Sunshine Noodles
{{Short description|Restaurant in Portland, Oregon, U.S.}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox restaurant
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| name = Sunshine Noodles
| logo = Sunshine Noodles logo.jpeg
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| image = Northwest Portland, Oregon (2022) - 14.jpg
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| image_caption = The restaurant's exterior in 2022
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| established = {{Start date|2019}}
| closed = {{End date|2022|12}}
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| food-type = Cambodian American
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| street-address = 2175 Northwest Raleigh Street, Suite 105
| city = Portland
| county = Multnomah
| state = Oregon
| zip = 97210
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{Coord|45.5342|-122.6960|display=it}}
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 13
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| website = {{URL|sunshinenoodlespdx.com}}
}}
Sunshine Noodles was a Cambodian American restaurant in Portland, Oregon, United States. Owner Diane Lam operated the business from 2019 to 2022, initially as a pop-up noodle bar and later as a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the Slabtown area of Northwest Portland's Northwest District. Despite garnering a positive reception, Lam closed Sunshine Noodles permanently in late 2022 and relocated to San Francisco.
Description
Sunshine Noodles was a Cambodian American restaurant in Slabtown in Northwest Portland's Northwest District. Brooke Jackson-Glidden of Eater Portland described the interior, which had neon lights and pink tiles, as "Hello Kitty-meets-Blade Runner".{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2021-07-09 |title=An Eater's Guide to Portland, Oregon |url=https://pdx.eater.com/22570310/best-food-portland-restaurants-city-guide-pdx |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2021-12-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217160606/https://pdx.eater.com/22570310/best-food-portland-restaurants-city-guide-pdx |url-status=live }}
The frequently changed menu included Phnom Penh noodles, a beef brisket noodle stew, fish sauce spaghetti and meatballs, and catfish spring rolls.{{Cite web |last=Damewood |first=Andrea |date=2022-02-02 |title=Sunshine Noodles Is Barely 2 Months Old but Already Delighting With Creative Dishes |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2022/02/02/sunshine-noodles-is-barely-2-months-old-but-already-delighting-with-creative-dishes/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2022-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216121553/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2022/02/02/sunshine-noodles-is-barely-2-months-old-but-already-delighting-with-creative-dishes/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2022-02-09 |title=Where to Eat in Portland This Week |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2022/02/09/where-to-eat-in-portland-this-week/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309014928/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2022/02/09/where-to-eat-in-portland-this-week/ |url-status=live }} The brunch menu included macaroni soup, steak with eggs and rice, strawberry French toast, and grits with shrimp and bacon jam.{{Cite web |last=Frane |first=Alex |date=2022-05-13 |title=Gregory Gourdet's Upcoming Haitian Restaurant Kann Will Open in July with a Cocktail Bar |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2022/5/13/23070921/gourdet-kann-nola-doughnuts-sunshine-noodles-brunch |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2022-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513180726/https://pdx.eater.com/2022/5/13/23070921/gourdet-kann-nola-doughnuts-sunshine-noodles-brunch |url-status=live }} Cocktails included the Mekhong Vacation, a passion fruit margarita.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2022-01-04 |title=Seattle dumplings, seasonal Burmese salads and more Portland restaurant news |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2022/01/seattle-dumplings-seasonal-burmese-salads-and-more-portland-restaurant-news-for-january-2022.html |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305060450/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2022/01/seattle-dumplings-seasonal-burmese-salads-and-more-portland-restaurant-news-for-january-2022.html |url-status=live }}
History
Revelry chef Diane Lam launched Sunshine Noodles in 2019 as a pop-up noodle bar with David Sigal. The menu included kuyteav Phnom Penh and num banhchok. The pop-up was successful, according to Jackson-Glidden of Eater Portland. Revelry planned to rebrand the outlet as Revelry Noodle Bar but closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2019-12-20 |title=Chef de Cuisine Diane Lam Is Molding Revelry Into a Hip Noodle Bar |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2019/12/20/21032250/revelry-noodle-bar |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414214613/https://pdx.eater.com/2019/12/20/21032250/revelry-noodle-bar |url-status=live }}
