways to spend your time.
There are some permanent stores as well as temporary offerings inside the French Quarter building which houses indoor seating for this food cart as well as others in the area. You can also walk across the street and pick up a specialty brew from John’s Marketplace or even take a quick walk up the hill to the heart of Multnomah Village and window shop while you wait.
In my opinion, the food is definitely worth the wait. Portions are hearty, the prices are reasonable and the food is served hot, hot hot!
The best thing I’ve had on the menu so far is the Yellow Curry with chicken. Served with sweet potato and butternut squash, it is probably the best version of that dish I’ve ever had. Since portion sizes are large, my husband went bananas over the leftovers, so he’ll be joining me on my next visit. As another reviewer mentioned, the curry is served over rice, so if you prefer to have it separated just let her know.
I’ve also enjoyed the Phở’ which she serves with a mix of meat (beef, chicken & beef ball). If you dine inside, you’ll find a table with condiments to season your broth. The spring rolls are also tasty.
The owner has gone out of her way to ask how I’ve enjoyed every meal and when I mentioned I didn’t particularly enjoy one dish, she was very receptive to that feedback and making it right.
The Tom Mok Hoong (green papaya salad) was not my favorite item on the menu. In part, it turns out it was because I ate it in a different manner than was intended. It is served with sticky rice (on the side) and you need to eat it right away (she recommends within four minutes), otherwise the rice hardens, so not the best take home item on the menu. Normally she tells diners this when they order, but that night a band was playing ten feet from her cart and communication was difficult.
I really enjoy the mix of Thai and Laotian dishes as well as specials items. But, what makes this a five star experience and the reason I’ll return again and again is the customer service. Her smile is like sunshine.

I’ve only been to Noy Viet Lao once so far, but it is was a great experience.
I called in our order over the phone. I always love a good bowl of phở, so having heard great things, I couldn’t wait to try the one here. I was not able to find a menu listed anywhere online, and my husband likes fried rice. The lovely women who answered the phone said they have pineapple fried rice on their menu, but she would be more than happy to make traditional fried rice.
The serving sizes are huge. I was unable to finish my phở, and my husband has enough fried rice left over for lunch tomorrow.
The phở was great. Lots of moist chicken, fresh cilantro, green onion, been sprouts, and noodles that are so good they have to made in house.
The only complaint I have is there was no jalapeños, or lime with the phở.
Were looking forward to returning and trying more :).