Reviewing Toki: Contemporary Korean-American food in Portland.

The head chef at Toki, Peter Cho, has been featured for his innovation in countless magazine articles, news articles, and even the recent season of Netflix’s show, “Somebody Feed Phil.” He is responsible for Toki’s innovative menu, and before that, Han Oak, an upscale Korean restaurant that has gone through many iterations.  

Originally blossoming out of the chef’s remodeled garage, Han Oak closed during the pandemic, reopened as a luxury hot pot experience, closed again, reopened for a special wine event, and then closed again to work on crafting the summer menu. This chef is always experimenting and reinventing the way he does things. My taste buds have benefited from his creative process many times. At Han Oak, I got to enjoy, to this day, the best fried chicken I had ever had. It had a crispiness that is truly unmatched. I should also mention that despite spending four months living in Korea and eating a lot of Korean fried chicken there, this was still my favorite.

In January 2021, while Han Oak was still closed, Toki was born. It originally opened with a variety of fried chicken preparations and some of Han Oak’s greatest hits. But it was here that Peter Cho’s greatest creation was born (at least in my opinion). 

It is at Toki where we were blessed with the invention of the cheeseburger bao. It is a simple yet incredible concept. It became popular momentarily via TikTok and, luckily, has become a staple here in Portland. They are made up of two really juicy cheeseburger patties, cheese, and onions, all steaming hot inside a doughy bao bun. McDonald’s better move over, I have found my new late-night craving. Seriously, don’t let your life end before trying these delicious meaty morsels. Toki and their burger baos are the number one spot and number one item I recommend to anyone from out-of-town asking for recommendations. Ever since I had them, they have been number one on my list, and nothing else has topped it. They are seriously that good. 

They are not the only thing Toki has to offer. There is also Korean fried chicken and brunch options like breakfast sandos, hand-pulled noodles, and spicy chicken sandwiches, as well as lots of other new dishes that are always popping up. Whether it’s brunch, lunch, or dinner, Toki serves up delicious game-changing dishes. They also have a fun array of various cocktails to try.  

Before you go, you should know that Toki still requires proof of vaccination to dine inside. Also, there is now covered outdoor seating and, of course, takeout is available. I would recommend making reservations on weekend nights, but at other times of the week, I haven’t needed them. I most recently went to Sunday brunch at 1 p.m. and there was plenty of seating. Once you get seated, the waiters arrive quickly and provide very attentive service. The staff brings each dish out as it is finished so you have a constant stream of hot fresh dishes. The owners of this restaurant are true innovators who have crafted a fantastic dining experience.