Sunshine Noodles operated at North Portland's Psychic Bar from July 2020 to January 2021. The Cambodian menu included spelt noodles with French-style vegan tomato and maitake mushroom ragout with Maggi seasoning, as well as samlor machu and grilled corn with a coconut milk glaze. Sunshine Noodles also served potato-chip salad with cabbage, wasabi ranch dressing, candied cashews, and chile relleno banh chao. The pop-up was designed for social distancing during the pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Katherine Chew |date=2020-07-18 |title=May Sunshine Noodles Offer You a Ray of Hope in This Trying Time? |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2020/07/may-sunshine-noodles-offer-you-a-ray-of-hope-in-this-trying-time |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228153638/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2020/07/may-sunshine-noodles-offer-you-a-ray-of-hope-in-this-trying-time |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Michelman |first=Jordan |date=2020-07-28 |title=Sunshine Noodles Brings Unheralded Cambodian Street Food Into the Daylight on Mississippi Avenue |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2020/07/28/sunshine-noodles-brings-unheralded-cambodian-street-food-into-the-daylight-on-mississippi-street/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2022-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119025115/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2020/07/28/sunshine-noodles-brings-unheralded-cambodian-street-food-into-the-daylight-on-mississippi-street/ |url-status=live }}
Lam began hosting a series of dinner parties called Penh Pals at the restaurant.{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2020-08-21 |title=Otter Pops Deletes Tweet Offering Popsicles to Portland Protesters, Spurring a Boycott |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2020/8/21/21377639/otter-pop-boycott-sunshine-noodles-eem-bar-king |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2021-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603180223/https://pdx.eater.com/2020/8/21/21377639/otter-pop-boycott-sunshine-noodles-eem-bar-king |url-status=live }} The pop-up operation was expanded and extended through March 2021.{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2020-09-30 |title=How Former Revelry Chef de Cuisine Diane Lam Opened an Outdoor Restaurant During a Pandemic |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2020/9/30/21492160/sunshine-noodles-outdoor-dining-winter |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2020-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030134613/https://pdx.eater.com/2020/9/30/21492160/sunshine-noodles-outdoor-dining-winter |url-status=live }} According to Jackson-Glidden, Sunshine Noodle's fried chicken with lime sauce became "a breakout hit".{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2021-01-08 |title=Diane Lam's Next Project: A Delivery-Centric Cambodian Fried Chicken Spot |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2021/1/8/22221010/prey-and-tell-diane-lam-delivery-only-restaurant-fried-chicken-rice |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2021-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006201300/https://pdx.eater.com/2021/1/8/22221010/prey-and-tell-diane-lam-delivery-only-restaurant-fried-chicken-rice |url-status=live }} The pop-up was originally scheduled to operate longer but temporarily ended service on December 24, 2020, intending to reopen at a permanent location in March 2021.{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Katherine Chew |date=2020-12-23 |title=Sunshine Noodles Is Going on Hiatus Until March. Meanwhile, There's Fried Chicken. |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2020/12/sunshine-noodles-is-going-on-hiatus-until-march-meanwhile-there-s-fried-chicken |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105225103/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2020/12/sunshine-noodles-is-going-on-hiatus-until-march-meanwhile-there-s-fried-chicken |url-status=live }} The pop-up hosted a Valentine's Day dinner.{{Cite web |last=Frane |first=Alex |date=2020-02-04 |title=Where to Dine for Valentine's Day 2021 in Portland |url=https://pdx.eater.com/maps/restaurants-bars-valentines-day-2021 |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2022-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105221925/https://pdx.eater.com/maps/restaurants-bars-valentines-day-2021 |url-status=live }} In November 2021, Sunshine Noodles announced plans to re-open as a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Slabtown on December 13 the same year.{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Katherine Chew |date=2021-11-05 |title=Sunshine Noodles Is Opening in Slabtown |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2021/11/sunshine-noodles-opening-slabtown |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326090636/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2021/11/sunshine-noodles-opening-slabtown |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Damewood |first=Andrea |date=2021-11-05 |title=Sunshine Noodles Will Open a Permanent Location in Slabtown |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2021/11/05/sunshine-noodles-will-open-a-permanent-location-in-slabtown/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2021-11-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122141431/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2021/11/05/sunshine-noodles-will-open-a-permanent-location-in-slabtown/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2021-11-05 |title=Diane Lam's Blockbuster Pop-Up, Sunshine Noodles, Will Reemerge as a Restaurant |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2021/11/5/22758298/sunshine-noodles-restaurant |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2021-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128020136/https://pdx.eater.com/2021/11/5/22758298/sunshine-noodles-restaurant |url-status=live }} The restaurant launched a brunch menu in 2022.
In December 2022, Lam announced plans to permanently close Sunshine Noodles on December 18 and relocate to San Francisco.{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2022-12-09 |title=Northwest Portland Pop-Up-Turned-Restaurant Sunshine Noodles Will Close |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2022/12/9/23502265/sunshine-noodles-closing |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209213929/https://pdx.eater.com/2022/12/9/23502265/sunshine-noodles-closing |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Janey |date=2021-01-20 |title=Portland's Restaurant, Bar, and Food Cart Closures |url=https://pdx.eater.com/22240842/portland-restaurant-bar-cafe-closings |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2021-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121191206/https://pdx.eater.com/22240842/portland-restaurant-bar-cafe-closings |url-status=live }} Stacked Sandwich Shop is scheduled to reopen in the space in 2023 alongside a second location of Feel Good.{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Janey |date=2023-02-22 |title=Return of the Stack: Stacked Sandwich Shop, Home of the Oxtail French Dip, Will Reopen in Slabtown |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2023/2/22/23610894/stacked-sandwich-shop-reopening-slabtown-gabriel-pascuzzi |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Eater Portland |language=en}}
Reception
File:Northwest Portland, Oregon (2022) - 13 (cropped).jpg
In August 2020, Willamette Week called the pop-up at Psychic Bar "an avowedly irreverent, none too serious take on contemporary Cambodian food" and said: "The corn pudding is a candidate for the city's best new dessert, but the lime pepper wings are the breakout hit—spicy and complex, they want for nothing except a beer, and perhaps a napkin."{{Cite web |date=2020-08-05 |title=Where to Eat in Portland This Week |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2020/08/05/where-to-eat-in-portland-this-week-2/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2021-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524215006/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2020/08/05/where-to-eat-in-portland-this-week-2/ |url-status=live }} The newspaper also included Sunshine Noodles in a list of five "great" new restaurants that began operating in 2020.{{Cite web |date=2020-12-27 |title=Five Great New Restaurants That Opened in 2020 |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2020/12/27/five-great-new-restaurants-that-opened-in-2020/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2021-05-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530233547/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2020/12/27/five-great-new-restaurants-that-opened-in-2020/ |url-status=live }}
Katherine Chew Hamilton of Portland Monthly also included Sunshine Noodles in an overview of the best new restaurants of 2020.{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Katherine Chew |date=2020-10-06 |title=Sunshine Noodles Stirs Modern Influences into Cambodian Food |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2020/10/sunshine-noodles-stirs-modern-influences-into-cambodian-food |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114003954/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2020/10/sunshine-noodles-stirs-modern-influences-into-cambodian-food |url-status=live }} For the magazine's 2020 "Portland Food Highlight Reel", she wrote: "We also loved the patio at contemporary Cambodian spot Sunshine Noodles, one of the first restaurants in Portland that was specifically designed with pandemic safety considerations in mind, with Dance Dance Revolution-themed arrows directing foot traffic and cartoon noodle bowls serving as social distance markers."{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Katherine Chew |date=2020-12-29 |title=The 2020 Portland Food Highlight Reel: Pivots, Food Carts, and New Restaurants |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2020/12/the-2020-portland-food-highlight-reel-pivots-food-carts-and-new-restaurants |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521200823/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2020/12/the-2020-portland-food-highlight-reel-pivots-food-carts-and-new-restaurants |url-status=live }} In 2022, Hamilton included the fish sauce spaghetti and meatballs in a list of four noodle dishes "to eat now",{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Katherine Chew |date=2022-02-25 |title=The Best Noodle Dishes to Try In Portland Right Now |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/best-noodle-dishes-portland |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326090551/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/best-noodle-dishes-portland |url-status=live }} and the Le Quick Fix in the magazine's list of the "best local spots to sip espresso martinis like a '90s boss".{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Katherine Chew |date=2022-03-07 |title=The Best Espresso Martinis in Portland |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/best-espresso-martini-portland-bars |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Portland Monthly |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327005049/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/best-espresso-martini-portland-bars |url-status=live }}
Michael Russell included Sunshine Noodles in The Oregonian{{'s}} list of Portland's 25 best new restaurants of 2022.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2022-11-21 |title=Here are Portland's 25 best new restaurants for 2022 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2022/11/portlands-25-best-new-restaurants-2022.html |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=The Oregonian |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Food|Oregon}}
- {{Commons category-inline|Sunshine Noodles}}
- {{Official website|https://www.sunshinenoodlespdx.com}}
{{Defunct restaurants in Portland, Oregon}}
{{Northwest District, Portland, Oregon}}
Category:2019 establishments in Oregon
Category:2022 disestablishments in Oregon
Category:Cambodian restaurants
Category:Cambodian-American culture
Category:Defunct Asian restaurants in Portland, Oregon
Category:Defunct restaurants in Northwest District, Portland, Oregon